Church Of St Mary

The Church of St Mary is a parish church with significant fabric dating back to the 12th century. The north arcade originates from around 1190, the south arcade and lower stages of the tower are from the 14th century, the upper stage of the tower and angle buttresses are 15th century, the south aisle, south porch, and chancel are early 16th century, the spire was erected in 1720, and the north aisle was rebuilt in 1852. The church is constructed from Isle of Wight stone rubble with a tiled roof, featuring the lowest three courses of stone slates.

The building comprises a nave with aisles, a lower chancel, a south chapel, a south porch, and a west tower surmounted by a spire. The three-stage west tower incorporates 14th-century lower stages and a 15th-century upper stage, topped by a crenellated parapet and angle buttresses. A 14th-century west doorway is accented by engaged columns and a hood moulding, above which sits a double cinque-foil headed light with a hood moulding and a corbel stop below the parapet. The bell stage has pierced stone screens to the north and south sides, and the lead spire dates to 1720. The gabled south porch, also from the 14th century, features a sundial of 1727 and an arched doorcase with moulded impost blocks. The early 16th-century south aisle has two windows with cusped tracery and large stone triangular buttresses. The south chapel, also of early 16th-century date, is distinguished by two windows with cusped heads and an east window containing three lancets with cusped heads. The early 16th-century chancel has four lancet windows and a triple east window with cusped heads. The north aisle, rebuilt in 1852 and restored by Rev. Edward McAll, features three paired lancets.

Inside, the nave displays a three-bay north arcade dating to around 1190, featuring circular columns with square abaci and round arches with a slight chamfer. The south arcade comprises four 14th-century bays with octagonal columns. A 19th-century roof covers the nave. A 14th-century font, octagonal in shape, boasts plain cusped arches on the pillar and bowl. A fine Jacobean pulpit is a striking feature, with arched top panels featuring obelisks and lower panels decorated with strapwork. The pulpit's brackets support a bookrest that opens all around. The south aisle contains an early 16th-century piscina with a cusped head and a sexfoil drain. The south chapel incorporates a Perpendicular chancel arch, together with remaining parts of a rood staircase and a late Perpendicular arcade of three bays. A 19th-century arch-braced roof covers the chapel. Memorials to three former rectors—Thomas Hen (1667-69), Samuel Wilberforce (1830-40), and George Moberly (1867-69)—are located by the chancel rail. Black basalt floor slabs are also present.