Remains Of The Church Of St Mary

The remains of the Church of St Mary date back to the 12th century, with alterations around 1700 and further changes in the late 19th century. The medieval church suffered a fire in 1681, after which it was repaired and transformed into a long single cell with transepts added during restoration, featuring a large weather-boarded bell turret with a pyramid roof. By 1883, the structure had become so dilapidated that it was largely demolished, leaving only the old chancel, which was replaced by a new church on a different site.

What remains is an almost square structure with a plain tiled roof, flint walls accented with stone dressings, and brick quoins and buttresses from the later period. The west wall, built in the late 19th century, is made of rubble and features a round-arched doorway. On the north side, there is a small lancet window, while the south side has a two-light trefoil-headed Perpendicular window and a blocked round-arched priest's door. The east window is round-headed and dates from the restoration.

Inside, the church contains several notable features, including a small piscina, late 17th-century altar rails, seating with panelled backs, and some medieval tiles. The floor is covered with lettered slabs, including dates such as 1702, 1733, and 1799, along with brasses, including a female figure of Katherine Dabridgecourt with a shield and three panels dated 1607, 1610, and 1726. There are two fine marble wall monuments from 1729 and 1771 on the south wall, and on the north wall, one from 1798 and another from 1781. The west wall includes a framed and painted record of the addition of 48 extra sittings in 1831, likely in an enlarged part of the church, as well as two mid-19th-century 'Commandment' panels with cusped pointed arches. Wall paintings, primarily on the east wall, may include medieval elements, featuring crosses within roundels. The site is noted for the variety and interest of its somewhat battered contents.