Church Of St Thomas-A-Becket

The Church of St Thomas-a-Becket is a parish church located in Warblington. It has origins dating back to the Saxon period, with architectural elements from the late 12th century, early 13th century, and 15th century, and was restored in 1859 by J. H. Ball. The church features a slender central tower that is Saxon in origin, positioned above a west porch. The lowest stage of the tower was widened when the chancel, originally part of the Saxon church, was rebuilt in the 13th century. The chancel includes a north wing (vestry) and an east end, alongside a shorter 19th-century transept above the heating chamber.

The nave is comparatively wide, consisting of three bays, with aisles extending as chapels on either side of the tower, each containing a piscina. The arcade on the north side is supported by drum columns with moulded circular caps and bases, while the south side features octagonal shafts with four detached Purbeck columns topped with 'stiff-leaf' caps. The two tower arches are from the 13th century and rest on triple attached Purbeck shafts, adorned with moulded caps on the east side and stiff leaf foliage on the west. A Saxon doorway is visible above the east wall of the nave.

Interior highlights include two canopied medieval tombs, each with a recumbent female figure, and several wall monuments. The church's exterior is characterized by a tiled roof and walls made of flint and stone rubble with stone dressings. While there are some lancet windows, most are Victorian traceried lights, with the aisles featuring coupled lights within a single arch beneath gables. The north porch, dating from the 15th century, is constructed of heavy timber framing with stone side walls. The tower is topped with a small shingled broach spire, added during the 1859 restoration.