Church Of St Mary

Parish church. The church largely dates to the 12th century, with a lengthening of the chancel in the mid-13th century, and the addition of north and south transeptal chapels (the south chapel was demolished). A south aisle was added later, alongside a separate, free-standing, 16th-century bell tower, and the building was refenestrated during the same period. A restoration took place in 1847, accompanied by the addition of a south porch. The church is constructed of flint with stone dressings, featuring old plain tile roofs, a timber-framed and weatherboarded bell tower, and a timber-framed porch.

The plan consists of a long chancel (with its eastern portion dating to the 13th century), a north vestry/chapel attached to the west bay of the chancel, a 12th-century nave with a 14th-century south aisle, a 16th-century two-stage bell tower to the west, and a 19th-century porch in the centre of the south side. The east end of the chancel is distinguished by a stepped triple lancet window, and a 13th-century sanctus bell opening in the gable. A 13th-century square-headed two-light trefoiled window with net tracery sits to the south, alongside a double lancet window and a triple lancet window with a trefoiled centre light. The north wall features a restored 13th-century double lancet window, below which is an early 18th-century monument to Margaret Barbar. Adjacent to the north wall is a parallel-roofed north transept with triple lancet windows and a 3-centred doorway. The nave’s north side has three large, early 16th-century square-headed three-light cinquefoiled windows, with tall stepped buttresses flanking it, and a restored window to the west. The south aisle features 19th-century foiled and ogee-headed lancet windows. A timber porch with carved bargeboards stands centrally, with a 19th-century ogee-headed lancet and buttress at the west end beneath a tiled coping. The square-plan, two-stage bell tower has two-light bell openings on each face and a hipped roof with a weathervane. A 16th-century chamfered roundheaded doorway, a two-light window in a square head, and tall stepped buttresses are visible at the west end of the nave.

Internally, the east window of the chancel has a splayed pointed arch, as do the north window and the five central windows. The southeast window features a flat arch and a pointed niche with reset 13th-century stained glass heads. The southwest window is visible below the south transept arch. The transept arches are chamfered and roundheaded; the south arch retains vestiges of imposts and shafts, while the north arch incorporates part of a medieval coffin lid within the tomb. A 1320 stone effigy of Sir Geoffrey de Canterton stands before the north arch, set on a 20th-century base. Monuments are present on the chancel walls, including those dating to 1538 (Tristram Fantelroy), 1737 (Rev Charles Cranley), and 1796 (Rev Baker). Floor slabs bear dates from 1699 (Richard Mannyngham), 1695 (Silena Manningham), 1682 (Rev Richard Mannyngham), 1725 (Phillis Shiplam), and a medieval slab with lost inlays. A 19th-century chamfered pointed chancel arch joins the walls. The south arcade comprises two bays with a similar design. A high-set door in the southwest wall once led to a gallery. The west wall displays Royal Arms (GIIIR). In the aisle’s west end stands a monument of 1682 to Sir William Ogle. Below it, to the north, is 17th-century dado panelling. A 13th-century font, recarved in the early 16th century, is in front of the panelling, featuring a cushion-shaped bowl with carved lilies and grotesques, set on a square bottom and drum base.