The Parish Church Of St Mary The Virgin

The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin is a Grade II* listed parish church located on Cannon Street. It was built on the site of Roman baths and a Saxon church, which is mentioned in the Domesday Book. The oldest part of the current structure dates back to the Norman period, specifically the early 12th century, and includes the west tower and four bays of the arcades. The aisles, the remainder of the nave, and the chancel were constructed by J C and C Buckler in the Early English style. The church is built of flint with stone dressings.

The west tower is square and consists of five stages, topped with a spire and weathervane. The west face features arcading that becomes increasingly elaborate towards the top, with colonnettes that have block capitals and arches adorned with a series of scallops. The plain renewed west doorway has shafts. The aisles are fitted with lancet windows, though most of the stained glass windows were lost during the Second World War.

Inside, the tower arch has recessed shafts and a roll. The three west bays of the Norman nave arcades are from the early 12th century, with an additional bay that is nearly contemporary but has a simpler base moulding. The interior features round piers, scallop capitals, and square abaci. There is a 13th-century stained glass window in the gallery and a Norman octagonal Purbeck stone font bowl, although the rest of the font has been renewed. Notable interior elements include a brass from 1638 and a series of 18th-century wall monuments. The remainder of the nave, aisles, and chancel were completed in 1843-1844, and there are 19th-century pews.