Church Of St Andrew

The Church of St Andrew is a church dating back to the 13th century, with significant additions and alterations in the 14th and 15th centuries, and a restoration in 1889 by E.G. Bruton. It is constructed of limestone rubble with ashlar dressings, and has a plain-tile roof. The church comprises a chancel, nave, north aisle, north chapel, south porch, and west tower.

The chancel is largely 14th and 15th century, featuring a square-headed two-light 15th-century window in the south wall; the tracery from a similar window that originally stood on the north wall has been preserved inside the church. A three-light Perpendicular-style east window is a 19th-century addition. The north chapel is 19th century, built on earlier foundations. The nave and north aisle contain grouped lancet windows which are 19th century, although parts of the walls are medieval; the western lancet of the aisle is from the 13th century. The south porch is partly medieval, incorporating a 13th-century doorway with a roll-moulded arch and a pair of detached shafts, and is sheltered by an outer arch with continuous mouldings. The two-stage 13th-century tower has a cusped-lancet window on its west face and paired lancet openings at the bell-chamber stage topped with arched hood moulds, beneath a tiled pyramidal roof.

Inside, the chancel has a small 14th-century cusped piscina and an aumbry. The chancel arch, chapel arch, and most of the three-bay nave arcade are 19th-century replacements. However, the westernmost arch and sections of its respond and pier contain stones that during alterations revealed traces of medieval painting. A small arch connecting the north aisle to the north chapel is medieval. A simple, unchamfered 13th-century tower arch leads into the tower. Both the chancel and nave are topped with 19th-century crown post roofs.

The church's furnishings include a communion table from 1637, 16th- and 17th-century bench pews alongside 19th-century replicas, a panelled oak pulpit dated 1617, and a 17th-century oak chest. A brass dating from around 1500 portrays Ralph Hamsterley, Rector from 1499-1508, in a worm-infested shroud. The plain tub font retains a medieval staple, and is covered by a 1920 Arts and Crafts cover. An ancient pole ladder is positioned below the tower. During the incumbency of Dr. S.H. Scott (1915-49), the church was adorned with Flemish brass chandeliers, numerous copies of Italian paintings, other fine furnishings, and stained glass.