Church Of St John The Baptist

The Church of St John the Baptist is a parish church with origins dating back to around 1200, featuring a chancel and nave from the same period. The early 19th century vestry was added later, while the bell turret and porch were constructed around 1883. The church has rendered walls, except for the vestry which is made of coursed rubble with chalk and sarsen, and it is topped with a slate roof.

The east window showcases reticulated tracery, and the chancel has a two-bay design with early 14th century windows featuring one-and two-light designs, along with one-light lancets from around 1200. The vestry, built in the early 19th century, includes a double flue chimney stack on the north side, a plank door with a shouldered arch, and three-light windows with cinquefoiled heads and label moulds above.

In the nave, there is one lancet window from around 1200 and two early 19th century two-light windows with segmental heads on the south wall. The north wall features a two-light and a three-light mid-17th century stone-mullioned window. A late 19th century timber porch sits on a stone base, while the north door, dating from around 1200, is adorned with dog tooth ornamentation on its semi-circular arch, engaged columns on the jambs, and a studded door with decorative iron hinges. The timber bell turret with a spirelet was added around 1883.

Inside, the chancel contains some 14th century stained glass in the south window and features wall paintings from the same period around the east and north windows. These paintings depict figures of St. Peter and St. Paul, as well as scenes from Herod's Feast, including Salome dancing and the decollation of the Baptist. The chancel also has mid-17th century panelling behind the altar, a balustraded altar rail, and a two-bay roof with a moulded bridging beam and rafters, along with a mid-17th century chancel screen.

In the nave, there is a mid-17th century pulpit with a carved tester and richly panelled support, each face bearing a carved escutcheon. The plain font dates to around 1200, while late 19th century benches incorporate 15th century bench ends with traceried heads and arms, along with instruments of the passion. The roof in the nave is mainly from the 17th century and features a carved king post.