Church Of St Nicholas

The Church of St Nicholas is a church with significant development across the late 12th century, 13th, 14th centuries, a datestone of 1737, and 19th-century alterations. Constructed of regular coursed and squared coursed limestone and ironstone, it has lead and plain-tile roofs. The building consists of an aisled nave, a chancel, a west tower, and a south porch.

The south elevation of the chancel has a four-window range of 14th-century two-light square-headed windows. A doorway with a low-side lancet is located to the left. The chancel has a pitched roof with a corbelled cornice, ashlar gable parapets, and a finial. The five-light east window features 19th-century tracery. The north elevation of the chancel has a three-window range with one lancet to the left, and two 14th-century two-light square-headed windows to the right, each with a low-side lancet below.

The south aisle has a three-window range of three-light windows; one has reticulated tracery, and the others have 19th-century tracery, all with carved label stops. Similar east and west windows are present. A lean-to roof is surmounted by a castellated ashlar parapet. A gabled porch to the left of center features a plain round outer arch and a pointed inner arch with roll moulding and includes a 15th-century ribbed door. The north aisle also has a three-window range of three-light windows, two with Y-tracery with cusping, and one with reticulated tracery. A pointed arch defines the north door, situated to the right of center. Similar east and west windows are present, completed with a lean-to roof and a castellated ashlar parapet.

The west tower, dating to the late 12th century, is of three stages, setback at each stage, with clasping buttresses to the lower stage. The transitional west door has a triple-stepped pointed arch with three shafts – two shafts have capitals. A round-headed lancet is positioned above the doorway. Round-headed bell-chamber openings of two lights are on each face of the third stage. A plain ashlar parapet tops the tower. The datestone on the tower, dated 1737, likely relates to a restoration.

The interior features a 4-bay nave arcade of around 1300, with double-chamfered arches and octagonal piers. One pier on the south side is earlier, exhibiting nail head decoration. There’s a double-chamfered chancel arch and a triple-chamfered tower arch. Evidence of a 12th-century transept remains on the north side of the nave, along with 19th-century roof structures. A Perpendicular screen exists, with some parts reset. A Jacobean two-tier pulpit includes an hour-glass stand. A late 17th-century communion rail features twisted balusters. A 15th-century font cover has been restored. A late 12th-century sculpture in the vestry depicts Satan with the apple of Eden. A wall painting south of the chancel arch shows a crucifix, the Virgin Mary, and St John. Stained glass, including a fragment of medieval glass, is found in the south aisle’s south-east window, and a fragment of medieval floor tiling is also present.