Church Of All Saints

The Church of All Saints is a parish church dating from the 7th century, with significant additions and alterations in the 10th, 13th, and 19th centuries. It is constructed primarily of ironstone and lias rubble, with a plain tiled roof. The church comprises a nave, a chancel with a polygonal apse, a south chapel, and a west tower.

The apse, dating from around 1865, features three single-light round-headed windows. Sections of 7th-century work are visible at the base of the apse and in the north wall. Blocked 7th-century arched openings, originating from the nave to a former ambulatory at a semi-basement level, are located on either side of the apse. Single-light 7th-century windows are positioned above these openings. The south chapel, from the 13th century, has two 2-light windows with intersecting tracery, a similar 2-light window to the west, and a three-light window to the east.

The south elevation of the nave features a four-bay round-headed arcade from the 7th century, each bay incorporating double voissoirs of reused Roman tiles. Plain rectangular rubble piers support the arcade. The westernmost arcade contains a 12th-century round-headed entrance with moulded capitals and base, and a studded and ribbed door. The remaining arcades have 19th-century round-headed windows. Three single-light 7th-century round-headed clerestory windows are set between the nave arcades. The north elevation of the nave and chancel mirrors the south side, with a 7th-century arcade and clerestory. Two 14th-century three-light windows with reticulated tracery are located in the chancel. A continuous gabled roof covers the nave and chancel, featuring a 14th-century crenellated parapet that was restored in the 19th century.

The west tower consists of two stages. The lower stage, dating back to the 7th century, incorporates Roman tiles in its masonry. A large, 10th-century semi-circular stair turret projects on the west side, opening into the second stage with plain rectangular window openings and a flat roof, exhibiting some herringbone coursing. The main part of the second stage is primarily 14th-century, featuring two-light ogee-headed windows on each face. A 14th-century broach spire, constructed of ashlar with pinnacles and two tiers of lucarnes, tops the tower.

Inside, the chancel features a 7th-century round-headed arch to the apse, with voussoirs of reused Roman tiles. A two-bay 13th-century arcade leads to the south chapel with chamfered arches. A painted screen, originally a rood screen and restored in the 20th century, is located in the east arcade. The nave displays four-bay blocked arcades as described externally, utilizing Roman tiles. A large 14th-century double-chamfered chancel arch is present, and a 7th-century arched opening provides access to the tower, with a similar blocked opening above, containing a 10th-century triple arched opening divided by baluster shafts with trapezoidal capitals. The roof is from the 19th century, featuring a king post and tie beam. Stained glass is present in the nave windows on the south side, dating from around 1888. A reliquary, possibly from around 1300, is located near the pulpit and is topped by a small cusped arch under a crocketted gable. A sculpture in the west jamb of the south door, likely from the 9th century, depicts the eagle of St. John. A 13th-century monument in the south chapel depicts a cross-legged knight.

Historically, the site was thought to have been a 7th-century monastery of basilica plan, devastated during the Danish invasion of 876. It was converted to a parish church in the 10th century when the original western entrance became the tower. A 13th-century south aisle, porch, and chancel were removed during a major restoration in 1865.