
NORFOLK CHURCHES
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Norfolk has the largest concentration of medieval churches in the world. |
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There were over 1,000 medieval churches built in Norfolk and 659 still remain, this is the greatest concentration in the world. Not only are these beautiful internationally important buildings, but they contain hundreds of medieval works of art and craftsmanship. The simple and easily built round towers of early times gave way to the rich and spacious buildings in the prosperous Middle Ages, many noted for their beautiful rood screens, decorated roofs and bench carvings. The decline in the population of Norfolk left many churches isolated from their villages, but their towers still dominate the Norfolk landscape. Each of these wonderful buildings, offers a great place to escape our busy lives and experience peace and tranquility. Make sure you get to visit some of these magnificent medieval churches during your stay in Norfolk. |
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Here is our pick of some of the best medieval Churches in Norfolk |
Norwich Cathedral dominates the skyline of the city.
The building was started in 1096 and took nearly 200 years to complete, with stone shipped from Caen in Normandy. After the townsfolk set fire to the cathedral in the riots of 1272, the timber roofs were replaced with stone vaulting with carved and painted roof bosses. It is one of the finest Cathedrals in England. |

Norwich Cathedral |

Norwich Cathedral |

Norwich Cathedral Organ |

Norwich Cathedral Cloisters |
 Next, we head to the Norfolk Broads, which has plenty of beautiful medieval churches, some are really tucked away and are best visited by boat from the river. We start our list of favourites at Ranworth The Cathedral of the Broads, St Helen, with its magnificent rood screen and views from its tower. |

The Cathedral of the Broads |

Ranworth St. Helen |

Ranworth Church Rood Screen |

Ranworth Church painted ceiling |
Irstead St Michael, with a thatched roof. A lovely remote church so typical of Norfolk and best accessed from the River Ant by boat. |

Irstead Church, St. Michael |

Inside Irstead Church |
Horning St Benedict. Sitting on the edge of this lovely Broadland village and having its own small staithe, allowing you to tie up your boat and explore the church. |

Horning St. Benedict Church |

Inside Horning Church |
South Walsham St Mary. Two churches in one churchyard! Norfolk has a few instances of this. |

South Walsham St. Mary |

inside St. Mary Church |

St Mary stained glass window |

South Walsham St. Lawrence study centre |
Thurne St Edmund with a thatched roof and embattled tower. |

Thurne St. Edmund |

Inside Thurne Church |
Potter Heigham St Nicholas. A lovely church, tucked away in the residential part of this Broadland village. The earliest surviving feature is the round tower, which dates back to the 12th century and has a 14th century octagonal extension, one of the best preserved in the country. Inside, you will find a stunning hammerbeam roof (Gothic open timber), an almost unique 15th century brick font and a scheme of wall paintings dating back to the 14th century. |

Potter Heigham St. Nicholas Church |

Inside Potter Heigham Church |
 St. Marys, West Somerton. This ancient, peaceful church is one of the best in Norfolk, partly due to its location, perched on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside and views to the coast at Winterton. People have worshipped here for over 900 years and the building contains craftsmanship from various dates and periods. |

West Somerton Village Church |

St Marys church tower, West Somerton |

Inside the church at West Somerton |

Evening sunshine on St Marys church |
 The churches of the Norfolk Coast tend to be larger, some are almost like cathedrals! Many sit in prominent positions, overlooking the sea, with strong connections to the sailors who have lost their lives. A typical example is Blakeney St Nicholas, with its unusual light turret and detailed wood carvings. |

Blakeney Church |

Blakeney Church |
Cley-next-the-sea St Margaret of Antioch, is also a cathedral like church with fine stone, wood carvings and some fascinating old graves. |

Cley next the sea Church |

Inside St. Margaret Church in Cley next the sea |
Happisburgh St Mary has a tall tower with views out to sea and a chilling mass grave of sailors drowned nearby. |

Happisburgh St. Mary Church |

Inside Happisburgh Church |
Burnham Thorpe is the birthplace of Horatio Nelson. His father, Edmund Nelson, moved to Burnham Thorpe in 1755, after his marriage. Horatio, the 6th of their 11 children was born on 29th September 1758 in a house called the Shooting Box! Horatio went away to study and after his early years in the Navy, he returned for 5 years to Burnham Thorpe with his new wife. Nelson was given his first role as Captain after this and the rest is history. The church where his father was Rector, is well worth a visit as it is full of Nelson family memorabilia, including a cross and lectern made from wood from HMS Victory. |

The church of All Saints in Burnham Thorpe |

Checkerboard flint work below the east wall |

Inside the church at Burnham Thorpe |

The grave of Edmund Nelson, Horatio's Father |

The church organ at Burnham Thorpe |

The church pulpit at Burnham Thorpe |
 The church of St Nicholas at Salthouse stands between the village and high ridge and is high enough to avoid any flood water. Inside, the nave and chancel were rebuilt in the 15th century at a time of great prosperity. The church contains a fine font with lions and a painted rood screen. |

Salthouse church from Salthouse Heath |

Salthouse parish church of St. Nicholas |

Inside Salthouse church |

Painted rood in Salthouse church |
 Although not strictly a medieval church, no tour of churches should not mention England's Nazareth at Little Walsingham - the Shrine of our Lady. The Shrine Church is the highlight of the site and is situated in beautiful grounds. The Shrine Church, built in the 20th century, is where the Holy House is located - a replica of the home in Nazareth of Joseph, Mary and Jesus (the Holy Family).
You can also find an image of Our Lady of Walsingham, carved in 1922 and copied from the seal of the medieval Priory which was suppressed in 1538. |

Jesus carrying the cross at the Shrine of our Lady |

The grounds of the Shrine of our Lady in Walsingham |

The Sepulchre, the tomb where Christ was laid |

Grand Annunciation Altar and carving of Our Lady |
 Booton Church of St Michael and All Angels is a highly individual church. It was created on the shell of a medieval building in the 19th century by the rector Revd Whitwell Elwin over a period of 50 years. Its a gothic fantasy, with palace-like towers on the outside, and hosts of oak angels and stained glass on the inside. No tour of Norfolk's churches is complete without a visit to Booton! |

St Michael the Archangel Church Booton |

Twin Towers Booton Church |

Fantasy Gothic Towers Booton |

St Michall the Archangel Sign Booton |

Inside Booton Church |

Carved Woodwork and Church Organ |

Stained Glass Window of Musicians |

Stained Glass in Booton Church |
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