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Churches Discovery Project

Church Opening Times:
Saturdays and Bank Holiday Monday: 10.00 – 4.00
Sundays: 1.00 – 4.00

From the busy A47 towards Swaffham, the unusual tower of All Saints, Necton, with its wooden cupola peers over the countryside. A large medieval church, its’ nave roof houses an array of magnificent carved angels.

Craft: Wood Carving. Wood carver: Andy Hibberd. View programme

A phoenix of a medieval church, beautifully restored, St Mary’s is a hidden treasure. It has six layers of wall paintings, including important Romanesque wall paintings from the 11th  century.

Craft: Wall Painting Conservation. Conservationist: Andrea Kirkham

Tucked away on the Walsingham Estate the lovely little medieval church of St Peter has magnificent stained glass and church brasses inside. There is also the legend of ‘The Babes in the Wood’ to tempt the visitor (and you thought it started with Hansel and Gretel?')

Craft: Brass exhibition and rubbing: Martin Stutchfield; Story Telling: Paul Jackson. View programme

A round tower of the 11th century greets the visitor to All Saints. Inside the church is a wonderful reminder of the 19th collector. The rector of the time brought back treasures from Italy to enhance his church, notably the reredos behind the altar.

Craft: Basket Making and Cloth Weaving. Worstead Weavers; Sandra Barker, Basket Maker View programme

A huge medieval church with an unusual 15th century tower and steeple. Inside the church of SS Peter & Paul, a wealth of wonders awaits the visitor. Stained glass, tombs and a connection with Holbein’s portrait of Lady with a Squirrel.

Art: The use of Tempura in art. Maz Jackson, artist in tempera. View programme

A striking early flint tower greets the visitor to All Saints, Hethel. Off the beaten track this 12th century church, beautifully and simply renovated in the 19th century, also houses a fine chamber organ, recently restored and an interesting monument of the 17th century.

Craft: Environmental delights and organ recitals
Organist: Elizabeth Sears, Countryside Rangers from South Norfolk Council. View programme

Norwich is full of wonderful medieval churches, and one of the finest is St George’s Colegate. A large church built on the cusp of the 16th century, the interior is an example of beatifully crafted 18th century restoration.

David Holgate, stone mason will be demonstrating his craft. David is a well known Norfolk craftsman whose two sculptures of Mother Julian and St Benedict are to be seen on the West Front of The Cathedral. St George's is a church rich in Norwich History and contains interesting monuments.

From the main A146, St Ethelbert’s is approached up a slope. A 12th century church with a later tower, it’s South Entrance is an excellent example of Norman art. Inside are fabulous wall paintings and medieval stained glass windows.

Craft: Stained Glass making. John Bardell, Stained Glass maker. View programme

Nowhere else has a tower like St Mary’s! Built of brick in the 18th century it is in the shape of a ziggarat. This is attached to a lovely small, thatched medieval church, over the centuries regarded as their own by the Boycott Family. And yes, the term ‘to boycott’ comes from the family name.

Craft: Thatching. Tony Hoare, Cley Reed Panels and Norfolk Reed Association. View programme

In for a surprise at St John the Baptist! A lovely medieval exterior hides a beautiful modern interior ( The church burnt down in the 1980’s) with superb modern stained glass, a Roman Wall and the 17th century Berney Memorial.

Local Flint Knapper Bodger Hodgson will be there on 10th and 11th May. The church will be open with exhibitions both week-ends. The church was destroyed by fire in the 1980's but has been sensitively restored with a modern interior. It has fine flint work in its medieval walls. The ancient craft of flint kapping is very important for Norfolk Churches.  Inside the church is the remains of a Roman Wall, fine modern stained glass and a magnificent 17th century family tomb. Refreshments are available.

The church of SS Andrew & Peter has a huge tower dating from early 15th century. The church is full of interest from the memorial windows to a resident involved with the Red Cross, to a fabulous font and connections to the Paston Family and the poet John Dryden.

Craft: Poetry and music making connected with bells.
Composer: Terry Mann; Poets from New Writing Partnership. View programme

South Walsham has two churches on one site. St Mary’s and St Lawrence’s, both 14th century, separated by the beautiful Sacristan’s Garden. St Mary’s has a 15th century tower and a magnificent carved Marian porch. St Lawrence’s is now both a space for worship and for art.

Hosting an art exhibition in the church. Outside, the Sactristan's Garden will be open and there will be a demonstration on the use of herbs in medicine and culinary uses in medieval times. St Lawrence's which is a thriving arts centre as well as a chapel will be open for refreshments. Two churches on one site are unusual and well worth visiting. Art: The use of herbs in medieval England and botanic art. The Sacristan’s Garden. Herbalist: Neil Storey