St Mary’s Round Tower Church, Roughton, Norfolk (28)

St Mary’s Church in the village of Roughton, Norfolk, was the last of the eight Round Tower Churches the we visited in January 2017…..finished at last 🙂 although I have found another one and thats why I thought we had visited nine.  The light was very low and I didn’t think the door would be open……but it did to my delight, all eight churches had been open, that’s some record.  There was still a little light left to take some quick photos, I could have turned the lights on, but I prefer to take church photos with natural light.  St Mary’s best feature is the round tower, apparently, one of the most ancient, due to the circular double-splayed windows about ten feet up, and the rugged triangular-headed double bell arches, so it could be late Saxon, but the herringbone pattern of capstone ( I call it gingerbread) at the base of the tower, could mean it’s Norman, anyway its old, wonderfully old, wonderfully ancient, whether Saxon or Norman.

I walked into quite a heavily restored church, a late 14th/early 15th century rebuild with aisles and clerestory, and then overwhelmingly restored by the Victorians.  The feeling from this church, is well balanced and a very pleasant place to visit.  No wall paintings, roof angels or ancient pew ends, just a well loved church, with that wonderful welcoming feel to it.  There is a nice 14th century octagonal font, and a couple of good stained glass window.  There might have been other treasures lurking in the shadows, but now the light was fading so quickly, I had to rush to catch what light was left for the last few photos.