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Saxthorpe, St Andrew Church

Travel Information and nearby accommodation

A lovely historic church dating back to the late Saxon period. The first church in Saxthorpe was built on a rise over the infant River Bure sometime in the 11th century. That church consisted of only a nave and a small chancel. A surprising amount of the masonry from this Saxon building surbives. The easiest place to see evidence of Saxon stonework is on the exterior south side of the chancel, near the small priests door, where herringbone stonework is obvious.

In 1346 the Countess of Pembroke gained the right from Edward III to transfer the living of Saxthorpe to a new college she planned to found at Cambridge the following year. That college became Pembroke College, which owned the living for the next 5 centuries. Perhaps the fact that the College was responsible for the living is one of the reasons why so many of the medieval features of St Andrew's remain intact and uncluttered by restoration.

The church is entered by way of the south porch. Before you enter, look for a moment ar the ancient door and you willl see a large, round knocker. This dates from the 14th century and is a sanctuary knocker. If a criminal could reach the knocker, he could claim the right of sanctuary from justice, and stay unharmed within the church for a designated length of time.

As you enter the church, look left, to the west end, where a large arch separates the nave from the tower. In the 14th century a door was inserted in the end wall of the Saxon church. This door is now the arch separating the tower from the medieval nave. Above the tower arch is a small Saxon window which would originally have been an exterior window - now it looks out over the nave.

One of the most intriguing features of the interior are the large number of carved wooden roof bosses and corbel heads. Most are carved into grotesque faces, though some might well be contemporary portraits.

At the west end of the central aisle in the nave is a very large floor memorial to members of the Page family. One of the Pages Peter, was vicar from 1482 to 1536, and was responsible for the rebuilding of the nave Look for a carved 'P' on several of the pew ends, a reminder of Page's work. Most of the pews have beautifully carved poppy head decoration, but into one pew is carved a medieval figure of the Lamb of God.

The rood screen is medieval, and still has good amounts of colour despite obvious fading over the centuries. Unusually, the base panels are not decorated with human figures, but show simple floral designs. To the left of the screen, near the pulpit, is a brass plaque commemorating the Venerable Cicely, an anchoress who maintained a cell in what is now the vvestry. To the right of the screen is a large carved head thought to represent William Aylmer, Earl of Pembroke. The font is 14th century, and it bears a carved wooden cover dated 1621.
The Street, Saxthorpe, Norfolk, England, NR11 7DG

About Saxthorpe, St Andrew Church
Attraction Type: Church
Location: Signposted church parking lot off The Street
Location map
OS TG115304
Heritage Rating:   ?

Nearest attractions Nearest Towns and Villages Nearest accommodation Nearest Tourist Information Centre

OS map Related Information

Nearest Attractions Mannington Hall Gardens - 2 miles (Garden) Wolterton Park - 2 miles (Historic House) Stody Lodge Gardens - 3.7 miles (Garden) Blickling Hall - 4 miles (Historic House) Baconsthorpe Castle - 4.9 miles (Castle) Bure Valley Railway - 5.5 miles (Family) Sheringham Park - 6.8 miles (Countryside) Gunton Church - 7.3 miles (Church)

Nearest Towns and Villages Cawston - 4.5 miles away Holt - 5.4 miles away Aylsham - 5.6 miles away Gresham - 6.2 miles away Salthouse - 7.3 miles away Sheringham - 7.6 miles away Cromer - 9.8 miles away Binham - 9.9 miles away

Nearest Accommodation to Saxthorpe, St Andrew Church

Nearest Self Catering Cottages

Middle Cottage - 0.5 miles from Saxthorpe, St Andrew Church Little London, Norfolk Sleeps: 4 Stay from: £180

East Cottage - 0.5 miles from Saxthorpe, St Andrew Church Little London, Norfolk Sleeps: 4 Stay from: £180

Beck Cottage - 5.9 miles from Saxthorpe, St Andrew Church West Beckham, Norfolk Sleeps: 3 Stay from: £172

More Self Catering near Saxthorpe, St Andrew Church

Nearest Hotels

Old Brewery House Hotel - 4.8 miles from Saxthorpe, St Andrew Church Reepham, Norfolk Stay from: £32.50

The Plough Inn - 6.3 miles from Saxthorpe, St Andrew Church Norwich, Norfolk Stay from: £45.00

Felbrigg Lodge - 6.5 miles from Saxthorpe, St Andrew Church Aylmerton, Norfolk Stay from: £100.00

More Hotels near Saxthorpe, St Andrew Church

Nearest Bed and Breakfasts

Aldborough Hall - 4.4 miles from Saxthorpe, St Andrew Church Thurgarton, Norfolk From: £89.00

Felbrigg Lodge - 6.9 miles from Saxthorpe, St Andrew Church Aylmerton, Norfolk From: £100.00

Marsham Arms Inn - 7.7 miles from Saxthorpe, St Andrew Church Hevingham, Norfolk From: £58.95

More bed and breakfasts near Saxthorpe, St Andrew Church

Aylsham
Tourist Information Centre
Bure Valley Railway Station
Norwich Road
Aylsham
Norfolk
England
NR11 6BW
Tel: 01263 733903
Alternate Tel: 01263 733858
Fax: 01263 733814
Email: aylsham.tic@broadland.gov.uk
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