Ranked as one of England's Thousand Best churches, St Peter and St Paul, Clare, is a glorious example of medieval Gothic architecture and a testament to the wealth generated by sheep farming in this area during the medieval period. The church is large, almost disproportionately so in relation to the pleasant village of Clare that surrounds it.
The church was built sometime shortly after the Norman conquest, but the nave and chancel are later, 15th century, rebuildings. The nave arcading is 13th century work, as is the lovely west tower. The beautifully carved south porch dates to about 1380, as does the chapel.
Parts of a 15th-century rood screen remain, but only remnants of original stained glass have survived; the rest was destroyed by the reforming zealot William Dowsing and his followers in 1643.
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About Clare, St Peter and St Paul Church
Address: Clare, Suffolk, England
Attraction Type: Historic Church
Location: In the centre of Clare village
Location map
OS: TL768448
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
HERITAGE
We've 'tagged' this attraction information to help you find related historic attractions
and learn more about major time periods mentioned.
Historic Time Periods:
Find other attractions tagged with:
13th century (Time Period) - 13th century (Time Period) - 15th century (Time Period) - 15th century (Time Period) - Medieval (Time Period) - Medieval (Time Period) - Norman (Architecture) - Norman (Architecture) - William Dowsing (Person) - William Dowsing (Person)
NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS
Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low to exceptional) on historic interest
Clare Ancient House Museum - 0.3 miles (Museum) 
Clare Castle - 0.4 miles (Castle)
Clare Priory - 0.4 miles (Abbey) 
Cavendish, St Mary's Church - 2.6 miles (Historic Church)
Kedington, St Peter & St Paul's Church - 3.8 miles (Historic Church)
Denston, St Nicholas Church - 4.6 miles (Historic Church)
Hedingham Castle - 6.1 miles (Castle)
Long Melford, Holy Trinity Church - 6.2 miles (Historic Church)
Nearest Holiday Cottages to Clare, St Peter and St Paul Church:
Castle Hedingham, Essex
Sleeps: 2
Stay from:£294 - £1,071
Wickham St Paul, Essex
Sleeps: 4
Stay from:£413 - £1,173
