The fourteenth-century chancel has flowing traceried windows and the apricot-pink colour of the walls is particularly attractive. The beams of the medieval roof are moulded and all have some particles of original paint. The easternmost beam is carved with a vine trail and the date of a seventeenth-century repair. Note the Royal Arms of Queen Anne and a few traceried Medieval benches.
A serene church in its well-treed churchyard. The central tower and nave are basically Norman, the later chancel is embattled and the south aisle is fourteenth-century. Entrance is through a porch formed by magnificent old wooden crucks. One window in the north wall celebrates local bowmen who fought at Crecy. Next to it is a recent window celebrating 1000 years of the church. In the south aisle stands a large iron-bound parish chest and the square font dates from about 1200.
At the east end of the village, this church is in a very rural setting with tall trees around the south side of the churchyard. Don’t miss the fine early eighteenth-century cartouche monument on the south aisle east wall and cherubic tombstones scattered around. The tranquil interior is largely fourteenth-century. Extra buttressing was required for the north aisle, where the octagonal piers lean outwards. A date of 1695 on one nave beam indicates a repair to the surviving medieval roof.
St. Martin’s is a small 13th and early 14th century church with an unusual 15th century brick porch. The short, stocky early 14th century west tower partially collapsed in 1691 and was rebuilt in brick, as was much of the south aisle. The chancel contains several Early English lancet windows. The nave was probably originally without aisles.
The church is remarkable for two extraordinary survivors. The Perpendicular stone pulpit with its original stone steps is one of the few remaining in the entire country. The octagonal font may date to 1300 or earlier. Four of its sides are decorated with a censing angel, an eagle and two battling dragons.
A wonder in miniature. Much of the existing church building at All Saints is Anglo-Saxon, including the incredible arch. There oddities and remnants of former times around the place.
And its attachment to RAF Wittering is show both internally in the former “Lady Chapel” and more than 100 service graves in the churchyard.
Despite the picture – we do also have chairs for Sunday services!
You can access All Saints using the key which is held at the Phoenix Shop, Townsend Road.
Follow these tips
See the video as an example.
