St Mary the Virgin
Dalham, Suffolk
A Grade I Listed church with a 'secret' fascinating carved ceiling.
Gazeley, Suffolk
Parts of the church date from the 13th century.
It underwent expansion and re-roofing of the nave in medieval times, and had the bell tower lowered in Victorian times. It was completely renovated inside in 2006, and is a beautiful, light filled space.
The font dates from the 14th century, and is largely undamaged.There is a beautifully carved Piscina dating also from the 14th century, and an Easter Sepulchre in the north wall of the chancel.There is a striking Elizabethan memorial to the Heigham family on the south will of the chancel.
The main 'draw' of this church is the intricately carved early 16th century ceiling in the chancel.The subject of a recent book, 'Men, Myths and Monsters' - Simon Johnson - (Lazarus Publications NFP), the ceiling has are over 200 carved figures, angels bearing scrolls, wild and domestic animals, birds, mythical creatures, people and religious figures and icons. This ceiling survived the two waves of iconoclasm after the Reformation and the Cromwell Commonwealth simply because it is high up, and the carvings too small to see clearly from the ground (bring binoculars). They would otherwise almost certainly have been destroyed.
The church is open daily during daylight hours.
Dalham, Suffolk
Moulton, Suffolk
Ousden, Suffolk
A rare Norman tripartite church which has been in regular use for the last 850 years and occupies a commanding position overlooking the Ousden Valley.