St Andrew
Colton, Norfolk
A 13th century church with a round tower, set in a raised churchyard surrounded by fields, on the outskirts of the sparsely populated village of Runhall.
Runhall, Norfolk
The round tower may well be Norman at the base, with 13th century two-light belfry sound openings to the north, south, east and west. Inside the church is a beautiful small door through to the tower from the west end of the nave. Some of the ironwork on this door has been identified as being made in the 12th century and is described as ‘of exceptional rarity’ in the church’s listed building description. Although the woodwork of the door has been repaired it is likely to be of a similar period and as the base of the tower is thought to be Norman, this may be the original door to the tower.
To the east of the tower is a wide nave. The chancel was ruined by a fire a long time ago. On the east nave wall, the chancel arch has been blocked and the remains of north and south chancel walls, and splays to windows, can be seen either side of the arch. The nave, was probably originally built in the 13th century, indicated by the Early English north window with later alterations to include the insertion of the 15th century Perpendicular windows and the brick repair to the south window.
To the south of the nave is a simple, un-buttressed porch, probably dating from the 14th century. The north nave door has an elaborately carved head to relatively plain shafts forming the jambs. This, again, is probably 13th century.
Internally, the church has a simple layout with a Perpendicular font at the west end and a traceried and coloured rood stair doorway in the northeast corner. The church was re-roofed in 1871 and the old pews replaced with neat benches. There is also a single bell in a medieval frame.
There is a footpath running through the churchyard for anyone interested in rambling.
Colton, Norfolk
Wramplingham, Norfolk
North Tuddenham, Norfolk
Treasured church with a 14th century tower, loved for its stained glass windows, rood screens, windpipe organ and unique wall tiling.