St Andrew

St Andrew’s church lies within the Norfolk Broads National Park between the tiny village of Wickhampton (27 houses) and the Wickhampton Marshes.

As late as 1000 AD the marshes and the village of Wickhampton did not exist, as the sea covered the area as far as Halvergate to the north and Reedham to the south. The church itself is large and airy, and is open during daylight hours. The chancel was built in the 12th century, the nave sometime in the 13th century and the tower in the 14th century. Finally, the porch was added around 1450.

Although not very different from many other village churches in East Anglia, it holds treasures of medieval art; the large wall paintings, which were rediscovered in the mid 19th century. It has been suggested by Art Historians that the murals (their quality and themes) place these as one of the best surviving examples of 14th century wall paintings in England.

Among the scenes are eight panels depicting the 'Seven Acts of Mercy', six taken from Mathew’s gospel (chapter 25, vv35-40) and the seventh (Burying the Dead) from the book of Tobit. The eighth panel shows the resurrection of Christ. Another area shows the 'Three Living and the Three Dead', a medieval warning that death awaits us all. Detailed notes on the murals, written by Elisabeth Kozmian, can be found in the church.

There is parking in front of the church for five or six cars (more if you are in a group and can box group members in). During 2018 we will be installing a toilet in the churchyard, and this will be open whenever the church is open. Members of the public will be welcome to make use of this, whether or not they visit the church, and it will be accessible for wheelchairs. A public footpath goes past the church into the marshes, and links up with the Weavers Way, a national footpath running from Great Yarmouth to Cromer. The whole area is a bird watching and rambling paradise.