St Catherine

St Catherine's is at the heart of the pretty village of Ludham, in the Norfolk Broads National Park.

Ludham, Norfolk

Opening times

The church is open all day, every day of the year.

Address

Norwich Road
Ludham
Norfolk
NR29 5QA

It has a fascinating historic connection with the nearby (now ruined) St Benet's Abbey. Two outcomes of this are that the Church Commissioners are responsible for maintaining its chancel and, more important to the villagers, the Abbot is rector of the parish. The Bishop of Norwich, as Abbot of St Benets is therefore Rector of Ludham.

St Catherine's is a large and impressive church, due to the wealth of the nearby Abbey and its location in an area of rich arable and pasture land. It has a slated chancel, lead roofed nave with two aisles and a four square west tower and is built of flint with stone dressings. It has a fine late medieval painted chancel screen and a painted rood in the tympanum which is very unusual and is now thought to date back to Henry VI. The carved 15th century font includes figures of 'woodwoses', a sort of wild men of the woods, but one is a female, the only one in East Anglia. Free guides are available in the church.

Enjoy a virtual tour here:

Key features

Captivating architecture
Enchanting atmosphere
Fascinating churchyard
Glorious furnishings
National heritage here
Wildlife haven

Facilities

Accessible toilets nearby
Bus stop within 100m
Café within 500m
Dog friendly
Level access throughout
On street parking at church
Parking within 250m
Space to secure your bike
Walkers & cyclists welcome

Denomination

Church of England

How we have helped this church

Cornerstone Grant, £10,000, 2020
Our Cornerstone Grants fund urgent repairs and essential community facilities such as toilets and kitchens to help keep churches open.
Partnership Grant, £10,000, 2016
Our Partnership Grants funded a range of repair projects, recommended by County Church Trusts, to help keep churches open.