St Mary the Virgin
Banham, Norfolk
All Saints is an ancient church with a fully thatched roof and full height octagonal tower, some Norman and medieval features, central to the village of Old Buckenham.
Old Buckenham, Norfolk
All Saints is a Grade I listed medieval village church with some evidence of Saxon and certainly early Norman features. It has an 12th century nave, a 15th century porch and an 12th to 14th century full height octagonal tower housing six bells. The 14th century north aisle contains a fine Norman doorway, moved from a previous position in the church. There is a traditional reed thatched roof across both the nave and chancel.
The windows contain some important 15th century stained and painted glass which, according to historian David King, was possibly provided by Sir John Knevet as part of an appeal to obtain the legal right to Old Buckenham castle in 1461. Thanks primarily to local fundraising, this glass underwent full restoration and conservation in 2015. The church also contains some medieval pew end carvings, a 15th century font and a rare 17th century wooden bier.
Victorian features include a finely carved pulpit by WG Keppel and stained glass windows by CE Kempe and J & J King.
All Saints stands in a fascinating heritage landscape as the village of Old Buckenham had an important position in the 12th to 16th centuries. There are the remains and ruins of two castles and an Augustinian Priory within the parish boundary and the church is central to this historical context.
Banham, Norfolk
Wilby, Norfolk
In a tiny hamlet, tucked away in rural Norfolk, visit All Saint’s peaceful, calm atmosphere, unique with its quiet, rustic charm and unspoilt interior.
Attleborough, Norfolk
From the outside St Mary's looks rather odd because the tower is at the east end, where the chancel should be.