St Mary de Castro

The church itself is big and imposing, with a tall spire originally built in 1400, but altered and shortened in the intervening centuries. The origins of the church go back to the 12th century, when it was the castle chapel. It was much enlarged later in the 12th century, when the splendid Norman chancel as it is today was created.

By the late 13th century much more space was required, so a south aisle was built that is bigger than the nave and choir put together. Its timber roof, dating from the 15th century, has the widest span of its kind in England.

At the west end of the south aisle is St Mary's biggest visual surprise: the base of the tower grows out of the floor and rises up through the roof. It is thought that this remarkable arrangement came about because there was simply nowhere else to put it, there being no room outside on the crowded castle green.