Norfolk Churches Trust

Norfolk Churches Trust Our aim is to protect, through financial aid and advice, the many wonderful churches and chapels in Norfolk.
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The official stuff - The Norfolk Churches Trust exists in order to protect through financial aid and advice the many architecturally precious religious monuments of the county. Norfolk contains the greatest concentration of medieval churches in the world and were built as a result of the vast wealth created by wool. Of the 921 that were originally built, 659 remain: a testament to their skilful construction from flint – one of the most unforgiving materials, in a region devoid of freestone.

What will you be doing five weeks today?If you're free why not join John Vigar's self-drive tour of four of the churches...
17/06/2026

What will you be doing five weeks today?

If you're free why not join John Vigar's self-drive tour of four of the churches in the direct care of the Norfolk Churches Trust. Light refreshments will be available at the final church of the day.

Discover their history, architecture and stories they hold as John brings each building to life with expert insight and engaging commentary. A fascinating day for anyone interested in local heritage, churches and their history.

📅 22nd July
⌚ 10.30 to 16.00
📍10.30 – All Saints Hargham
📍11.30 – All Saints, Snetterton
📍14.00 – St Andrew’s Illington
📍15.30 – Our Lady of Consolation & St Stephen, Lynford
🎫£20 for Trust members £30 for non-members

John Vigar has been a professional ecclesiologist for over 45 years He has written extensively on the subject and leads tours to churches across England and Wales, both as part of his own programme of activities, and for other organisations including The Ecclesiological Society. Following a career in academia John worked for 13 years in the south-east region of The Churches Conservation Trust and he is a Trustee of the national charity, The Friends of Friendless Churches, as well as a member of the Advisory Council of the Norfolk Churches Trust.

To book follow the link: - https://norfolkchurchestrust.org.uk/events/leased-churches-tour-part-2/

It is not just the Trust that is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, it is also the 50th anniversary of the savi...
16/06/2026

It is not just the Trust that is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, it is also the 50th anniversary of the saving of All Saints, Hargham by Jackie and Cliff Amos.

Jackie's love of photography, especially of ruined churches, brought her to the ivy-covered ruin of the church in the 1970s. The church had been vandalised, the windows broken and a thick layer of bird droppings covered the floor. Inside it was as if eerily the congregation had just left the last service, hymn books covered in dust, withered flowers in vases, an open bible on a lectern, almost as if the church had been expecting a certain Miss Havisham.

At their own expense they reroofed the nave, (you can see images here of them working on the roof, it was the 70s!) fixed the windows, made good the walls and cleared the churchyard, calling on friends who gave their time freely.

The church today is light, inviting and well cared for.

To celebrate Hargham, All Saints will be hosting 'Celebrating 50 years – A History in Pictures and Flowers.' With flowers in the church representing All Saints over the last fifty years and a history of the church and village. Please do pop by and see this charming little church.

📅Friday 17th July – 2pm to 5pm
📅Saturday 18th July – 10am to 5pm
📅Sunday 19th July – 10am to 5pm
🗺Locaton: Hargham Road, Hargham NR16 2JN
Free entry
Toilets and refreshments available

Thank you Jackie and Cliff

East window reflected on the lamp in the chancel, Winterton 📷
14/06/2026

East window reflected on the lamp in the chancel, Winterton

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Off the beaten track and surrounded by trees can be founds Didlington St Michael, in the grounds of the former vast Didl...
13/06/2026

Off the beaten track and surrounded by trees can be founds Didlington St Michael, in the grounds of the former vast Didlington Hall, which was demolished in the 1950s.
The hall was the home was bought by the Tyssen-Amherst family in 1843; the family had an interest in Egyptology and were avid collectors. The hall was visited by a young Howard Carter, and their collection may have been the spark that prompted his interest in Egypt, eventually leading him to discover the tomb of Tutankhamun.

Is the 18th century altar rail a piece from the Tyssen-Amherst collection? The well known church crawler D P Mortlock thought it might well have been picked up on some ‘grand tour.’ Behind the rails are the decalogue boards, lettered on marble. The chancel also contains some fine 18th and 19th century wall monuments, including one to the Wilson family and another to Mary Tyssen-Amherst who died in 1854 which sports an elaborate carved wild man, albeit with some nicely trimmed facial hair.

There is an 13th century piscina with a cusped head set into a windowsill and what also appears to a piscina drain set high in a clerestory window.

Looking west set high in the wall is a stone Victorian Royal Arms, below to the left of the tower arch is a stone coffin lid set into the wall.

Glass here includes a pair of Victorian windows in the aisles which are dedicated to the memory of M & W Thyssen-Amhurst, the north aisle window is shown here which includes a scene from the last supper. Medieval glass is in evidence in a roundel in the chancel.

Outside the east end wall sports a lovely figure niche under an ogee arch.

A visit to any church in the county can give us so much in terms of our social and architectural history.

With three months to go until the 2026 Bike Ride, Walk & Drive on Saturday12th September, today we launch an exciting ne...
12/06/2026

With three months to go until the 2026 Bike Ride, Walk & Drive on Saturday12th September, today we launch an exciting new element to the event: -

The Classic Car Road Trip

Choose from one of three historic country houses, Barningham Hall, Houghton Hall or Kirstead Hall as your starting location, then motor your way along Norfolk's country roads, visiting churches on the way to find answers to to the Classic Car Fiendish Quiz.

Who knows what you will learn about Norfolk’s collection of medieval churches as you make your way to Elsing Hall, for afternoon tea, car admiration, and prize giving. As well as a bottle of bubbly for the winning quiz team, there will be prizes for the best photograph of the day, and one for the oldest participating car.

The Entry Fee of £50 will directly support essential repairs to churches and chapels across the county.

So what are you waiting for follow the link below to our website for full details and an application form.
https://norfolkchurchestrust.org.uk/bike-ride-walk/classic-car-road-trip-2026/

11/06/2026

The Norfolk Churches Trust is delighted to announce the opening of a remarkable exhibition at the Crypt Gallery, Norwich Cathedral. Showcasing the results of its 50th Anniversary Primary Schools Art Competition, this is one of the largest celebrations of children's art ever staged in Norfolk.

🗺 The Crypt Gallery, The Close Norwich NR1 4DD
📅Monday 15th to Saturday 20th June
⌚Mon to Fri 10am to 4pm Sat 10am to 3pm
🎟 Free admission

Prize Presentation Wednesday 17th June, 4pm — prizes presented by Dame Emma Bridgewater
Judges: Susie Fowler-Watt (BBC Look East), Ben Youngs (England Rugby), Lauren H**p (Lioness)

The Norfolk Churches Trust warmly invites everyone to come and celebrate what the children of Norfolk have achieved. The exhibition runs for one week only, so do take the opportunity to see these wonderful works in person — and perhaps to discover the beautiful setting of the Crypt Gallery for the first time.

More details here: https://norfolkchurchestrust.org.uk/exhibition-of-artworks-norfolk-school-art-competition/



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What will you be doing four weeks today?If you're free why not join John Vigar's self-drive tour of four of the churches...
10/06/2026

What will you be doing four weeks today?

If you're free why not join John Vigar's self-drive tour of four of the churches in the direct care of the Norfolk Churches Trust. Light refreshments will be available at the final church of the day.

Discover their history, architecture and stories they hold as John brings each building to life with expert insight and engaging commentary. A fascinating day for anyone interested in local heritage, churches and their history.

📅8th July
⌚11am to 4pm
📍11.00 – St Mary’s, Bagthorpe
📍 11.45 – All Saints, Barmer
📍14.30 – St Peter’s, Dunton
📍15.30 – St Peter’s, West Rudham
🎫£20 for Trust members £30 for non-members

John Vigar has been a professional ecclesiologist for over 45 years He has written extensively on the subject and leads tours to churches across England and Wales, both as part of his own programme of activities, and for other organisations including The Ecclesiological Society. Following a career in academia John worked for 13 years in the south-east region of The Churches Conservation Trust and he is a Trustee of the national charity, The Friends of Friendless Churches, as well as a member of the Advisory Council of the Norfolk Churches Trust.

To book follow the link: - https://norfolkchurchestrust.org.uk/events/leased-churches-tour-part-1/

John Vigar

Happy birthday Cromer Pier, 125 years old this year, opening on 8th June 1901.Pictured here with another iconic piece of...
09/06/2026

Happy birthday Cromer Pier, 125 years old this year, opening on 8th June 1901.

Pictured here with another iconic piece of Cromer heritage that of , St Peter & St Paul church.

Both in their own way have helped to save lives at sea. The church with its Seamark tower was a guide for ships and contains stained glass memorials within to seafarers including to Coxwain Henry Blogg, the most decorated lifeboatman in RNLI history. He is celebrated too in the Cromer Lifeboat station which can be found at the end of the pier.

Address

Wood Farm, Foxley Road, Themelthorpe
Dereham
NR205PU

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm
Saturday 9am - 6pm

Telephone

+441379677272

Website

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