St Agnes's, Cawston
St Agnes's church at Cawston ranks as one of the very finest in a county well endowed with so many fine churches. It is most celebrated for its beautiful nave roof (complete with carved angels) and the remarkable rood screen, which retains its row of painted saints, some of which are of unusually high quality.
Most of the building is of 15th century date and its lofty west tower (curiously lacking a parapet with a slightly odd 'flat-top' look) is a landmark for miles around. Within the nave ceiling immediately impresses the visitor with its richness of carved detail, a masterpiece of medieval carpentry. There is further splendour to enjoy in the south transept ceiling, where not only are there many carved bosses but the whole roof retains most of its original colouring.
The windows are mostly clear glazed, which at least allows us to appreciate the surviving furnishings in better light. All the remains of the church's original stained glass is collected into one of the windows on the south side and gives a taste of what has vanished from the expanses of glazing.
The church is happily kept open and welcoming to visitors and shouldn't be missed, being (along with nearby Salle) amongst the very best that East Anglia can offer the avid church-crawler.
St Agnes's, Cawston
St Agnes's church at Cawston ranks as one of the very finest in a county well endowed with so many fine churches. It is most celebrated for its beautiful nave roof (complete with carved angels) and the remarkable rood screen, which retains its row of painted saints, some of which are of unusually high quality.
Most of the building is of 15th century date and its lofty west tower (curiously lacking a parapet with a slightly odd 'flat-top' look) is a landmark for miles around. Within the nave ceiling immediately impresses the visitor with its richness of carved detail, a masterpiece of medieval carpentry. There is further splendour to enjoy in the south transept ceiling, where not only are there many carved bosses but the whole roof retains most of its original colouring.
The windows are mostly clear glazed, which at least allows us to appreciate the surviving furnishings in better light. All the remains of the church's original stained glass is collected into one of the windows on the south side and gives a taste of what has vanished from the expanses of glazing.
The church is happily kept open and welcoming to visitors and shouldn't be missed, being (along with nearby Salle) amongst the very best that East Anglia can offer the avid church-crawler.