St Margaret's, Whatfield
St Margaret's church at Whatfield stands hidden away down a cul-de-sac off the main street of the village and is unable to assert its presence the way so many churches do since it now lacks the upper stages of its tower, the stump having been crowned with a simple pyramid-capped roof for the last few centuries (as at nearby Flowton presumably it became unsafe and was dismantled as funds to rebuild weren't forthcoming, thus has remained this way ever since).
The exterior is rather unassuming (and sadly in my haste to see inside I seem to have only taken one shot of it, though a few spots of rain may also have played their part!) and nestles quietly into the greenery of the churchyard. There are no aisles, just a simple chancel, nave and the lower part of the tower, all given a rendered finish. The interior is light and mainly clear-glazed like nearby Elmsett, though the abundance of dark woodwork here subdues the brightness of the walls and windows. There is little structural division between nave and chancel aside from the latter being slightly narrower and the roof truss above being filled in to create a kind of tympanum: behind this, as one moves further down the nave, is revealed the church's best feature, a delightful late 14th century panelled roof with carved bosses depicting faces and foliage.
Judging by Simon's entry below this church used to be kept locked with a keyholder, but there may have been a change of heart since as we found the church open, so assume it is normally kept more welcoming these days.
St Margaret's, Whatfield
St Margaret's church at Whatfield stands hidden away down a cul-de-sac off the main street of the village and is unable to assert its presence the way so many churches do since it now lacks the upper stages of its tower, the stump having been crowned with a simple pyramid-capped roof for the last few centuries (as at nearby Flowton presumably it became unsafe and was dismantled as funds to rebuild weren't forthcoming, thus has remained this way ever since).
The exterior is rather unassuming (and sadly in my haste to see inside I seem to have only taken one shot of it, though a few spots of rain may also have played their part!) and nestles quietly into the greenery of the churchyard. There are no aisles, just a simple chancel, nave and the lower part of the tower, all given a rendered finish. The interior is light and mainly clear-glazed like nearby Elmsett, though the abundance of dark woodwork here subdues the brightness of the walls and windows. There is little structural division between nave and chancel aside from the latter being slightly narrower and the roof truss above being filled in to create a kind of tympanum: behind this, as one moves further down the nave, is revealed the church's best feature, a delightful late 14th century panelled roof with carved bosses depicting faces and foliage.
Judging by Simon's entry below this church used to be kept locked with a keyholder, but there may have been a change of heart since as we found the church open, so assume it is normally kept more welcoming these days.