St Agnes, Cawston

Open daily dawn to dusk.

Wheelchair accessible

Shop(s) or amenities nearby

Parking nearby

Footpath, trail or cycle route

Important stained glass

Rood screen

Angel roof

Wall painting

Grade I

Visit Website 360° tour

This large church dates from the 14th century and lies at the centre of the village. The bell tower rises almost 120 feet (37 metres) and is visible for miles around. Inside, the fine hammer beam roof supports a choir of carved angels with outspread wings. More are situated along the cornice and the apex. Bring binoculars to fully appreciate the detail. The 16th century rood screen is a real treasure, one of the three best rood screens in Norfolk (alongside Barton Turf and Ranworth). It depicts St Agnes, St Helena, St Thomas, St John the Evangelist, St James the Great, St Andrew, St Paul, St Peter, the Four Latin Doctors, St James the Less, St Bartholomew, St Philip, St Simon, St Jude, St Matthew, St Matthias and Sir John Schorne. Small fragments of glass remain on the screen, which would have created an ethereal glimmering effect. The ornate piscina features a dragon and wildman in the spandrels. You may be wondering why there is a plough in the church! The inscription along the front of the 15th century ringers' gallery provides a clue: 'God spede the plow and send us ale corn enow our purpose for to make a crow of cok of ye plowlete of Sygate, be mery and glade wat good ale yis work mad.' This is a pun on the name Wat Goodale, the donor of the gallery. The Plough Inn closed in the 1960s and the sign was given to the church.

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As featured in

The Ten Towers Trail

Ten church towers along a 15 mile route? It is Norfolk after all, and we are lucky to have beautiful churches in abundance. This route has it all - massive Perpendicular square towers, delicate Norman round towers and Victorian 'gothick' pastiche towers. Not to mention, two church buildings in one churchyard, a seven sacrament font, an angel roof and medieval stained glass. The starting point is St Peter's Church in Haveringland and there is parking along the north side of the hard standing near the church, marked by signs. The walk is easy to moderate and takes in a mixture of quiet and busier country lanes, and field and woodland footpaths. If you want to stop off for some well deserved refreshments, there are tea shops and pubs in Cawston and Reepham. Toilets can be found at St Peter's Church , Cawston Village Hall and in Reepham off the marketplace.

The Unusual Dedications of Norfolk Churches

You may have wondered why churches are dedicated to a particular saint such as St Andrew, a religious event such as the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, a Christian doctrine such as Holy Trinity, or a group of saints, such as Holy Innocents. The decision could be influenced by many factors.

For example, churches were often founded on the site of a saint's activity, e.g. St Beza's Church in St Bees, Cumbria. Other churches were dedicated to their founder such as St Etheldreda at Ely Cathedral. A collection of relics of foreign saints has also inspired dedications, such as St Firmin's Church in Buckinghamshire. Geographical areas became associated with specific saints, e.g. the West Midlands and St Chad. As the patron saint of sailors and fishermen, you will find a church of St Nicholas in most English coastal towns. Churches of St Giles are often located near the medieval gates of fortified towns as he was the patron saint of beggars and disabled people, e.g. the Church of St Giles-without-Cripplegate in the City of London.

The consecration of a church involved an elaborate ceremony and subsequent annual celebrations with a public holiday and feast. After the Reformation, the tradition of church dedications began to fade away apart from a practical usage to differentiate churches that were positioned close together. By the 18th century many churches had forgotten their name entirely. The increase in church building during the Victorian era saw a renewed commitment to dedications and gave rise to names such as 'St Michael and All Angels' and 'All Hallows'.

Enthusiastic antiquarians and rectors digging back into parish records and coming across altar dedications are responsible for many of the later names of medieval churches. Norfolk has its fair share of unusual church dedications.

Churches to discover on Marriotts Way

The Marriotts Way is a 26 mile footpath, bridleway and cycle route between Norwich and Aylsham. It is well maintained and has become extremely popular for both leisure activities and for commuting. It passes through or near Costessey, Drayton, Attlebride, Lenwade, Whitwell, Themelthorpe, Reepham, Cawston and Aylsham.

St Agnes, Cawston

As featured in

The Ten Towers Trail

The Unusual Dedications of Norfolk Churches

Churches to discover on Marriotts Way

Explore Churches in Your Local Area

Explore by Location & Feature

St Agnes, Cawston

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As featured in

The Ten Towers Trail

The Unusual Dedications of Norfolk Churches

Churches to discover on Marriotts Way

Explore Churches in Your Local Area

Explore by Location & Feature