St Andrew’s, Wickmere
Open every day
This pretty church was founded in the C10 and has a Saxon round tower, the lower section built mainly in Carstone. Windows and a parapet were added in C14 or C15 when much of the rest of the church was rebuilt. The clerestory windows and side aisles are supported by arches which allow the nave the benefit of plenty of natural daylight. The original C14 ironwork adorns the door and inside notice the medieval bench ends and C15 font. The saracen's head motif can be seen throughout the church, most obviously on the tomb of Robert Horace Walpole, Earl of Orford, who died in 1931. The Walpole family has been patrons of the church for many years and the saracen's head is the Walpole family crest. The C16 desecrated rood screen retains its medieval paintwork. On the north is a post-reformation wall painting featuring text of Psalm 105 from the 1559 prayer book, probably commissioned by the Dix family, who were then patrons of the church. 5 other wall paintings can be seen (try to spot them all!) and they all underwent conservation in 2018. There are two ancient chests, known colloquially as The Armada Chests. .
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