St Michael’s, Swanton Abbot
Open daily 9am to 4pm.Many of the churches dedicated to St Michael are on hills. This church is on the top of a hill, but that's a Norfolk hill so it's not very steep (unless you're at the end of a long cycle). The tower dates from the 14th century and its window has delightful tracery. Notice the gargoyles looking out from the nave, including lions' heads. On one of the south nave buttresses is a mass dial, a form of sundial used in the medieval period to mark the time of liturgical services. The chancel was built in the 15th century and has a large Perpendicular-style east window. The font is carved with amusing heads, some human and some animal, including one with pointed ears wearing a bishops' mitre. The south east window has intricate medieval stained glass. Of particular interest is the 15th century rood screen. Yellow paint covering the screen was removed in the early 20th century to reveal the saints.
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