The most welcoming church buildings in Norfolk

This lovely 12th-century village church just north of Norwich offers you the warmest of welcomes, with toilet and kitchen facilities, a free guidebook, and up-to-date information about church and diocesan activities. Candles can be lit, or messages left as an aid to prayer.

A complete contrast is the big and bustling parish church in the seaside town of Cromer, yet the welcome is just as warm.

Colourful, well-maintained gardens lead you the wide-open doors of this medieval building, with much to see inside, and information to guide you through. With a space for private prayer, a memorial to Henry Blogg, the famous Cromer lifeboatman, and an impressive hammerbeam roof, this church also boasts the tallest church tower in Norfolk.

You can also sometimes climb the tower!

This large parish church caters wonderfully for the many walkers who explore the North Norfolk coast, and their dogs! The Lifeboat display puts this church firmly in the context of its local community, but there is much else on offer in this spectacular building, featured in Simon Jenkins’ 1000 Best Churches. Toilets are open.

This peaceful Broadland church can be reached from the water – about 15 minutes’ walk from Barton Staithe. A free church guide, children’s guide and prayer walk are all available at the welcome table and a dedicated children’s area is well equipped. There is also an area for quiet prayer with a lovely angel-themed prayer tree, and a dedicated space for family research.  There are tea and coffee making facilities available.

This medieval thatched church of great charm includes guides for adults and children, with large-print versions also available. A display on the church thatch gives an interesting insight into this aspect of the building, and a hospitality tray offers welcome refreshment.

This delightful church from multiple periods will be another favourite with walkers and dogs, with bottles of water available for the thirsty, and a dog bowl in the porch. There is plentiful information at the welcome desk about the history and significance of the church, and a display on local wildlife.

This thatched and round-towered church greets you with choral music, and a notice ‘Let the peace in this church surround you. Let the hurry and worry of life fall away from you. Find comfort in the stillness and the love of God which passes all understanding be with you.’ With bottles of orange juice available, and a sign to the portable toilet, it is clear that visitors are more than welcome to this much-loved country church.