Up the Towers
Holy Trinity and All Saints’ Church, Winterton-on-Sea
No traveller along the coast can fail to be impressed by the 132ft tower of Holy Trinity and All Saints’ Church, which was used as a landmark by sailors. It has no fewer than seven levels, rather charmingly sprouts self-seeded wallflowers, and is crowned by a remarkable parapet. The windswept coastal village of Winterton has a long history of fishing, mainly for herring. Tragically, not all made it back safely and the lost fishermen are commemorated in the Fisherman’s Corner, created and assembled by Fr Clarence Porter in 1927. There are four boards inscribed with the details of lives saved by Winterton lifeboats.
The tower was restored in 2014 and is open to the public on Saturdays during the spring and summer. Enjoy the beautiful views over the countryside and out to sea. Happisburgh lighthouse to the north can be seen on a clear day.
Holy Trinity and All Saints, Winterton
St Mary’s Church, Happisburgh
This church stands on a high point with sweeping views over the sea to the east. When the 110ft tower went up 600 years ago, there would have been plenty of ships under sail. From the rocky and eroding shore you can view the famous stripy lighthouse and the church tower simultaneously. A large wooden cross is said to have been erected on the tower in 1822, replacing an earlier one but it was struck by lightning, taking down part of the south east buttress with it and the exercise wasn’t repeated. The churchyard is a resting place for many who tragically lost their lives at sea including from the HMS Invincible, wrecked on the notorious Hammond’s Knoll on her way to join Nelson’s fleet at Copenhagen in 1801. A memorial stone in the churchyard bears witness to the loss of some 400 lives with 119 of the ship’s company buried there.
Climb the 133 steps and enjoy the spectacular views of the coast and surrounding countryside. On a clear day you can see 30 churches, 2 lighthouses, 7 water towers, 5 corn mills, 5 drainage mills, 3 wind farms, Trimingham golf ball (RAF radar installation), Bacton gas terminal and Norwich Cathedral spire (approx. 16.5 miles away). The cost is £3 for an adult and £1 for a child. To check when the tower is open please see the church’s website.
St Helen’s Church, Ranworth
St Helen’s Church is known as the Cathedral of the Broads. The church is famous for its 15th century rood screen, which the Society of Antiquities has described as the best in the country. On the central screen, either side of the chancel arch, are portraits of the Twelve Apostles. Other figures include the Archangel Michael wearing a regal feathered garment, St Etheldreda, St Barbara, St Thomas Becket and St Lawrence. Don’t miss the misericords in the chancel. These hinged seats offered support to clergy standing during the eight daily services. Also of interest is the Antiphoner, a beautifully illuminated 15th century service book containing the words and music for the Divine Office (the daily cycle of devotions).
Visitors may climb the tower for a spectacular view over the Broads. On a clear day the lighthouse at Happisburgh can be spotted. The tower is almost 100ft tall and accessed by a narrow winding stone staircase. Two ladders lead past the bells and up to the trap door. The visitor centre next to the church offers light refreshments and is open Monday – Thursday 10.30am – 4.30pm (Easter to the end of October) and Saturday and Sunday 2pm – 5pm (January to the end of November).
St Nicholas’ Church, Blakeney
This mighty Perpendicular church is very large for its small village and the two towers dominate the surrounding area. The west tower stands at 104ft high. The hammer beam roof and wealth of stained glass enhance the majesty of the building and its dimensions are comparable to a major city church. The chancel east window is a gem of Early English architecture with seven stepped lancets. The church is featured in Simon Jenkins’ 1000 Best Churches and in the Daily Telegraph’s 100 favourite churches.
The church tower is open every week from Monday to Friday from 10am-3pm. There are 137 steep, spiral steps to the top, after which you are rewarded with a wonderful, panoramic view. If you would like to climb the tower outside normal opening times or arrange a group visit, please contact the Benefice Office on admin@glavenvalleybenefice.org.uk or call 01263 740583.
St Peter & St Paul’s Church, Cromer
St Peter and St Paul, Cromer is a vast church at the heart of this seaside town. At 160ft, its tower is the tallest in Norfolk and walking the narrow streets, you constantly glimpse it between the houses and over the rooftops. Before the installation of a lighthouse on the cliff at Foulness in 1669, a light was shone from the top of the church tower to act as a guide to shipping, according to Trinity House. Memorials in modern glass to Cromer’s seafarers can be found inside the church. Among them is Henry Blogg, the most decorated lifeboatman in RNLI history, who served for 53 years and saved 873 lives with the help of his brave crews before retiring in 1947. His many awards included the George Cross in 1941.
The church tower is open for visitors, apart from when there are peregrine falcons nesting there.
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh peering over the side of Ranworth tower during the royal visit on 25th November 1976 before the railings were installed!
