Forthcoming event
South Norfolk Churches
- 20 May 2025 10.00am - 4.30pm
- Besthorpe, Attleborough and Cressingham, Norfolk
- Exclusive to EAAF Members - if you're not a member and would like to attend this event Join Now.
Event Sold Out! To join the waiting list please email info@eastangliaartfund.org.uk
It is a privilege to have architectural historian and artist, John Maddison and renowned medievalist, Professor Sandy Heslop to lead our day looking at four remarkable Norfolk Churches – All Saints (Besthorpe), St Mary’s (Attleborough), St Andrew's (Little Cressingham) and St Michael’s (Great Cressingham).
This group of churches have been selected with a view to discussing how they were designed and by whom. At All Saints, Besthorpe, the nave and chancel remain as originally built in the early 14th century. The church boasts ambitious tracery, flint flushwork and some fine medieval glass.
Attleborough and Little Cressingham church have been selected because their naves were designed, c. 1360, by another distinctive and brilliant architect. The nave of Attleborough is one of the glories of its period in England. Spacious and elegant it conveys a sense of spirituality though its subtle handling of light. It also houses a remarkable rood screen, the largest and most complete in the county, surmounted by an impressive medieval wall painting.
Little Cressingham church is smaller, but the attention to detail and the quality of the masonry is as wonderful as Attleborough. At Great Cressingham church we encounter the work of the next generation, the likely architects being John and James Woodruff who also worked at Norwich cathedral. Cressingham has four beautiful stained-glass windows from the period.
Tickets are £45 per person and include refreshments, tours and lunch. Your host for the day is Emma Hazell.
Parking is available at each Church and we would encourage us to car share - please do let us know if you would like a lift or could offer one. Directions to each Church will be provided.
| 10am | Meet and park at Besthorpe Church, tea and coffee |
| 10.30 – 11.15 | Tour of All Saints Church, Besthorpe |
| 11.30 – 12.30 | Park at Attleborough and view St Mary’s Church |
| 1.00 - 2.15 pm | Buffet Lunch at The White Lodge, Attleborough |
| 2.45 – 3.30pm | St Andrew's Church, Lt Cressingham |
| 3.45 - 4.30pm | St Michael’s Church, Gt Cressingham |
- St Andrew's Church, Lt Cressingham
