A medieval church standing on high ground to the northwest of the village. It consists of a west tower, nave, chancel and south porch. The construction is of flint, freestone and brick. The chancel is the oldest section now visible, and is very early medieval, possibly of Norman date. It is also possible that an original Norman tower is encased in the present one, as the west window of the tower may be a re-used Norman one. The present tower is 14th Century. The nave was rebuilt in the 15th Century, and the south porch was built in the 16th Century. The roof was replaced in 1849, and there was restoration and repair work in both the 19th and early 20th Centuries. Inside, there is an interesting rood screen.
Habitats
There are mature trees and areas of hedgerow, with species including hawthorn, hazel, sycamore elder and dogwood. The churchyard grassland includes species of note, such as burnet saxifrage, meadow saxifrage and Lady’s bedstraw.
Also found are field woodrush, bulbous and meadow buttercups, common knapweed, common sorrel, ox-eye daisy and field scabious, as well as spring species such as lords and ladies, primroses and lesser celandine.
Best time to visit
Springtime will be best for the early flowers, such as primroses, lesser celandine, meadow saxifrage, lords and ladies and bluebells. June and July is best to see species such as burnet saxifrage, lady’s bedstraw and knapweed.
Associated Groups
For more information, please take a look at the parish website:
http://www.groupof15.org.uk/page/23/st-botolphs-church
Get involved
The best way to find out if practical help is needed would be to contact the churchwarden (
https://www.dioceseofnorwich.org/about/contact/person ).
Website
You can find out more information about St Botolph’s church here:
https://www.achurchnearyou.com/barford-st-botolph