St. Margaret's was built in 1796 on the site of a derelict medieval church and paid for by the 1st Lord Suffield. It is one of the first Gothic Revival buildings in Norfolk and one of the few churches built here at that time. Originally the exterior was totally symmetrical with small octagonal towers in each corner. Alterations were made in 1892 which included two porches at the front and recent improvements include a kitchen and toilet but essentially it retains its original design utilising many artefacts from the original church.
The church contains the font, tombs, some glass and memorials from the earlier church. One memorial to Robert Britiffe has some particularly nice angel carvings. There are two Georgian wooden screens placed symmetrically at each end of the nave, one has a plaque commemorating the rebuilding by Lord Suffield and on the reverse is the Coat of Arms of George III who was the monarch in 1796. The ceiling has brightly painted ribs decorated with rose bosses and there are angel head corbels decorating the beam ends.
Since 1997 the churchyard has been managed with wildlife in mind and it now has four conservation areas. These areas contain a fantastic diversity of flora including field woodrush, snowdrops, lesser celandine and pignut. At the back of the churchyard is Hazel Grove, an area of consecrated ground rich in wildflowers throughout the year. This area is wooded and includes a pond.
To find out more about the plants and animals present in this beautiful award winning churchyard you can view a wildlife display inside the church. The church hosts Snowdrop Sundays throughout February when it invites people to visit the churchyard to see the display, including aconites.
Habitats: Unimproved grassland, pond and small woodland area.
When to visit – This churchyard is at its best at the beginning of the year when the snowdrops are in flower and then in May and June when the four conservation areas are in bloom.
Associated Group - Thorpe Market Church Congregation
Get involved? You can help the church with the management of its churchyard conservation areas by helping to rake the areas in late summer. To find out more email:
[email protected]
Submit a wildlife sighting - Your wildlife records are important to us and we would love to know what wildlife you see when visiting this churchyard. To submit a wildlife record
click here.
Website -
www.thorpemarket.org.uk