A Hidden Church...Thorington

                                     St Peter's Thorington

 I was looking forward to seeing this little medieval church and it did not disappoint.   It is situated off a country lane and could so easily be missed as one passes by. It is set amidst an abundance of trees and hedgerows which, through the passing of centuries have grown tall to shield and protect this lovely building.

It was a gorgeous Summer’s day when I visited, and with the sunlight piercing the leaves and spreading dappled light all through the church and churchyard it felt an almost magical place.

The C14 porch has a fairy story appeal to it, as it’s walls lean outwards and it’s built off-centre to the inner North door.

         

The round tower is superb. It was started in the Saxon period, heightened by the Normans and topped off with stepped battlements by the Tudors.

         

On entering this church only one thing was a disappointment – the mock Norman arch the Victorians, for whatever reason, had built in the West wall between nave and tower.. it is rather garish and unappealing to my eyes inside this simple little church.

The font has a C13 Purbeck marble bowl but I think it’s stand is from a later date.

One curious thing is the cut-back walls on both sides of the narrow nave. This was possibly done to allow for the width of the bench pews to have an aisle down the centre..

On the North wall hangs a Flanders cross – a poignant Great War reminder and on the North wall of the chancel is a huge memorial plaque to the Bence family

The lovely oak reredos comes from the late C19, as does the pulpit.

 

One charming thing which is a reminder of the Victorian era is the oil lamps placed on the walls around the church. I’m not sure if they are

still in use, although oil was present in at least one of the lamps.







I was confused to begin with why the splendid piscina was so low to the floor but then realised the chancel floor had been raised during the C19 restoration of the church.

The churchyard is a haven of peace and tranquility, a perfect place to sit for quiet reflection.