We came here at the end of a long day, Jacquie and I. We were working our way up to Norwich to see the Durutti Column at Norwich Arts Centre, and we'd started the day by visiting churches in the area north of Long Stratton. But they were all locked, and the keyholders all seemed to be out. It was pretty soul-destroying, actually, and so after putting up with four hours of it we cut our losses, and spent the afternoon in lovely Wymondham instead. Wymondham cheered us up so much, so we thought, well, why not try another church on the way to Norwich? So we did. St Mary is a pretty church that you reach across the fields, although you can drive a car down to it, in summer at least. The church is surrounded by lovely trees, the graveyard a green velvet swathe.

The church was locked. I suppose that I should have expected it. The church actually had an air of usually being open, and it was already six o'clock in the evening, and so I was prepared to offer it the benefit of the doubt. There was certainly no keyholder notice, although Mortlock makes quite a thing about the time he got the key, which he thinks is the largest in the county. However, I have been told since by other explorers and pilgrims that St Mary is, in fact, always locked, which is most unusual in this area of open churches.

It has to be said that Mortlock makes it sound a very pleasant interior indeed, mostly 1830s pre-Ecclesiological work. I'd have like to have seen it. The exterior is pretty enough, especially that early 18th century tower with the pinnacles on top. Perhaps uniquely, the legend on the west face reads Vivat A Regina, a hymn to Queen Anne. The rest of the church is probably 15th century, although understatedly so - and are those consecration crosses on the buttresses, or a meaningless pattern? Something to ponder as we headed back across the field.

Simon Knott, August 2006