For the May HCN ride I caught the train to Hoveton & Wroxham station where I met Helen. Travelling east, our route took in the churches north of the river Bure, as far as Hickling Broad, then out to the coast to Waxham – lunch was in the cafe at the impressive Waxham Great Barn, returning west, along the B1151 to Stalham and finally to Hoveton, by criss-crossing the A1151. A total distance of 48 miles and 21 churches.

The Route:

The Churches:

St John and St Peter Hoveton, St Benedict Horning, St Catherine Ludham, St Peter Bastwick (ruin), St Nicholas Potter Heigham, All Saints Catfield, St Michael Sutton, St Mary Hickling, St Margaret Sea Palling, St John Waxham, Holy Trinity Ingham, St Peter Brumstead, St Mary Stalham, St Peter Smallburgh, St Mary Tunstead, St Lawrence Beeston St Lawrence, St Michael Barton Turf, St Michael Irstead, St Peter Neatishead & St Swithin Ashmanhaugh

The photos:

Hoveton, St John

The best feature of the church is the stained glass

St Benedict, Horning

St Catherine, Ludham

The unique rood screen and canvas, rediscovered by the Norfolk Archeological Society in 1879. For the full and fascinating story, read Simon Knott’s account.

Squint: ‘an opening cut through an internal wall.. (to) synchronise the ceremonies of the Mass’

St Peter, Bastwick

St Nicholas, Potter Heigham

All Saints, Catfield

Wall painting, depicting the stoning of St Stephen

St Michael, Sutton

St Mary, Hickling

St Margaret, Sea Palling

Detail of stairs to the rood loft and piscina

St John, Waxham

Holy Trinity, Ingham

St Peter, Brumstead

St Mary, Stalham

St Peter, Smallburgh

St Mary, Tunstead

St Lawrence, Beeston St Lawrence

St Michael, Barton Turf

Detail of the painted rood screen.. ‘the best I’ve seen in England.’ Simon Knott

and an interesting ‘Conglomeration of medieval glass..’

St Michael, Irstead

St Peter, Neatishead, at Threehammer Common

St Swithin, Ashmanhaugh

and finally, St Peter, Hoveton