- Joined
- Jan 6, 2013
- Messages
- 5,566
- Reaction score
- 11,193
OK - so I've covered a lime kiln, an abandoned cricket pavilion, pillboxes and an old US RAF base. Now it's time to get on to the real reason for exploring in Norfolk….derelict churches. Please bear with me but what follows are reports on 9 ruined former houses of worship. In terms of the info I'm deeply indebted to the excellent website The Churches of East Anglia and its author Simon Knott. He's gone to just about every abandoned church in both Suffolk and Norfolk and his pages are a wealth of info. Here goes with church No.1.
The History:
This is a relatively recent abandonment. Right up to 1940 Oxwich All Saints was in use. Its usage declined and in 1946 it was declared surplus to requirements. It had previously lost its tower sometime in the 18th or early 19th century, and the base of the tower had been converted into a shack-like vestry. This is clear from the old picture below and dating from the late 19th century:
old oxwich by HughieDW, on Flickr
When the roof was removed (for reuse of the materials elsewhere) ensuing dereliction was just around the corner. The church's location probably played a part - there was no proper road to it and despite being not too far from the back lane between Colkirk and Whissonsett it had no real village to call its own. Thus it was left to be reclaimed by nature. In 1993, thanks to Norfolk County Council, it was cleared of overgrowth, the walls topped-off to prevent further decay and the graveyard cleared. Beyond that there is very, very little into on this delight ruined church.
The Explore:
Very easy access once located. The only battle was with the nettles (they won again). Very relaxed and a lovely location to spend twenty or so minutes exploring.
img7314 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img7317 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img7319 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img7320 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img7321 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img7324 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img7325 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img7326 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img7328 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img7330 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img7332 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img7333 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img7335 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img7336 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img7339 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The History:
This is a relatively recent abandonment. Right up to 1940 Oxwich All Saints was in use. Its usage declined and in 1946 it was declared surplus to requirements. It had previously lost its tower sometime in the 18th or early 19th century, and the base of the tower had been converted into a shack-like vestry. This is clear from the old picture below and dating from the late 19th century:
old oxwich by HughieDW, on FlickrWhen the roof was removed (for reuse of the materials elsewhere) ensuing dereliction was just around the corner. The church's location probably played a part - there was no proper road to it and despite being not too far from the back lane between Colkirk and Whissonsett it had no real village to call its own. Thus it was left to be reclaimed by nature. In 1993, thanks to Norfolk County Council, it was cleared of overgrowth, the walls topped-off to prevent further decay and the graveyard cleared. Beyond that there is very, very little into on this delight ruined church.
The Explore:
Very easy access once located. The only battle was with the nettles (they won again). Very relaxed and a lovely location to spend twenty or so minutes exploring.
img7314 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg7317 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg7319 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg7320 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg7321 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg7324 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg7325 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg7326 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg7328 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg7330 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg7332 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg7333 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg7335 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg7336 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg7339 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Last edited:
