Blofield brings together several cultural and historical perspectives: the Church of St Andrew and St Peter with its west tower and medieval font, the Blofield heritage walk with its medicinal herb garden, and Blofield Court House. This makes it possible to shape a stay around an interest in church architecture, botany or local history. The transition between the church’s exterior design, the details inside and the historical use of plants is particularly vivid.
Church architecture and furnishings
The four-storey west tower of the Church of St Andrew and St Peter dates from the 15th century. It is in the Perpendicular style and has eight bells; a polygonal stair turret and diagonal buttresses divide its structure. “Polygonal” describes the many-sided shape of the stair turret; buttresses are projecting wall supports, arranged diagonally here. The architecture can thus be read in terms of its form, structure and features.
Inside, the octagonal font provides a different focus. It also dates from the 15th century and depicts scenes from the life of Christ. Two details from the same period can therefore be seen side by side: the architecture of the west tower outside and the figurative decoration of the font inside. Their shared date invites visitors to consider the building’s form and its imagery as two different aspects of 15th-century church furnishings. As a feature used for baptism, the font combines a religious function with depictions from the life of Christ.
The church’s official website states that it is open to visitors daily; this information is dated 1 July 2024. Check before your visit whether these opening details still apply.
Medicinal herb garden and Blofield heritage walk
The Blofield heritage walk also draws attention to the churchyard. A medicinal herb garden lies against the south wall of the church; its planting reflects medicinal plants from the Middle Ages. A reference book describing the historical uses of the herbs is kept in the north aisle. The garden and the book complement one another: the plants grow in the garden, while the reference book describes their former uses.
Another option is the free audio guide, narrated by Edward Paston. For those arriving by car, the route information for the Blofield heritage walk gives the parking location as “outside the Church of St Andrew and St Peter.” Take this into account when planning your visit.
Courthouse and local history
Blofield Court House was built in 1905 in the Baroque style and has four holding cells, an unusual feature for a rural courthouse. The year it was built provides a historical reference point, the Baroque style identifies its architectural classification, and the holding cells provide a distinctive feature. This aspect of local history differs from the medieval details of the church.
Discover more destinations: Sculthorpe, Fritton, Elsing, Tharston, Winterton-on-Sea, Gorleston-On-Sea, Burnham Market, Feltwell
For the wider travel overview: Norfolk.
