St John the Baptist Church, Coltishall

Wind - eyes (round Saxon, originally unglazed, windows) high up under the newly replaced thatch give a clue to the churches age. Parts are a thousand years old! But new bits were added in the 1200s, 1400s and Victorian times. Its fun to see if you can guess which bits came first. The original builders re-used red brick, quarried from Roman ruins, to make a sharp right angled corner in the flint and mortar walls. One can see the outline of the first building built into the north wall when the church was enlarged in 13th century.

Inside the church is bright, clean and obviously loved. Stained glass windows and modern hand made kneelers add splashes of colour that contrast with the cool white walls and ceiling. Sit for a while and enjoy the peace. It is breathing place where those of all religions or none are welcome!

Before you leave, wander round and enjoy several centuries of memorials to local worthies! Children might like to search for momento mori - those images meant to remind you of your mortality. There are skull reliefs on the cap of gatepost leading into the churchyard and in the south aisle what could be mistaken for a pirate grave with skull and cross bones!