English Heritage sites near Forncett Parish
COW TOWER, NORWICH
11 miles from Forncett Parish
One of the earliest purpose-built artillery blockhouses in England, this brick tower was built in c.1398-9 to command a strategic point in Norwich’s city defence.
ST OLAVE'S PRIORY
19 miles from Forncett Parish
The wonderfully complete 14th century brick-vaulted refectory undercroft - later a cottage occupied until 1902 - of a small Augustinian priory.
THETFORD PRIORY
19 miles from Forncett Parish
The extensive remains of one of the most important East Anglian monasteries, the Cluniac Priory of Our Lady of Thetford and the burial place of the earls and dukes of Norfolk for 400 years.
SAXTEAD GREEN POST MILL
19 miles from Forncett Parish
Saxtead Green Post Mill is a corn mill, whose whole body revolves on its base and was one of many built in Suffolk from the late 13th century.
THETFORD, CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE
19 miles from Forncett Parish
The only surviving remains in England of a priory of Canons of the Holy Sepulchre, who aided pilgrims to Christ's tomb: the ruined nave of their 14th-century church, later used as a barn.
NORTH ELMHAM CHAPEL
20 miles from Forncett Parish
A place with an unusual story, told by graphic panels. The small Norman chapel here stood on the site of an earlier timber church, probably the Saxon cathedral of East Anglia.
Churches in Forncett Parish
Forncett End: St Edmund
Forncett End
Norwich
01953 788227
At St Edmund's we like to think that there is ‘always a warm welcome' - and if you visit we hope you will find this to be true. We're a small but lively church and the building is rarely empty as it hosts all kinds of events and meetings as well as Worship.
Celebrating its centenary as the Daughter Church of St Peter's in 2004 considerable fundraising, by a great many local people as well as through grant funding, has led to major improvements to ‘Our Little Church in the Meadow'. This includes rewiring; new heating and lighting; a completely new roof, and the installation of mini-kitchen and WC. The footpath to the church has been re-instated and improved for disabled access. Further improvements are ongoing and planned but heavily dependent on voluntary help and donations.
We are part of the Upper Tas Valley Benefice and welcome worshippers from across the benefice as well as Forncett End. If you'd like to worship here, you'll find details of Services and Events on this page on A Church Near You and also on both the church notice board in the porch or in the pages of the Upper Tas Valley Benefice Magazine. Refreshments are usually served after our services when they are running normally - although as elsewhere in the Church of England they are currently suspended because of coronavirus covid-19.
We also welcome enquiries for holding small meetings (up to about 24 people), for which projection facilities can be made available. Do please get in touch if this is something you'd like to do
Family history information regarding the Forncetts is available on request. Access to the website www.forncetthistory.net will provide detailed information on the social history of the parishes.
Forncett: St Mary's
Low Road
Forncett St Mary
Norwich
01953 788227
St Mary's Church, was originally mentioned in the Domesday Book, but rebuilt during the 14th, 15th and 19th centuries; the church was closed in 1980. A former rector of St. Mary's was Revered John William Colenso, who later achieved fame as the first Bishop of Natal.
A successful friends group was formed and has over 100 members. Their aim has been to restore the church and graveyard. Enough work had been carried out to enable the church to be taken out of redundancy on the 26th June 2012. The church is now home to a thriving worshipping community. It holds a monthly Service and is home to the Upper Tas Valley Messy Church, not to mention some very special seasonal services involving the talents of local people. The Church is a member of the Holocaust Memorial Trust and holds a small library and related display.
The Churchyard is managed for wildlife by Norfolk Wildlife Trust and is currently working towards an Eco Church award.
For more information have a look at the church's website www.forncettstmarychurch.org.uk
Forncett: St Peter
Juction of Low Road and Aslacton Road
Forncett St Peter
Norwich
01953 788227
St Peter's Church is an active church community, but sadly the church building is currently closed due to a fall of plaster and won't be able to re-open until this has been repaired and COVID-19 security requirements are put in place. In pre-COVID times, we enjoyed vibrant worship and enjoyed refreshments and one another's company after services - we very much look forward to those times returning in the not too distant future - you can be sure of a very warm welcome!
This nationally important ancient building is the focus of a major fundraising campaign to carry out extensive, urgent repairs and renovations to enhance its role in the centre of the village community of Forncett St Peter. Please help if you can: https://forncett.info/help-us-save-forncett-st-peter%E2%80%99s-church.html
St Peter's is the parish church - a wonderful Grade 1 listed jewel nestled in the heart of Forncett. Its Saxon round tower, built circa 1000AD, is one of the best in the country. There are other Saxon/Norman features. Much of the main building is of later, mainly 14th and 15th century date. If visiting, look out for:
1485 Drake Tomb
carved pew ends
fine ledger slabs in the chancel and nave
good examples of Victorian coloured glass windows
a unique staircase in the tower (access by appointment)
and the ring of six bells (Teams of bellringers wishing to practice at St Peter's should contact the Churchwarden Mrs Gilly Barnes (01508 813055)
The church has connections with William Wordsworth, whose sister lived in the Rectory with her Uncle the Revd William Cookson who was the Rector.
Pubs in Forncett Parish
Jolly Farmers
Heavily modernised country pub with large restaurant.