St Mary's Bell Tower, West Walton

2013-06-26

An exceptional four-stage tower

The great bulk of this tower, detached from its beautiful church, rears up splendidly from the level marshland around it.

It was built around 1240 of Barnack stone, and the quality of both design and execution put it in a class apart from most churches, even in this part of Norfolk.

It recalls work at the cathedrals of Ely and Lincoln, with its four stages of arches growing richer in ornament as they rise.

The belfry holds five bells in an ancient frame.