Stone Head

These are the rather wonderful carvings that adorn the arched entrance to the parish church of St Cuthbert, Great Salkeld, near Penrith.
 
The church was built around 1100AD, after the Norman Conquest, and this entrance dates from that time, so the carvings are probably linked to Norman mythology. They are rather weather-beaten as, until the 18th century when a porch was added, this was on the outside of the building. 
  
In extras I have added a picture of the whole doorway, so you can see how the carvings are part of a highly decorated whole. Notice how narrow the door itself is. This was for defensive reasons. The church is one of three fortified churches in Cumbria. The Pele Tower, which was added in 1380 (see the second extra), was to provide the inhabitants of the village with a refuge from Scottish raids.