The Ruined Church

B and I went to an antiques fair today at Bayfield Hall.  This is a private estate set in the beautiful Glaven Valley, and we often walk the public footpaths around this estate, it’s one of our favourite walks.  We have long been intrigued by the ruined church that we see across the river when we walk past the house.  Being at the fair gave us an opportunity to walk up to it and take photos.  It was built of traditional Norfolk flint but what enhances it now is all the foliage and flowers growing from it and over it, particularly the Valerian.
 
The church was St Margaret’s and is believed to date back to the 11th Century.  It is thought that this would have probably been the village church but that the village and road were moved to enable the owners of Bayfield to have a large private estate and the church was left to fall into a picturesque ruin.  Bayfield Hall is Georgian and was converted in the 18th Century from an earlier Tudor building. (see extra).  Apparently, the surrounding woods include some of the oldest oaks in the country including one dating to Edward II’s reign around 1360.

The House is now licensed for weddings and promotes itself for film shoots.