Lamarsh, Essex

From Wiston to Lamarsh and that rare thing an Essex Church with a round Tower but if I'm brutally honest that was the only interest I found here. Holy Innocents is utterly lacking in interior interest and almost entirely lacks merit - however I will give it marks for the round Tower, being open and location.

HOLY INNOCENTS. Round tower, plastered, with Norman windows. The roof with dormers belongs to the restoration of 1869, and looks it. Nave and chancel in one, mostly with early C14 windows. The chancel E lancets are not original. S porch early C16 brick, plain. - SCREEN. Two traceried panels to each division; C15. - PLATE. Cup and Paten of 1691.

LAMARSH. Its cottages are dainty, its tower is rare and ancient, one of the six round towers in Essex and one of only three known to have been built by the Normans. It was partly restored about 250 years ago. The odd-looking spire with its little dormer windows is modern, but one of the lancet windows is 12th century. The nave walls may be Norman, but the chancel was refashioned 600 years ago. There is 15th century woodwork in the ten bays of the screen. Tudor builders added the brick porch, which shelters a doorway and a handsome door just as old. Fine trees surround Daw’s Hall, a 16th century house with a 14th century crowned head carved on a boss over one of its doors.

Flickr.