St Mary's Church, Islington, Norfolk

St Mary's Church in Tilney St Lawrence is a partially preserved church with a cross-shaped plan, reinforced tower, and partly roofed chancel built from stone and brick. The structure shows layers of construction from different periods, revealing how the building evolved over time.

The oldest parts of the church date from the late 13th century, with the tower added during major remodeling in the 15th century. Later repairs included a protective west wall built in the chancel during 1972 to preserve what remained.

The church holds two notable memorials: a dedication to Edward Bragge on the north wall and a marble monument from 1723 on the east wall. These monuments tell the story of families who lived in the area across the centuries.

The ruins sit near Islington Hall Farm and are reached by a track branching from the A47 roundabout at Tilney All Saints. The site sits in open countryside roughly three miles from King's Lynn and is best explored on foot to take in the setting.

The tower retains two original bells and its roof intact, setting it apart from many other church ruins in the region. This preservation makes the tower a rare example of partially functional medieval architecture that visitors can still encounter today.

Location: Tilney St Lawrence

Architectural style: English Gothic architecture

Website: http://visitchurches.org.uk/Ourchurches/Completelistofchurches/St-Marys-Church-Islington-Norfolk

GPS coordinates: 52.72680,0.32470

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:03