St Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham

St Mary Magdalene Church is a 16th-century parish building in Sandringham, England, standing on raised ground and built from local reddish carrstone. The walls display the fine vertical lines and pointed arches typical of perpendicular Gothic design throughout.

The current building was completed in the 16th century and later underwent two major renovations led by architects Samuel Sanders Teulon in 1855 and Arthur Blomfield in 1890. These works reshaped the interior and added new elements while preserving the medieval core.

The dedication to Mary Magdalene follows a tradition common in English parish churches that honor biblical figures. On Sundays the local congregation gathers for worship, and when the doors open on visiting days, travelers can step inside to see how a working country church feels.

An avenue lined with Scotch firs leads up to the building, making the approach pleasant and easy to follow. The interior opens to visitors on certain days, and the floor inside is mostly level, with few steps to navigate.

Inside stand two fonts used for royal baptisms: one is a 9th-century piece from Greece, the other carved from Florentine marble. The silver altar and reredos made by Barkentin & Krall were presented to Queen Alexandra as a memorial to King Edward VII.

Location: Sandringham

Architectural style: Perpendicular Gothic

Made from material: carrstone

Address: Sandringham Estate, Sandringham, Norfolk, PE35 6EH

Website: https://sandringhamchurches.org.uk

GPS coordinates: 52.82820,0.50892

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:25