Bell 1 of 1
1604
Dove Bell ID: 56840 Tower ID: 21694 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Little Somborne: All Saints
Overview
Grid reference: SU 382 326
Externally plain and oblong with windows placed apparently at random in the south wall which is the first to be seen.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Only the nave remains, a simple oblong structure, with bell-turret at the west end. The chancel arch is blocked, and no trace of the chancel itself is evident on the wall-face or the nearby ground.
Dimensions:
44 feet by 14 feet.
Description of Archaeology and History
Some signs of a Saxon church remain (a lesene on the north wall and part of another on the south wall, and the quoins of the western angles show some long-and-short work). The chancel arch is late Norman (just pointed and no more) as is the south door and the blocked entrance low on the north side. The windows, too, are Norman although much altered. Two thirteenth century lancets above the chancel arch have been moved there, perhaps from the demolished chancel. The west window is Decorated, and the window inserted in the chancel arch is probably 17th century.
Exterior Description
Externally plain and oblong with windows placed apparently at random in the south wall which is the first to be seen. The round-headed door is slightly off-centre towards the west with two narrow windows to the east of it and one to the west. Two have square heads, one is pointed and all are filled with glass quarries. The walls are attractively surfaced with a variety of flint and roughcast of agreeable texture which goes well with the warm red tiles on the roof.
The east wall looks odd externally, for the line of the blocked chancel arch can be discerned quite clearly. Within it is a severely rectangular window (in a building where no other line is straight) of three lights also filled with plain quarries. Two unsightly iron ties run from the chancel arch to the corners of the building just above the level of the window; higher in the wall, strangely placed, are two lancet lights, possibly moved from the walls of the former chancel.
The north wall is totally plain except for a single narrow window in the eastern part and a brick boiler house chimney about halfway along which stands free of the wall.
The corners of the west wall are long-and-short Saxon quoins, but the window in the centre is the latest feature, being Decorated in style (of the plainest). Under a dripstone are two trefoil-headed lights with a quatrefoil above. The little square bell-cote rises flush with the gable.
Building Materials
Flint
11th Century
Flint
Interior
Interior Description
Inside, the church has been cleared of most of its pews, but the other large fittings remain. The floor has a central strip of old bricks with wooden areas each side for the pews. One step is the only evident division of nave from chancel, and there is another at the altar-rail.
The roof is a simple structure with cross-beams and arch-braces. These cut across the lancets high in the east wall, which poses the question of which came first. The walls are roughly plastered with some painted decoration, based on Italian mediaeval originals. On the north side of the chancel are four saints, and four more on the south while opposite the door is an angel appearing to the three wise men in a dream. Above the east window is a figure of Christ the King enthroned and some floral decoration on the plaster between the lintel of the window and the curve of the arch.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
19th Century
Rail
19th Century
Pulpit
Simple
Font (object)
19th Century
The round 19th century font (which some authorities claim as Norman) stands at the west end and under the belfry.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: SU 382 326
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | N/A |
| Solar Thermal Panels | N/A |
| Biomass | N/A |
| Wind Turbine | N/A |
| Air Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ev Charging | N/A |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
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