Saint Nicholas Barfrestone

An amazing 12 century Church with carvings galore. The south door is the centre piece of this Norman church with its carvings of animals, people, star signs and more is well worth a close inspection, find the monkey riding a goat, also some Mass dials on both sides of the door. Carved grotesque heads surround the outside of the church. The church bell is in a tree on the west side. Inside there is a stained window in memory of Jane Austen and another for her father who was a Rector there for 54 years until his death in 1908.
Difficult to park near the church.

Been there several times, one of my favorite churches. Simple and in part quite Norman, the work over the entry (Christ Pantocrator and a little St Thomas (a Becket)) is memorable especially since the church is almost contemporary with Becket’s martyrdom. Alas the Yew Tree pub is no longer nearby!

This is a very impressive ancient church, its reputation is well deserved as a fantastically preserved piece of our National History. It is quite understated, set back from the road, very much worth a visit.

Unique little church we returned to view as it was covered in scaffolding on a previous visit The norman stone work is magnificent it would be interesting to know the story of how it came to be installed at Saint Nicholas Barfrestone.

Beautiful and atmospheric. There is a parking place near by ( just around the corner) Be careful walking back up to the church on the road.

Unique survival, such a wonderful space.

Very ornate church but was sadly closed when I went.

I couldn't enter but the stonework outside is wonderful.