Church Heritage Record 626270

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Topcroft: St Margaret

Name:

This is the church’s legal name as given by the Church Commissioners.

Topcroft: St Margaret
Record Type:

A classification of the current status of the building

Church
Church code:

This is a unique identification number supplied to each church building by the Church Commissioners.

626270
Diocese:

Name of diocese in which the church building is located at the time of entry.

Norwich
Archdeaconry:

Name of archdeaconry in which the church building is located at the time of entry

Norfolk
Parish:

This is the legal name of the parish as given by the Church Commissioners.

Topcroft

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Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?

The decision to put a church building on the National Heritage List for England and assign it a listing grade is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is normally based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on the historic environment.

This is a Grade II* Listed Building
View more information about this Listed Building on the National Heritage List for England web site
Scheduled Monument?

The decision to schedule a feature (building, monument, archaeological remains, etc.) located within the church building’s precinct or churchyard is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on cultural heritage.

There is no Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct

National Park

National Parks are areas of countryside that include villages and towns, which are protected because of their beautiful countryside, wildlife and cultural heritage. In England, National Parks are designated by Natural England, the government’s advisor on the natural environment.

The church is not in a National Park

Conservation Area

Conservation areas are places of special architectural or historic interest where it is desirable to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of such areas. Conservation Areas are designated by the Local Council.

The church is not in a Conservation Area

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Heritage At Risk Status

On Heritage At Risk Register?

The Heritage at Risk programme is run and managed by Historic England, the government’s advisor on cultural heritage. It aims to protect and manage the historic environment, so that the number of ‘at risk’ historic places and sites across England are reduced.

This church is not on the Heritage at Risk Register
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Approximate Date

Approximate Date:

Selecting a single date for the construction of a church building can sometimes be very difficult as most CoE buildings have seen many phases of development over time. The CHR allows you to record a time period rather than a specific date.

The CHR records the time period for the building’s predominant fabric as opposed to the date of the earliest fabric or the church’s foundation date.

Post Medieval

Exterior Image

626270_Topcroft_StMargaret_Norwich_CHRexterior
Caption:

603242 

626270_Topcroft_StMargaret_Norwich_CHRexterior
Description:

It seems to be the wrong photograph. Provided coordinates come up with another church on geograph.org.uk

Year / Date:

2011, April 06

January 2016
Copyright:

Keltek Trust

Christopher Codling
Originator:

Keltek Trust

Christopher Codling

Summary Description

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The Church of St Margaret has undergone much restoration over the centuries, but many features of interest and antiquity remain. The lofty tower is a fascinating mixture of styles and additions. The tower has three bells, but only one is currently in use. Much of the nave and the south aisle is Perpendicular, though in 1712 the church was greatly restored: the brick chancel was also added at that time. A substantial programme of repair, improvement and redecoration has been carried out recently, including a new heating system. In 2003 pews were removed from the south aisle and a new floor was laid, making this area more adaptable for services, concerts and meetings.

Visiting and Facilities

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The church is open for worship.
Church open regularly Grade II* listed building Visitor parking nearby Stained Glass
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Church Website

Church Website:

www.holytrinitylyonsdown.org.uk

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Sources and Further Information

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Christopher Codling (September 2005) 626270_Topcroft_StMargaret_Norwich_CHRplan [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
626270_Topcroft_StMargaret_Norwich_CHRplan
Christopher Codling (January 2016) 626270_Topcroft_StMargaret_Norwich_CHRexterior [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
626270_Topcroft_StMargaret_Norwich_CHRexterior
CCB (2011) Interior View [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Interior View
Church of England (2021) A Church Near You https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/5490/ [Digital Archive/Index]
View information on worship and access at this church
ICBS (1817-1989) Incorporated Church Building Society Archive https://images.lambethpalacelibrary.org.uk/luna/servlet/detail/LPLIBLPL~34~34~104216~115671 [Archive/Graphic material]

Ground plan

ICBS File Number - 05492

Coverage - 1861

Created by BENEST & NEWSON

Church Buildings Council (2019) Church Bells 3 Bells [Archive/Index]
3 Bells

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: TM 265 928

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Administrative Area

County:

The administrative area within which the church is located.

Norfolk County

Location and Setting

This field describes the setting of the church building, i.e. the surroundings in which the church building is experienced, and whether or not it makes a positive or negative contribution to the significance of the building.

Part of the churchyard is a conservation area and in the spring it is a mass of primroses and orchids.

Church Plan

626270_Topcroft_StMargaret_Norwich_CHRplan
Caption:
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626270_Topcroft_StMargaret_Norwich_CHRplan
Description:
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Year / Date:
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September 2005
Copyright:
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Christopher Codling
Originator:
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Christopher Codling

Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Ground Plan

Provide as written description of the ground plan of the church building and well as its dimensions.

Work in progress - can you help?

Dimensions

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Footprint of Church buildings (m2):

Small (<199m2)

Medium (200-599m2)

Large (600m-999m2)

Very Large (>1000m2)

276 m2

Description of Archaeology and History

This field aims to record the archaeological potential of the wider area around the building and churchyard, as well as the history of site.

Work in progress - can you help?

Exterior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the exterior of the church building and the churchyard.

The lofty tower is a fascinating mixture of styles and additions.  The round base has been dated by some writers as Norman and the first two octagonal stages as C13th additions.  A recent study suggests, however, that the three lower stages were built at the same time (possibly early in the C14th), with the tower being independently constructed against an existing church.  A fourth stage – the belfry – was added in the C15th, crowned by an embattled parapet with a frieze of fleurons and fine grinning gargoyles.  In 1983 the church tower was given a new roof, the rendering was stripped and stonework was re-pointed. During this work, six lancet windows were uncovered and reinstated, making eight in all.  The tower has three bells, but only one is currently in use.

Much of the nave and the south aisle is Perpendicular, though in 1712 the church was greatly restored: the brick chancel was also added at that time.

There are carved medieval heads at the lower gable ends, with a group of three heads together at the east end of the south aisle.  The south porch has a niche for a holy water stoup in an exterior wall and, high on its south-east buttress, a hole (for a peg) which would have formed part of a ‘mass dial’.  Decorative heads flank the entrance arches.

Medieval; chancel of 1712. Flint with brick and stone dressings, brick. Slate roof. West tower, nave, C18 chancel, south aisle, south porch. Embattled tower of 4 stages, the lower stage round, the upper stages octagonal. West window, heavily restored, of 2 lights with panel tracery; post-medieval brick repair above and below window. Medieval brick quoins to second and third stages. Stone dressings to slit light to west of second stage; brick voussoirs. Single light opening to each face of third stage with brick reveals. Stone dresings to fourth stage; large louvred openings to north, south, east and west; flushwork to intermediate faces. Diagonal buttresses to south aisle; post-medieval brick buttress on medieval base. 2 restored 2-light windows with panel tracery. East window of aisle of 3 lights with panel tracery; similar to west, heavily restored. North nave doorway with continuous chamfer. One restored 3-light window with panel tracery; hood mould. One similar window of C19. Off-set in wall of second bay. Light for rood stair. Brick chancel having pilasters with moulded capitals. C19 stone-dressed windows. Buttressed porch to first aisle bay. Single cusped light under square hood mould to east and west. Archway with polygonal shafts; hollow chamfer to arch, continuous outer order with hollow chamfer; hood mould with restored figure stops. Rere-arch of 2 orders; hollow chamfered. Niche to right of archway. Nave doorway of 2 continuous orders, hollow chamfer to arch; hood mould with figure stops. Stoup to right.

As listed on Historic England website

Architects, Artists and Associated People/Organisations

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Who:
Peter Codling Architects
Role:
Architect
From:
To:
Contribution:
Who:
Peter Codling Architects
Role:
Architect / Surveyor ICM55
From:
To:
Contribution:
Who:
Peter Codling Architects
Role:
Architect / Surveyor ICM55
From:
To:
Contribution:
Who:
Peter Codling Architects
Role:
Architect / Surveyor ICM55
From:
To:
Contribution:

Building Fabric and Features

This field is an index of the building and its major components

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Collapse Building Fabric and FeaturesBuilding Fabric and Features
BELFRY (15th Century)
CHANCEL (1712)
FRIEZE (15th Century)
GABLE
GARGOYLE (15th Century)
LANCET WINDOW
PARAPET (15th Century)
PORCH
TOWER (COMPONENT) (13th Century)

Building Materials

This field is an index of the building’s material composition

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BRICK

Interior Image

Interior View
Caption:
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Interior View
Description:
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Year / Date:
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2011
Copyright:
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Originator:
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CCB

Interior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the interior of the church building.

The interior has a C14th arcade which leans outwards and the south aisle has large Perpendicular windows.  The rood loft stairs remain in the north wall.  The font dates from the C15th.  There is a trefoil-headed piscine at the east end of the south aisle, which indicates that there was once an altar there.  The Royal Arms are of King George III (1760-1820) and the hanging wooden hatchments are of the Smyth family of Topcroft Hall.  Near the chancel arch is a small but attractive tablet (inscribed in Latin) to Richard Wilson, who died in 1637.

In 1861 the chancel was re-seated and most of the windows renewed: further work on the chancel was done in 1876 when the then fashionable decoration with biblical texts was added.  A substantial programme of repair, improvement and redecoration has been carried out recently, including a new heating system.  In 2003 pews were removed from the south aisle and a new floor was laid.

Stoup beside south door. 4-bay nave arcade with polygonal shafts on large bases; 2 orders to arch. Piscina in aisle. Rood stair. Probably C19 tower arch and chancel arch. C19 roofs and fittings. Royal arms dated 1789 G.R. Many hatchments. Octagonal font with 4 lions to base; alternate lions and angels with shields to bowl.

As listed on Historic England website

Internal Fixtures and Fittings

This field is an index of the building’s internal, architectural components. This includes its internal spaces and those areas’ fixtures and fittings (building components which are securely fixed to the church or cathedral).

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Collapse Internal Fixtures and FittingsInternal Fixtures and Fittings
BELL (1 of 3 U/R)
BELL (2 of 3 U/R)
BELL (3 of 3 U/R)
FONT (OBJECT) (15th Century)
INSCRIBED OBJECT (1637)
PEW (OBJECT)
PISCINA (OBJECT)
ROOD LOFT

Portable Furnishings and Artworks

This field is an index of the building’s movable, non-fixed furnishings and artworks.

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Collapse Portable Furnishings and ArtworksPortable Furnishings and Artworks
WALL HANGING (19th Century)

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: TM 265 928

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Ecology

This field aims to record a description of the ecology of the churchyard and surrounding setting.

Work in progress - can you help?

Ecological Designations

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The everyday wildlife of burial grounds means much to those who visit and cherish them but many burial grounds are so rich in wildlife that they should be designated and specially protected. Few have the legal protection of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or, in the case of local authority owned cemeteries, Local Nature Reserve. This makes it even more important that they are cared for and protected by the people looking after them.

Many have a non-statutory designation as a recognition of their importance. These non-statutory designations have a variety of names in different regions including Local Wildlife Site, County Wildlife Site, Site of Importance for Nature Conservation or Site of Nature Conservation Importance (Local Wildlife Site is the most common name). Their selection is based on records of the most important, distinctive and threatened species and habitats within a national, regional and local context. This makes them some of our most valuable wildlife areas.

For example, many burial grounds which are designated as Local Wildlife Sites contain species-rich meadow, rich in wildflowers, native grasses and grassland fungi managed by only occasional mowing plus raking. When this is the case, many animals may be present too, insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. This type of grassland was once widespread and has been almost entirely lost from the UK with approximately 3% remaining, so burial grounds with species-rich meadow managed in this way are extremely important for wildlife.

These designations should be considered when planning management or change.

If you think that this or any other burial ground should be designated please contact Caring for God’s Acre (info@cfga.org.uk) to discuss. Many eligible sites have not yet received a designation and can be surveyed and then submitted for consideration.

There are no SSSIs within the curtilage of this Church.

There are no Local nature reserves within the curtilage of this Church.

There are no Local Wildlife sites within the curtilage of this Church.

Evidence of the Presence of Bats

This field aims to record any evidence of the presence of bats in the church building or churchyard.

The church has no evidence of bats

Burial and War Grave Information

This field records basic information about the presence of a churchyard and its use as a burial ground.

It is unknown whether the church or churchyard is consecrated. Work in progress - can you help?
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It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
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It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
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It is unknown whether the churchyard is closed for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
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The churchyard does not have war graves.

National Heritage List for England Designations

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There are no Listed Buildings within the curtilage of this Church.

There are no Scheduled Monuments within the curtilage of this Church.

Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees

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Churchyards are home to fantastic trees, in particular ancient and veteran trees which can be the oldest indication of a sacred space and be features of extraordinary individuality. The UK holds a globally important population of ancient and veteran yew trees of which three-quarters are found in the churchyards of England and Wales.

There are more than 1,000 ancient and veteran yews aged at least 500 years in these churchyards.

To put this in context, the only other part of western Europe with a known significant yew population is Normandy in northern France, where more than 100 ancient or veteran churchyard yews have been recorded.

Burial grounds may contain veteran and ancient trees of other species such as sweet chestnut or small-leaved lime which, whilst maybe not so old as the yews, are still important for wildlife and may be home to many other species.

Specialist advice is needed when managing these wonderful trees. For more information or to seek advice please contact Caring for God’s Acre, The Ancient Yew Group and The Woodland Trust.

If you know of an ancient or veteran tree in a burial ground that is not listed here please contact Caring for God’s Acre.

There are currently no Ancient, Veteran or Notable trees connected to this Church

Churchyard Structures

This field is an index of the churchyard’s components.

Work in progress - can you help?

Significance

Setting Significance Level:

Significance is the whole set of reasons why people value a church, whether as a place for worship and mission, as an historic building that is part of the national heritage, as a focus for the local community, as a familiar landmark or for any other reasons.

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Setting Significance Description:
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Fabric Significance Level:
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Fabric Significance Description:
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Work in progress - can you help?
Interior Significance Level:
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Work in progress - can you help?
Interior Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?
Community Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?
Community Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?

Church Renewables

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Open the map of church renewable installations
Solar PV Panels:

This information forms part of the Shrinking the Footprint project.

No
Solar Thermal Panels:
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No
Bio Mass:
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No
Air Source Heat Pump:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Ground Source Heat Pump:
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No
Wind Turbine:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
EV Car Charging:
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Unknown

Species Summary

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All of the species listed below have been recorded in close proximity to the Church . A few species which are particularly threatened and affected by disturbance may not be listed here because their exact location cannot be shared.

NOTE: Be aware that this dataset is growing, and the species totals may change once the National Biodiversity Network has added further records. Species may be present but not recorded and still await discovery.

CategoryTotal species recorded to date
TOTAL NUMBER OF SPECIES RECORDED 2
Total number of animal species 0
Total number of plant species 2
Total number of mammal species 0
Total number of birds 0
Total number of amphibian and reptile species 0
Total number of invertebrate species 0
Total number of fungi species 0
Total number of mosses and liverworts (bryophytes) 0
Total number of ferns 0
Total number of flowering plants 2
Total number of Gymnosperm and Ginkgo 0

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 of 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

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If any of the following species have been seen close to the Church, it is important to seek advice from an expert. You will need to know if they are present now, and to follow expert recommendations when planning works. All of these species have specific legal protection as a recognition of their rarity. All of them are rare or becoming increasingly endangered, so it is important to ensure that management and other works do not adversely affect them. In addition, there may be things you can do to help these special species. N.B. Swift and House Martin do not have specific legal protection but are included, as roof repair works often impact breeding swifts and house martins which is against the law.

This is not a complete list of protected species, there are many more, but these are ones that are more likely to be found. All wild birds, their nests and eggs are also protected by law, as are all bats and veteran trees. In a few cases, species are considered particularly prone to disturbance or destruction by people, so the exact location of where they were recorded is not publicly available but can be requested. These ‘blurred’ records are included here, and the accuracy is to 1km. This means that the species has been recorded in close proximity to the Church, or a maximum of 1km away from it. As these ‘blurred’ species are quite mobile, there is a strong likelihood that they can occur close to the Church. To learn about these special species, use the link provided for each species in the table below

One important species which is not included here is the Peregrine Falcon. This is protected and advice should be sought if peregrines are nesting on a church or cathedral. Peregrine records are ‘blurred’ to 10km, hence the decision not to include records here. Remember too that species not seriously threatened nationally may still be at risk in your region and be sensitive to works. You should check with local experts about this. You may also need to seek advice about invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed and aquatics colonising streams or pools, which can spread in churchyards.

N.B. If a species is not recorded this does not indicate absence. It is always good practice to survey.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre can help and support you in looking after the biodiversity present in this special place. If you know that any of these species occur close to the Church and are not recorded here, please contact Caring for God’s Acre with details (info@cfga.org.uk).

To find out more about these and other species recorded against this Church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas.

The church was the centre of many people’s lives and remains a guide to their cares and concerns. Glimpses into those lives have often come down to us in the stories we heard as children or old photographs discovered in tattered shoe boxes. Perhaps your ancestors even made it into local legend following some fantastic event? You can choose to share those memories with others and record them for future generations on this Forum.

Tell us the story of this building through the lives of those who experienced it. Tell us why this church is important to you and your community.

Upload your photographs, share your videos, or compose your story below using a Facebook, Twitter, Google or Disqus account.

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WhoActionWhen
Marleen MadindaAdded QI inspectionWed 19 May 2021 13:06:36
Marleen MadindaCreated asset source linkWed 19 May 2021 13:06:36
Ava SalzerAdded interior feature typeWed 22 Aug 2018 14:09:47
Ava SalzerAdded interior feature typeWed 22 Aug 2018 14:09:27
Ava SalzerAdded object typeWed 22 Aug 2018 14:09:07
Ava SalzerAdded interior feature typeWed 22 Aug 2018 14:08:36
Ava SalzerAdded interior feature typeWed 22 Aug 2018 14:08:13
Ava SalzerAdded interior feature typeWed 22 Aug 2018 14:07:58
Ava SalzerAdded building material typeWed 22 Aug 2018 14:07:37
Ava SalzerAdded fabric typeWed 22 Aug 2018 14:07:21
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