Knapton Church is built in the ‘Decorated’ style of the 14th  century. It was restored in 1882-3 under the direction of Sir Gilbert Scott.

The font stands on three high steps: the large octagonal bowl is of Purbeck marble supported on a central shaft and eight smaller ones. The font cover dated 1704 bears the inscription which reads the same either way (wash my sins and not my face only) This font cover is a good example of a permanent font canopy and may be compared with those of Terrington St Clement & Southacre.*

The most interesting feature in the church is the roof. This roof for scientific construction and for beauty of colouring & design is the best late Perp. roof to be found throughout England. It is of double hammer beam construction and grace with three rows of angels with extended wing, and 16th cent. painting. It was a gift to the church of John Smithe, 1504.*

*from information in the church, see photo below

We chatted and laughed with Higgy and Mrs H over breakfast, then it was time for them to head home. We went into Norwich to see some of the architectural features. When we saw a sign for St Peter’s Church we decided to head in that direction. For some reason Mr C got it into his head that we were headed for St Stephen’s Church. He followed the SatNav on his phone which took us on a rather circuitous route that gave us chance to see some of the dinosaurs on the Dinosaur Trail that was exhibited in the city.

Eventually we found ourselves outside a church, the Church of St Peter Mansfield rather than St Stephen’s. We had a look round the delightful church before heading to St Stephen’s which we knew had a café. The service there was quirky and slow but we got our food order in the end. Mr ordered a cheese scone, which both Mr C and I thought looked suspiciously like a fruit scone. He queried this and the lady that served him was adamant that it was a cheese scone. When Mr C cut the scone in half several currents were exposed so he took it back and the Minister of the church sorted out the mix up for him.

We decided to leave the city in order to visit another church that was on our list; St Peter and St Paul, Knapton with its double hammer-beam roof with over 100 carved angels. Inside the church we found it also has a spectacular Palladian font cover. I walked around the church and through the graveyard whilst Mr C waited outside the front entrance.

As I left through the gate two dogs started barking manically at me, wagging their tails at the same time. I wasn’t sure if they were pleased to see me or otherwise, but they were on chains so they couldn’t come near. The owner came running and told them off before apologising to me, saying that they don’t normally behave like that.

We took the scenic route via the North Norfolk coast back to the hotel. Later, we dined in The King’s Head at Coltishall. We shared a crab cake starter and for mains Mr C chose lobster thermidor whilst I opted for  sea bass. The food and service were excellent.

We went back to the hotel for a nightcap on the terrace and found the staff setting up the main dining area for a wedding. The bride and some of her guests were seated nearby talking about what was planned for the following day. After a while they got up to leave so we bid them good night and wished them well for their wedding celebrations.