Almost Dorset- Church of All Saints, Sutton Bingham

Just across the Dorset border in Somerset close to the reservoir of Sutton Bingham there stands the tiny church of All Saints.

 

Sutton Bingham is mainly known for its pretty reservoir and the birds it attracts. The church hides almost unnoticed at the end of a narrow lane just a stones-throw from the lake, its humble exterior giving no hint of the riches hidden inside.

Acclimatising to the gloom you become slowly become aware that the interior is richly decorated with medieval paintings   dating from the 13th and 14th centuries. Whitewashed over during the reformation they were only rediscovered in the 1860's. They looked particularly beautiful the day I visited. Bright sunlight shone, throwing lattice patterns across these ancient artworks.

The most noteworthy is painted on the north wall of the nave, and shows two scenes from the death of the Virgin, while through the beautifullypreserved Norman chancel arch is a scene of the crowning of the Virgin. Painted figures even decorate the window reveals. It is a timeless moment especially so when in a museum such venerable art would be securely behind glass.

Crowning of the Virgin

Outside take yet more time out for contemplation.

 Of the two bells hanging in the open belfry, the right hand bell has been dated to 1250 and is believed to have been cast by an itinerant bell founder on this very spot 750 years ago. The other bell is but a fresh faced youngster and dates from 1688.