- contact@musicintheburnhams.com
- 0333 666 3366
- Burnham Market & Burnham Thorpe
We love hosting our concerts and recitals in local churches and village halls. The atmosphere is always friendly, informal and welcoming. There are so many churches in Norfolk, and we are fortunate to have six to choose from that are very different in architecture and atmosphere. Absorb yourself in the history of these beautiful places that each have their own charm and character.
The village hall at Burnham Overy has a modern interior but was formerly the village school. It has been sensitively and sympathetically renovated to provide a light and spacious space for our supper clubs.
This is a small, simple church with early origins, although it was restored in the 19th century. It has no tower, but a bellcote on the west end of the nave. c.1190 inside. Look out for the grotesques on the roof corbels either side of the transitional Norman/Early English chancel arch. The pulpit is Georgian.
There are six Burnham churches, but St Mary sits at the western end of Burnham Market high street, and has become the main parish church of this attractive little town. During the course of the centuries, the parishes of Burnham Sutton, Burnham Ulph and Burnham Westgate had grown together, and a market was established. Burnham Sutton church was largely demolished in the 18th Century, the parish having been long consolidated with that of Burnham Ulph, and the parish church of Burnham Ulph sits at the other end of the high street to Burnham Westgate’s church.
The principle structures of this church are the typical 14th century arcading and the grandiose 15th century tower. But there was a church here in earlier times and it is proved by two important items of evidence of Christianity. In 1960 a Romano-British cemetery was excavated near here and some Christian burials were found about 4th/5th century and in Saxon times King Edgar conveyed the patronage of the church to the Abbey of Ramsey.
St Clement’s was originally a Norman cruciform church with a central tower. By 1200 the transepts had been demolished and the tower shortened, leaving a narrow corridor between the nave and chancel. the nave has retained its Norman character whilst the chancel is Early English.
Late Victorian restored from original C14 building in which Horatio Nelson’s parents (his father was the rector) are buried. Nelson was baptised in its medieval font. Many naval references, including: altar, lectern and rood made from HMS Victory; battle ensigns from HMS Nelson and Indomitable the latter flown at the Battle of Jutland; bust of Nelson in the chancel.
This is the most interesting and perhaps also the loveliest of the six surviving medieval Burnham churches. It stands on a hilltop about half a mile north of the town of Burnham Market and a mile south of the sea in the other direction.
Burnham Overy Village Hall, New Road, Burnham Overy Staithe, is ideal for weddings, christenings, family parties, art exhibitions, classes, talks etc.
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