St Mary's is one of Cumbria's best Norman churches. Its outstanding feature is its massive arches, with some of the supporting columns of the north arcade carved with a type of trellis decoration seen principally at Durham Cathedral.
There is much other twelfth-century detail and a noteworthy Norman arch beneath the tower. The ancient font was recovered between the world wars from a faryard where it had served as a feeding trough!
A major Victorian "restoration" took place in 1866. Then the finely decorated pulpit was reduced from three decks to its present size. The wrought-iron screen in front of the choir also dates from this time.
Seats in the churchyward, which has fine views over the surrounding countryside, make it a pleasant place to linger on a summer's day.
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