Here we are among the tiny parishes in the flat fields of east Norfolk, the roads thinning out and disappearing into the marshes along the winding Yare. The church sits quietly in a narrow churchyard, the long low assemblage of nave and chancel reminiscent of nearby Ashby, although the thatch there would be nice here. In contract with Ashby's long square tower, Norton Subcourse has a solid, tapering round tower, flint with a bit of red brick repair at the top. You step into a light interior of old wood and brick and tile floors, all well-kept. The magnificent reticulated tracery of the east window dominates everything, and you wouldn't be surprised to find it in a much larger church. The tower arch is pleasingly-offset. These quiet little churches out here always makes me think of Betjeman's description of the churches of Norfolk as precious jewels in a long necklace - even one of them allowed to be lost would spoil the whole thing.

Simon Knott, July 2019

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