Church of All Saints, Norton Fitzwarren

The Church of All Saints stands in the village of Norton Fitzwarren, Somerset, a small settlement west of Taunton. Built of North Curry sandstone with hamstone dressings and a slate roof, it dates from the late 13th or early 14th century. The church has a western crenellated tower with set-back buttresses and gargoyles at each stage. A clock and an empty statue niche appear on the tower’s southern face. In the mid 19th century the porch, chancel and vestry were rebuilt during restorations. The building is recognised as a Grade II* listed structure and houses notable features from different periods. A 16th-century Devon-style rood screen spans part of the nave, its lower section showing the story of the Dragon of Norton Camp. The arcade uses octagonal piers with plain capitals. The tower contains 19th-century stained glass. The rector of All Saints also serves the nearby Church of St John, Staplegrove. Inside, visitors find a quiet interior with the rood screen’s painted panels and the tower’s clock. The graveyard includes a corner believed to have been used for gypsy burials. The stonework and fittings reflect the church’s medieval origins and later restorations. The setting remains rural, with views over the surrounding countryside.