A legacy of faith and fortitude
The twin towers of Wymondham Abbey stand sentinel over the market town, their silhouette shaped by centuries of conflict and renewal
Norfolk is steeped in monastic heritage, from the majestic ruins of Creake Abbey to the grandeur of Norwich Cathedral. In its villages and towns, centuries-old churches still stand thanks to the devotion of their communities. Wymondham is no exception, with its abbey having watched over the town’s edge for more than 900 years. Its rare twin towers hint at a remarkable story, while the magnificent gilded altar screen within glows in tribute to lives lost in conflict.
Wymondham’s roots stretch back to the earliest human settlers, with flint axe-heads discovered nearby revealing origins older than the Bronze Age. The settlement flourished during the Anglo-Saxon era, and by 950 AD, a stone church had risen on the site where the abbey now stands.
With the arrival of the Normans, new leadership swiftly took hold. In 1107 William d’Aubigny founded a Benedictine Priory for 12 monks, a daughter house to St Alban’s Abbey, where his uncle served as Abbot. William permitted the townspeople to share the church with the monks, but disputes over its use were frequent and he offered no resolution to the conflicts that followed. Mounting tensions eventually resulted in the Pope’s intervention in 1249, when the priory was divided. The eastern half, south aisle, and south-west tower were granted to the monks, while the remainder was given to the townspeople, served by their own separate vicar.
Despite the Pope’s mediation, clashes continued over the decades. Around 1376, the central tower became unsafe, prompting the monks to construct a larger octagonal tower for their bells. Today, it survives as a hollow shell, weathered by centuries and open to the sky. Watching its rise, the parishioners responded by building an even taller bell tower of their own, though they were forbidden to ring at times that might disturb the monks. The two towers divided nave from chancel, creating parallel spaces for monks and townspeople. This unusual arrangement left Wymondham Abbey as Norfolk’s only medieval parish church without windows at either end.
In 1448, the priory gained independence from St Alban’s and became an abbey. A century of improvements followed, including a raised nave and the exquisite angel roof that still inspires awe today.
The abbey’s fortunes changed under Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries, when it was surrendered to the king’s agents. The eastern end of the church, once belonging to the monks, was gradually demolished as its stone was repurposed elsewhere. Though the monastic side could not be saved, the townspeople refused to let their parish church fall. They rallied together and purchased it from the Crown, securing its survival. Repairs began after Queen Elizabeth I visited Norfolk in 1573 and, struck by its deteriorating state, personally provided funds to help restore its former glory.
Over the centuries the abbey remained a place of sanctuary and worship for the local community. In the 18th century, additional pews were installed to seat more than 1,000 visitors, the churchyard was enlarged so that more could enjoy its beauty on sunny days and a schoolroom was built to provide education for poorer children. During the First World War, plans were drawn up to install a gilded altar screen in the chancel, designed by the renowned architect Sir Ninian Comper. Work was halted during the conflict and not completed until 1934, when the screen was unveiled as a memorial to those Wymondham had lost. Today, it’s one of the abbey’s most striking features, its brilliant gold catching the sunlight and illuminating the entire chancel. Inspired by late medieval screens, the design depicts saints with connections to the abbey, including Our Lady and St Thomas Becket.
Wymondham Abbey has endured centuries of change and challenge, yet it still thrives today as a vibrant hub for worshippers and visitors alike. Its splendid architecture and rich history continue to draw people in, while the spirituality of the place is felt by all who enter. An active Friends group now safeguards its future and its award-winning bellringers let its chimes ring freely. Their harmonious symphony carries across the ancient market town and the fields of East Anglia, echoing nine centuries of proud perseverance.
