Clippesby: Round Tower Church and Norfolk Broads

Clippesby appeals to travellers interested in historic church architecture, nature around the church and activities in the Norfolk Broads countryside. St Peter’s Church preserves architectural features from Saxon and Norman times; its churchyard provides a habitat for owls and bats and displays wildflowers in early spring. For active days, there is also the “Broads in a Day” cycling route and the option to explore the Broads on foot. These themes offer different points of focus and help you decide what you would like to prioritise during a stay in Clippesby.

St Peter’s: Round Tower and Building History

St Peter’s Church in Clippesby is an 11th-century round-tower church. The remains of a Saxon window survive on its north side. The Norman doorway has a stone frame carved with a zigzag pattern. These architectural features give the church more than one architectural point of interest: the window remains and doorway reflect different building styles.

A later addition was made in 1875, when the church gained an octagonal bell stage on the surviving stump of the round Saxon tower. “Octagonal” means eight-sided. The shape of the octagonal stage and the round tower stump therefore create a distinct architectural contrast. For travellers interested in culture, St Peter’s offers a striking reason to explore its different structural elements and their history.

Churchyard Nature Through the Seasons

St Peter’s churchyard also has its own connection with nature. Magnificent lime trees on its west side provide a habitat for owls and bats. In early spring, snowdrops, primroses and other wildflowers cover the ground. The churchyard has been carefully maintained as a natural area for centuries. Its natural features also follow different rhythms: wildflowers add a seasonal highlight in early spring, while the lime trees and their wildlife habitat form another aspect of the churchyard.

Exploring the Broads by Bike and on Foot

The “Broads in a Day” cycling route starts at the reception at Clippesby Hall and is designed as a 35-mile route around the Norfolk Broads. Its course includes a traffic-free path along the track of a former railway line. This path can be used by pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. When planning, you can consider the stated route length and type of path as separate points of reference.

Clippesby Hall’s seasonal cycle hire centre provides bicycles and circular routes to help visitors explore quiet roads and the Norfolk Broads countryside. Availability is seasonal, and route details may be revised. If you plan to hire bikes or take the “Broads in a Day” route, check seasonal availability or the latest route details before travelling.

Clippesby offers easy access to the Norfolk Broads National Park. Visitors can also explore the Broads on foot from Clippesby Hall. When choosing a holiday cottage in Clippesby, these different interests can help guide your decision: St Peter’s and its naturally maintained churchyard offer cultural and nature themes at the church; the cycling route and walking opportunities turn the focus to the Broads. Consider whether the building history or exploring the Broads should be the main focus of your stay.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Northrepps, Gissing, Aylmerton, Melton Constable, Narborough, Harleston, Waterden, Holt.

To the main travel overview: Norfolk.