St Nicholas Church, Dereham
St Nicholas Church, Church Street, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 1DN
The church is open daily with the St Withburga and St Etheldreda exhibition. Visit St Withburga's Well, a holy spring located in the churchyard. The water sprang from the grave of St Withburga when her bones were removed. A plaque records that “The ruins of a tomb which contained the remains of Withburga, youngest daughter of Anna, King of East Angles, who died AD 654. The Abbot and monks of Ely stole this precious relic and translocated to Ely Cathedral, where it was interred near her three royal sisters, AD 974”.
Some areas, usually locked, will be open at the times below.
Visit the detached bell tower and see the bells. For a while the tower was used to house French prisoners of war as they travelled to Peterborough. One prisoner, Jean de Narde, escaped and was shot. Try and find his grave in the churchyard.
Timings & Tours
- Friday 06 September:
- St Withburga's Well & Exhibition 1000-1600
- Saturday 07 September:
- Bell tower, St Withburga's Well & Exhibition: 1000-1600
- Sunday 08 September:
- Exhibition: 1300-1600
- Monday 09 September:
- Exhibition: 1000-1600
- Tuesday 10 September:
- Exhibition: 1000-1600
- Wednesday 11 September:
- Exhibition: 1000-1600
- Thursday 12 September:
- Exhibition: 1000-1600
- Friday 13 September:
- St Withburga's Well & Exhibition: 1000-1600
- Saturday 14 September:
- Bell tower, St Withburga's Well & Exhibition: 1000-1600
- Sunday 15 September:
- Exhibition: 1200-1600
Location & directions
St Nicholas Church, Church Street, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 1DN
- Directions:
- St Nicholas' Church is next to Bishop Bonner's Cottage Museum and Church House. The Church is open daily. The belltower and St Withburga's Well are open at the times below.
- Contact on day:
- The Revd Paul Cubitt
- Telephone number:
- +447526419446
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
The church is fully accessible. Access to the ringing chamber and bell chamber is via a wooden spiral staircase which is narrow in a few places. Access to St Withburga's Well is across an uneven churchyard. There is a step into the well area and two steps down.
