NHER 3770 (Building record) - St Nicholas' Church, Gayton

St Nicholas' Church.
Mostly early 14th century. With older fragments, 15th century chancel.
For full details see (S1).
E. Rose (NAU), 2 July 1981.

22 July 1993. NLA air photography.
Church visible.
M. Brennand (NLA), 8 February 2001.

February 2010.
The church boasts a unique dome-topped tower which has emblems of the evangelists in each corner.
See (S2) for further information,
H. White, (NLA), 28 April 2010

June 2011. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of groundworks associated with installation of new kitchen and toilet facilities.
The works within the church itself were limited and exposed little of archaeological interest. The one exception was a small hole excavated for foul water and water supply connections beneath the foundations of the west wall of the north aisle. The flint and mortar foundation was found to be extend to a depth of approximately 0.5m below present ground level. Three disarticulated fragments of human bone were recovered from the underlying silty sand deposit. The presence of these bones may indicate that burials took place in this area prior to the construction of the north aisle, which is potentially further evidence that there was an earlier church on the site.
No other finds were recovered.
See report (S3) for further information and NHER 61948 for details of observations made during monitoring of associated groundworks in the churchyard.
P. Watkins (HES), 9 November 2016.

September 2013. Building Survey
Church is largely of two 14th century phases with curvilnear tracery and narrow clerestory with alternating quatrefoil and two-light windows. Mid 14th century heightening which involved dismantling arcades and re-erecting them at a higher level as at North Elmham (NHER 1119). Also new bell stage added with a dome on a fine rib vault. The corner finials to the twower parpet are of seated lions holding shields. For further details see (S4).
S. Heywood (HES),2 October 2013.

January 2015. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of surface water drainage improvement works.
Drainage trenches excavated immediately to the north of the chancel revealed flint and mortar foundations likely to represent the north-west corner of a former vestry. It is though unclear whether this structure was contemporary with the 15th-century chancel or a later addition.
See report (S5) and NHER 61948 for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 28 September 2025.