15th Century Church Tunnel

   In most fen villages I visit on my cycling adventures I always seem to be drawn towards the older parts of the parish, namely the parish church, old mills or chapels. One such place is the remarkable parish church of St Peter located in the village of Walpole St Peter, a church famously known as "Queen of the Marshes".

   Of its many unique features, this magnificent building has one very unusual addition, a tunnel that lies beneath the chancel at its eastern end.
   In the 15th century, the chancel was extended and this took the church right up to the boundary of consecrated ground. To enable processions to continue around the building as was the fashion of that period, so a tunnel was placed beneath the high altar.

   The tunnel has a vaulted ceiling with lots of interesting bosses. The floor is flagged and has some amazing old cobbled areas. The horse-rings in the wall date from the 18th century when the tunnel served the purpose of stabling during services.

   If you ever get the chance to visit Walpole St Peter please make time to take in this wonderful old church and all her great features, you won't regret it I promise you.