St. Mary and St. Martin Church, Blyth, England

On a trip to Nottinghamshire we stopped in Blyth to see St. Mary and St. Martin church. We have a guide book to the 1000 best churches in England and this church was recommended for a huge mural of the Last Judgement that dates back to the medieval period. The church itself was built in 1100 by local Benedictines as part of their priory. Additions were made through the centuries including a portion of the church built for the local parish. At the dissolution of the monasteries in the 1530s the monastic part of the priory was destroyed, leaving a Gothic-looking parochial church.

St. Mary and St. Martin

View from the east end of the church

The exterior has a substantial entryway (sometimes called a Galilee porch).

Entryway

The walls are decorated with some nice gargoyles. Even L noticed them and wondered what they were.

Some of the gargoyles

Gargoyle close up

Another close up

We didn't have an answer for L other than the usual storm-drain spouts and scaring away the bad folk, both human and spiritual.

We were unable to get inside, a common problem from November to March in England. Churches are often left open for visiting in warmer, brighter months. We came in mid-November on a Saturday. Perhaps next time!