As you walk up the South Path towards the 15th Century South Porch, the most
striking part of this building, the 14th century tower and spire started abut 1320,
can be gazed upon in all its magnificence. A spire of 91 feet surmounts a tower
of 89 feet and is the second tallest spire in the county, Newark being slightly higher. The
spire is noted for its 'entasis' or bulge. A line viewed from the tip to the base shows a
slight curve, only barely discernible but which, if one looks upwards from the base of the spire
completely cuts out a view of the tip of the spire. It is wholly of the 'Decorated'
period of architecture.
The present building is believed to have been preceeded by others of which no trace remains. A
reference in the Doomsday book of 1086 may indicate a church here, and there may have been a
Norman church later.