East Anglia is unusual in that it contains the majority of Britain’s 180 round towers and of these the majority are to be found in Norfolk. However they are not exclusive to this part of Britain for example there is one in Worthing, West Sussex and another in Burgh Castle, Yarmouth, on the Isle of Wight.
Their history is difficult to pin down but it is thought some might be of Saxon origin but the general consensus is that the greater number fall within the post Norman era. Their unusual style is attributed to the trade links with northern Europe and especially the Templars of Italy. The romanticism of such towers has continued into more recent times. St. Stephens in Higham was built in 1891 by Sir Gilbert Scott and more recently St. Felix in Haverhill which was built in 2012.
The Round Tower Church Society was founded by the late W.J. (Bill) Goode in 1973 and continues to safeguard these special gems of English architecture.
They can be contacted on: www.nationalchurchestrust.org