Which churches in Norfolk have been voted the most welcoming
Wymondham Abbey was praised for its atmosphere for visitors. - Credit: Archant
The most 'welcoming' churches across the diocese have been announced as part of a new competition launched this year.
All Saints Church in Hemblington and Wymondham Abbey were both praised for creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for visitors.
They beat 30 other entries to be crowned as the most welcoming Anglican churches in the Diocese of Norwich.
It is the first year the diocese has held the competition and the winning buildings were selected by a panel of judges.
The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Rev Graham James, who announced the winners, said: 'First impressions matter in life. A welcoming church will give a good first impression, but the welcome must not be superficial otherwise the good feeling the visitor has will soon fade.
'Wymondham Abbey and Hemblington, two churches of very different size and resources, have built a well-deserved reputation for their welcome and witness.'
People were asked to nominate their churches, before judges rated them on how well maintained, interesting and clean they were.
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They also looked out for signs indicating if the building was open and any guides or leaflets about the church on display.
Other churches which were highly commended include:
• St Michael, Irstead
• St Michael and All Angels, Aylsham
• St Peter and St Paul, Cromer
• The Fountain of Life, Ashill
• All Saints, Hethel
• St Catherine's, Ludham
• St George, Tombland
• St Edmund, Taverham
• St Mary Magdalene, Gorlston
• St Helen, Norwich
