Church of St Thomas à Becket, South Cadbury

Today it is one of the 'Camelot Churches' of South Somerset in the Diocese of Bath and Wells[1] and has been a Grade II* listed building since 1961.

The Domesday Book of 1086 states that a priest (clericus) here had half of geldable land, which indicates an important church was on the site then.

The first recorded Rector at South Cadbury is Peter de Burg in 1265, when the Cult of St Thomas would have been at its height and which makes it likely that the early wall painting (restored in 1984) of a bishop in cope and mitre seen on the splay of a window in the south aisle may represent St Thomas himself.

However, the tower with its turret, pinnacles and gargoyles was built in the 14th-century[2] and has a peal of six bells, while the church also boasts a 15th-century roof with angel brackets and carved bosses, and an early wall painting of St Thomas.

The niche behind the pulpit is in its original position, as is the squint or hagioscope in the south chancel arch, which was made to allow worshippers a view of the altar during Mass.

The rib and panel barrel vault roof in the chancel dates to 1874[2] and replaces one of 1790 which proved not to be effective.