[2] The churchyard provided the inspiration for the opening chapter of Charles Dickens' book Great Expectations, in which the hero of the story, Pip, meets the convict, Magwitch.

[2] In 2005 the musician Jools Holland married the sculptor Christabel McEwan in the church.

[7] St James' is constructed in a variety of stone, including ragstone, flint and chalk, with some repairs in sandstone.

[2][4] The interior of the vestry is completely lined with cockle shells, the emblem of Saint James.

[1][2][4] The stained glass in the east window dates from 1897; it depicts the Ascension, and was made by Clayton and Bell.

[10] The tenor bears the inscription "MICHAEL DARBIE MADE ME 1651" and is estimated to be 6 long cwt 3 qr (760 lb or 340 kg).

[12] Also in the churchyard is a row of 13 children's gravestones, measuring about 18 inches (46 cm) long; these have come to be known as "Pip's Graves".