Little Downham - Church of St Leonard

St Leonards Church (Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust). The architecture is an interesting example of the transition from Norman style to Gothic at the turn of the 13th century. The oldest parts are the Norman tower and the spectacular south door decorated with carvings of beasts and men.

The tall 15th century font with tapering bowl is decorated with roses while a rare 19th century tapestry hangs under the east window.

Carved heads of a king, a wimpled woman, a dragon, and a boy with this tongue sticking out can be found in the windows.

The remains of an 11th century palace, built by Bishop Alcock of Ely but now used as a farm store room, are located at the other end of the village.

It was here that Bishop Wren, uncle of Sir Christopher, was arrested before being imprisoned in the tower of London for eighteen years until his release at the restoration of Charles II in 1660.