Architectural Features
The nave, aisles, West porch are all C15 and the exterior was heavily restored in 1878 by Arthur Blomfield.
West porch, C15, of clunch, badly worn, with rebuilt gable roof.
West tower has a rectangular ground stage, late C12,
the upper two are sixteen sided and early C13.
The ground and first floors have late C12 fenestration including in the first stage round headed arches of two orders, the inner plain and the outer roll moulded on attached shafts with cushion capitals, reeded, to a window in each wall.
However there is a badly worn North doorway of clunch, probably C15.
The West tower was built against the West wall of the c1100 church and the round-headed tower arch with its roll moulding dates from late C12.
The nave is C15 and in four bays of two centred arches of two moulded orders with the inner on attached shafts with moulded and embattled capitals.
The clerestory is also C15 and of four windows to each side, each of two cinquefoil lights in four centred head.
The roof has been restored but the jackposts are carried on original C15 embattled pilasters.
The chancel arch has been rebuilt, but has a C15 rood loft opening, part repaired, on the South side and a squint opening in the North from the original North chapel to the chancel.
On the North and South walls are two blocked openings of windows of C12.
The brasses and monuments in the floor in the nave have been removed and placed in the walls of the North and South aisles.
In the South aisle principally to the Allix family and in the North aisle World War II and II War Memorials.
The font bowl is C13 but the stem and base are modern.
TL5663 : St Mary, Swaffham Prior - Font
One of two medieval churches in the village sharing the same churchyard.
The two parishes were amalgamated in 1667.