St Mary

St Mary’s has little that is remarkable in the sense of things to see, but with the sun flooding through onto its light woodwork, it pleases the eye. 

The brick floors are warm, and it continues to serve this community as it has done for centuries past. The fabric of the church was largely reconstructed in the late 19th century, although this is not apparent from the outside. The low roof makes the building appear long, but this isn’t the case, and once inside its dimensions shrink. Looking at the windows the restoration work can be seen with the renewed windows punctuating 13th century survivals. There remains one small Norman window. The priest’s door in the south wall of the chancel has five orders of mouldings around it, and also dates from Norman times.

St Mary’s sits on a promontory, overlooking the Waveney Valley with the River Waveney meandering through the landscape. It is neighboured by the community owned wood. The Angles Way, which is also a bridleway, runs alongside the church.

The oldest part of the churchyard is being ‘wilded’ with guidance from the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Visitors comment on the peace they feel and have recorded comments in the visitor’s book such as, ‘A beautifully simple house of God’ and ‘I really feel the presence of Our Lord.’

In the porch is a book and bric a brac stall with an honesty box. Just a short stroll away is a traditional country pub (Homersfield Black Swan) with a beer garden. Two cafes are quite close by Pura Vida (also a plant centre) and The Dove (Alburgh). There is also a pocket park beside the Waveney (next to the pub) which has picnic tables and is reached by crossing the oldest concrete bridge in England.