Suffolk’s Historic Churches: A Winter Tour
By Carl Scott
It would be no exaggeration to say that Suffolk is a bit of a haven for those who enjoy a brisk winter walk that passes by some historic churches. There are, after all, almost 500 mediaeval ones to be found in the area. Though many are easy to spot thanks to their towers and spires shaping the town and village skylines, there are plenty of hidden gems worth seeing when staying at our Barns and Barges for rent. To give some flavour to the half-a-thousand churches here in Suffolk, we’ve put together the following shortlist for a couple of tours:
The Breckland Walk:
Allowing you to discover three churches by foot or by bike, the Breckland Walk is a gentle three mile route which passes St Mary’s in West Stow, St Mary’s in Culford, and All Saints Church in Wordwell. Presenting a dynamic range of architecture, this route will allow you to see churches which are still used for regular worship as well as restored Victorian buildings which contain remnants of the 15th century. Altogether, this route will take you around an hour to complete and is set on fairly even terrain, making it perfect for just about anyone looking for a refreshing winter walk.
Snape Maltings to Iken Church:
Beginning at the beautiful heritage site of Snape Maltings, this walk transports you from the River Alde to Iken Church. What makes this walk a particularly interesting one is that you’re able to see the church in the distance as you ascend towards it over the course of your ramble. Taking you over farmland, saltmarsh and boardwalks and even a hidden beach, this walk culminates at Iken Church, a bit of a hidden gem that dates back to the 9th century. The very picture of the quintessential English church, Iken is open to the public and provides a remarkable insight into the history of the Suffolk countryside.
To discover all of these churches and so much more when in Suffolk, be sure to take a look at the availability of our Barns and Barges to rent. Be sure, too, to take a look at our other articles on all of the incredible historical sites we recommend when visiting this part of the country.
