SuffolkBECCLESStMichaelArchangel(adamburtCC-BY-ND2.0)1 AdamBurt

St Michael the Archangel

The colossal 16th century bell tower will guide you to this beautiful town centre church with its gorgeous porch leading into a church that is quite breathtaking in scale.

Beccles, Suffolk

Opening times

Open for visitors from 9am to 5pm every day in summer and every morning in winter and has the fascinating history of the church on display.

Address

Beccles
Suffolk
NR34 9HE

St Michael’s goes way back to about 1350 and was built by the Abbott of Bury St Edmunds no less. Long before that, there was a Saxon church, probably on the same site, that served this thriving fishing port. In the church you can discover more about the Saxon chapel that was nearby and its fascinating link with the herring trade.

Step inside the vast nave and be drawn eastwards through a lovely carved screen to the magnificent east window. Admire the oak choir stalls with their exquisitely carved ends. Note the early 16th century tomb of Norwich mayor John Rede with its intriguing row of 10 children and find out what happened to the 11th figure.

Lord Horatio Nelson is strongly linked to this church as his parents were married here! His father, the Revd Edmund Nelson was a curate at St Michael’s and married Catherine Suckling from nearby Barsham in May 1749. The great Suffolk poet George Crabbe married his sweetheart Sarah Elmy in this church in 1783.

  • Wildlife haven

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Social heritage stories

  • National heritage here

  • Magnificent memorials

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Fascinating churchyard

  • Famous connections

  • Enchanting atmosphere

  • Captivating architecture

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Space to secure your bike

  • Parking within 250m

  • On street parking at church

  • Level access to the main areas

  • Dog friendly

  • Accessible toilets nearby

  • Church of England

Contact information

Other nearby churches

St Michael & All Angels

Geldeston, Norfolk

Attractive round tower church in peaceful location dating from 1300s with some fine carvings, quality 19th century additions to the chancel and stained glass window by Leonard Walker.