St Andrew & St Patrick

A tale of two churches, a Maharajah and a famous Irish pint!

Elveden, Suffolk

Opening times

You are welcome to visit us between Easter and September on our open days, usually on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. If you are travelling some distance to visit the church, please do feel free to contact us to ensure the church will be open.

The church is accessible on public transport (bus route 86 between Brandon and Bury St Edmunds) with a half a mile walk. The church does not have its own parking, but is easily accessible from the Elveden Estate shops, restaurant and inn, where you can enjoy a lunch or browse local produce. Follow signs for the Elveden Estate from the A11.

Address

London Road
Elveden
Suffolk
IP24 3TW

Let your breath be taken away by the soaring roof angles and the grand alabaster reredos. This may come as something of a surprise after viewing the relatively unassuming exterior, leaving the two towers and cloister aside!

The church was not always this grand or imposing, but it has a colourful history that is as fascinating and interesting as the building’s interior. The medieval church of St Andrew was restored under Duleep Singh, the last Maharajah of Punjab, during his exile whilst he lived at Elveden Estate. He became a firm favourite of Queen Victoria, and he regularly hosted members of the royal family, who would have worshipped at the church during their visits. The Maharajah is buried in the churchyard, and his legacy can also be seen at nearby Ancient House Museum in Thetford, which was gifted to the town by his son Frederick.

The church of St Andrew still exists, however it was incorporated into a significantly larger 20th century church, with the older church in effect becoming the south aisle. The newer element of the church was dedicated St Patrick, a link to the Irish homeland of the new estate owners, the famous brewing family, Guinness. The church now retains a dual dedication of St Andrew & St Patrick.

The churches international connections continue, with a commemorative window to the 3rd Air division of the American Military, who were based at the estate during WW2. Elveden is now on a quiet road, just off the busy A11, after years of traffic roaring past before the bypass was built.

The church now stands once again in tranquil settings, with much on offer on the door step to explore. Enjoy the hospitality of the Elveden Estate, talk a walk through Thetford Forest, or explore the ancient town of Thetford, with its museums, the remains of a motte where a castle would once have stood and the remains of a priory that once contained the memorials to the Dukes of Norfolk. The priory is in the care of English Heritage, and open every day.

You are most welcome to visit, reflect and explore our church during our open days.

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Social heritage stories

  • National heritage here

  • Magnificent memorials

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Fascinating churchyard

  • Famous connections

  • Enchanting atmosphere

  • Captivating architecture

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Steps to enter the church or churchyard

  • Parking within 250m

  • Café within 500m

  • Accessible toilets nearby

  • Church of England

  • Repair Grant, £2,500, 2009

  • Our Repair Grants funded urgent repair work to help keep churches open.

Contact information

Other nearby churches

St Cuthbert

Thetford, Norfolk

St Cuthbert’s is one of Thetford’s most widely recognised and best preserved buildings.

St Mary the Virgin

Lakenheath, Suffolk

Peeling away layers of time to discover what lay hidden for hundreds of years.

St Mary

Troston, Suffolk

There are interesting features of many periods in this unassuming village church, which had a thatched roof until 1869.