SuffolkBARDWELLStPeterStPaul(davidrayPERMISSIONBYEMAIL)2 DavidRay

St Peter & St Paul

A large grade I listed parish church dating from the 1300s with a rich heritage; a fine hammer beam nave roof, colourful kneelers, medieval stained glass, and much more.

Bardwell, Suffolk

Opening times

Open daily from 9am until about 5pm (or dusk if earlier).

Address

Church Road
Bardwell
Suffolk
IP31 1AH

Bardwell church dates from the late 1300s. The tower and porch are from the same period but the chancel was almost completely rebuilt and its floor lowered in 1853. As is often the case, particular care was lavished on the construction of the porch, which has fine flintwork, niches with carved figures and coats of arms of the de Berdewell and de Pakenham families.

Externally, the church is dominated by its tower surmounted by a small spire and weathervane, overall over 100 feet high. The tower houses the disused medieval oak bell frame, the new steel bell frame (2009) which houses 8 bells, and the clock dating from the 17th century.

The lofty nave has a central aisle with 19th century pews either side, graced with 100 kneelers colourfully embroidered in the 1970s, each one with a unique Bardwell related design. Most of the leaded nave windows have clear glass, but the four nearest to the chancel have stained glass: the pair on the north side is medieval and of particular significance, one depicting the church’s great benefactor, Sir William de Berdewell (1367-1434), whereas the pair on the south side, together with those in the chancel, date from the 19th century.

On the walls can be seen two partial wall paintings, and five consecration crosses. However, in addition, five medieval wall paintings were covered up with distemper in the 19th century. Their designs can be seen in Bury Record Office. However, the nave’s principal attraction is its magnificent hammer beam roof. with original decorative paintwork. Sadly, only four of the figures originally fitted to the ends of the hammer beams remain (one of them giving the assumed precise date of the roof) of 1421, but there are 29 carved and painted bosses which are of similar merit, as well as an incomplete set of painted shields mounted between the carved wall plates and the roof.

The chancel has some interesting Crofts Reade memorials from 17th century and 18th century set into its walls. In the nave are the village war memorial and an interesting Crimean war memorial. The churchyard includes the gravestone of Henry Addison VC among a number of other notable memorials.

  • Captivating architecture

  • Enchanting atmosphere

  • Fascinating churchyard

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Magnificent memorials

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Bus stop within 100m

  • Car park at church

  • Dog friendly

  • On street parking at church

  • Ramp or level access available on request

  • Steps to enter the church or churchyard

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Church of England

  • Repair Grant, £10,000, 2018

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

Contact information

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