Rickinghall: Churches, Circular Walks and Farmers’ Market

Rickinghall for your stay

Rickinghall offers some practical starting points for planning a stay: the Church of St Mary in Rickinghall Superior and St Mary’s Church in Rickinghall Inferior, a network of public footpaths and the Farmers’ Market. If you are looking for a hotel in Rickinghall, these features can help you decide whether church architecture, walks or a market visit should shape your stay. Although the two churches have the same name, they differ considerably in their described architectural styles and historical context. The walking information and monthly market day also provide practical pointers for planning your day.

Two churches, different architectural styles

The Church of St Mary on Candle Street in Rickinghall Superior is a Grade I listed building. Now a redundant parish church, it dates from the mid- to late 14th century; its three-storey tower and chancel also date from the 14th century. The building’s historical period, listed status and the descriptions of two of its architectural features all come together here. Its redundant status adds its former parish function to the architectural information.

St Mary’s Church in Rickinghall Inferior has a different architectural emphasis: it has a medieval round tower with a Saxo-Norman base. Three heads carved into the pillars are said to represent a king, a queen and a clergyman. The phrase “are said to” leaves the interpretation open; the figures are not identified with certainty. In contrast to the church in Superior, the focus here is on the round tower, its base and the heads on the pillars. These specific architectural features help distinguish two churches with the same name.

St Mary’s Church in Rickinghall Inferior is open to visitors on Saturdays from around 10 a.m. until late afternoon. Visits at other times can be arranged. Opening arrangements may change, so confirm the approximate hours before travelling.

Public footpaths and circular walks

Rickinghall has a network of well-maintained public footpaths; check the conditions locally. The local walking map lists a 2.75-mile circular walk that takes one hour. The High Point Walk is a 5½-mile circular walk that starts at St Mary’s Church. You can compare the lengths of the two routes directly when choosing: the High Point Walk is twice as long as the local circular walk, which is listed as taking one hour. Check the path conditions and access to St Mary’s Church at the starting point before setting off.

Rickinghall Farmers’ Market

The Rickinghall Farmers’ Market takes place on the second Saturday of every month from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Rickinghall Village Hall. It usually offers local meat and fish, curries, baked goods, preserves and chutneys, Suffolk cheese and freshly ground coffee. The selection varies seasonally, so it may change from one market day to the next. If you are planning a visit to the market, note the monthly date and morning hours, and check the date before travelling.

On the second Saturday, the listed opening hours for the market and St Mary’s Church in Rickinghall Inferior overlap: the market closes at 12:30 p.m., while the church is open on Saturdays until around late afternoon. If both are important to your stay, take the different time windows into account when planning your day.

Discover more destinations: Westleton, Wangford, Shimpling, Beccles, Kessingland, Sotterley, Bramford, Corton

For the broader travel overview: Suffolk.