Discover Ufford

Ufford brings together historic buildings, paths and a local history that can be explored through specific places. When choosing where to stay, the subjects that interest you also matter: the Church of St Mary and its building phases, Parklands Wood and its carving trail, or public paths into neighbouring parishes. If you’re looking for a hotel for a stay in Ufford, these features can help you choose a destination to suit your interests.

Churches and historic building styles

Several building phases can be distinguished at the Church of St Mary: parts of the fabric date from the late 12th, early 13th and 15th centuries, with additions made in the 19th century. The church therefore cannot be reduced to a single construction date or period. One striking feature is the font cover at St Mary’s Church. Dating from around 1450, it rises more than 18 feet above the font. This height makes the relationship between the structure and the font clear, adding a specific architectural detail to the historical context. Crown Farmhouse offers a different point of comparison: it is a 16th-century timber-framed house with brick infill. Ufford’s buildings thus range from several dated phases of church construction to a clearly identified building technique used in a house.

Parklands Wood and paths to neighbouring parishes

In Parklands Wood, you can follow a carving trail featuring chainsaw carvings made from a tree trunk. The wooden sculptures give the path a specific theme, while its historical connection offers a different perspective on the past: Parklands Wood once formed part of the Ufford Place estate, laid out in the 17th century.

Public footpaths and byways lead from Ufford to the neighbouring parishes of Bredfield, Bromeswell, Eyke, Melton and Pettistree. These routes differ from the themed carving trail: they lead to neighbouring parishes, while the carvings give the path in Parklands Wood a specific theme. When planning, bear in mind that the public paths may be muddy or altered seasonally.

By the Deben and on the Ufford Heritage Trail

The White Lion stands beside a Victorian water meadow on the River Deben. Its main bar dates from the 16th century. These two details have different points of reference: the meadow is described in terms of its Victorian period, while the date refers to the pub’s main bar. Here, a historic pub detail and a location beside the river meadow come together.

The Ufford Heritage Trail includes an information board at the site of Sogenhoe Chapel. This identifies a specific point on the trail where local history is interpreted. The trail guide is available in boxes outside the Community Hall and on the Parish Council noticeboard in Barrack Lane. Availability at these collection points may change; check in advance whether a copy is available if you plan to use the guide for your visit.

Discover more destinations: Lakenheath, Dunwich, Newmarket, Hessett, Hollesley, Stradbroke, Stoke By Nayland, Bawdsey

For the broader travel overview: Suffolk.