Rickinghall offers three distinct reasons to visit: medieval church architecture, public footpaths and a Farmers’ Market held monthly. The two churches differ in their distinctive architectural features; the walks include an hour-long 2.75-mile loop and the 5½-mile High Point Walk. The market provides its own date to plan around: it takes place on the second Saturday of the month, while its range of products changes seasonally. You can plan your stay around architecture, walking or market day.

Churches in Rickinghall Superior and Inferior

The Church of St Mary on Candle Street in Rickinghall Superior is a Grade I listed building and a redundant parish church dating from the mid to late 14th century. Its three-storey tower and chancel date from the 14th century. This combines its listed status with a specific description of its architectural structure. The dating places the church in the medieval period; the tower and chancel identify distinctive parts of the building. Anyone interested in church architecture can look at specific architectural features as well as the building’s age.

The Church of St Mary in Rickinghall Inferior has a different form: it has a medieval round tower with a Saxon-Norman base. Three heads carved into columns are said to represent a king, a queen and a clergyman. In comparison, the three-storey tower and chancel are the main features of Rickinghall Superior; in Inferior, they are the round tower and the heads. St Mary’s Church in Rickinghall Inferior is open to visitors on Saturdays from around 10 a.m. until late afternoon. As opening hours can change, confirm them before travelling. Visits at other times should be arranged with the church.

Circular Walks and Footpaths

Rickinghall has a network of well-maintained public footpaths. Check the conditions locally before setting out. The local walking map shows an hour-long circular walk of 2.75 miles. The High Point Walk is a 5½-mile circular route that starts at St Mary’s Church. It is exactly twice as long as the shorter walk; the one-hour estimate applies to the 2.75-mile route. This makes it possible to compare the two route lengths directly without applying the time estimate to both routes. Before starting the High Point Walk, check route conditions and access to the church.

Farmers’ Market and When to Visit

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. The selection typically includes local meat and fish, curries, baked goods, preserves and chutneys, Suffolk cheeses and freshly ground coffee. The product selection changes seasonally. If the market is part of your travel plans, arrange your visit for the second Saturday and check the schedule before travelling. This lets you take market day into account when choosing your travel dates, while also allowing for the selection to vary with the season.

Discover more destinations: Felixstowe, Walberswick, Dalham, Sotterley, Sudbury, Rendlesham, Dunwich, Lakenheath

For the broader travel guide: Suffolk.