St Mary's Church, Ickworth

St Mary's Church is a medieval structure with a chancel dating to the mid-13th century and an octagonal limestone font. The interior is marked by numerous marble memorial tablets honoring members of the Hervey family and documenting their connection to the site.

Thomas Hervey purchased the Ickworth estate in 1467 and established a tradition where each Earl and Marquess of Bristol was buried in the church vault. This spanning connection across generations made the building the heart of family history.

The church holds painted Flemish glass pieces arranged in circular panels that span several centuries of craftsmanship. These windows reveal the trade connections and artistic tastes of the families who lived here.

Access to the building is possible between March and November during standard daylight hours, with shorter openings in the colder months. Visitors should be prepared for weather and wear sturdy shoes as the church sits within a historic estate.

The east wall of the chancel bears a 15th-century red-line wall painting depicting the Annunciation, ranking among the oldest examples of this technique. This rare detail often goes unnoticed by visitors walking through.

Location: Ickworth

Website: http://ickworthchurch.org.uk

GPS coordinates: 52.21840,0.65180

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:04