St Mary's Church, Polstead

St Mary's Church, Polstead

Chamber Rating

4.6 - (13 reviews)
9
3
1
0
0
Read Our 13 Reviews

Chamber Rating

4.6 - (13 reviews)
9
3
1
0
0
  • Kate Burton


    Oct 23rd, 2021

  • Roy Barclay

    St. Mary's is a traditional style rural Suffolk church, overlooking the Box Valley. Even by the standards of this region of Suffolk, Polstead church is remarkable for its beautiful setting & interesting history. Built on a grassy hillside overlooking a natural village pond, St. Mary's is one of the most scenic of all the Suffolk rural churches. The church itself is remarkable for its stone spire, one of only a few such church towers in the county. It also contains some of the earliest brickwork recorded in England, originally believed to be of Roman origin, but now thought to be from ancient English kilns. Polstead church is known for the legend of its Gospel Oak, a tree said to be 1300 years old before it finally crumbled in 1953. Its remains lay within the grounds of neighbouring Polstead Hall, where it's believed Druidic religious ceremonies were conducted even before the church was built. St. Mary's is also famous for being the resting place of Mariah Marten, a local woman whose unsatisfactorily solved murder still raises controversy. Her Victorian era plight & the ensuing court case that was later turned into a mummers play, made Polstead village so famous that special charter charabancs were arranged to carry sightseers from as far afield as London. Unfortunately, the true crime hunters also proved to be souvenir hunters, so now it's not even possible to locate the victim's exact grave, so much vandalism was done to the headstone by those wishing to take home a fragment! Last time I visited it appeared that someone had smashed a window into the churchyard shed, in order to steal garden tools, a very sad way to be treating this true gem of venerable history...
    Mar 11th, 2023

  • heimdal odinson

    Polstead is an enchanting village St Mary's Church is also enchanting and just as beautiful . For any fans of Aidan , Cuthbert , Chad , Cedd and the other boys n gals from the Farne like myself , Lindisfarne that is . It is also a very special place . The Gospel Oak is just in the grounds of Polstead Hall next door a spot where said Saint Cedd is said to have preached in 653 . Now Cedd has nothing but my utmost admiration . He was given the very dangerous task of converting the pagan East Angles to the true faith . A task he faithfully , vigorously and fearlessly accepted . Being an Essex Boy myself I must admit it is debatable as to wether or not he succeeded but I am also a convert so his word is still getting out there . Myself having once been a hopeless non believer . Thanks Saint Cedd . I loved this place but especially some medieval Wall paintings of the wheel of life which kind of reminded me of Lady Philosophy and Boethius a book I must read again . There is a fantastic battered and worn stone cross in the graveyard which is still standing strong . And at this time of year Christmas makes me believe at least that no matter what time throws at them , the teachings of Jesus , Cedd and all the other Saints will always be truth and stand strong . Love you forever Mum and Dad R.I.P. and a happy and peaceful Christmas .
    Dec 23rd, 2022

  • MAM 1274

    Interestingly, in a village with such a poor housing stock, a well-groomed, pretty little church. In general, by and large, there is nothing to see in the village except for the church and the churchyard, however, you can still sit on the shore of the pond
    Mar 26th, 2022

  • Carol Pearson


    Feb 17th, 2022

Read Our 13 Reviews

About
St Mary's Church, Polstead

St Mary's Church, Polstead is located at in Polstead, England CO6 5BS. St Mary's Church, Polstead can be contacted via phone at (120) 626-2453 for pricing, hours and directions.

Contact Info

  •   (120) 626-2453

Questions & Answers

Q What is the phone number for St Mary's Church, Polstead?

A The phone number for St Mary's Church, Polstead is: (120) 626-2453.


Q Where is St Mary's Church, Polstead located?

A St Mary's Church, Polstead is located at , Polstead, eng CO6 5BS


Q How is St Mary's Church, Polstead rated?

A St Mary's Church, Polstead has a 4.6 Star Rating from 13 reviewers.

Ratings and Reviews
St Mary's Church, Polstead

Overall Rating

Overall Rating
( 13 Reviews )
9
3
1
0
0
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Roy Barclay on Google

image St. Mary's is a traditional style rural Suffolk church, overlooking the Box Valley. Even by the standards of this region of Suffolk, Polstead church is remarkable for its beautiful setting & interesting history. Built on a grassy hillside overlooking a natural village pond, St. Mary's is one of the most scenic of all the Suffolk rural churches. The church itself is remarkable for its stone spire, one of only a few such church towers in the county. It also contains some of the earliest brickwork recorded in England, originally believed to be of Roman origin, but now thought to be from ancient English kilns. Polstead church is known for the legend of its Gospel Oak, a tree said to be 1300 years old before it finally crumbled in 1953. Its remains lay within the grounds of neighbouring Polstead Hall, where it's believed Druidic religious ceremonies were conducted even before the church was built. St. Mary's is also famous for being the resting place of Mariah Marten, a local woman whose unsatisfactorily solved murder still raises controversy. Her Victorian era plight & the ensuing court case that was later turned into a mummers play, made Polstead village so famous that special charter charabancs were arranged to carry sightseers from as far afield as London. Unfortunately, the true crime hunters also proved to be souvenir hunters, so now it's not even possible to locate the victim's exact grave, so much vandalism was done to the headstone by those wishing to take home a fragment! Last time I visited it appeared that someone had smashed a window into the churchyard shed, in order to steal garden tools, a very sad way to be treating this true gem of venerable history...


heimdal odinson on Google

image Polstead is an enchanting village St Mary's Church is also enchanting and just as beautiful .
For any fans of Aidan , Cuthbert , Chad , Cedd and the other boys n gals from the Farne like myself , Lindisfarne that is . It is also a very special place . The Gospel Oak is just in the grounds of Polstead Hall next door a spot where said Saint Cedd is said to have preached in 653 .
Now Cedd has nothing but my utmost admiration . He was given the very dangerous task of converting the pagan East Angles to the true faith . A task he faithfully , vigorously and fearlessly accepted .
Being an Essex Boy myself I must admit it is debatable as to wether or not he succeeded but I am also a convert so his word is still getting out there . Myself having once been a hopeless non believer . Thanks Saint Cedd .
I loved this place but especially some medieval Wall paintings of the wheel of life which kind of reminded me of Lady Philosophy and Boethius a book I must read again .
There is a fantastic battered and worn stone cross in the graveyard which is still standing strong . And at this time of year Christmas makes me believe at least that no matter what time throws at them , the teachings of Jesus , Cedd and all the other Saints will always be truth and stand strong .
Love you forever Mum and Dad R.I.P. and a happy and peaceful Christmas .


MAM 1274 on Google

image Interestingly, in a village with such a poor housing stock, a well-groomed, pretty little church. In general, by and large, there is nothing to see in the village except for the church and the churchyard, however, you can still sit on the shore of the pond


Carol Pearson on Google

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Kate Burton on Google

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Overall Rating
( 13 Reviews )
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