Semer, All Saints

Getting here

There ought to be a prize for finding All Saints Church, Semer. You turn off the main Stowmarket to Hadleigh road just over a little humpback bridge and look for the mere - if you see it as you go along the lane, you have just passed the entrance to the meadow across which you will spot the church - it's on a slight rise to protect it from flooding. Sadly it is kept locked at the moment, unless there is something happening there, but you can carry on up the hill, turning right at the top to Hollow Trees farm shop and cafe and ask at the desk to borrow the key - a curiosity in itself!

Lots of polish goes into this church so that as you walk in you are met by a view of shiny pews and sparkling brasswork. The patterned tiles of the floor lead the eye up to a chancel about as big as the nave and a generous sanctaury for a little church. It is in a beautiful setting beside the river, next to a meadow and the Mere which gives Semer its name. If you attend a service, park along the left side of the path through the meadow. The right side goes quite close to the water!

A curious carving of a head in the porch is said to be a likeness of one of the churchwardens though it pre-dates him I think. The organ still has the old pump beside it though it uses electricity nowadays and there is a small piece of wall painting to spot. 

There is a fine Royal Arms of George III, painted before the union with Ireland, and a plain square cut font which is as old as the nave - 14th century it is thought. 

Worship here is most often on the 1st and 3rd Sundays each month, though celebrations and festivals etc do alter that pattern now and again. 

Watson's Hill/Church Lane
Semer
Ipswich
IP7 6JB

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