As with neighbouring Gislingham, this church is kept locked, which seems completely pointless - both are at the hearts of busy villages, with lots of protective houses around. And you couldn't get a transit van up to the door of St Bartholomew to filch the pitch-pine pews even if you wanted to. At least this one has a keyholder (Gislingham doesn't); but if you are like me, and visit churches mainly on a Saturday, then you are likely to find them out, and I did.

I have been inside before, and thought it rather charming. There are still traces of an early 20th century dalliance with Anglo-Catholicism, a memorably gigantic sanctus-bell window, some medieval bench ends of the Seven Deadly Sins, and a few interesting memorials, including one to John Bacon who was the editor of the Paston Letters. However, in those days I did not carry a camera, and must therefore leave them to a later visit.

So I wandered outside, in an atmospheric graveyard, trying to ignore the ugly padlock on the gates of the porch. This is a fine structure (the porch, not the padlock), not as big as some of its period, but intricate in its detail. The rood group of niches is splendid.

To the east of the porch is a small sea of Clayton memorials, mainly from the 19th century. Looking up, the tower has large, early bell-windows, that pre-date the others in the church. There are no aisles, no clerestory, just a decent sized nave and chancel. This is a church I like, and it is well worth a visit, so it is a bit annoying that they keep it locked.

St Bartholomew, Finningham, is right in the middle of its village - the main entrance is from the north side, although you'll probably go right around it before you discover this. Finningham is on the B1113, about 7 miles north of Stowmarket.

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