The churchyard rises above the houses, two of which flank the entrance. They must be fine places in which to live; the one to the left has windows overlooking the graves.

The finest feature is the awesome porch, so typical of Suffolk's 15th century flintwork. It is set-off well by the nave's red-brick walls. A wild man and a wyvern spar in the spandrels, quite clearly to me, although Cautley thought them St George fighting a dragon.

There are three splendid crowned alcoves for statues, which, as so often in Suffolk, must have had very short lives before their removal and probable destruction in the 1540s. The 19th century cross surmounting the porch is a not-unpleasing addition.

Externally, this is rather a grand building, and looks old. There is obvious renewal along the top of the nave walls, and the tower doesn't look quite right; Mortlock thought it had been truncated. However, it is not unattractive, and adds to the impression of a strong and solid building.

To step inside, then, is a bit of a disappointment at first, because this interior has been thoroughly Victorianised, and has one of the blandest chancels in the county. But on closer inspection, there are several features of interest.

A great porch, with a nice little church attached. Funny tower, that.

Sweffling's decalogue boards, painted directly on to the north wall.

The font is made of grey Purbeck marble. It's an off-the-peg job of the 13th century, with curved arches all around. I think it is an attractive example, despite the modern shaft. The font at nearby Farnham is a 19th century copy of this style.

The decalogue boards are painted directly on to the north wall, but it is done so well that, at first, you believe them to be wooden. They are a reminder that it is not safe to assume these boards were always moved by the Victorians from beside the altar. These date from the 18th century, and are painted over an even earlier set.

The dull chancel is too much for the elegant Y-tracery of the east window to compete with. Parts of the chancel floor seem to be subsiding into the vault, which is going to make going up for communion a rather tense affair. But the most interesting feature of this church is to be found under the little ringing platform at the west end. This is Sweffling Museum, a collection of photographs and artifacts about people and events in Sweffling in days gone by.

There is also available, with full public access, copies of the parish records and logbooks. How wonderful if all churches could be as useful!

St Mary, Sweffling, is to be found in the middle of the village, which is just south of the B1119 Framlingham to Saxmundham road. It is kept locked, but a very nice lady a few doors away is listed as the keyholder.

A 13th century font on a modern base. Rather elegant, actually.