"Wolf Hall" Fan? Discover the story of Suffolk’s past...

Guest blog post by Marion Welham, Heritage and Tourism Officer, Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich

Photos left to right: St Michael's in Framlingham, walking along the Blyth Estuary

No visitor to Suffolk can fail to notice the number of ancient churches dotting the landscape; great lofty towers built of flint from the fields centuries ago, because there was no other stone to build with.

Angels and Pinnacles was created in partnership with Discover Suffolk to help you enjoy Suffolk’s magnificent church heritage and a series of tried and tested trails have been compiled, taking in some of the county’s best churches.

All 40 Angels & Pinnacles churches are open to visitors – you can simply wander in to admire the breathtaking architecture and marvel at the art and artefacts of our ancestors. These are not museums but working buildings, still used for worship which is the purpose for which they were built over 500 years ago. Many people find the tranquillity inside a welcome change from a fast-paced world.

The Surrey Tomb, St Michael's Church in Framlingham. Burial place of Thomas Howard, the 3rd Duke of Norfolk.

In the Suffolk coastal area is Framlingham and you’ll need the pink trail brochure which is number 3 in the series. If you’ve been watching the BBC2 drama ‘Wolf Hall’ about those terrible Tudors, you’ll have become acquainted with that pompous aristocrat Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, (Anne Boleyn's uncle), who is played by Suffolk actor Bernard Hill. Look no further than the vast chancel of St Michael’s in Framlingham to see his gloriously lavish tomb, along with that of his son, the Earl of Surrey and none other than the illegitimate son of Henry VIII, Henry Fitzroy.

The walk from Framlingham to Badingham church takes you through the now dry moat of Framlingham Castle, once the seat of the powerful Howards. Further on you can look back to take in amazing views of the castle and mere.

The Southwold area contains some of the great landmark churches that would have guided seafarers in times past. In the orange trails brochure, The Church of St Edmund in Southwold is a dazzling example of 15th century architecture and, with all its saints and angels, is regarded as one of Suffolk’s most gorgeous buildings.

Church of St Edmund, Southwold

Blythburgh Holy Trinity, also featured, is widely known as the ‘Cathedral of the Marshes’ because of its stunning location on the Blyth estuary. Often floodlit at night, it is admired by many visitors as they motor up the A12. Inside, you will understand why the angel roof has become so famous.

Angel on the roof at Holy Trinity Church in Blythburgh, Suffolk

One of the ‘orange’ trails will take you from Blythburgh along the estuary path and through the woods to Walberswick to experience unforgettable views across the water.

More more information and to download your copy of any of the Angels and Pinnacle trails click here