LSPNW Villages

The Benefice lies in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), close to the A12 and A14, with good road links to Ipswich (15 miles), Bury St Edmunds (26 miles), Colchester (8 miles), and main line train with direct links to London, Ipswich and Norwich. Many residents commute to London, or work in the local towns of Ipswich, Sudbury (9 miles), Hadleigh (7miles) and Colchester. There is still a strong agricultural presence in the area.

The Benefice is rural in setting and consists of five villages with their own parish churches. Each village retains its own character and the churches consist of four Grade 1 listed buildings, and a former chapel of ease built in 1835.

There are two schools in the Benefice: A Church of England primary in Stoke by Nayland and a community primary school in Nayland.

There are village shops in Nayland and Stoke and a community shop in Polstead. A doctors’ surgery in Nayland, and a well-respected Golf Club & Hotel in Stoke. Further afield but within easy travelling distance is the well- known Snape Maltings, picturesque village of Lavenham, Flatford Mill (home to John Constable) to name but a few and the beautiful Suffolk coastline.

We also have a residential care home in Nayland. It is situated close to the rectory. The Benefice has excellent links with the residents and staff providing caring, pastoral and spiritual support.