Suffolk, England

The Suffolk Punch horse can trace its ancestry back as far as 1768 here from The Horse of Ufford, there is an exhibition relating to this ancestry at The Shire Hall, Market Hill, Woodbridge. Ufford can also trace its roots back as far as the Dynasty of Wuffingas, Ufford was named after Wuffa [571-578AD?] the first King of the Wuffing Dynasty.

Ufford was originally the main crossing point of the River Deben, the Deben ceases to be fresh water from the weir just south of the village half way between Ufford and Melton.

The vllage stocks are to be found outside the gates to St Mary's Church as too can a whipping post. This church has to be of Suffolks treasure houses for within are some wonderful features. Carvings of benches and a hammerbeam roof is only crowned by the 'most elaborate ancient' font cover in the world which towers 18' up into the roof which still bears some of its original colours. This really is exquistely carved and above all spared from destruction by the 17c iconoclasts.

There is a circular walk to Melton from here taking in some of the River Deben, be warned that after heavy rain this area can be very boggy so suitable footwear will be required. From the White Horse pub cross the road bridge [R Deben] on foot, turn right across a wooden bridge which is often in full flow and walk into the corner of the field, heading towards Old Melton Church, for it is here that the freshwater Deben discharges in to the tidal Deben at the weir, here it continues its journey to the North Sea some 10 miles on at Bawdsey.


-- Edited by John Cooper at 14:23, 2008-09-05

The Church of St Mary is a Grade I listed building the others can be seen here

http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/suffolk/ufford