Sternfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sternfield |
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.jpg) St Mary Magdalene church |
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 Sternfield
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| Population | 132 (2011) |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SAXMUNDHAM |
| Postcode district | IP17 |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
Sternfield is a small village located in Suffolk, England. It is found about 1 mile (1.6 km) south of Saxmundham, which is its main post town. Sternfield is a quiet, farming village with a unique layout.
Contents
Discover Sternfield: A Small English Village
Sternfield is known for its peaceful, rural setting. The village is mostly surrounded by farmland. It has a small population, recorded as 132 people in 2011. This makes it a very close-knit community.
St. Mary Magdalene Church: A Historic Landmark
The village is home to a beautiful church named after Mary Magdalene. This church is very old and important. It is listed as a Grade II* building. This means it is a particularly important building with special historic interest.
The church still has parts from the medieval period. These old sections include the south porch and the tower. These features show how the church looked many centuries ago.
Royal Connections at Sternfield House
Sternfield has a surprising connection to the British Royal Family! In the 1960s and 1970s, Sir Eric and Lady Penn lived at Sternfield House. This was a large home right next to the church.
Sir Eric Penn had a very important job. He was the comptroller of the Lord Chamberlain's Office. This role meant he helped manage the Royal Household. Because he was trusted by the Royal Family, many senior members visited Sternfield House.
Princess Margaret often stayed there. Even Queen Elizabeth II visited at least once. The Queen Mother also came to Sternfield. They sometimes attended services at St Mary Magdalene's church.
Sternfield Hall: A Glimpse into the Past
Another important building in Sternfield is Sternfield Hall. This hall has a classic Georgian style. It is made of soft red brick. It also has an older section from the late 1500s.
Sternfield Hall is likely built on the site of a medieval manor house. In 1385, a special permission was given for this site. King Richard II allowed Sir Michael de la Pole to "crenellate" his home.
To "crenellate" means to add battlements to a building. Battlements are the notched walls seen on castles. This permission showed that Sir Michael de la Pole was a powerful person. It also meant he could make his home look like a small fortress.
