It is about 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Beccles, south of the River Waveney on the edge of The Broads National Park.

[12][13] The east wall of Barsham church shows unusual flushwork and tracery of diaper or fret ornament, probably representing the Echyngham heraldic coat of azure fretty argent.

Mary Echyngham, Sir Edward's younger daughter, married John Blennerhasset and they lived at Barsham Hall, on the edge of the Waveney meadows below the church, and rebuilt or remodelled it.

John's son Thomas Blennerhasset inherited it in 1573 and in 1598 sold it, together with all the other very extensive rights, lands and messuages in many surrounding parishes, to Sir Robert Lee (who became Lord Mayor of London in 1602), for £3,600.

[15] She was important to him, despite her death when he was just nine years old — "the thought of former days brings all my mother to my heart, which shows itself in my eyes," he later recorded.