There used to be thirteen pubs in the two villages, but now only The Bell Inn (Rickinghall) and The Greyhound (Botesdale) remain.

The White Horse was converted to private accommodation in November 2016.

The adjoining village of Botesdale has one school, St Botolph's CEVCP, which serves Rickinghall, Botesdale, Redgrave and other local villages.

The villages of Rickinghall and Botesdale are serviced with a Co-op local store, Chinese takeaway, fish and chip shop, estate agent and several hairdressers amongst others.

Rickinghall was the birthplace of Sir Mackenzie Bowell, Prime Minister of Canada from 1894 to 1896, as well as the life-long home of Basil Brown, the amateur archaeologist who was instrumental in discovering and excavating the Sutton Hoo Anglo Saxon Ship Burial and associated treasure in 1939.