The Sign
The sign depicts John Constable sat painting the church of St John the Baptist with the Mill River running past in 1815. There has been a bit of artistic license on the church as the porch is not there now; it may have been or the porch from the south has been added. The painting is now in the Tate Gallery. The sign was erected in 2009 and made of wrought metal framed in wood.

The Name and Population
The small village of 57 at the 2001 census is located to the east of Ipswich. The village was called Brithwelle 1042-66 and then Brithewella in the Domesday Book. The name means "The bright or clear spring or stream", from Old English.

Other Points of Interest
Brightwell Manor was owned by William Curzon, who's son Sir Robert Curzon was created a Baron of the Holy Roman Empire. The hall was remodelled by Sir Samuel Barnardiston, MP in 1663. It was demolished in 1755.