Pakefield, like many other coastal settlements, started off well inland. This is an area where there is evidence of many centuries of coastal erosion. Much of the original housing and seaside buildings have been washed away by the sea. The sea has come very close to the east end of the church. Perhaps like the town at Dunwich this will eventually fall into the sea.

At the moment the sea is depositing material and the beach is being built up. This now protects the grave yard from any further erosion. Sand dunes have started to build up at the landward side of the beach and these are being stabilised by the grasses and salt tolerant plants.

Modern housing crowds round the earlier settlement which can be seen to the south of the church.