St Peter's was right at the centre of the rural community of Arlesford, being roughly half a mile north, south, east and west of Arlesford Lodge, Arlesford village, Arlesford Grange and Arlesford Hall respectively. The church was built just off Ford Lane, once the most direct route between Arlesford and Brightlingsea via a Roman ford across Alresford Creek. These days the ford is virtually impassable by man or 4x4 due to the depth and clagginess of the mud.