In the churchyard is a tall sandstone sundial over 12 feet (4 m) high.
It was originally a medieval cross which was made into a sundial in the late 17th century.
The remaining parts of the cross consist of an octagonal shaft on three ashlar steps.
On top of this has been added a square moulded cap surmounted by a ball finial.
On each face of the head is a dial, and the head is surmounted by a globe on a short stem.
It is a scheduled monument and is designated as a Grade II listed building.
Also listed Grade II is the red sandstone churchyard boundary wall which is probably an 1897 restoration of an earlier wall.
 The churchyard contains the war graves of five Commonwealth service personnel; two of World War I and three of World War II.

To the north of the church is a pair of Grade-II-listed former almshouses dating from the early 17th century.

A. N. Hornby (1847–1925), who played cricket for Lancashire and England, is buried here.
 He was the first man (of only two) to captain his country in both cricket and rugby, but is also remembered as the England cricket captain whose side lost the Test match which gave rise to The Ashes, at home against the Australians in 1882.
Additionally, he played football for Blackburn Rovers.
He was immortalised in one of the best known of all cricket poems, At Lord's by Francis Thompson, which contains the following lines:
It is little I repair to the matches of the Southron folk,
   Though my own red roses there may blow;

   It is little I repair to the matches of the Southron folk,

   Though the red roses crest the caps, I know.


   For the field is full of shades as I near a shadowy coast,

   And a ghostly batsman plays to the bowling of a ghost,

   And I look through my tears on a soundless-clapping host

   As the run stealers flicker to and fro,

   To and fro:

   O my Hornby and my Barlow long ago!
In the churchyard is a tall sandstone sundial over 12 feet (4 m) high. It was originally a medieval cross which was made into a sundial in the late 17th century. The remaining parts of the cross consist of an octagonal shaft on three ashlar steps. On top of this has been added a square moulded cap surmounted by a ball finial. On each face of the head is a dial, and the head is surmounted by a globe on a short stem. It is a scheduled monument and is designated as a Grade II listed building. Also listed Grade II is the red sandstone churchyard boundary wall which is probably an 1897 restoration of an earlier wall.  The churchyard contains the war graves of five Commonwealth service personnel; two of World War I and three of World War II.
To the north of the church is a pair of Grade-II-listed former almshouses dating from the early 17th century.
A. N. Hornby (1847–1925), who played cricket for Lancashire and England, is buried here.  He was the first man (of only two) to captain his country in both cricket and rugby, but is also remembered as the England cricket captain whose side lost the Test match which gave rise to The Ashes, at home against the Australians in 1882. Additionally, he played football for Blackburn Rovers. He was immortalised in one of the best known of all cricket poems, At Lord's by Francis Thompson, which contains the following lines:
It is little I repair to the matches of the Southron folk,
   Though my own red roses there may blow;

   It is little I repair to the matches of the Southron folk,

   Though the red roses crest the caps, I know.

   For the field is full of shades as I near a shadowy coast,

   And a ghostly batsman plays to the bowling of a ghost,

   And I look through my tears on a soundless-clapping host

   As the run stealers flicker to and fro,

   To and fro:

   O my Hornby and my Barlow long ago!
St Mary's Church, Acton