Characteristic of the late-medieval perpendicular period in architecture, they are most memorable in Suffolk's greatest churches, including Long Melford, Lavenham, Blythburgh and Southwold. They are equally grand on a smaller scale at Denston and Little Waldingfield. Spectacular from the outside, they successfully accomplish Perpendicular architecture's intention to lift the eye to heaven.

It is possible for a clerestory to be on only one side of the building, as at Tuddenham St Mary, or to only sit above where the rood was, as at Badingham.