The south entrance is dominated by the ancient yew tree, measured in 1993 as having a girth of 20' 7"
at 3'. It is hollow and, although yew trees are difficult to date, must be at least as old as the church itself. The nearby large yew tree was planted in 1759 (with a present girth of 8'). In this south west corner are a number of fine 18th and 19th century table tombs and stones, the earliest dated 1708. The churchyard has been extended twice, most recently in 1990. The brick and flint walls marking the boundary of the old churchyard date from 1676 and are characteristic of the area. A very short stretch of the old east wall has been left in the middle. Close to it is the grave of Dr Joseph Stevens, the village physician from 1844 - 1881, and a keen amateur archaeologist. His book, The Parochial History of St Mary Bourne (1888 & 1895), is the authoritative local history. At the far south-east corner of the second extension is the grave of Col Kitchener, brother of Lord Kitchener of Khartoum.