Westleton
Westleton Heath National Nature Reserve is 0.5 miles (1 km) north east of the village. The heath is crossed by a minor road from Westleton to the coastal village of Dunwich, 2 miles (3 km) to the east. The famous Minsmere RSPB reserve lies immediately to the east of the village.
The fourteenth-century village church of St Peter in Westleton was built by monks from Sibton Abbey near Saxmundham. The church has twice seen the collapse of its tower: in 1776 under the strain of hurricane winds; and during World War II, when the smaller wooden replacement had to be demolished following bomb damage. It is a grade II* listed building.
Westleton retains some other basic services, helped by its proximity to the coast and Minsmere. These include a post office, two bookshops, a garage and two pubs, the White Horse and The Crown. The latter is a historic coaching inn dating from the 12th century. The bookshop, Chapel Books, has been depicted in print in Julie Myerson's 2003 novel, Something Might Happen, as the location for a seduction scene.
References
- ^ "Parish population 2011". Retrieved 18 September 2015.
- ^ History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Suffolk, William White, Robert Leader, Sheffield, 1855
- ^ "Westleton church". Westleton. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
- ^ Historic England. "ST PETER'S CHURCH (1283793)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
- ^ Welcome to Westleton Parish Council's website, Westleton Parish Council. Retrieved 2011-04-26.
External links