DESCRIPTION OF THE
COMMUNITY
Map
The parish lies about 20 miles North East of Ipswich on the
Suffolk coast in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Its soils support gorse, heather, pine and birch and it has 3 miles
of mainly shingle beaches with some low sandy cliffs. There are
areas of extensive farming and leisure activities. There are over
20 Grade II listed buildings in the parish.
The landscape is gently undulating and is drained by the Hundred
River with marshes and fens along its short course. It feeds into a
large boating lake called The Meare before reaching the sea midway
between Thorpeness and Aldeburgh. There are delightful walks on the
myriad of footpaths in all parts of the parish.
The Hundred River has formed the Southern parish boundary since
Saxon times. The village of Knodishall lies to the West and the
town of Leiston to the North. The parish is controlled by the
Suffolk Coastal District Council. It has a Parish Council which is
implementing improvements under the Parish Plan – this web site
being one of them. The population in 2001 was 745 in 377 households
living in an area of about 3 square miles. There is a very low
annual rainfall of 23 inches and most days are bright with
wonderful skyscapes.
THORPENESS was
created as a Holiday Village in the early 20th century.
Its architecture gives it a distinctive character. Its houses are
made mainly of wood and the larger buildings of brick and stone. It
lies between the sea coast and the 66 acre boating lake. There is a
well established 18 hole golf course, a Country Club, a Sports and
Social Club, a Village Stores, the Dolphin public house and two
cafes. The village is popular with holiday makers and visitors but
retains a quiet ambience. Its special nature is recognised by its
Conservation Area status.
ALDRINGHAM lies 2
miles West of Thorpeness. It is not as integrated as Thorpeness as
it is a dispersed residential village. The Parrot and Punchbowl
public house on the crossroads marks the original centre. Houses
lie along the main road between Aldeburgh and Leiston and are also
by the Green on Mill Hill. There used to be Craft Market, a post
office and shop, a windmill and a school but these have all gone.
The parish church is attractively situated on an ancient site
midway between the two villages. Regular services are conducted by
the Rev. Christine Brookes and the Mothers Union, the Choir and the
Time Out Group are well established.
SIZEWELL is 2
miles to the North of Thorpeness but only the south of the village
is within the parish. It contains most of the cottages of character
and the large estate houses like Sizewell Hall. Fishing with line
and rod off the beach continues to be a popular activity. In the
past the area was a favourite spot with smugglers landing large
amounts of brandy and lace and other contraband.
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