This month, our village of the month is Rattlesden, a scattered village 5 miles West of Stowmarket.

In 860 the Danes established the village of Ratles-Dane or Rates-Dane near the source of the River Rat hence the name Rattlesden. The village has traditionally been connected with navigation and it is said that Caen Stone imported from Normandy and used to build the Abbey in Bury St Edmunds was landed from flat-bottomed boats at Rattlesden.

Whalebones

An unusual feature of the village is a set of whalebones which were set up across the stream by the owner of a nearby house in the 1800’s, sadly however the ones we see today are replicas of the originals. The River Rat meanders through the village with a Lower and Upper Road running either side of its banks. The lower road being very prone to flooding during the wettest times of the year so having the Upper Road to make a detour is quite handy!

American Connections

St Nicholas Church dating back to the 14th century stands impressively in the centre of the village overlooking half timbered houses on either side of the River Rat.

The village is well served with a Post Office, a village shop run by local volunteers and also boasts two pubs. It has a good community spirit with many organisations within the village and is full of old meets new.

The village also has many American connections due to the USAAF being stationed at the nearby airfield during WWII.

I have lived in Rattlesden for more than 10 years and enjoy the slower pace of life it provides, I spend many hours walking the many footpaths around the village with my two dogs. The views of the village from either side of the valley in which it sits can be quite stunning especially during long summer evenings.

Click here for a description of a walk around Rattlesden.

For more about Rattlesden visit the website at www.rattlesden.suffolk.gov.uk