Westleton
Coordinates: 52°16′01″N 1°34′59″E / 52.267°N 1.583°E
| Westleton | |
 Westleton
Westleton shown within Suffolk |
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| Shire county | Suffolk |
|---|---|
| Region | East |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| List of places: UK • England • Suffolk | |
Westleton is a village in the English county of Suffolk. It is located 4 miles (6 km) north of Leiston and 5 miles (8 km) miles north-east of Saxmundham near the North Sea coast. The village is on the edge of the Suffolk Sandlings, an area of lowland heathland. The village lies along the B1125 road, 2 miles (3 km) to the east of the A12 and Darsham railway station.
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 fell under the weight of a bomb.[1]
Westleton retains some other basic services, helped by it's proximity to the coast and Minsmere. A Post Office, two pubs, including an historic coaching inn dating to the 12th Century, a tea room, bookshop and garage remain.[2] The bookshop, Chapel Books, has been immortalised in print in Julie Myerson's 2003 novel, Something Might Happen, as the location for a seduction scene.
[edit] References
- ^ History, Gazeteer, and Directory of Suffolk, William White, Robert Leader, Sheffield, 1855
- ^ Welcome to Westleton Parish Council's website, Westleton Parish Council. Retrieved 2011-04-26.
[edit] External links
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