Suffolk is a county of contrasts; to the south there is the idyllic countryside of the Stour valley made famous by the paintings of John Constable; to the east there is the coast with miles and miles of unspoilt shoreline; and to the north, flat fertile arable land. but Suffolk's true roots lie in its villages--large and small, ancient and not so ancient. This book is a celebration in colour of these quintessential English villages.
Many seem to have changed little of the centuries, such as Dalham, Cavendish and Lavenham, with their colour-washed, timber-framed cottages. At Thornton roofs can be seen everywhere. At Thornton Parva even the church is thatched, now a rare sight.
Monks Eleigh is so picturesque with its cluster of pretty houses around the village green and church that railway posters once used the view to attract holidaymakers to the Eastern counties. But the prize for the largest unenclosed green in Suffolk goes to Wortham.
The village of Debenham, besides being the birthplace to the founder of the well-known department store, has another claim to fame. In 1744 a great fire destroyed 38 houses around the church but mercifully did not cross the main street. So, while the houses on one side are built of brick and have a more modern style of architecture, the buildings on the other retain their medieval appearance.
Mark Mitchels has managed to catch the true character of the county's villages in his photographs and has blended them with an informative and charming text. His book will give pleasure to all those who love Suffolk and who still value the villages, and see them as the backbone of English rural life.
Contents:
Introduction
Wortham and Palgrave
Hoxne and Wingfield
Fressingfield and Laxfield
Thornham and Mellis
Mendlesham and Stonham Parva
Walsham le Willows
Haughley and Stowupland
Rattlesden
Moulton and Dalham
Hargrave and Ickworth
Rede
The Thurlows and Stradishall
Stoke by Clare and Clare
Long Melford and Cavendish
Lavenham
Monks Eleigh
Chelsworth and Bildeston
Kersey
Polstead and Boxford
Stoke by Nayland and Pakenham
East Bergholt
Tattingstone and Erwarton
Pin Mill and Chelmondiston
Tuddenham St Martin and Sproughton
Grundiburgh and Boulge
Great Bealings and Coddenham
Debenham
East Soham and Brandeston
Kettleburgh and Easton
Snape
Orford
Kelsale and Rendham
Dunwich and Theberton
Yoxford and Middleton
Wenhaston and Walpole
Somerleyton and Blundeston
