Blythweb - General Interest Links

[ Website ] With more than 60 nature reserves throughout Suffolk the Suffolk Wildlife Trust works to protect the County's wildlife. Local branch at Southwold.

Round Tower Churches

[ Website ] This area certainly has some wonderful churches. An East Anglian speciality is the Round Tower church. Of the 42 of these in Suffolk several are in this area - for example Bramfield (where the tower is uniquely detached from the church - see www.bramfield.net), at Holton, Frostenden and also at Thorington, to name but a few.

Roadside Milestones

[ Website ] The roadways of north-east Suffolk feature many old milestones, signs that these routes have been unchanged for centuries. This is the website of The Milestone Society and features a wealth of information about milestones nationwide.

Road accidents involving Deer

[ Website ] This area of Suffolk has its share of wild deer which can be seen on the fields or in Dunwich Forest. (Watch out for the increasingly common small Muntjac). Deer can though stray onto the roads and lanes with a resulting road traffic accident. This website link goes to an on-going research project which is collecting data nationwide on traffic accidents involving deer. Since the project began in 2003, tens of thousands of incidents have been recorded.

Black Shuck at Blythburgh

[ Website ] In 1577 the evil dog Black Shuck is said to have terrified the congregation in Holy Trinity Church, Blythburgh, leaving death, destruction and claw marks in its wake. This item collates reports of phantom dogs throughout the UK.

'Waverley' Pleasure Steamer

[ Website ] Website for the famous last sea-going paddle steamer, now in charity ownership. As well as operating other UK trips and services, usually also sails from Southwold (either to London or on a local cruise). A wonderful experience.

Henham Hall - A Lost House

[ Website ] The Henham Estate lies just north of Blythburgh and is nowadays famous for being the location of the summertime Latitude festival. Landscaped by Repton, but no large House remains to complement it. Alan Mackley here relates the story of Henham Hall.

RNLI Southwold webpage

[ Website ] Dedicated to saving lives at sea and funded almost entirely by donations, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution relies on volunteer crews to man lifeboats and provide a 24 hour service around the coast of the UK and Republic of Ireland. This is their page about the Southwold station (located at Southwold Harbour).

Walpole Old Chapel

[ Website ] Once a farmhouse, this Grade II* listed building has a long history as a non-conformist meeting house, evidenced by its superb interior. Open to view on selected dates during summer months. Events programme.

Southwold Railway

[ Website ] The railway operated to Southwold from Halesworth 1879-1929, stopping at stations at Wenhaston, Blythburgh and Walberswick. This is the website for the enthusiastic Southwold Railway Trust, full of lots of information and interest. On-line shop. Their site at Steamworks, Blyth Road, Southwold is open to the public on selected dates.

British Sundial Society

[ Website ] The Wenhaston sundial, at Wenhaston Village Hall, was both a Millennium project and to mark the 25th anniversary of the building of the Hall. Both the sundial and the building of the Village Hall were undertaken by Wenhaston Community Council (1971-2006). Dialist Ray Ashley was commissioned to make this working sundial, beautifully executed in stainless steel to be low-maintenance in years to come. Ray is a member of the British Sundial Society and this is their website.

Blythburgh Village

[ Website ] Blythburgh is on the A12 near Southwold and Walberswick, with the landmark Holy Trinity church, beautifully floodlit at night.

Railway Connection to Southwold - The Story pre 1879

[ Website ] Much has been written about the Southwold Railway, which operated 1879-1929 from Halesworth to Southwold with stations at Wenhaston, Blythburgh and Walberswick. Here, David Lee tells of pre-1879 attempts to establish a rail connection.

Joe Kennedy Jnr's Last Mission

[ Website ] More from Mick Muttitt about the tragic aircraft crash he witnessed in 1944.

Blythburgh and its shops in the 1920s

[ Website ] An interesting history note about Blythburgh and its shops in the 1920s by Nora Brown, with deliveries made to nearby villages such as Wenhaston and Walberswick.

Artists in the Blyth Valley

[ Website ] Artists of all abilities have resided in Walberswick, Blythburgh and the Blyth Valley, some more well-known than others. This History Note names just some of them.

Crime around the Blyth

[ Website ] One of the Blythburgh History Notes (available on www.blythweb.co.uk) in which Keith Johnceline, a Wenhaston Local History Recorder, shows that this area is no stranger to Crime.

Southwold Pier Waterclock

[ Website ] The origins and workings of Southwold Pier's waterclock explained by its creator (and local cartoonist, engineer, maybe-genius?) Tim Hunkin.

Humphrey Jennings - A Genius of the British Cinema

[ Website ] Bill Barrett gives a short account of Walberswick-born Humphrey Jennings.

William Morris and Blythburgh Church

[ Website ] Alan Mackley's interesting article about William Morris (1834-1896) and Blythburgh Church.

The Wenhaston Millions

[ Website ] Keith Johnceline's account of the 1930s fraud 'The Wenhaston Millions' involving a Major Crane and unsuspecting participants from Wenhaston and Blythburgh. The fraud was foiled following his marital interests in a lady from Southwold.

Tide Tables for Southwold

[ Website ] Tidal information for Southwold, from the BBC

The Pattman Family

[ Website ] The story of a family and their connections with Blythburgh and Southwold through ale, sail and school.

Bad Behaviour in Wenhaston 1680

[ Website ] Historical researches by a Wenhaston Local History Recorder, Keith Johnceline. One of the Blythburgh History Notes on www.blythweb.co.uk .

Blythburgh in 1792

[ Website ] Read Alan Mackley's report of Blythburgh in 1792, including the names of some of the inhabitants.

The Lambeth Life, St.Walstan and 'Blyborow Town'

[ Website ] This Blythburgh History Note by Carol Twinch explores the possible links between St.Walstan and Blythburgh and also features Walberswick.

Bulcamp Workhouse

[ Website ] Easily visible in the area and no doubt a worrying sight to many a poor soul, this Workhouse, opened in 1766, has recently been converted to housing. Read more about it in this article by Alan Mackley. One of the interesting Blythburgh History notes on www.blythweb.co.uk.

Selling a Wife in Blythburgh

[ Website ] How times change! This interesting snippet dates from 1789.

The Poaching Priors of Blythburgh

[ Website ] Poaching by Priors and others involving Westwood warren and Walberswick in this interesting article by Alan Mackley.

All Change in Wenhaston

[ Website ] Nifty research by a Wenhaston Local History Recorder, Keith Johnceline, gives a glimpse of past turbulent times, mentioning Wenhaston, Blyford and Halesworth. One of the Blythburgh History Notes on www.blythweb.co.uk .

Peter Wright VC

[ Website ] Peter Wright was a member of a Wenhaston farming family who in WWII fought with the Coldstream Guards (being 6'1" in his socks). He was awarded the VC for his heroism at Salerno in 1943. Lots of information on this site. Peter Wright VC later farmed at Blythburgh.

Building a New Bridge for Blythburgh

[ Website ] Bridges over the River Blyth have been known since 1296. Here is John E.Allen's account, plus general observations, of the reconstruction works at Blythburgh in 1989.

The Wenhaston Smuggler

[ Website ] Tales of smugglers abound in this area of coast and rivers. A Wenhaston Local History Recorder, Keith Johnceline, tells of his researches into the life of George Butcher. One of the Blythburgh History Notes on www.blythweb.co.uk .

Friends of East Suffolk Performing Arts (FESPA)

[ Website ] FESPA is a registered Charity supporting and promoting the performing arts scene in East Suffolk.

How Rich Was Blythburgh?

[ Website ] In this account Alan Mackley examines Blythburgh's wealth in the first half of the last millennium.

Isokon and Blythburgh

[ Website ] The story of a Blythburgh house, people and their times.

John E.B.Hill Archive

[ Website ] This Archive of the late notable local landowner, farmer and former MP, John E B Hill, is held by the University of East Anglia's Library Archives Department, who would like to publicise it more.

An Historical Account of Interest

[ Website ] This item by Veronica Baker-Smith in the Blythburgh Society History Notes concerns the building of a bridge on the Heveningham - Ubbeston Road in 1794.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh

[ Website ] In 1914 the Glasgow-born architect, designer and painter Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928) spent a restful year in Walberswick. He is just one of many notable artists to have benefitted from a stay here. This link is to the website of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society where you can learn about this influential and creative genius.

Hubert Miles Gladwyn Jebb

[ Website ] On this Wikipedia webpage you can read about the remarkable career of Hubert Miles Gladwyn Jebb, the founding Secretary-General of the United Nations, whose banner hangs in St.Andrew's Church, Bramfield.

The Blythburgh Angel Village Sign

[ Website ] Richard Maslen tells you all about Blythburgh's village sign.

Southwold Lighthouse

[ Website ] Southwold's unmanned lighthouse is maintained by Trinity House. This is their webpage for Southwold. The Lighthouse is a waymark for passing shipping and a guide for those using Southwold Harbour.In the Lighthouse there are 98 steps up to the first floor, then a further 23 on up to the lookout. The lighthouse is often open to visitors - check the Blythweb Calendar www.blythweb.net/calendar

The World Land Trust

[ Website ] An international conservation charity based in Halesworth, saving rainforest and other threatened habitats worldwide.

Another Historical Account of Interest

[ Website ] This item by Veronica Baker-Smith in the Blythburgh Society History Notes is about the old Rectory at Ubbeston (inland from Halesworth) and the people who lived there.

Go back to the Links Index Page

Some Favourite Websites For April 2024:

Logs Logs Logs – Family Firm delivering kiln dried logs to Norfolk and Suffolk, including Norwich, Diss and Woodbridge

Logs available in tipper loads and bulk bags for wood burning stoves, open fires and pizza ovens. In addition supplying firewood in bulk bags to Essex, Cambridgeshire, London and beyond.

Juliet Penwarden Coaching – Juliet Penwarden Coaching - Horse riding and care

Juliet is an experienced and qualified coach who places a strong emphasis on harmony between horse and rider and takes great pleasure in helping partnerships progress, whatever their goals.

Lighthouse View – Superb Southwold self-catering cottage for four

Lighthouse View in Southwold is a comfortable and welcoming holiday cottage sleeping four in two bedrooms. This early-Victorian cottage is in the very heart of this attractive coastal town and the front door it is just yards from the promenade and sea.

Cranbourne, Walberswick – Luxury Self Catering cottage on the Heritage Coast with it's own swimming pool

Cranbourne is tucked in a peaceful corner of Manor Close with the excellent village shop nearby and central to Walberswick making all the attractions within easy walking. A heated outdoor swimming pool for summer use is protected by a lockable gate. Without detracting from the house in any way, Cranbourne unobtrusively includes features enabling less mobile visitors to equally enjoy their stay.

Hare Lodge Self Catering – Two expansive but affordable pet friendly Self Catering

Two New England-style barn conversions at Hare Lodge in Peasenhall. Tastefully decorated with relaxation in mind and a comfortable sitting room, country kitchen and downstairs shower room.