Leiston

For those looking for a strong village community life, whilst being able to enjoy pretty countryside, beach views and excellent amenities, Leiston has it all. Nestling near the attractive Suffolk coast between Felixstowe and Lowestoft, Leiston boasts a rich history that it takes care to promote.

Saxon times saw Leiston as an important village, known then as Lehtun or Leestune. As part of Edric of Laxfield's estate, it held a thriving agricultural community, with meadows, horses, cows, sheep and bees. The village at that time had three churches and three manors, representative of its high standing in the country.

Leiston's historical roots are probably best known for the influence of the Robert Garret Engineering Works, which came to the area in 1778 to make agricultural machinery. The company not only generated huge employment opportunities but improved the town centre with lighting and drainage of the marshland. It also played a major part in manufacturing goods for the military during both world wars and became known throughout the world, putting Leiston firmly on the map.

The works closed in 1981 and now all that is left are exhibits of the glory days in the Long Shop Museum, a grade II listed building also home to a water tower which is believed to house the deepest well in Suffolk. Displays include the Garrett Story and history of the Leiston Airfield, including details of the Zeppelin crash in 1917.

Leiston Airfield played a big part in World War II, with pilots sent to fight the Luftwaffe. General Chuck Yeager, famous for being the first to break the sound barrier, flew out of RAF Leiston. Nowadays the site is home to an annual memorial service run by the Friends of Leiston Airfield and host to a flying display each year.

Other places of note include Leiston Abbey, founded originally in 1182 by Ranulf de Glanville and transferred to Leiston in 1363. As a House of Augustinian the main duties of Canons Regular were preaching and pastoral work. Impressive ruins still remain of the Chapel area, managed by English Heritage.

Leiston is also famous worldwide for the Summerhill School founded in the 1920's. This was the first school to offer freedom in education as is known as a "free school". The principles are that a student self-governing board administer discipline and the students choose to attend class or not. It is the inspiration for a "free schools" worldwide movement, or democratic schools, as they are also known. The school uses the manor house of Richard Garrett.

Nearby Sizewell is home to a rugged, rural coastline and an area of SSSI, managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. The cliffs offer good views and the beach is open for good bathing, as well as great walks along the coast, to the nearby RSPB reserve at Minsmere. See also the Coastguard Lookout and refreshment kiosks. The Nuclear Plants at Sizewell provides employment but no longer seem to be noticed by the locals and does not detract from the beauty of this stretch of coast.

With amenities including shops, restaurants, pubs and a decent leisure centre, Leiston with its many attractions makes an ideal place to live.

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