About Chediston & Linstead

Chediston, Linstead Magna and Linstead Parva are three villages linked by a grouped Parish Council - they cover as area in North Suffolk, extending from Halesworth, north to Metfield. There are two churches remaining; the church of Linstead Magna disapeared many years ago and is now a scheduled archaeological site on private land.

Linstead Parva Church dedicated to St. Mary of Antioch, lies at a road/river crossing at the extreme edge of its Parish boundary.

The church at Chediston lies in the heart of the village, on a slight incline overlooking the river Blyth. Recent excavations just outside Chediston churchyard led to the discovery of a burial, possibly Saxon. Remains of a minor Roman settlement lie near the river and were excavated some years ago.

There is a dispersed settlement at Chediston Green lying about half a mile away from the church to the north.

The road, B1123, runs through the village. There is a network of footpaths and bridleways linking various parts of the parishes, all well used. Many of the houses are listed as being of historic interest and are timber framed and some have large moats surrounding them.
There are several active groups in the villages, including the W. I. Linstead has a village hall, on the B1123 and in Chediston, the public meeting place is Chediston Church Room. The public house, The Duke of Wellington, is now a private house at Chediston Green and Linstead's pub, The Greyhound, closed many years ago.

The population of Linstead Magna is approximately 40 and that of Linstead Parva is appoximately 70. The distinction between the two parishes is now largely historical. Sadly the last remains of its St. Peter's Linstead Magna disappeared about 20 years ago.

Linstead Magna has about 15 well scartered households. Parva has about 30 households, mostly on or near the B1123 Halesworth to Metfield road.

There are no schools in any of our parishes. Children now attend Bramfield Primary or Bungay High Schools.

The Village Hall at Linstead is an independently run establishment with no church connections. It is, however, used for a number of church functions.

Chediston & Linstead share a W.I. which meets at 2.30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month, at Linstead Village Hall.

The main industry is agriculture.  The Camel Centre, situated in Linstead Magna and well signposted, is an interesting tourist attraction -in addition to the animals there are activities for children, including an outdoor and indoor play area.  Situated in what was the old smithy is Easitron, who undertakes steel fabrication, welding and metal work and also Linstead Farm and Garden Machinery. The Linstead de-fibrillator is also housed there.