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. Cildren 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. There are also a number of other enterprises within the village. Jerry Green's Dogs' Home is a charitable institution for the rescue of dogs and their subsequent welfare. Most of the village's dogs came from here! There is the Camel Centre which is open from Easter to autumn time. This has a selection of animals, in addition to camels and provides good entertainment and education for children of all ages. There are two riding establishments, Wood Farm & Grove Farm, which offer livery, riding tuition, Etc. There is Easitron, steel fabricators, Linstead Farm & Garden Machinery and Linstead Garage. These all occupy the site of the original smithy.