Covehithe, Suffolk....

Covehithe is a small community, very different to the port settlement that was here in the 15th century.

St Andrew's Church:-

The old building, now in ruins, must have been a spectacular building and is believed to have been built in the 15th century by a wealthy incumbent, William Yarmouth and his friends.  

Some thirty years after Cromwell's Parliamentary Commissioner, Dowsing, destroyed artwork and windows, as well as defacing the octagonal font, it became clear that the building was much too large and the cost of maintenance far beyond the means of the small community, so permission was granted in 1672 to erect the present small church by utilising materials obtained from the original structure...…

I wouldn't dare, but isn't it fascinating to read old graffiti …..

This couple travelled a long way....

And along the path to Covehithe Beach, Covehithe Broad and Benacre National Nature Reserve....

It's not exactly Marbella (sigh!) but Covehithe has its charm...

I want one....

Looking towards Southwold....

At Covehithe Broad.... another visitor told us that she fell asleep by the waterside and awoke surrounded by geese, the wildfowl are very friendly!

Information sourced from the St Andrew's church booklet, and the information boards on site.

Belchamp Walter Folly, Essex...

Around 1871 a sham castle folly was built in the park belonging to Belchamp Hall to act as an eyecatcher from the gardens.  It is a square tower-like structure of rubble and large blocks of re-used stone.  The north front has a pointed arched door.  Internally there is a small octagonal panelled room with domed plaster ceiling … I want one!  

The surrounding countryside is just lovely....

Belchamp Walter Hall … where a lot of the TV programme Lovejoy was shot …

The Hall is near the church (or vice versa)…."archeological finds have been made in the church indicating a Roman presence" according to the village website, Gestingthorpe being just down t'road where there was a significant Roman site....

Belchamp Walter itself is a little gem, and so are its residents, who were very pleased to pass the time of day and share information about their lovely village  ….

The village is said to be named after the Anglo Saxon word for the ridge that runs between Belchamp Walter and Belchamp St Paul.  The Walter part is said to refer to Walter de Tey, so now we know!