Bredfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bredfield |
|
|---|---|
 St Andrew's Church, Bredfield |
|
 Bredfield
|
|
| Population | 340 (2011) |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Woodbridge |
| Postcode district | IP13 |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
Bredfield is a small village in the English county of Suffolk. It's located near the A12 road, about two miles north of Woodbridge. Nearby villages include Dallinghoo to the north and Boulge to the west. In 2011, about 340 people lived in Bredfield.
Contents
Discover Bredfield: A Village in Suffolk
Bredfield is a quiet place surrounded by farmland. It's home to a few small businesses. The village has a long history and a strong community spirit.
A Look Back in Time
Bredfield was first mentioned way back in 1086. This was in the Domesday Book, a famous survey of England. Its name, Brēde Felda, comes from Old English. It means "broad clearing," which probably described the area long ago.
Historic Buildings and Places
Bredfield has several interesting old buildings.
Bredfield House
Bredfield House was once a grand home in the village. It was the birthplace of a famous writer and poet, Edward FitzGerald. Sadly, the house was damaged during World War II. It was later taken down.
Churches and Chapels
The village has a historic parish church called St Andrew's. This church is very old, dating all the way back to the 13th century! There is also a non-denominational chapel. It was built in 1902 and welcomes people of all faiths.
The Castle Inn
The Castle Inn was a public house, or pub, in the village. It has been around since at least 1808. However, it has not been open for visitors for several years now.
The Old School House
Bredfield used to have its own primary school. It opened in 1853 and also taught children from nearby villages. The school closed in 1986. Many people who went to the school still live in Bredfield today.
Community Spirit in Action
Like many small villages, Bredfield faced challenges. The village school and the local grocery shop both closed in 1986. But the people of Bredfield came together to find a solution.
The Community Shop
The villagers decided to start their own community shop! At first, it was in a temporary building. Later, they built a special extension onto the village hall for the shop. This shows how much the community cares about its village.
Jubilee Meadow
Another great example of community spirit is the Jubilee Meadow. This is a special conservation area. It also has a community orchard where fruit trees are grown. This project has even won awards! The villagers are still working to make it even better.
Bredfield in Stories
Bredfield might even be part of a spooky story! It is thought to be the real-life setting for a house in "The Tractate Middoth." This is a short ghost story written by M.R. James. It was first published in 1911 in a collection called More Ghost Stories.
