Elmswell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elmswell |
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 Elmswell Methodist Church |
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 Elmswell
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| Population | 3,950 (2011) |
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| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Bury St Edmunds |
| Postcode district | IP30 |
| Dialling code | 01359, 01284 |
| Police | Suffolk |
| Fire | Suffolk |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament |
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Elmswell is a lovely village located in the county of Suffolk, England. It sits right in the middle of two bigger towns, Bury St. Edmunds and Stowmarket. You can find it just north of the main A14 road.
People have lived in Elmswell for a very long time. We know this because archaeologists found a pottery kiln from around the third century, which was during the Roman times.
The name Elmswell comes from old English words. In the Domesday Book of 1086, it was called "Elmswella." This means "Spring or Stream where elm-trees grow." So, the name tells us about the trees and water that were once important here.
A very large village green, called Butten Haugh Green, used to be the center of Elmswell. But things changed when the railway arrived in 1846. Later, a bacon factory was built in 1911. Because of these changes, houses were built on parts of the old green.
In 1881, a census showed that there were 196 houses in the village. The population at that time was 761 people.
Elmswell Today
Elmswell is a busy village with a growing population. In 2011, there were 3,950 people living here. Today, the number of houses is over 2000, and more than 4750 people call Elmswell home.
On November 23, 1981, a small tornado hit the village. It was part of a record-breaking day when many tornadoes occurred across the United Kingdom.
Village Landmarks
The Church of St John the Divine is a very old building in Elmswell. It was even mentioned in the Domesday Book, which was a big survey of England made in 1086.
Sir Robert Gardiner was an important person who lived in Elmswell. He was once the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, a very high legal position. When he died in 1620, he was buried in St John the Divine church.
Sir Robert also built almshouses next to the church. These were special homes for people who needed help. He left them for three women from Elmswell and three from the nearby village of Norton.
Transport and Nature
Elmswell has had its own railway station since 1846. This station is on the train line that connects Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich.
If you enjoy nature, you can visit Kiln Meadow. This area is a special place for wildlife. The village also has two pubs, The Tavern and The Fox, where people can gather.
Village Recognition
In 2008, Elmswell was named Suffolk's "Village of the Year." This was a great honor, and it showed how much the community worked together. Elmswell beat other villages like Cockfield and Fressingfield to win the award.
