Gestingthorpe facts for kids
Gestingthorpe is a small village and a civil parish located in the Braintree district of Essex, England. A civil parish is like a local area with its own council that helps manage local services. You can find Gestingthorpe about halfway between the towns of Halstead in Essex and Sudbury in Suffolk.
If you want to visit by train, the closest station is in Sudbury. From there, you can catch a shuttle train service to Marks Tey, and sometimes even to Colchester. The village itself is easy to find because it sits right at a set of crossroads where North End Road, Nether Hill, Sudbury Road, and Church Street all meet.
A Notable Explorer
In the 1800s, a famous family called the Oates lived in Gestingthorpe at a place known as the Manor of Over Hall. Their most well-known family member was Captain Lawrence Oates. He was a brave explorer who became famous for his journey to the Antarctic.
Captain Oates was born in London on March 16, 1880. Even though he was born elsewhere, his family had strong ties to Gestingthorpe. In 1913, his fellow officers put up a special memorial for him in the local church, St Mary the Virgin, to remember his courage and contributions.
Ancient History
Just north of Gestingthorpe village, you can find the site of the Gestingthorpe Roman Villa. This was once a farmstead that was used during both the ancient Celtic and Roman times in Britain.
Archaeologists have found many interesting items here. These include pieces of roof tiles, old glass, and even a small ring with a cool engraving of a lion attacking a deer. Today, the property is still a working farm, but you can arrange a visit by appointment to see where these historical discoveries were made.
St Mary's Church
The local church in Gestingthorpe is called St Mary the Virgin. This church is very old and important, so it's listed as a Grade I building. This means it has special historical and architectural value.
Inside the church, you'll find a set of six bells. These bells are rung for services and special occasions, adding to the village's traditional charm.
