Haughley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Haughley |
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 Haughley
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| Population | 1,638 (2011 Census) |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Stowmarket |
| Postcode district | IP14 |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
Haughley is a small village in Suffolk, England. It's located about 2 miles (3.2 km) northwest of Stowmarket, near the River Gipping. In 2011, about 1,638 people lived there.
Haughley is mentioned in the famous Domesday Book, which was a survey of England made in 1086. The village was once home to a castle, a church, and a busy market. It was also important for early studies of organic farming.
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History of Haughley
Haughley has a very long history. People lived here even in ancient times, like the Stone Age and Iron Age. The village was first mentioned in a document from 1040.
After the Normans took over England in 1066, Haughley became a royal fortress town. It grew and was very successful until the Tudor period. A big fire in 1709 caused a lot of damage, but the village slowly recovered.
In the 1800s, Haughley grew more. It got connections for water and sewers. In 2022, a special beacon was lit to celebrate the Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee. Over a thousand people came to see it.
Buildings in Haughley
Haughley Castle
Haughley Castle is one of the best-preserved motte and bailey castles in Suffolk. It was built by Hugh de Montfort after the Norman conquest in 1066. It was built on the site of an older Saxon fort.
In 1173, during a rebellion, the castle was captured and partly destroyed. The attackers smoked out the people inside by burning wood against the building. Later, the castle was partly rebuilt. King Edward II even stayed there for a few days in 1326.
The castle's main mound is 210 feet (64 meters) wide at the bottom and 80 feet (24 meters) tall. Today, three large Cedar of Lebanon trees grow on top of the castle mound. In 2023, the village celebrated the 850th anniversary of the castle siege with a Medieval Fair.
Haughley Church
Haughley Parish Church is a very old building. It is a Grade I listed building, which means it's very important. It stands where a Saxon and Norman chapel once stood. The church is dedicated to the "Assumption of the Virgin Mary."
The church tower was built in the early 1200s. The rest of the church was changed in the 1300s. Before the Reformation, the church was on a special path for pilgrims. These pilgrims were traveling to the shrine of St Edmund at Bury St Edmunds Abbey.
The church has old stained glass and a beautifully carved roof. It also has five bells, some of which are from the medieval period.
Other Important Buildings
Haughley has many old and interesting buildings. Many have thatched roofs or are painted. Some important ones include:
- Haughley Park mansion: This large house was built in the 1600s. It is also a Grade I listed building. It is now used for conferences and weddings.
- Antrim House and the Old Counting House: These buildings date back to the 1300s. They once had a rare medieval shop front.
- New Bells Farmhouse: This is a Tudor farm from the 1530s. It was one of the places where the organic farming study, called the Haughley Experiment, began in 1939.
- The White House: Also known as "The Ark," this building was built in 1527. It was once an inn and is now a family home.
Local Life in Haughley
Haughley used to have many inns and pubs, but most have closed. The last pub, the Kings Arms, was set to close in September 2023.
The village post office is one of the oldest in the United Kingdom. It opened in 1848 and has been open ever since. Haughley also has a veterinary clinic, a Co-op store, a hairdressers, and an Indian restaurant.
Haughley Crawford's Primary School is next to the church. It is named after William Henry Crawford, who left money for the school in his will. In the 1950s, a jet plane crashed near the school. The pilot, Peter Phillips, died but is believed to have saved the children by steering away from the school.
Palmers Bakery
Palmers Bakery is one of the oldest bakeries in the country. It started around 1750 and has been run by the Palmer family since 1869. The bakery still uses 200-year-old brick ovens to bake bread. The building itself dates back to 1650.
The Palmer family has a long history in Haughley. William James Palmer bought the bakery in 1869. His son, William Ewart Gladstone Palmer, expanded the business to include farming. Later, Roy Palmer, his son, started a Village and Bakery Museum.
Today, the business is run by Kenneth Palmer, a fourth-generation descendant. His son, Kieron Palmer, also works there. In 1978, the bakery was even featured on a BBC children's TV show called You and Me. In 2019, the bakery celebrated its 150th anniversary with a big event.
Transport in Haughley
Haughley once had two railway stations. The first opened in 1846, and a new one opened in 1849. The main station closed in 1967. A smaller railway line, the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway, also ran from Haughley to Laxfield.
During World War II, the Haughley railway junction was very important for trains in East Anglia. Because of this, it was heavily bombed. Most of the old station buildings were taken down in the 1980s.
Haughley Market
Haughley used to have a very important market, even older than the market in nearby Stowmarket. Before the Norman conquest, the market was outside the castle. After the Normans arrived, it moved to where the village green is today.
King Henry III officially allowed a Saturday market in Haughley in 1227. The market was very big and had strict rules. Traders could be fined if they tried to sell goods outside the market area.
By the 1500s, the market place was surrounded by buildings. Over time, many of the market stalls and buildings fell apart. After a big fire in 1710, the market slowly declined. In 1855, the market officially stopped, and the area became the village green we see today.
Notable People from Haughley
- Lady Eve Balfour (1898–1989) was a leader in the organic farming movement. She developed her ideas at New Bells Farm in Haughley, starting in 1939.
- John Hadfield (1907–1999) was an author. His funny novel Love on a Branch Line is thought to be inspired by the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway line from Haughley.
- Diarmaid MacCulloch (born 1951) is a famous history professor at Oxford University. He grew up in Haughley, where his father was the vicar.
Manor of Haughley
The Lord of the Manor of Haughley used to have special powers, like the right to hold trials and decide punishments. There was even a gallows (a place for hangings) near the village.
In 1878, the Manor gave up its old rights. The title of Lord of the Manor of Haughley was later held by Robin de La Lanne-Mirrlees, who some say inspired the famous character James Bond. In 1977, Geoffery Bowden bought the title and moved to Haughley to start a bed and breakfast business called Haughley House.
See also
In Spanish: Haughley para niños
