Kessingland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kessingland |
|
|---|---|
 The coastline at Kessingland |
|
 Kessingland
|
|
| Area | 7 km2 (2.7 sq mi) |
| Population | 4,327 (2011) |
| • Density | 618/km2 (1,600/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | TM525865 |
| District |
|
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Lowestoft |
| Postcode district | NR33 |
| Dialling code | 01502 |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament |
|
Kessingland is a village and civil parish in Suffolk, England. It is found on the east coast of the United Kingdom, about 4 miles (6.4 km) south of Lowestoft. This area is special for archaeologists because tools from the Palaeolithic (Old Stone Age) and Neolithic (New Stone Age) times have been discovered here. There are even remains of an old forest hidden under the sea!
The parish had a population of 4,327 people in 2011. It stretches from the Pontins holiday park in the north to the Hundred River in the south. The main A12 road goes through the parish, but it bypasses the main part of the village.
Contents
History of Kessingland
People have lived in Kessingland since the Stone Age. Long ago, there was a large estuary (where a river meets the sea) between the Hundred River and Latmer Dam. This estuary was used by Vikings and Romans.
The sea was very important for the village's income. At one time, Kessingland had to pay its lords 22,000 herrings as rent. This made Kessingland more important than nearby Lowestoft back then.
Kessingland in the Domesday Book
The Domesday Book of 1086 mentions Kessingland. This book was a huge survey ordered by William the Conqueror after the Norman Conquest. It recorded who owned land and what was on it.
The Domesday Book says: "Kessingalanda / gelanda: King's land, kept by Roger Bigot; Earl Hugh and Hugh FitzNorman from him; Hugh de Montfort Mill (100 herrings). 43 pigs." Roger Bigod was a Norman Knight who came to England during the Norman Conquest.
Kessingland During World War II
During the early part of World War II, Kessingland had special defenses. These included anti-tank barriers and gun batteries. They helped protect the coastline and the south of Lowestoft from invasion.
After 1942, the risk of invasion went down. So, the defenses were reduced. However, when V1 flying bombs (also known as doodlebugs) started to be used, the focus shifted to anti-aircraft defenses.
Village Growth and Development
For a long time, Kessingland was made up of two separate areas: the "beach" and the "street." It wasn't until the 1960s that new houses connected these two parts. This created one single community.
The village has a population of just over 4,000 people. However, this number can double during holidays. Many tourists come to stay in the chalets and holiday villages in the area.
Protecting Nature in Kessingland
The Suffolk Coast and Heaths area was named an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1970. This means it's a special place with beautiful landscapes that are protected. The Suffolk Coasts and Heath Project works on many conservation projects to keep the area healthy.
St Edmund's Church
St Edmund's church in Kessingland is one of the best churches in the region. It has a tall tower, about 98 feet (30 meters) high. The church was built around 1436 for the Franciscans of London.
The tower was built to be a beacon for ships at sea, like many churches along the coast. Most of the church's medieval (Middle Ages) structure is still the tower. Other parts have been rebuilt over the centuries. Renovations continue today, and a new window by Nicola Kantorowicz was added in 2007.
How Kessingland is Governed
Kessingland has its own electoral ward. This ward is a local area used for elections. It also includes the nearby village of Gisleham. In 2011, the total population of this ward was 5,105 people.
Features of Kessingland Village
Kessingland has several interesting places to visit. It is home to a Parkdean Resorts holiday park. This park has caravans, chalets, and fun leisure facilities. These facilities are open to everyone, not just people staying at the park. There are also other independent holiday parks.
You can find a small tearooms in a refurbished beach hut. It's right next to a children's playground and a fish and chip shop. Kessingland is also home to Africa Alive, an African-themed zoo. And, of course, the village has its historic medieval church.
Connections to the Arts
Kessingland has inspired many artists and writers.
Sir H. Rider Haggard and the Sea Serpent
Sir H. Rider Haggard was a famous author, known for books like King Solomon’s Mines. He was born in Bradenham, but he spent his summers in Kessingland. He lived in a cliff-top house called The Grange, which is now gone. A local road, Rider Haggard Lane, is named after him.
His friend, the famous writer Rudyard Kipling, even visited him here. In 1912, Haggard's daughter, Lillias, wrote a letter describing something amazing. She said she saw a sea serpent off the coast of Kessingland! She wrote that it looked like a "thin, dark line with a blob at one end, shooting through the water at such a terrific speed." She thought it was about 60 feet (18 meters) long. This letter was later printed in the Eastern Daily Press newspaper.
H. Rider Haggard also tried an experiment to protect his property from the North Sea and strong winds. He sloped the cliff edge and planted marram grass on it. This experiment worked well, and the slope actually grew taller instead of shrinking.
Other Artistic Connections
Hardwicke Knight, a respected social history photographer, visited Kessingland in the 1950s. He took many vivid 35 mm Kodachrome slide images. These photos show different parts of the village from that time.
German writer W. G. Sebald wrote about Kessingland in his book The Rings of Saturn. He described the fishermen on Kessingland beach. He said they looked like "the last stragglers of some nomadic people" waiting for a miracle. He also mentioned nearby places like Benacre, Lowestoft, and Covehithe.
The horror writer Joseph Freeman lived in Kessingland from 2000 to 2009. He even set some of his stories there. His novel Vermilion Dawn takes place in a village called Freshfield, which has many landmarks found in Kessingland.
BBC Radio 4's Jan Zalasiewicz recorded a program about geology on Kessingland's stony beach. This shows how interesting the natural environment of the village is.
Fashion historian and television presenter Amber Butchart is also from Kessingland.
See also
In Spanish: Kessingland para niños
