Little Bentley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Bentley |
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 Little Bentley
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| Population | 271 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | TM117257 |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Colchester |
| Postcode district | CO7 |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
Little Bentley is a small village in Essex, England. It is located in the Tendring area. The village is built on higher ground. It sits just west of a small river called the Holland Brook.
During the Second World War, soldiers often stayed near Little Bentley. There was a special control post here. This post helped manage anti-aircraft guns. These guns protected the nearby Gt Bromley radar station. Several Allied planes even had to land in a big field south of the church. This included a large American B17 bomber. The area also saw impacts from V1 flying bombs.
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Village Life and Landmarks
Little Bentley has some interesting places. One is the Hall, a large building southwest of the church. It used to be even bigger. The Hall has a big game wood. This wood is mostly made up of chestnut trees. Today, the Hall is famous for its yearly garden show. This show features beautiful water displays. These displays are fed by streams from the wood.
Ravens' Green Hamlet
About two miles from the village center is a small group of houses called Ravens' Green. Here you'll find a large house. It was once known as "the Gamekeepers." For many years, this building was a local pub.
Polo Club
Little Bentley is also home to a sports club. It is called the Little Bentley Park Polo Club. Polo is a team sport played on horseback.
St Mary the Virgin Church
The village church is named after Saint Mary. Much of the church was built a long time ago. The north side is mainly from the 13th century. The south side was built in the 17th century. It has a tall medieval tower. This tower is about 60 feet high. It also holds very old bells.
Inside the Church
The roof of the main part of the church, called the nave, is original. It is made of medieval timber. You can see rows of beams carved into angels. However, during the Civil War, Puritans cut off their heads. This was done by people like William Dowsing.
The east end of the church has three tall, narrow stained-glass windows. Between the main church area and the chancel (where the altar is), there's a small door. Other features in the walls show where a rood screen once stood. This was a special screen used before the Reformation.
Church Treasures
The church once had a large royal coat of arms. It was painted on a diamond-shaped wooden board. There was also a 16th-century helmet. These items were removed in the 1970s. They were taken to keep them safe from being stolen.
Church Bells
The tower holds five bells. Three of these bells are very old. They date back to 1599. The newest bell was made in 1625. It was created by Miles Graye of Colchester.
