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A visitors guide to the inland historic Market Town of Eye in
Suffolk. Eye is another Suffolk location where you will find a
useful 'Town Walk' located on a notice board in the towns car park and
can also pick up a booklet entitled 'Cycling around Eye'. Eye has many
interesting architectural houses, with interesting histories attached.
The attractive church of St. Peter and St. Paul with its one hundred
foot tower was once described as one of the wonders of Suffolk, and
certainly lives up to the title. Inside you will find many fine restored
medieval features.
Its hard to believe given the size of the town, that
once upon a time Eye had over fourteen pubs, and five beer houses. For
eateries try the local pub/inn The Queens Head in Eye a traditional
English country pub dating back to the 16th Century. Serving good
old-fashioned English pub food, all of which is home cooked with locally
sourced produce. Eye has a number of shops including a local
supermarket.
Eye castle was built back in the 11th century by one William Malet, and
was attacked on more than one occasion by such personages as Hugh Bigod.
Unfortunately it eventually fell into disrepair, and records of the late
1300s list it as being considered 'worthless'. During the early 1600s
there is even reference to it being pulled down, the site was used
during the late 1700s as the towns workhouse. It's well worth
visiting the remains of the castle, if only for the panoramic view of
the town that spreads out before you, the best view is from its highest
point the Motte.
For Holiday Accommodation in Eye Suffolk - Self Catering - Holiday
Cottages and Bed and Breakfast check out our Eye Holiday Accommodation
Pages.
The old English word for island was 'eye' and had you visited the town
in those distant days you would have found a place surrounded by water
and marshes. Nowadays there is no need to get your feet wet to visit the
town unless of course the weather forecast is for rain.
Eye is also the proud owner of a 'crinkle crankle
wall. The crinkle crankle wall can be found out on Lambseth Street. It
is also sometimes known as the serpentine wall which becomes clear when
you see it. This type of wall is built for strength and the conservation
of materials, as it is only one brick thick, yet its unusual curve
ensures that it is strong, as well as 'eye' catching.
 The
tower of the Town Hall used to be a high level
lock up for criminals, so make certain you behave yourselves!
 In
Lambseth Street is the 17th century Linden House with
its impressive brick frontage. This used to be the home of six sisters.
One of these sisters - Margaret Thompson campaigned for votes for women
and was a suffragette. Margaret was imprisoned on a number of occasions
for her activities in the suffragette movement. She even shared a cell
with Emily Pankhurst one of the founders of the movement. |
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