I was intrigued when I first heard that in addition to a castle ruin and splendid church, the diminutive town of Eye was also the proud owner of a 'crinkle crankle wall.
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 yet another of Suffolks towns that is well worth a visit. 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. Eye is another Suffolk location where you will find a useful ' Town Walk' located on a notice board in the towns car park.
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 also well worth visiting the remains of the castle, if only for the panoramic view of the town that spread out before you, the best view that can be enjoyed from its highest point, that of the Motte.

The 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. With the site being used during the late 1700s as the place for the towns workhouse. 

Its hard to believe given the size of the town, that once upon a time Eye had over fourteen pubs, and five beer houses. Nowadays you can partake of refreshment in the towns inn, the Queens Head. For holiday accommodation in Eye or close by visit our 'where to stay' pages which list - hotels - inns - self catering - bed and breakfast - camping and caravanning - inns and guest houses.


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.