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The village of Westleton

Westleton is situated some 2 miles in from the Suffolk coast, roughly mid-way between Ipswich and Lowestoft and approximately 100 miles from London.

It is set in a landscape of Outstanding Natural Beauty and within the parish lies the internationally renowned Minsmere Reserve, owned and managed by the RSPB.

Westleton Heath National Nature Reserve and parts of Dunwich Forest also lie within the parish.
The majority of the 342 inhabitants live close to the B1125 Blythburgh to Leiston road, the remainder living in scattered cottages and farmhouses in this otherwise agricultural landscape.                                     

Photo: The Wood family

The Village Hall and St Peters Church are the focal points of village activities, whilst the The Crown is the main social centre.

The parish of Westleton is bounded by the parishes of Dunwich, Darsham, Middleton cum Fordley and Theberton cum Eastbridge.

The place name Westleton (or Westledestuna as it appeared in the Domesday Book of 1086) is believed to derive from the Old Norse Vestlithi (a personal name) and Old English tun i.e. Vestlithi's homestead.

Westleton Parish Council has published its Website Accessibility Statement which can be found in the left hand column of this page. Contact the Webmaster for any questions about this site.

RSPB - Operation Turtle Dove

Let us help you help Turtle Doves! The long-term aim of Operation Turtle Dove is to deliver conservation action allowing their UK-breeding population to recover. We are working with farmers, land managers, communities and volunteers to create the right habitat conditions so these birds can thrive once more. If you live in an area which supports or has supported Turtle Doves, then the RSPB provides a free advice service, and practical help in some cases. Contact  Shirley.sampson@rspb.org.uk mobile 07803116592 Farmers, contact eliza.leat@rspb.org.uk 07395852691

If you want to find out more, please see the Operation Turtle Dove information in the Useful Information on this website.

Important Road Closure(s) - July

July will see a temporary road closure of A12 Main Road, Darsham. SIZEWELL C (Nuclear Generating Station) intends to make an order closing the A12 MAIN ROAD, DARSHAM from its junction with Westleton Road for approximately 2.7km to its junction with the A144 to facilitate works associated with the construction of the Sizewell C Northern Park and Ride. It is intended that the closure will operate Monday to Friday between 7th July to 19th July. The closure will take place between 8pm and 5am.

Some more closures that coincide with the above roadworks. The works are programmed to take place between 7pm and 5am, between the dates of Wednesday 9 July and Tuesday 16 July, on weekdays only.  During this time, the Dunwich Road, Blythburgh will be closed to ensure the safety of highway users and operatives. For the duration of the closure, traffic will be diverted via B1387, A12 and vice versa. To enable the works to be carried out as planned, it is ask that local road users please move their vehicles from the area highlighted by 'no parking' cones.

July events

The Community/Wheelbarrow Market returns on Saturday 5th July in the Village Hall Foyer. Doors open 10am until 12.30pm. Lots of local & home-made items for sale, together with bric-a-brac. Refreshments available too.

July's Westleton Film Club offering will be Bridget Jones, Mad about the boy. Film starts at 7.30pm on Saturday 5th July in the Village Hall. Doors open 7pm & tickets are £5 per person, with refreshments available.

Unfortunately, a decision has been taken to cancel the planned village picnic which was due to be held on Sunday 6th July. This is a very busy time of the year for village clubs and the selected date fell between a number of other village events making it hard for clubs and individuals to commit. For a small village, we are blessed with a large number of very active clubs, and an unintended consequence of this very positive fact is that it seemed to us that the picnic was going to be an event too far… We do though hope that there is enthusiasm for a village event in future years. Westleton Parish Council.

There will be a Bereavement Support Group on Monday 7th July at 2pm in the Village Hall Foyer. This is a safe place for those who have been bereaved to be as open as you wish about your experiences, both emotional & practical, following loss. Tea, coffee & biscuits supplied & no charge. More information from the Revd Tim Rogers, or feel to turn up.

There will be the next Men's Breakfast in the Village Hall Foyer between 8am & 9.45am on Thursday 10th July. Open to all the men of Westleton. Please do drop in for a brew & a bap & have a chat. All free of charge and no booking needed.

The Westleton Common Group will hold a nature walk on Saturday 12th July. They will meet by the Common Noticeboard at the top of Mill Street. Start time is 10.30am, finshing around 12 midday.

The 57th Annual Wildflower Festival & Craft Fair will be held on the weekend of the 26th & 27th July. A joint enterprise between St Peters Church and the Village Hall, doors will open at 12 noon & close at 5pm each day. There will be a bug hunt for the children in the churchyard, plus refreshments will be available for sale at the village hall. The craft fair will be hosted at the hall offering a range of local artisan gifts together with a plant sale too. Entry is free for both events with donations welcome that will go to both the church & hall.

August events

Saturday the 2nd August will see the Westleton Village Hall Barbeque, from 4pm at the Village hall. Tickets are £12.50 each, in advance from either the Village Foyer (when open), or the Village Stores. Full details in the link.

There will be a Bereavement Support Group on Monday 4th August at 2pm in the Village Hall Foyer. This is a safe place for those who have been bereaved to be as open as you wish about your experiences, both emotional & practical, following loss. Tea, coffee & biscuits supplied & no charge. More information from the Revd Tim Rogers, or feel to turn up.

There will be Yoga on the green throughout the month of August, hosted by Juliet Overton. Every morning 9 to 10am. Suitable for all ages & abilities. Donations welcome. Contact juiletfco@icloud.com for more information.

There will be another French-Themed evening on Saturday 16th August at 7pm. A french style menu will be delivered by James Finch, and followed by the film 'Chocolat. Tickets are £20 per person from either the Village Hall Foyer or the Village Stores. Full details on all the evening's festivities are in the link.

Local Government plans

East Suffolk Council have issued a survey for residents to complete on the Future of Suffolk. You can download a copy of the survey then follow the instructions to complete & return, or alternatively, scan the QR code below. Deadline for reply is July 25th 2025.

There is also another survey that residents can fill-in on proposed changes to public services in Local Government. Deadline for reply is August 4th 2025.