Westleton Village

The Village

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 Crown Inn 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.

Events

The Village hosts of plethora of events every month, details of which can be found within the latest Yoxmere Fisherman magazine. The Village Hall is at the heart of most activities with a full listing advertised on their Facebook page. In addition, the Village hall has an events diary which you can access detailing the activities of the various groups that use the hall each month.

New Years Day Fireworks & Bonfire

Westleton Parish Council will be holding their annual Bonfire & Fireworks display on January 1st 2026.

Village Hall will be open for refreshments from 5pm, with the procession departing at 6pm and making its way up to the bonfire on the Common. Marshalls will be in attendance to escort every one with a Warrior Fire Engine in attendance to keep us all safe! Fireworks commence at 6.30pm approximately. The Village Hall will be open again after the fireworks for mulled wine & bacon rolls. A 50/50 draw will also be drawn upon return to the hall. Stout foot wear & a torch are strongly advised.

Nick Shearme (Fireworks Advisory Commitee Group)

Help Needed

Your help is needed for the Bonfire & Fireworks event on New Years Day in the Village Hall. Volunteers are needed from 5pm to serve teas, hot food, mulled wine, & run the 50/50 raffle. Help is also needed before and after the event with the set-up & clearance. If you can spare some time please call call Nick Shearme on 07876335567 or email nick@gardenend.co.uk

Thank you. Nick Shearme

Latest news

News update from the Parish Council Chairman. Following a very successful and well attended meeting, plans are now moving ahead to establish the village allotments. Many thanks to all who attended. Plots are still available if others are interested. Please email the Clerk, Richard Green.

Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting to discuss the Future of the White Horse. In case you were unable to attend, the slides presented during the meeting are available under the 'News Archive' on the Parish Council page, and a form is available in the shop to commit to actions to prevent the possible closure of the pub.

Following two demonstrations and press coverage, Sizewell C has decided not to fell five oak trees on the B1125 south of Middleton and is reviewing its plans for the extension of the B1125 to the planned Sizewell Link Road along with the need to fell two more oak trees.

The Planning Inspectorate Examination of the Sealink project will begin on the 5th of November. Westleton PC will present its concerns about the additional traffic and the destruction of the local environment resulting from the cable trenching and the construction of large industrial buildings completely disproportionate to the environment. We will further stress concerns about the impacts of the project on our residents and their quality of life and about the damage to the tourism industry.