Hessett, Suffolk

Hessett

Hessett today is a small rural village located c. 6 miles south-east of Bury St Edmunds at 64-69m OD. The northern, lower-lying, end of the present (and 19th century) village takes the form of a linear settlement along a single central north-south-oriented street with a church in the centre on the east side. The southern end of the village is around 5m higher and arranged around a former small rectangular green (bisected by the road) whose lines are clearly visible on the first edition Ordnance Survey 6" map, and survive today as sharply cut ditches. There are several farms of at least pre-Victorian date in, or within 500m of, the village, some of which are associated with moats. Two other deserted moated sites also lie within 500m of the main village street.