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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Poole Harbour

Sandbanks

a Seaside Town in the county of Dorset

Old cottage in Mayfield

Mayfield

in the county of East Sussex

Pictures of Kessingland

a Seaside Town in the county of Suffolk

About Kessingland

Situated on what is popularly called 'The Sunrise Coast' this little resort town a short distance from Lowestoft was once the home of novelist Henry Rider Haggard (1856-1925). He lived at The Cliff Grange, the house he bought in 1900 following the publication of his hugely successful book King Solomon's Mines. His colourful use of the English language may have been largely responsible for the novel being later turned into a film.

The son of a country squire, Henry was eighth in a family of ten children. It is highly probable that his talent came from his mother, who was a gifted amateur writer. Following his education at a London private school, he travelled to South Africa as secretary to the Governor of Natal, Sir Henry Bulwer. Later, he was to meet Rudyard Kipling and the two became firm friends. Kipling became a frequent visitor to The Cliff Grange and could often be seen strolling the shingle beach together. At the time Rider Haggard was considered to be the better writer.

King Solomon's Mines was written some six years after Henry married heiress, Louise Margitson. The characters appearing in the book often found their way into his later stories, the material for which was drawn mainly from his own experiences of life in South Africa.and flavoured with the mysterious world of the occult.

As a result of a life spent deeply interested in agriculture, he published a book on the subject. The Poor and The Land was published in 1912, the same year that he was knighted for his services to conservation.

Today, Kessingland remains a small, enjoyable resort town that is popular with sailing enthusiasts. It thrives from tourism, offering a wide selection of holiday accommodation ranging from caravan parks to modern, friendly hotels. The wide shingle beach attracts sun bathers and swimmers; there is plenty to do and a great choice of all round family entertainments and amusements. Suffolk Wildlife and Rare Breeds Park has everything from miniature cows and horses, to lynx, leopard and Barbary ape.

For the history of the area there are excellent Museums in both Beccles and Lowestoft. The hinterland beyond the coast is of enchanting Norfolk countryside and Norwich, East Anglia's thriving capital has one of the country's grandest cathedrals. All are within easy driving distance of Kessingland.

Recommended towns & villages near Kessingland

Looking down towards Claremont from Fishermans Wharf, Lowestoft, Suffolk

Lowestoft (298 Pictures) a Seaside Town in the county of Suffolk

(4.6 miles, 7.3 km, direction N of Kessingland)

This is now a sunny holiday resort but for many years fishing played an important part in the history of the development of Lowestoft...

St. Benets R.C. Church on Grange Road, Beccles, Suffolk

Beccles (114 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of Suffolk

(6.8 miles, 10.9 km, direction W of Kessingland)

A town of picturesque buildings, with many relaxing places in which to quietly roam...

Stormy sea at Southwold

Southwold (211 Pictures) in the county of Suffolk

(6.8 miles, 10.9 km, direction S of Kessingland)

The beach here is of sand and shingle, it is safe for swimming except around the harbour entrance. The restored pier is a great attraction with an amusement arcade at the shore end...

Thatched houses in Somerleyton, Suffolk

Somerleyton (70 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Suffolk

(6.9 miles, 11.2 km, direction N of Kessingland)

Found nestling in a corner of the north-east Suffolk countryside is the charming, tranquil village of Somerleyton...

St. Andrews Church Walberswick

Walberswick (39 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Suffolk

(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction S of Kessingland)

A pretty seaside village along the Suffolk coast, sat along the mouth of the river Blyth, with the neighbouring town of Southwold 1 mile to the North. Within Walberswick there is.....

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Nearby attractions..

Lowestoft Museum

Lowestoft Museum (2 Pictures)

(3.7 miles, 5.9 km, direction N)

This pleasurable museum can be found located in Broad House, a delightful castellated building situated in Nicholas Everitt.....

View of lowestoft lighthouse across sparrows nest bowling green

Lowestoft Lighthouse (4 Pictures)

(5.3 miles, 8.6 km, direction N)

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Somerleyton Hall, Suffolk

Somerleyton Hall (13 Pictures)

(7.2 miles, 11.5 km, direction N)

Somerleyton Hall, a splendid Victorian residence of palatial proportions was the creation of Sir Morgan Peto, a clever.....

The wall of Burgh Castle Roman Fort, Burgh Castle, Norfolk

Burgh Castle Roman Fort (16 Pictures)

(11.9 miles, 19.1 km, direction N)

The ruins of Burgh Castle are in the care of English heritage, they consist of little more than the remains of impressive Roman.....

Leiston Abbey

Leiston Abbey (14 Pictures)

(14.8 miles, 23.8 km, direction S)

These are the evocative remains of an abbey founded when the order of the land was God first, followed by King and country. The.....

Castle remains

Caister Castle (8 Pictures)

(16.0 miles, 25.7 km, direction N)

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Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens, Filby, Norfolk.

Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens (29 Pictures)

(16.6 miles, 26.7 km, direction N)

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