Yaxley, Suffolk
| Yaxley | |
| Suffolk | |
|---|---|
 Yaxley | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TM121739 |
| Location: | 52°19’20"N, 1°6’39"E |
| Data | |
| Population: | 451 |
| Post town: | Eye |
| Postcode: | IP23 |
| Dialling code: | 01379 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Mid Suffolk |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Central Suffolk and North Ipswich |
Yaxley is a small village just west of Eye in Suffolk.
The name derives from the Old English Geacesleag, meaning means "cuckoo's clearing".
Church of St Mary
Nikolaus Pevsner said of the 12th Century Church that the north porch was 'one of the most swagger in Suffolk'. The church contains a rare survival of a mediaeval wall painting; a large doom painting.
High up on the wall above the door hangs the Sexton's Wheel, a curious survival. The Sexton's wheel is a device whereby those wishing to fast for a whole year from one of the six Lady days might choose a fast day at random by catching one of six strings attached to named spokes after the Sexton had set the wheel revolving.
Local Houses
Ashton Cottage in Church Lane, once the village school, was for many years the home of choreographer Frederick Ashton, who was born in Valley Farm House on Old Ipswich Road, until recently a property of the Henniker-Major family.
Yaxley Manor, built for John Fanner in 1520, is of timber frame construction, clad in brickwork.
Bull's Hall is named after William de Bulle, owner in 1328; the present timber-framed and jettied hall dates back to 1570.
16th century Yaxley Hall has a fanciful Gothic façade and, according to Pevsner "a composite picture" including older range with mullioned and transomed windows. Two wings burnt down in 1922. Recently, the famous haunted painting of Henrietta Nelson has returned after an absence of nearly a century.
Outside links
- Parish Council web site
- The Yaxley Messanger - local news-sheet
- Yaxley Hall
- Yaxley Church on "Suffolk Churches"
- Yaxley Doom Painting
- Shermans of Yaxley
- Sexton's Wheel
- Yaxley Manor
- Bull's Hall