Introduction

Situated about 20 miles northeast of the county town of Ipswich in east Suffolk, Great Glemham is a small village of 213 people (1991 Census). Surrounded by rolling fields and interspersed by woodland, the village is typical of rural Suffolk’s quiet, peaceful nature. The village has changed considerably over the last 50 years, with many people from beyond Suffolk choosing to make it their home, and several new houses built. Though it no longer has its own shop or school, Great Glemham remains a thriving community, with the pub at the centre of village life and several businesses operating from within the parish. With good access to main roads and rail links, and a network of small towns surrounding it, the village remains a very attractive place in which to live and work.

The poet George Crabbe (1754-1832) lived at Glemham House in Great Glemham, and his son, George Crabbe Jr, gave an account of the family life here. George Sr had become curate of Great Glemham and Sweffling, and substantial parts of his income were the royalties from his published poems.
In his biography of George Crabbe, the poet's son writes:

"... And never can I cease to look back to my days at Glemham as the golden spot of my existence... the associations of our happiest years are all with Glemham and Glemham itself is, and ever will be, the Alhambre of my imagination".

OFFICIAL PARISH COUNCIL SITE