Great Bentley

Great Bentley is probably best known for, what is reputedly the largest Village Green in England, with approximately 43 acres. The Village Green was purchased by the Parish Council on behalf of the residents of the Great Bentley in 1965 from the then Lord of the Manor.

The village has a thriving Business Centre.  There are a large number of community groups and a wide range of annual events such as a carnival, village show and drama productions that are designed to appeal to residents of all ages.

The Parish church of St Mary the Virgin dates from the mid 12^th century. The building is constructed from iron puddingstone, interspersed with some courses of septaria (limestone), and there appears also to be some Roman brick. It has a tiled roof and a crenelated square tower. The plain interior is whitewashed, with roof beams exposed. Only one window has coloured glass, which was installed in the 20th Century (1958).

The earliest parts, the nave and chancel, together with some of the windows, have been dated to circa 1130-40. The stone font is thought to date from the 13^th Century. The tower and an extension to the chancel were completed in the 14^th Century, including the porch on the north side (the current porch is 19^th Century).

In the mid 19^th Century, with an increasing congregation, various internal changes were made to accommodate more seating, and the roof was repaired. A new organ was installed in 1897, and in 1904, the false ceiling of the nave was removed to reveal the beamed roof.  There have been bells in the church since the tower was built, with 5 being recorded in 1707. The bell-ringing tradition is still strong today, with the current 8 bells being rung regularly.

For local information and accommodation details contact:
Visitor Information Centre (located within Clacton Town Hall, CO15 1SE) on 01255 686633.