St Osyth

This attractive village derives its name from St. Osyth daughter of the first Christian King of East Anglia, who was beheaded by the Danes in AD 653. The village centre is dominated by the Augustinian Priory ruins and its magnificent Gatehouse, which was completed in 1475.

The latter forms one of the finest monastic buildings in the country. The priory buildings include a 16th Century tithe barn and Bishops lodgings and are set in a landscaped park. In 1582 infamous witch trials were held in St. Osyth, and six of the accused were sentenced to death.

The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in the village centre has unusual internal red brick piers and arches.