Hacheston: Roman History and Building History

The themes to explore during a stay in Hacheston range from the Roman settlement and the Church of All Saints to the architectural and landscape history of Glevering Hall, Glevering Mill and Glevering Park. For you as a traveller, this variety provides a basis for planning your stay around your interests: archaeological history, religious architecture or historic buildings and parkland design. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Hacheston, you can decide in advance which themes you want to shape your stay.

Church and Mausoleum

Two clearly dated building phases can be distinguished at the Church of All Saints. The north doorway dates from the 12th century, while the single-aisle hammerbeam roof, with six bays, dates from the 15th century. “Single-aisle” describes a floor plan with one nave; the six bays divide the roof into structural sections. This means that a 12th-century doorway and a 15th-century roof structure stand side by side in the same building.

The mausoleum lies 25 metres north of the church. It is considered to be of special national interest because of its age, intact condition and architectural detailing. The church and mausoleum therefore offer two different perspectives on the built heritage: the datable building phases of a religious building and a monument of significance for its age, state of preservation and design.

Roman Settlement and Medieval Building Phases

The large Roman settlement in Hacheston included buildings and pottery kilns. Pottery was made in the kilns, and iron was also worked. Together, the buildings, pottery production and ironworking provide a picture of building and craft activities. Compared with the north doorway from the 12th century and the roof from the 15th century, the Roman settlement belongs to a much earlier period.

The Roman settlement and the medieval building elements therefore tell different stories: one focuses on buildings and production, the other on the datable building phases of a church. This distinction helps you consider the archaeological history of the settlement and the later architecture as separate topics.

Glevering Hall, Park and Mill

The construction and extension of Glevering Hall should be understood as separate events. John White the elder built the house from 1786 to 1794, probably for Andrew Arcedeckne. Decimus Burton extended it in 1834–1835. The later dates therefore refer to the extension, not the original construction.

Glevering Park also has its own date: Humphrey Repton laid it out in 1791 for Chaloner Arcedeckne on former fields. The year 1791 relates to the park; the dates given for the house concern its construction and later extension. This allows the building history of the house and the transformation of former fields into parkland to be considered as separate aspects.

The main range of Glevering Mill probably dates from the 17th century. At the former mill, a waterwheel pumped water to Glevering Hall. This former function adds a concrete connection between the mill and the house to the building history. Glevering Hall is still used as a private residence. If you are considering a possible visit, check access in advance.

Walking in Hacheston

A designated walking route passes through the village of Hacheston. Before setting out, check whether the route is currently available. Unlike the building and settlement topics, this focuses on a specific walk as an activity; the other topics concern historic building phases and former uses.

Discover more destinations: Shotley, Aldeburgh, Westleton, Finningham, Risby, Copdock, Brandon, Bury Saint Edmunds

For the overview of the wider region: Suffolk.