Sotterley

the village in England

Sotterley Hall remains at the centre of the parish which now has very few basic services. A saw mill operates in the village, often making use of wood from the of mixed woodland managed by the Sotterley estate.

At the Domesday Survey in 1086 Sotterley was known as Soterlega and was part of the estate of Earl Hugh of Chester in Wangford Hundred. The village had a population of about 21 households and was held by Mundred the Sheriff who also held the lost village of Croscroft in Wangford Hundred. Sotterley was held by Roger de Soterley in 1242 and continued in the family until about 1470 when it was confiscated due to the family's involvement in a rebellion led by the Earl of Warwick during the Wars of the Roses. Notable members of the Barne family to have lived at Sotterley include Frederick Barne, M. P. for the rotten borough of Dunwich at the time of the 1832 Reform Act, his son Frederick St John Newdigate Barne, M. P. for East Suffolk from 1876 to 1885 and his son Michael Barne, Royal Navy officer and the last surviving member of the 1901–04 Discovery Expedition to Antarctica.

Sotterley lies on an area of clay plateau in a wider area averaging between 20 and 25 metres above sea level. The underlying rock is crag sand with overlying glacial till deposits and clay soils. The population remained reasonably steady throughout the 19th century and stood at 221 in 1901, at which time the village school had an average attendance of 80 children. Regional Cycle Route 31, from Reedham to Southwold, passes through the village. Sotterley school, which was built in 1873 to replace a parochial school built in 1840 and supported by charitable contributions, closed in 1971. Children now attend primary school in Brampton and high school in Beccles.

Sotterley Estate is centred on a Georgian mansion house built in 1744, Sotterley Hall, overlooking a lake. A number of associated buildings close to the hall, including stables, a water tower and cowsheds, are grade II listed buildings. The estate surrounding the house, Sotterley Park, was laid out in the 18th century and includes some ancient semi natural woodland including pollarded oak trees and trees of significant size and age. It is believed to have previously been a medieval deer park. The estate has been used as a film and TV location.

The parish church, a Grade I listed building with many medieval elements, is located on the Sotterley estate and is dedicated to St Margaret. Access by vehicle is limited to the times of services. The church has more figure brasses than any other in Suffolk as well as medieval glasswork and a carved oak rood screen. The roll of honour in the church records that 15 men from Sotterley died during World War I, including two Barnes. The brick built chapel is a Grade II listed building which may have been designed by Sir Arthur Blomfield. Each face of the building has a gothic window. The chapel was threatened with demolition but is now owned by the parish council and restoration was begun in 2007 by the Sotterley Chapel Preservation Trust.