Eye

The small market town of Eye lies on the River Dove in the county of Suffolk and would once have been surrounded by water and marsh; the word ‘eye’ meaning island in Old English. There are impressive, historic building here and the Town Hall is a prime example; built in 1857 it is striking, not for it size but because it is a rare Italianate design, with a clock tower that was used to jail local criminals. The church of St. Peter and St. Paul and the Castle were built on higher ground, with the Church dating from 1470 and Eye’s Castle, built after 1066 by William Malet, the first Lord of Eye. The castle became a prison in the early 13th century and remained so until the 17th; the motte where a tower once stood is still visible today.

The unique and attractive mix of architectural styles and building materials all condensed into this small town combine red brick façades, timber framed houses and more modern structures. The Eye Country Market continues in the main square on Wednesdays and there is ample shopping in the independent shops here too and a choice of traditional pubs, eateries and historic sites. The town celebrates each August Bank Holiday with the annual Eye Show and Country Fair that is a colourful and vibrant event in the local calendar.

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