Borley

Settlement in Essex Braintree

England

Borley

B1064 Rodbridge Hill enters Long Melford
B1064 Rodbridge Hill enters Long Melford Credit: Robin Webster

Borley is a small village located in the county of Essex, England. Situated near the border with Suffolk, it lies approximately 2 miles south of the town of Sudbury. With a population of around 400 people, Borley is known for its picturesque rural setting and historic landmarks.

One of the most notable features of Borley is its church, the Church of St. Mary. Dating back to the 14th century, this Grade I listed building is renowned for its impressive architecture, including a Norman tower and beautiful stained glass windows. The churchyard is also said to be the resting place of various historical figures, adding to its appeal for history enthusiasts.

Borley is often associated with the infamous Borley Rectory, which was once dubbed "the most haunted house in England." The rectory, built in 1863, gained a reputation for paranormal activity and ghostly sightings, attracting attention from researchers and investigators. Unfortunately, the building was destroyed by fire in 1939, leaving only ruins behind.

The village itself offers a peaceful and idyllic atmosphere, with charming cottages and scenic countryside views. It is surrounded by rolling hills, farmlands, and patches of woodland, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and hikers. The nearby River Stour provides opportunities for outdoor activities such as fishing and boating.

Overall, Borley, Essex, offers a blend of history, natural beauty, and a touch of mystery, making it an intriguing destination for visitors and a cherished home for its residents.

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Borley Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.055615/0.688512 or Grid Reference TL8443. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

B1064 Rodbridge Hill enters Long Melford
B1064 Rodbridge Hill enters Long Melford
Station Road, Long Melford – 1971 It seems likely that the long row of very urban-looking cottages were built for workers at the large neighbouring maltings <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4076653" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4076653">Link</a> .

Theobald's Coaches were based in the village and ran a local bus service between Bury St Edmunds and Sudbury. Like many small bus operators they relied on second hand purchases, the bus seen here being an AEC Regent V with Metro-Cammell body, new to Halifax Corporation in 1960.

This is one of a series of views featuring buses in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=137652761" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=137652761">Link</a>
Station Road, Long Melford – 1971
It seems likely that the long row of very urban-looking cottages were built for workers at the large neighbouring maltings Link . Theobald's Coaches were based in the village and ran a local bus service between Bury St Edmunds and Sudbury. Like many small bus operators they relied on second hand purchases, the bus seen here being an AEC Regent V with Metro-Cammell body, new to Halifax Corporation in 1960. This is one of a series of views featuring buses in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Link
The Former Long Melford Maltings In about 1979 I went on a guided tour of the Maltings when it was still in operation. My abiding memory is seeing the malting's moggie chasing mice across the sprouting barley on the malting room  floor! It didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying a bottle of "Ben Truman Export" shipped down from London's <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7049349">TQ3382 : Black Eagle Brewery</a> in Brick Lane that very morning.
The Former Long Melford Maltings
In about 1979 I went on a guided tour of the Maltings when it was still in operation. My abiding memory is seeing the malting's moggie chasing mice across the sprouting barley on the malting room floor! It didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying a bottle of "Ben Truman Export" shipped down from London's TQ3382 : Black Eagle Brewery in Brick Lane that very morning.
Old Railway Bridge Over the River Stour A forlorn looking piece of "Beechinged" railway infrastructure on the Stour Valley Line <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stour_Valley_Railway" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stour_Valley_Railway">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> . The river marks the Essex Suffolk boundary.
Old Railway Bridge Over the River Stour
A forlorn looking piece of "Beechinged" railway infrastructure on the Stour Valley Line LinkExternal link . The river marks the Essex Suffolk boundary.
Rod Bridge on Borley Road This is the 1911 Bridge, see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6049728">TL8543 : Old Bridge Marker on Rod Bridge, Borley Road, Foxearth parish</a>. The weight of the traffic is actually taken by a more modern construction inside the older structure. 
See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7470482">TL8543 : A Bridge Over Rod Bridge</a>.
Rod Bridge on Borley Road
This is the 1911 Bridge, see TL8543 : Old Bridge Marker on Rod Bridge, Borley Road, Foxearth parish. The weight of the traffic is actually taken by a more modern construction inside the older structure. See TL8543 : A Bridge Over Rod Bridge.
A Bridge Over Rod Bridge This is the remedial span that takes the strain off of the old 1911 <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7470475">TL8543 : Rod Bridge on Borley Road</a> that can't take the weight of modern traffic.
A Bridge Over Rod Bridge
This is the remedial span that takes the strain off of the old 1911 TL8543 : Rod Bridge on Borley Road that can't take the weight of modern traffic.
Pond in Melford Country Park This is a worked out sand pit dug to provide sand and gravel for the construction of numerous WW2 airfields around here. It is now part of Long Melford Country Park <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/attractions/long-melford-country-park-5758d4e6" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/attractions/long-melford-country-park-5758d4e6">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Pond in Melford Country Park
This is a worked out sand pit dug to provide sand and gravel for the construction of numerous WW2 airfields around here. It is now part of Long Melford Country Park LinkExternal link
Old Gatepost and Stour Valley Path A lichen covered concrete gatepost on the old Stour Valley Railway <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stour_Valley_Railway" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stour_Valley_Railway">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>  . It is part of the Stour Valley Path <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Stour+Valley+Path+%28East+Anglia%29" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Stour+Valley+Path+%28East+Anglia%29">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> and the National Cycle Network .
Old Gatepost and Stour Valley Path
A lichen covered concrete gatepost on the old Stour Valley Railway LinkExternal link . It is part of the Stour Valley Path LinkExternal link and the National Cycle Network .
Stour Valley Walk Near Borley Hall Taken Looking towards Sudbury.
Stour Valley Walk Near Borley Hall
Taken Looking towards Sudbury.
Towards Brundon Heading for Sudbury on the Stour Valley Path.
Towards Brundon
Heading for Sudbury on the Stour Valley Path.
Bridgeworks on the Old Railway Repairs in progress on the Stour Valley Path. This was once part of the Stour Valley Railway <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stour_Valley_Railway" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stour_Valley_Railway">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Bridgeworks on the Old Railway
Repairs in progress on the Stour Valley Path. This was once part of the Stour Valley Railway LinkExternal link
A fork in the Trail The old bridleway to Sudbury is the left hand fork and the dismantled railway goes to the right.
A fork in the Trail
The old bridleway to Sudbury is the left hand fork and the dismantled railway goes to the right.
Bridleway to Bardfield Bridge This is the bridleway from Brundon to Bardfield Bridge.
Bridleway to Bardfield Bridge
This is the bridleway from Brundon to Bardfield Bridge.
Brundon to Bardfield Bridge Bridleway
Brundon to Bardfield Bridge Bridleway
Belchamp Brook Looking upstream
Belchamp Brook
Looking upstream
Bardfield Bridge Gauging Station Looking down stream on <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7470537">TL8542 : Belchamp Brook</a>
Bardfield Bridge Gauging Station
Looking down stream on TL8542 : Belchamp Brook
Show me another place!

Borley is located at Grid Ref: TL8443 (Lat: 52.055615, Lng: 0.688512)

Administrative County: Essex

District: Braintree

Police Authority: Essex

What 3 Words

///loser.molars.array. Near Long Melford, Suffolk

Nearby Locations

Borley

Related Wikis

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Borley Church is the parish church in Borley, Essex. The church is in the ecclesiastical parish of Borley and Liston, one of the Fifteen Churches of the...

Borley Rectory

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Long Melford railway station

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 52.055615,0.688512
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 52.0594768/0.6856694
Borley
Place: hamlet
Lat/Long: 52.055484/0.6922172
Waste Basket
Lat/Long: 52.0548263/0.6937502
Defibrillator
Access: yes
Defibrillator Location: on left hand wall of garage at front under car port
Emergency: defibrillator
Indoor: no
Lat/Long: 52.0561304/0.688202
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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