About
Kelsale-cum-Carlton is located to the west of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Suffolk Landscape Character Assessment characterises the type of countryside surrounding the village as “rolling estate clay lands” notable for its fragmented deciduous woodland, extensive hedgerow network, small landscaped parks of eighteenth or early nineteenth century date, winding often sunken lanes and undulating landscape.
In addition to agriculture (we have 2 organic farms in the area), we also have an Industrial Estate, (Carlton Park Industrial Estate) and the village also enjoys both recognised and unrecognised nature reserves. The recognised reserve is the Simpson’s Fromus Valley which is owned by the Suffolk Flora Preservation Trust an entirely volunteer-run conservation charity, guided by the wishes of the late Francis Simpson. The Trust’s mission is to purchase land to “permanently preserve for the benefit of the public generally, especially the inhabitants of the county of Suffolk, sites of beauty or historical or ecological interest or scientific importance and in particular the natural flora of the county of Suffolk”.
The village has also won an award for setting up a community-owned energy cooperative, (Power4KcC) registered as Kelsale-cum-Carlton Community Energy Ltd.), committed to growing the local area’s green energy supply and making the benefits open to all.
In addition the village has a small village school with strong community links, set in large idyllic grounds.
Kelsale School is a happy, caring and successful school. Parents, staff and governors work together to produce a well-resourced and stimulating environment where children feel safe, secure, valued and confident.
Within the Christian ethos of the school, children are encouraged to be kind and courteous, to develop their self- respect and to demonstrate care and respect for each other and the environment around them. They believe in a ‘culture of achievement’ in which all children and staff work towards reaching the highest standards possible.