NEXT GPC MEETING IS ON WEDNESDAY 20th MAY 2026 at 6.30pm in the Village Hall
Welcome to Gestingthorpe Parish Council
The next Parish Council meeting is on
Wednesday 20th May 2026 at 6.30pm in the Village Hall
We are updating this site, please check back regularly
Welcome to the Village Information page for Gestingthorpe. This page contains information about services and amenities in this area. It has been complied by the Parish Council for use as a reference page. If there is information that you think should be included, please contact here.
About the village
Mentioned in the Domesday book of 1086, Gestingthorpe is an ancient parish in the northwestern Essex hundred of Hinckford. Situated only 3 miles south of the Stour River that defines the border of Essex with Suffolk. The remains of a Roman Villa were discovered in the parish in the 1940’s and were meticulously excavated and recorded (the tiles of which can be seen in the walls of the 14th century parish church). Bricks and tiles were made in the village for centuries up until the 1950’s when the last brickyard closed. The very fine Georgian fronted Gestingthorpe Hall was once home to the Oates family, whose famous son perished on the return journey with Scott from the Antarctic pole.
Gestingthorpe has roughly 170 homes, a pub (The Pheasant), Church (St Mary’s), Village Hall, Blacksmith’s and playing field.
OFFICE HOURS:
9am to 12 noon on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Email: clerk@gestingthorpe-pc.gov.uk
Tel: 07912 418925
DEFIBRILLATOR & VILLAGE EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SERVICE (VETS)
Dial 999 first to request an ambulance
and then if you need assistance, call the VETS number 01787 852850
Agendas, Minutes, Reports & Documents
Parish Agendas, Minutes, Reports & Document can be downloaded here.
Emergency Plan
In the event of an emergency – details of who to contact can be found here.
Village Hall
Contact information, images and details of the Village Hall can be found here.
Services/Amenities
Contact details for local services and amenities can be found here.
Neighbourhood Watch
Contacts and information to help us keep ahead of the criminals can be found here.
History Group
Details of Gestingthorpe and its residents throughout history can be found here.
Cricket Club
Links to fixtures and information about the Cricket Club can be found here.
Village Design Statement
Produced by the village for the village outlining how we would like to see the village develop.
Parish Clerk / Responsible Finance Officer to Gestingthorpe Parish Council
Shelley Rudling
Connect With Us
Village Information
VILLAGE NOTICE BOARDS:
The Parish Council Notice Board is on Church Green. This is locked and displays Parish Council news and District & County Councillor information.
There is also an unlocked notice board at the front of the Village Hall. This displays information of Village Hall information & events and posters advertising other local events. Please contact Gestingthorpe Village Hall if you would like to display an event poster on this board.
CHURCH:
St Mary the Virgin, Church Street. CO9 3BB
For service information, please visit the
Knights Hospitallers Parishes Facebook page.
FULL FIBRE BROADBAND:
County Broadband
MOBILE PHONE:
Mobile phone coverage in the village is not good. In the home, most residents rely on landline and/or WiFi calling. Outside of the home, you may get a signal on the roads through the village but nothing beyond that.
POST OFFICE:
There is no Post Office in the village. The nearest branches are at Wickham St. Paul, Castle Hedingham, Bulmer, Sible Hedingham and Great Yeldham. For opening times and services provided, please enter your post code in the branch finder here.
POST BOXES:
There are three post boxes in the village.
- At the junction with Moat Street & Hedingham Road
- On the grass verge where Church Street meets Audley End
- Just over the crossroads towards Nether Hill
COFFEE MORNING:
Coffee Mornings are held fortnightly on Fridays from 10 to 12 in Gestingthorpe Village Hall. Tea, Coffee & Homemade Cake £3.00. Cash Only. The next Coffee Morning date is posted on the Village Hall Notice Board or to the Village Facebook page.
BOOK EXCHANGE:
There is a good selection of books available in the Village Hall. Bring a book to exchange for a new one or buy one for £1. The Book Exchange is open during Coffee Morning and other dates as advised.
VILLAGE FITNESS:
There are several classes held during the week both on the playing field and in the Village Hall, including a Cardio Bootcamp, Bounce/Rebound, Seated Fitness, Strength & conditioning and Wiggle & Giggle (dance). More details here
WASTE COLLECTION:
For information on bins & recycling, visit Braintree District Council.
RECYCLING CENTRES (Must be pre-booked):
Springwood Drive, Braintree CM7 2YN
Perry Road, Witham CM8 3YZ
Sandy Lane, Sudbury CO10 7HG
LOCAL TRADES:
Please support local trades & services. Please see the advertisers in the monthly Parish News.
LIBRARY SERVICES:
The Mobile Library Service visits villages and communities around Essex. It stops in Gestingthorpe on Church Street by the Playing Field every three weeks on a Wednesday from 12.30pm to 1.00pm.
For the next date see here.
HEATING OIL:
The Oil Club
ESSEX ENERGY SWITCH:
For savings on gas & electric bills, Essex Energy Switch
WATER:
To check on or report an issue visit Anglian Water
ELECTRICITY:
To search, track or report a Power cut or to receive notifications on future power cuts, visit UK Power Networks.
FLOODING:
To see the current flood warnings, view river and sea levels or check the 5-day flood risk forecast, visit the UK Government Check for Flooding Service or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188.
THE PHEASANT PUBLIC HOUSE & RESTAURANT:
Audley End, CO9 3AU
Our Village pub serving drinks, food and with accommodation. Open daily from Noon to 11pm Monday to Sunday.
Phone: 07187 465010
www.thepheasant.net
VILLAGE FACEBOOK PAGES:
Gestingthorpe Parish Council
Gestingthorpe Village Hall
VILLAGE FACEBOOK GROUPS:
Gestingthorpe Village
Gestingthorpe Neighbourhood Watch
Gestingthorpe Cricket Club
Gestingthorpe History Group
Gestingthorpe Pottery
Gestingthorpe Gardening and Natural History Group
Parish News – The Maplesteads, Gestingthorpe & Pebmarsh
