Babergh

Babergh (pronounced /ˈbeɪbər/, BAY-bər) is a local government district in Suffolk, England. Its council headquarters is based in Hadleigh, whilst its largest town is Sudbury.

The district was formed on 1 April 1974 by the merger of the Borough of Sudbury, Hadleigh urban district, Cosford Rural District, Melford Rural District and Samford Rural District. The district did not have one party of councillors (nor a formal coalition of parties) exercising overall control until 2015.

Babergh has a population of roughly 85,000 and covers an area of approximately 230 square miles (600 km²).

It is named after the old Babergh hundred, referred to in the Domesday Book. The southern boundary of the district is marked almost exclusively by the River Stour, which also forms the border with Essex, and it is separated from Suffolk Coastal by the River Orwell. Primarily a rural area, Babergh contains two towns of notable size: Sudbury and the administrative centre, Hadleigh.

'Constable Country' is cognate with a large tract of Babergh: drawing visitors to the conservation area Dedham Vale and the well-preserved villages of Long Melford, Lavenham and Kersey for painting, agricultural and architectural history, produce such as fruit, vegetables, cider, cheese and meat, shops, accommodation, restaurants and tea rooms.

Babergh Hundred

Babergh was a hundred of Suffolk, consisting of 71,882 acres (290.90 km²). Its name survives in that of Babergh, the local government district of southern Suffolk that includes the former hundred as well as those of Cosford and Samford.

It consisted of the land to the north, east and south east of Sudbury, the hundred's largest town, and its southern boundary forms the border with Essex. The majority of the land is rural.

It was listed as Baberga in the Domesday Book and the name is believed to mean "Mound of a man called Babba".

The name derives from Babergh Heath, an area of land around the villages of Great and Little Waldingfield. The village of Great Waldingfield is home to Babergh Hall, the ancient meeting place of the hundred.

Parishes

Babergh Hundred consisted of the following 33 parishes:

References

Coordinates: 52°04′N 0°47′E / 52.06°N 0.79°E / 52.06; 0.79