Coddenham

Introduction

Coddenham was the site of the county's largest Roman settlement, Combretonium, which stood on the east bank of the Gipping, close to where Baylham Mill now stands. As well as the settlement, there were also two Roman forts nearby. Later, it was a Saxon fort, and a trade and administrative centre. Today it has many attractive 15th century buildings along the main street.

The village was recorded in Domesday variously as "Codenham, "Kodeham" and "Codeham". It appears on John Speed's 1610 map as "Codnham".

Evidence has been found for a late Iron Age or early Roman settlement and field system in the Shrubland Park Estate. Another settlement, mainly 1st century Romano-British, was found at Valley Farm during excavations between 1988 and 1990. There was a large post mill a short distance behind the pub, built in 1810 but demolished in 1909. Lime Kiln Farm (on the Needham Road) is near an 18th or 19th century lime kiln which was some 6m in diameter and 2.5m high.

Coddenham Astronomical Observatory, run by Tom Bowles, was used to search for supernovae and has discovered a large number of them. Tom has since retired from active observations.

Gallery

Acknowledgements

Some historical information from English Heritage's National Monuments Record.