With a population of just 5,400 residents, the town of Leiston has plenty to offer.

Steeped in fascinating history, the town is famous for its industrial heritage, primarily as the home of the world famous Garrett works – one of Great Britain’s finest agricultural and steam engine production lines, opened in 1852 and celebrated today at the town’s Long Shop Museum.

Located in peaceful open fields, on the outskirts of town, the striking and impressive ruins of the 14th century, Leiston Abbey can be visited for free at any time. Owned by English Heritage, the Abbey is one of Suffolk’s most impressive monastic ruins and is home to Pro Corda, a music organisation, providing education through the medium of chamber music.

Leiston is a interesting town, proud of its working class roots, where residents take time to chat in the bustling high street of useful, independent traders, where almost anything can be found, making the town a regular haven for local shoppers. The town also has a large, centrally located supermarket, offering free car parking.

Leiston features a variety of eateries, including award winning delicatessens, cafes, Chinese and Indian cuisine as well as delicious traditional fish and chips, with various menus of home cooked food and fine Suffolk ales also offered by the numerous public houses in and around the town.

Leiston is also the home of Suffolk’s oldest purpose built cinema, opened in 1914. Saved from closure by the Town Council in 1976, the versatile Leiston Film Theatre screens the latest films and is equipped with digital sound, digital projection and even 3D cinema – an absolute must for anyone visiting the area.

Surrounded by an array of charming villages, from sleepy hamlets to quirky resorts, Leiston and district boasts many popular attractions worthy of day out in this somewhat undiscovered corner of the Suffolk countryside.