Nacton

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Nacton is a village in the Suffolk Coastal region of East Anglia, England bounded by the neighbouring parishes of Levington to the east and Bucklesham in the north. It is located between the towns of Ipswich and Felixstowe.

Nacton abuts the River Orwell opposite the village of Pin Mill. River side features covered by this parish are (from east to west) Buttermans Bay, Potter's Point, Downham Reach, Mulberry Middle and Pond Oose.

The village public house is currently the Shepherd and Dog located on the A1156 road on the far northern edge of the parish.

The original public house, The Anchor, was located in the centre of the village. This was closed by order of a local dignitary during the Great War (1914-18). Local legend has it that the wife of the main landowner was accosted by a group of somewhat happy members of the soldiery while riding her horse and invited in for a drink. Being of good character, she declined but her husband, Mr Tomlin MP, was somewhat less happy and decided the place should be closed.

Nacton's most famous inhabitant was probably Margaret Catchpole who became legendary in the 19th century. This followed the publication of 'The History Of Margaret Catchpole: A Suffolk Girl' by Richard Cobbold first published in 1845. It is a classic story of young girl falling in love with a villain (a smuggler called Will Laud) and suffering the consequences. She stole her employer's horse and rode to London to be with Laud. She was convicted of theft and sentenced to death, but managed to escape. She was however later recaptured and transported to Australia for life.

Other famous residents include Philip Broke and Edward Vernon, both naval heroes.

Nacton parish is the mother for the villages of Levington and Bucklesham and was sufficiently large to have a work house. This is now used by Amberfield School as their main building. The more adventurous explorer can find the old burial ground opposite the entrance to lane leading down to the school.

Nacton's name was used as a word coined by Douglas Adams to describe the letter 'N' when inserted between two other words as an abbreviation for 'and', such as in Rock 'N' Roll, and Fish 'N' Chips.

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