Would be interested in getting in touch with Anthony de freston frsa as my mothers name is Freston and I have the family tree in my possession which goes back to Altofts in 1461 and more recently Mendham and Needham from 1616. I would be interested in finding a link. Our branch seems to have left the area in about 1800. tomdrussell@btinternet.com

Hello, My brother and I used to regularly walk around the tower in the late 60's and early 70's, whilst taking our dog for a walk. During this time the tower was owned by someone who used to use as a holiday home. He used to drive an E-Type Jaguar. Very flash! Anyway, one evening, and it was a Thursday since we were in a hurry to get back to watch Top of the Pops, he stoped by and asked if we wanted to look in side the tower. Wow!!! Yes, we sure did. I was very young maybe 7 or 8 and remember very little of the visit but thought the view fromm the top fantastic. If you are out there E Type man, we thought you very cool and thank you for asking us to look inside the tower - a childhood memory that will live forever. histonmj@yahoo.co.uk

According to the Landmark Trust, open days for Freston Tower in 2006 will be 16 to 19 May and 8 to 12 September.

allawe wish to advise who so ever it may concern that the tower was built by our family. we are the main freston family recorded in the college of arms in london. we spell our name in several forms such as with an e ie freston or with an i friston. also with de for of. you shall find us at all saints church mendham and needham. we used to own the towns of friston and freston in norfolk and suffolk and in yorkshire. i have four children one richard lives at harleston in norfolk. his name is richard plantagenet michael mendham de freston ba. his www.artwheel.et

Hello,i will do a referat about this tower!i'am pleased if you could send me a few details on Tobisbong@gmx.net !
Thanks very much!!!

Ed. I see I've just missed the recent opening day's, do you know when the next will be. I was looking on the net at old maps, do you know what the story is of the Roman Coins that were found in Freston

I have over my desk a framed issue of The Ipswich Journal or the Weekly-Mercury d.d 4 April 1730. On the last page there is an advert as follows:
      To be lett ready Furnifed,
      The Mansion houfe called Frefton Tower,three miles of Ipfwich(details of accomodation etc. are listed)
      I have used f for the old s.
      If you don't have details already,I would be pleased to send them on.
         Email caphillips4@hotmail.co.uk

We live in Buenos Aires Argentina. We are missionaries. You may find it interesting. My wife grew up learning about Margaret Catchpole, because we believe that she is a great grandmother. my wifes maiden name is Margaret Catchpole.

News - the newly renovated Freston Tower is open to the public this weekend, from 10am to 4pm on Sunday 20 June and Monday 21 June.

Go along, take pictures and report back!

Thanks for an excellent website. I will be staying at the tower with my mum for a few days next week and am really looking forward to it. I think we're only the second people to stay since the renovations so it's all very exciting. I'll report back at the weekend and let you know what it was like. Thanks again for your research and information, it makes it much more interesting to know something about the tower before staying there.

I managed to obtain a 19th century copy of "Freston Tower" by the Rev. Richard Cobbold. A view of the tower is embossed into the leather cover and there's an engraving of the building on the title page (framed by Wolsey's Gatehouse in Ipswich).

The book itself is quite interesting as a period piece and the author waxes lyrical about the views from the top chamber. On the negative side, the book is basically a thinly disguised attack on the Roman Catholic Church and the Rev. Cobbold scarcely allows a page to go by without some dig at the "Church of Rome". Unfortunately, he simply won't leave the topic alone and it gets a bit tedious after a while.

Hi.I have family in the area(Stutton),who I visit every summer,and when I came past the tower last year noticed that work was being done and I was wondering if the tower will be open to the public anytime in the near future.Its a truley delightful building when viewed from the outside,and I would love to see it inside. Thankyou.
                           Nettie

Edited by author 17-02-2004 07:32 PM
For anyone who has seen the tower shrouded in scaffolding during the last year, this is a quick update to say that the scaffolders started to remove it yesterday.

We can only see the upper floor at present but it certainly looks very smart, and the rods holding the turrets (may not be correct term) together have gone.

Looking forward to seeing the whole tower.

Hi Edd,you may be able to help me with a little mystery?I came across the frestonTower on a walk about 12 years ago ,it was overgrown with brambles etc.I had look around it an noticed the door was locked from the inside with the key still in the door!how did they get out?( only one door high windows etc) I was very interested in your web site,thanks.

Dear Ed

Thanks for replying. My email is glenjunc@northnet.com.au and would be very thankful if you do find where to get a copy as it was wonderful.

I love your website and love the picture that Glynn Thomas has done of the Tower.

Thanks

Hi Rosie, and thanks for adding your message.

It seems that Freston Tower, the book, is a little harder to get hold of than I thought. I've asked a local secondhand bookshop to let me know if they get a copy, so fingers crossed. Might be best to drop me an email at ed@freston.net so I can let you know.

--- Ed

My husband and I are Australians and lived in Freston for 9 months during 2001 whilst my husband worked in the area. I was fascinated by the tower and was lent the Rev Cobbold book by a local Freston man (since deceased) to read. I would really like to get a copy of the book for myself and was wondering how I might go about this. Maybe you could help me please?

Regards

Rosie Hewitt

Edited by author 14-03-2003 01:51 PM
Got something to say about Freston Tower? Ever been inside? Fancy staying once the Landmark Trust have carried out their work? Know something about its history? Used to live in the area?

Go on, leave a message.