With its windswept dunes and charming village centre, Kessingland is one of the jewels of the East Coast. In ancient times, the village was larger than nearby Lowestoft, with a bustling herring fishing trade.

Nowadays the village is known for its incredible surroundings, and for the discovery of Neolithic implements, which make it one of the earliest known human settlements in Britain. Legendary British authors Rudyard Kipling and H. Rider Haggard had a close association with the village. The town is also famous for its wildlife, and is hugely popular among birdwatchers.

With such a fascinating history, it’s no surprise that Kessingland has inspired a host of great books which explore the people, stories and happenings that have given the village its unique character. We’ve taken a look at what’s on offer, and come up with this list of our top picks.

Local writer Maureen Long’s The Book of Kessingland: The Most Easterly Village in England really gets to the heart of wht makes the village tick. Combining original research with eyewitness accounts and some incredible anecdotes, this book is a must for those wishing to delve into Kessingland’s history.

Maureen Long continues her exploration of Kessingland’s history with The Kessingland Connection in the Life and Works of Rudyard Kipling which examines the relationship between the legendary writer and the village that he loved. Packed with revealing insight, this really is one for every bookshelf.

In her third book on the history of Kessingland, Maureen Long takes a snapshot of the village’s recent past, focusing on the living memory of some of the village’s oldest inhabitants. Kessingland Reunited is a wonderful read for anyone with memories of the village, and is a great way to explore some of the challenges the people of Kessingland have faced.

Local historian Peter Cherry takes a lighthearted look at Kessingland and its characters sharing a wealth of local anecdotes. A real page turner.