Mistley
Mistley has long been a port for smaller ships on the River Stour and its wealth was founded on the wool trade in the 14th and 15th centuries. There was also extensive trade in corn, coal, timber and fish. For two centuries Mistley was an important brewing centre and port. Even today, although on a reduced scale, the brewing industry is still well represented. Mistley Towers is all that remains of St Mary the Virgin church which was built and consecrated in 1735. It was built as part of Robert Adam’s model village and spa, which was never finished. Mistley Park Place, covering some 25 acres, is an environmental and animal rescue centre with more than 2000 rescued birds and animals. HRH the Prince of Wales visited the Maltings in May 1997 to help establish the Mistley Action team to conserve the historic core of Mistley, the redevelopment of the Quayside Maltings marking the commencement of a regeneration scheme.
