Sutton in the Elms

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Sutton in the Elms is a village in Leicestershire, in the northwest part of Broughton Astley. It is sometimes called Sutton Elms. In the Domesday Book, Sutton was one of three settlements that now make up Broughton Astley: Broctone, Sutone and Torp. The village is about 9 miles (14 km) southwest of Leicester, in the Harborough district.

Sutton in the Elms is a desirable area with homes from many periods. There are several farms, and near the west end of Sutton Lane, close to the B4114, there is a go-kart track. The village has one road, Sutton Lane, which was renamed Leicester Road in 2007 but later reverted to Sutton Lane.

Facilities include Sutton in the Elms Private Care Home (39 residents), an office block for T&A Shoes, and Sutton Elms Baptist Church. In 2008, 15 elm trees were planted along the village by The Woodland Trust, with one tree in the church grounds.

The Baptist church has stood since around 1650, making it the oldest Baptist church in Leicestershire; the current vestry is the oldest chapel building and is still active today. Sutton in the Elms also has a Quaker connection: George Fox, founder of the Quakers, addressed his first open-air meeting outside the steeple house in 1647, and the Quaker Cottage still stands.

More information about Sutton in the Elms can be found on a privately run site by Nigel and Alison Deacon, which is now archived by the British Library.