Östra Herrestad is located approximately midway between Gärsnäs and Hammenhög, about two kilometers in each direction. The village was once part of Gärsnäs manor house/Gärsnäs castle, which is a stone's throw to the northeast.
As in many other church villages, the church in Östra Herrestad dates back to the 12th century. The church's west tower was built as late as 1880. When the village was transferred at the end of the 19th century, a number of gate houses were built on the plots of the farms that had been moved out. The settlement has retained its old-fashioned character with its low houses, often plastered or board-lined. On some of them you can see typical carpentry details.
Near the village, the Tommarpsån river meanders by. Northwest of the village is the beautiful Stenhed ship set, a supposed solar calendar, which is said to be contemporary with Ales stones. The nearest major town with services such as a school, shop and retirement home is Gärsnäs. There are bus connections, e.g. to the west with the Skåne Express, the express bus to Lund, and train services on the Simrishamn-Malmö route.
