Coordinates: 52°36′22″N 1°25′10″E / 52.606045°N 1.419339°E
| Surlingham | |
 Surlingham St Mary |
|
  Surlingham
Surlingham shown within Norfolk |
|
| Area | 7.32 km2 (2.83 sq mi) |
|---|---|
| Population | 637 |
| - Density | 87 /km2 (230 /sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | |
| Parish | Surlingham |
| District | South Norfolk |
| Shire county | Norfolk |
| Region | East |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | NORWICH |
| Postcode district | NR14 |
| Police | Norfolk |
| Fire | Norfolk |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| List of places: UK • England • Norfolk | |
Surlingham is a village and civil parish in South Norfolk situated on the Broads. It lies approximately 6½ miles (10½ km) south-east of Norwich on the south bank of the River Yare between Bramerton and Rockland St Mary. In the 2001 census it contained 266 households and a population of 637.[1]
Contents |
The Churches
The church of Surlingham St Mary is one of 124 existing round-tower churches in Norfolk. The adjacent Church Marsh nature reserve is owned by the RSPB and is overlooked by the ruins of St Saviours church (less than half a mile north-east of St Mary's). Dating from the 12th century, the church was in regular use until 1705. A campaign has been launched by local villagers to save the site from further deterioration and to make it safe for visitors, see here. Norfolk naturalist Ted Ellis is buried here.
The Village
Surlingham Community Primary School complete with maypole currently caters for 83 children in four classrooms, two in the original Victorian building and two more built in a similar style completed in 2006. It is situated on Walnut Hill in the centre of Surlingham and opposite the village pond; nearby are the village shop and post office as well as a garage. Surlingham is also home to Padmaloka, one of the biggest Buddhist retreats in the UK, as well as the Ted Ellis Nature Reserveat Wheatfen Broad.
The Pubs
The village also has two pubs although they lie to the north of the village on the bank of the river: Coldham Hall Tavern and The Surlingham Ferry. The latter marks the site of a ferry which crossed the river to Postwick; it ceased here c1939 following a collision with a coaster.[2] Coldham Hall Sailing Club which was founded in 1951 is situated in the grounds of Coldham Hall Tavern. It opened its new clubhouse on 26 April 2003.
Surlingham Broad
Lying between Surlingham Ferry and Coldham Hall Tavern is Surlingham Broad, a maze of waterways and swamp over 1 km2 in area owned by Norfolk Wildlife Trust. One of the central lakes, Bargate, is connected to the Yare by two dykes; the area is known as the 'wherry graveyard' as 13 wherry hulls have been sunk here.[3]
Ted Ellis
He lived at Wheatfen Broad in Surlingham for 40 years and was active in many nature organisations. For many, he was seen as the grandfather of naturalism in Norfolk.[4]
Transport links
Surlingham is served by bus route 001 operated by Anglian Coaches providing six services a day into Norwich via Rockland St Mary, Bramerton and Kirby Bedon — timetable
National Cycle Route 1 passes through Surlingham on its way from Norwich to Beccles via Loddon.
External links
- Surlingham Village Website
- Ordnance Survey Pathfinder (1:25000) map of Surlingham
- Surlingham Parish Council
- Website with photos of Surlingham St Mary
- Surlingham on Geograph
- A stroll around Bramerton and Surlingham
- The RSPB: Surlingham Church Marsh
- Surlingham Church Marsh walk
- Padmaloka
References
- ^ Surlingham parish information [South Norfolk Council]
- ^ Surlingham - Ferry House
- ^ www.turnershut.co.uk The Home of Turners Hut
- ^ BBC Nofolk, Friday 22 May 2009 - Ted Ellis Remembered
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