Coordinates: 52°42′31″N 0°58′53″E / 52.70864°N 0.98131°E
| Swanton Morley | |
  Swanton Morley
Swanton Morley shown within Norfolk |
|
| Area | 11.14 km2 (4.30 sq mi) |
|---|---|
| Population | 2,415 (2001 census[1]) |
| - Density | 217 /km2 (560 /sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | |
| District | Breckland |
| Shire county | Norfolk |
| Region | East |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | DEREHAM |
| Postcode district | NR20 |
| Police | Norfolk |
| Fire | Norfolk |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament | Mid Norfolk |
| Website | http://www.swantonmorley.info/ |
| List of places: UK • England • Norfolk | |
Swanton Morley is a picturesque village situated in the heart of Norfolk. It is a village steeped in history documented back to the Domesday Book. Today the village exists as a tranquil village community of about 2,500 people.
Contents |
Geography
Located centrally between the market towns of Dereham, Swaffham and Fakenham, Swanton Morley is a self sufficient village, located only three miles away from larger amenities. The village is adjacent to Bylaugh and Bylaugh Hall.
History
Swanton Morley was the home of Richard Lincoln (1550–1620), local churchwarden who built the mansion known today as The Angel Free House pub. Lincoln was the wealthy grandfather of Samuel Lincoln and Richard's coat-of-arms can be seen today in the east window of All Saints Church in Swanton Morley.[2] Richard Lincoln disinherited Samuel's father Edward from his will in favour of his fourth wife, thus throwing the Lincoln family into penury and forcing young Samuel to flee to Hingham, Massachusetts.[3] His great-great-great-great-grandson was Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States. Richard Lincoln was interred under the center aisle of St Andrew's Church in Hingham, Norfolk, a privilege reserved for gentry.[4]
Notable buildings and facilities
On the top of a hill to the North of the village lies All Saints Church, a large church in comparison to the size of the village built to ambitious design, in particular the aisles of the nave extend to ‘embrace’ the tower, which is supported on three sides by massive arches. Also of great historical interest is the Mill Bakery, which has been in business since 1645, and is now Norfolk’s only organic bakery.The Mill bakery has changed ownership and premisies, and is currently owned by Budgens in Drayton and still continues production under the same name. The old premises including the historic mill are now being demolished.
The village has two public houses, The Angel[5], and Darbys, both of which serve authentic real ale. The village hall, a relatively new building, is centrally located and used for community events within the village. It is regularly used by the Swanton Morley Entertainers, the Under 5’s Group and the Women’s Institute as well as other village groups.
There are several areas to walk and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the village, including two large areas of common land and several footpaths suitable for pleasant walks. There are also areas with good opportunities for fishing on the nearby River Wensum. There was formerly a mill on the river which was burnt down in the 19th century.[6] The mill was used for making paper - one of the pubs in the village was called "The Papermakers".
Swanton Morley is home to Hunter’s Hall, a large Victorian converted barn that hosts conferences and celebrations such as wedding receptions, along with bed and breakfast facilities on the Park Farm Estate on which the hall stands. In addition there are a number of holiday accommodation lets available within the village.
Military links
Swanton Morley has strong links with the armed forces. The village was home for many years to RAF Swanton Morley, but this was formally handed over to the army in 1996. The RAF base was renamed Robertson Barracks and is home to the Light Dragoons.
References
- ^ Census population and household counts for unparished urban areas and all parishes. Office for National Statistics & Norfolk County Council (2001). Retrieved 20 June 2009.
- ^ The spelling of the name varied in Norfolk records. It was often spelled Linkhorn.
- ^ The Ancestry of Abraham Lincoln, James Henry Lea, John Robert Hutchinson, Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 1909
- ^ History of Hingham, Norfolk, England and America, Interesting Presentation at Hingham, August 11th, 1913, Norfolk Emigrants as Settlement Founders, Interchange of Courtesies, p. 20
- ^ Photo of the former Richard Lincoln House, now The Angel pub, Swanton Morley, Norfolk, theangelpub.co.uk
- ^ Norfolk Mills - Swanton Morley
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Worthing | Foxley | Bylaugh, Bawdeswell | |
| Hoe, Gressenhall |  |
Elsing, Lyng | ||
 Swanton Morley  |
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| East Dereham | Etling Green | North Tuddenham |
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