Hopton-on-Sea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hopton-on-Sea |
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 Hopton beach |
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 Hopton-on-Sea
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| Area | 2.17 sq mi (5.6 km2) |
| Population | 2,970 (Census 2011) |
| • Density | 1,369/sq mi (529/km2) |
| OS grid reference | TM5399 |
| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | GREAT YARMOUTH |
| Postcode district | NR31 |
| Dialling code | 01502 |
| Police | Norfolk |
| Fire | Norfolk |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament |
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Hopton-on-Sea is a lovely village and seaside resort located right on the coast of East Anglia. It's in the county of Norfolk, England. This charming village is about 4 miles (6.4 km) south of Great Yarmouth and 5 miles (8 km) north-west of Lowestoft.
Hopton-on-Sea is a popular spot for visitors. It has lots of fun things to do, like amusement arcades and places to grab a bite to eat. The village is also home to Potters Resorts, which is the UK’s only All Inclusive Holiday Resort. It started way back in 1920. This resort is a big employer in the area, with about 560 full-time staff.
Every January, something exciting happens in Hopton-on-Sea! The village hosts the World Indoor Bowls Championships at Potters Resorts. Players, fans, and even the BBC come to stay in the village. It's known as the biggest event in the world of bowls.
Contents
A Look Back: Hopton's History
The name Hopton-on-Sea means "Farm or settlement in an enclosed spot." This might refer to a piece of land that sticks out into a marshy area.
Ancient Times
People have lived in this area for a very long time! The oldest signs of human activity here date back to the Palaeolithic era, also known as the Old Stone Age. This is when flint tools were first discovered. Later, items from the Bronze Age and the Roman era have also been found.
St Margaret's Church
The oldest building you can still see in Hopton is the ruins of St Margaret's church. It was built in the 1300s. Sadly, it burned down in 1865. Today, the ruins of this old church are being fixed up. The plan is to turn them into a cultural center for the village. During this £140,000 restoration project, workers found gargoyles from an even older church that stood there in the 1000s!
A new church, also called St Margaret's, was built the very next year in 1866. It was designed in the Early English style and is still used today. Inside, you can see beautiful stained glass windows made by famous artists like William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones.
World War II Defences
During World War II, many military defenses were built around Hopton. This was because it was so close to Great Yarmouth, which was an important target. These defenses included barriers to stop tanks, small concrete bunkers called pillboxes, air-raid shelters, and a coastal battery. This battery was built in 1940 and had two large gun houses for six-inch guns, plus searchlights. It was kept armed during and after the war until 1947, as it was a prime spot for a possible invasion.
Hopton's Location and Landscape
Hopton-on-Sea is located on the coast of East Anglia, right next to the North Sea. It has a wide, sandy beach called Hopton-on-Sea Beach. This beach runs along grassy cliffs, making for a beautiful view.
Coastal Erosion
The beach here faces a challenge called coastal erosion. This means the sand and land are slowly being worn away by the sea. By 2016, the sand levels had dropped by 10 feet (3 meters) in just five years! To help protect the area, a project is underway. Old wooden structures called groynes are being replaced with new ones made of rock. Also, a strong seawall is being built. These new defenses are expected to protect the coast for up to 100 years.
Local Government
Until 1974, Hopton-on-Sea was part of the county of East Suffolk. Now, it's part of Norfolk. The village covers an area of about 2.17 square miles (5.62 square kilometers). In the 2011 census, about 2,970 people lived here in 1,325 homes. For local government, Hopton-on-Sea is part of the Great Yarmouth district.
Getting Around Hopton
Bus Services
The village has a bus service that connects it to bigger towns like Norwich, Great Yarmouth, and Lowestoft. The buses run regularly, though not super often.
Train Station History
Hopton-on-Sea used to have its own train station. It linked the village to Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. However, this station closed in 1970. This happened because of something called the Beeching cuts, which closed many railway lines across the UK.
Famous People From Hopton
Some well-known people have lived in Hopton-on-Sea:
- Dave Benson Phillips, a children's TV presenter.
- Eddie Large, a comedian.
- Joe Pasquale, another comedian.
- Mark Noble, a famous footballer.
- Laurie Sivell, also a footballer.
