North Elmham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North Elmham |
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 Remains on the site of a Saxon cathedral |
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 North Elmham
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| Area | 19.20 km2 (7.41 sq mi) |
| Population | 1,433 (2011) |
| • Density | 75/km2 (190/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | TF985208 |
| Civil parish |
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| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | DEREHAM |
| Postcode district | NR20 |
| Dialling code | 01362 |
| Police | Norfolk |
| Fire | Norfolk |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament |
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North Elmham is a village in Norfolk, England. It's about 5 miles (8 km) north of East Dereham, right by the River Wensum. The village covers an area of about 7.4 square miles (19.2 square kilometers). In 2011, about 1,433 people lived here.
North Elmham was once home to a very old cathedral, even before the Normans arrived. It was where the Bishop of Elmham had his main church until 1075. For local government, it's part of the Breckland area. You can find the village along the B1145 road, which connects King's Lynn and Mundesley.
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Exploring North Elmham's Past
The name North Elmham comes from an old English word meaning 'village where elm trees grow'. It was first mentioned way back in 1035.
Ancient Cathedral and Castle Ruins
Today, you can see the ruins of a Norman chapel. This chapel is looked after by English Heritage. It stands on the site of an even older Anglo-Saxon timber cathedral. This was the main church for the Bishop of Elmham from around 672. The bishop's main seat was moved to Thetford in 1071.
In 1786, an old copper bell for burning incense, called a censer, was found here. The ruins and earthworks you see today are thought to be from a church built in the late 1000s. A castle was also built here in the late 1300s by Henry le Despenser, who was the Bishop of Norwich.
Spong Hill Cemetery
South of the village is Spong Hill. This is an important Anglo-Saxon cemetery. It was dug up by Dr. Catherine Hills in the late 1900s.
Schools and Railways
North of the village, there used to be the Norfolk County School. When it closed in the 1890s, it became the Watts Naval School. Sadly, these grand buildings have now been taken down. The famous actor John Mills was born here.
The County School railway station used to serve the school. Today, the Mid-Norfolk Railway has preserved it as a small visitor center. North Elmham railway station also served the village. It was on the railway line from Wymondham to Fakenham East. The station building is now a home, but the railway line is being restored for use. You can even walk along a path on a section of the line between North Elmham and County School station.
North Elmham Mill
North Elmham Mill, also known as Grint Mill, used to have two large waterwheels. In the early 1900s, these were replaced by two turbines. By the 1970s, electricity powered most of the mill's machines. The turbines were used for lifting sacks and mixing things. The mill continued to make animal feed until the late 1900s.
Well-Known People
- John Mills, a famous actor, was born in North Elmham.
