North Walsham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North Walsham |
|
|---|---|
 North Walsham market cross |
|
 North Walsham
|
|
| Area | 17.27 km2 (6.67 sq mi) |
| Population | 12,829 |
| • Density | 743/km2 (1,920/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | TG282302 |
| Civil parish |
|
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | NORTH WALSHAM |
| Postcode district | NR28 |
| Dialling code | 01692 |
| Police | Norfolk |
| Fire | Norfolk |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament |
|
North Walsham is a lively market town in Norfolk, England. It's part of the North Norfolk area. This town is about 8 miles (13 km) south of Cromer and 15 miles (24 km) south of Norwich.
Contents
About North Walsham
This town covers an area of about 11.3 square miles (29.3 square kilometres). In 2011, about 12,829 people lived here. North Walsham is managed by the local government of North Norfolk.
Getting Around North Walsham
Train Travel
You can catch a train at North Walsham railway station. This station is on the Bittern Line, which connects to Norwich, Cromer, and Sheringham. Trains usually run every hour in both directions. Greater Anglia operates these services.
Roads and Routes
The main road through the town is the A149. The B1145 also passes through North Walsham. This route stretches all the way from King's Lynn to Mundesley.
The North Walsham Canal
North Walsham is also connected by the North Walsham and Dilham Canal. This canal is privately owned. It starts near Antingham Mill and mostly follows the River Ant. There's also a smaller branch that goes to the village of Dilham.
North Walsham's Past
Town Name and Early Days
The name 'North Walsham' means 'W(e)alh's homestead or village'. It was an Anglo-Saxon settlement. From the 1100s, North Walsham and nearby Worstead became very rich. This was because skilled weavers from Flanders came to live here.
Famous Fabrics
These two towns gave their names to the fabrics they made. 'Walsham' became a name for a light fabric, perfect for summer. 'Worsted' was a heavier, thicker cloth. The large churches built in the 1300s, called 'wool churches', show how wealthy the local mill owners were.
St. Nicholas Church
North Walsham's church was first named after the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is one of the biggest parish churches in the UK. It also had a special shrine for St. Thomas of Canterbury. The church's steeple was the second tallest in Norfolk. However, it fell down in 1724. Plans to rebuild it stopped when World War II began. Today, the ruined tower stands tall in the town centre. It's a well-known landmark you can see from far away. Inside the church, you can find the fancy tomb of Sir William Paston. There are also old painted screens, a unique font canopy, a special Royal Arms Board, and an old iron chest.
The Peasants' Revolt
North Walsham played a part in the Peasants' Revolt in 1381. The leaders of the peasants were defeated at the Battle of North Walsham. A stone near the town's water towers marks this important spot.
The Great Fire of 1600
On June 25, 1600, a huge fire swept through North Walsham. It started early in the morning. The fire destroyed 118 homes, 70 shops, the market cross, and market stalls. The church caught fire in five places but was mostly saved. It became a safe place for people while the town was rebuilt.
Horatio Nelson's School Days
The famous English naval hero, Horatio Nelson, went to school in North Walsham. He and his brother, William, studied at Paston Grammar School. Sir William Paston, known for the Paston Letters, founded this school in 1606. Nelson left school at age eleven to start his career in the navy. The school later became Paston College in 1984.
World War II Memorial
During World War II, a man from North Walsham died when his Royal Air Force training plane crashed in the United States. In 2000, people living near the crash site in Oklahoma built a monument. It honors all four RAF fliers who died there. These residents, including Choctaw Native Americans, and the Choctaw Nation government, remember these fliers every year.
Millennium Mosaics
For the millennium celebrations, ten mosaics were created. These artworks show scenes from local history. They include the Peasants' Revolt, the Great Fire, and a picture of a Norfolk wherry, which reminds people of the canal.
Old Cinemas
North Walsham had a cinema called the Picturedrome, which opened around 1912. It closed in 1931. Then, the Regal Cinema opened in New Road in 1931 and stayed open until 1979. The Regal building was later used as a car dealership and then a plant hire business. In 2018, it was taken down to build new homes.
Oak Tree Sculpture
The town's park has a special oak tree sculpture. It remembers two important events: the Battle of the Peasants' Revolt in 1381 and the founding of the Agricultural Workers Union in 1906. The sculpture was made from a 120-year-old diseased tree that was going to be cut down. It was shown to the public in September 1999.
North Walsham High School and The Atrium
North Walsham High School is a school for students aged 11 to 16. It is managed by the Enrich Learning Trust. The school has a modern arts and education building called 'the Atrium'. This £5.3 million building is also open to the wider community. It has a theatre, cinema, and workshop space. A charity called The Atrium North Norfolk Ltd runs the events and programs there.
Sports in North Walsham
North Walsham has a rugby team, North Walsham R.F.C., which plays in the London 1 North league. The town is also home to the North Norfolk Vikings Swimming Club. They train at the Victory Leisure Centre. Every Saturday morning, there's a free, timed 5k run called North Walsham parkrun at North Walsham High School. Famous England footballer Lauren Hemp was born in North Walsham and played for a local team when she was a child.
Media and News
Television and Radio
You can watch local news and TV shows from BBC East and ITV Anglia. Radio stations include BBC Radio Norfolk (95.6 FM), Heart East (102.4 FM), Kiss (106.1 FM), and Greatest Hits Radio Norfolk & North Suffolk (96.2 FM). There's also an online community radio station called Poppyland Radio.
Local Newspapers
The town is served by these local newspapers:
- Eastern Daily Press
- North Norfolk News
- Eastern Evening News
Museums and Heritage
Norfolk Motorcycle Museum
North Walsham is home to the Norfolk Motorcycle Museum. This private collection has about 80 motorcycles, all made before 1960. You can also see displays of toys, especially die-cast models.
North Walsham Heritage Centre
The North Walsham Heritage Centre shares information and old items about the town's long history.
Freedom of the Town
The "Freedom of the Town" is a special honor given to people or military groups.
Honored People
- Lauren Hemp: She received this honor on August 5, 2022.
