horstead (towns and villages)
Horstead or 'Horsteda', as referred to in the Domesday Book, lies eight miles north-east of Norwich at the head of navigation of the River Bure.
Horstead has three adjoining Hamlets - Heggatt; one mile south-east and Stanninghall and Largate; one mile north-west.
community life
The site of Horstead's watermill, which burnt down in 1963, was obtained by the parish council and, with the aid of a Heritage Lottery Grant of £145,000, has been turned into a public park and recreation area.
The village has a long established public house called 'The Recruiting Sergeant' which in the 18th century was the scene of the rectors Tithe Frolics; a tax of one tenth payable for support of the clergy and the church.
Although Horstead has no village hall, a fine converted tithe barn meets the demands of a modern community with play groups, drama groups and other activity organisations. All other services can be easily accessed in the adjoining village of Coltishall, on the opposite bank of the River Bure.
historic horstead
Horstead used to be a major producer of malted barley for the brewing industry and the quarrying of marl or chalk, used to improve agricultural land. Most of the latter was transported from the village on the now famous Norfolk Wherries, particular to the Norfolk Broads.
Over the years the old chalk workings have returned to nature and are now known affectionately as 'Little Switzerland'. From the excavations a particular type of hollow flint or 'pot stone' were removed and can now be found serving as large flower pots in local gardens.
Standing in the middle of the village green are a cross commemorating the men of the parish who fell in both world wars and an iron village sign, donated by the Women's Institute in 1948 commemorating their first 25 years from 1923 to 1948.
ancient history
Echoes of Horstead's ancient past have been found as early Celtic and Roman cremation urns and the outline of a Roman marching camp believed to have been constructed during the Boadicean Rebellion.
a missing priory
A priory was founded in the area in 1090 as a cell of the Norman Nunnery of the Holy Trinity at Caen in Normandy. This was an alien priory established by and subordinated to foreign monasteries. The priory was dissolved in 1415 during the reign of Henry V and eventually granted to the College of St Mary and St Nicholas, Cambridge in 1431.
Unfortunately, the exact site of the priory is unknown but thought to be near the parish church as there is a moated site about 600-700 feet west of the church.
horstead all saints church
More accessible to the visitor is Horstead All Saints church; built in the decorated style containing three bells and several memorial windows. Its register dates back to 1558.
historic hamlets
The ruined church in Stanninghall, the largest of the three hamlets, used to be a place of pilgrimage and, during the First World War, was the site of a large military hospital.
In the Middle Ages, Largate had a thriving market knew as 'Cake Rowe' and an annual fair held on the 6 November. It is also said all persons with the surname of Largate originate from the hamlet.
local legends
Horstead is said to support three supernatural beings:
- "Old Shuck" the black dog of superstition, who is death to anyone unfortunate enough to see him as he runs into the village over Coltishall Bridge
- The ghost of Sir Thomas Boleyn, who once each year passes over the same bridge carrying the head of his daughter and ill-fated Queen, Anne Boleyn
- A ghostly figure originating from the 19th century can on occasion be seen standing in the mill pool bearing the figure of a servant girl who, after being abandoned by her lover, drowned herself in the pool
related pages
broadland's towns and villages
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