oulton (towns and villages)

Mentioned in the Domesday book as 'Oulstuna' the widespread and thinly populated parish of Oulton encompasses the two hamlets of Oulton and Oulton Street. The villages lie in a peaceful setting some three and a half miles north-west of Aylsham and four miles north-east of Reepham.

With the Marriott's Way long distance path only 400 yards from Oulton Street both market towns are only a pleasant walk or cycle ride away.

st peter and st paul's church

The parish Church of St Peter and St Paul mainly dates from the 15th century although substantial repairs were undertaken in 1898 at a cost of £1000 - raised by local donations. The tower only bears one of its original three bells inscribed 'Charles Newman made me 1702. Thos. Bell, C.W.'

The sundial sited over the entrance to the porch replaced the earlier statues of St Peter and St Paul.

Local legend says that some of Cromwell's men are buried in the churchyard although exactly where remains a mystery.

inside st peter and st paul's

Of particular note is a medieval wall-painting of a fish, all that survives of a larger work depicting St Christopher carrying the Christ child.

The church register of births, marriages and deaths dates back to 1706. The marriage register, used to the present day, was started in 1837 when many brides and grooms could only sign their name with a 'X.'

The crypt in the north east corner of the nave is the resting place of well-known local families while others are commemorated in brass and stone plates in the church proper. One tablet reads, 'why do ye mourn departing friends or shake at Deaths alarms; Tis but the voice that Jesus sends, to call me to his arms.'

The Communion silver, kept away from the church between services for safety, is a decorated with Christ's head, crowned with thorns and surrounded by a halo. The chalice Communion cup, dated 1567, is inscribed 'For the toune of Oultoun.'

nonconformist congregational chapel

On the road to Itteringham is a fine example of an 18th century Nonconformist Congregational chapel still complete with many of its original of fittings.

oulton airfield

When Oulton Street is viewed from the air an oblong run of lanes, possibly surrounding a prehistoric mound and the typical A-layout of a World War II airfield become visible.

RAF Oulton started life as a satellite landing ground used to disperse aircraft from the Bomber Command airfield at Horsham St Faith, to lessen the risk of loss through air attack.

From August 1940 to September 1942 the airfield was home in turn to: Blenheims, Lockheed Hudsons, Beaufighters, Bostons and Venturas. Most the airfield personnel were camped at the historic Blickling Hall.

In September 1942, work began to upgrade the airfield. The road from Oulton Street to Cawston was closed to allow an extension of the main runway. Once completed the airfield consisted of three runways, four hangers (two housing gliders) a bomb dump and a camp to the east of the airfield to supplement the original Blickling Hall camp. Total accommodation was provided for 1782 men and women.

Reopened in May 1944 the airfield operated Fortress and Liberator aircraft until the end of the war on radio counter-measure operations. A total of 56 Bomber Command aircraft were lost flying in operations from Oulton.

walk and cycle routes

Broadland District Council have produced a series of walk and cycle route leaflets for the district including the Outlon area. These are available from the Aylsham Tourist Information Centre.

broadland's towns and villages

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