Earsham

Earsham
Norfolk
All Saints Church, Earsham
Location
Grid reference:	TM322892
Location:	52°27’7"N, 1°25’2"E
Data
Population:	882  (2011)
Post town:	Bungay
Postcode:	NR35
Dialling code:	01986
Local Government
Council:	South Norfolk
Parliamentary constituency:	South Norfolk

Earsham is a village in Norfolk, on the north bank of the River Waveney, which marks the border with Suffolk. The village is a mile west of Bungay and thirteen miles south-east of Norwich. It gives its name to the county's Earsham Hundred.

Earsham's Queen's Head has operated as a coaching inn since the mid-19th century, the pub remains open to this day.

History

Earsham's name is of Anglo-Saxon origin and derives from the Old English for the homestead or settlement of an earl, or built around a hill.

Earsham Mill has stood in some form in the village since the time of the Anglo-Saxons, using the River Waveney to grind wheat into flour. The mill building still exists today.

In the Domesday Book, Earsham is listed as a settlement of 69 households. In 1086, the village was part of the East Anglian estates of The King.

Earsham Hall was built in the eighteenth century by John Buxton and was first inhabited by Lt-Col. William Windham. The hall was remodelled in the Georgian style by Sir John Soane and exists today as a venue for wedding receptions and antiques dealing.

Earsham railway station opened in 1860 as a stop on the Waveney Valley Line connecting Tivetshall to Beccles. The station was closed in 1953.

All Saints' Church

The parish church dates from the fourteenth century and is rare for an East Anglian church due to the fact it features a spire. The stone font depicts the seven sacraments and crucifixion of Jesus Christ whilst the Continental stained glass shows St Joseph amongst others.

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Earsham)