Griston
| Griston | |
| Norfolk | |
|---|---|
.jpg) St Peter and St Paul, Griston | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TL944994 |
| Location: | 52°33’29"N, 0°51’59"E |
| Data | |
| Population: | 1,816 (2021) |
| Post town: | Thetford |
| Postcode: | IP25 |
| Dialling code: | 01953 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Breckland |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Mid Norfolk |
Griston is a village in Norfolk, a mile and a half south-east of Watton and 19 miles west of Norwich.
The 2021 census recorded Griston's population as 1,816.
History
Griston's name is of Viking origin and derives from the Old Norse for either Griss, indicating farm or settlement or young pig farm or settlement.[1]
In the Domesday Book, Griston is listed as a settlement of 29 households in the Wayland Hundred. In 1086, the village was part of the estates of the King, William de Warenne, Roger Bigod, Ralph Baynard and John, nephew of Waleran.[2]
Griston Hall was built in the sixteenth century. By the nineteenth century it had been converted into several separate dwellings.[3] Griston Hall and nearby Wayland Woods are the setting for the story of the 'Babes in the Woods' stories where a malicious uncle sent two children into the woods to die so he could steal their inheritance.
During the Second World War, parts of the parish made up RAF Watton which was used by both the United States Army Air Force and Royal Air Force.[4]
Parish church
The parish church, the Church of St Peter and St Paul on Church Road, dates from the fifteenth century. The church is a Grade I listed building.[5] St. Peter & St. Paul's is no longer for Sunday services.[6]
The church was restored in the Victorian era by John Bond Pearce but still features mediæval stone angels and stained-glass windows. The church also features an American flag which was gifted by the servicemen serving at RAF Watton who used the church tower as a landmark when returning home.[7]
Amenities
Within the village there is a home for the elderly called Thorp House and the Category C HM Prison Wayland.
The Waggon & Horses pub has stood in the village since 1836.[8] The pub remains open.[9]
Watton and Griston Link
As part of the Sustrans Connect2 project proposals are in place to create a cycling and walking route between Griston and the market town of Watton. The new route would follow the boundary of the Watton airfield and provide a shorter, traffic free alternative to the A1075.
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Griston) |
References
- ↑ Place-Names
- ↑ Griston in the Domesday Book
- ↑ "mnf8954 - Norfolk Heritage Explorer". https://www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk/record-details?mnf8954.
- ↑ "Parish-Summary-Griston-(Parish-Summary) - Norfolk Heritage Explorer". https://www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk/record-details?TNF126-Parish-Summary-Griston-(Parish-Summary).
- ↑ National Heritage List 1172332: Church of SS Peter and Paul, Griston
- ↑ "Griston: St Peter & St Paul". https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/8021/service-and-events/events-all/.
- ↑ "Norfolk Churches". http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/griston/griston.htm.
- ↑ "Waggon & Horses - Griston". https://www.norfolkpubs.co.uk/norfolkg/griston/gristwh.htm.
- ↑ "The Waggon and Horses Title". https://www.waggonandhorsesgriston.co.uk/.