Houghton, Norfolk
| Houghton | |
| Norfolk | |
|---|---|
 The Street in New Houghton | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TF789288 |
| Location: | 52°49’39"N, 0°39’15"E |
| Data | |
| Post town: | King's Lynn |
| Postcode: | PE31 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | King's Lynn and West Norfolk |
Houghton is a small village in Norfolk: a place with a population of just 69 in 36 households at the 2001 census, and still less than 100 at the 2011 census.
This is the location of Houghton Hall, a large country house built by Robert Walpole, the first Prime Minister of the Great Britain.
History
The village is listed as Houtuna in the Domesday Book of 1086.[1] The name is from the Old English hoh (hill-spur) and tun (a village or farm).
The old village of Houghton was demolished in 1722 to make way for the construction of Houghton Hall and the associated parkland. In 1729, the village was rebuilt on the edge of the estate and called "New Houghton";[2] the 33 surviving houses are all now Grade II listed buildings.
This is one of the locations claimed to be the inspiration for Oliver Goldsmith's poem The Deserted Village[3]
In 1872, the parish had 53 houses and 227 inhabitants. Other names for the village were Houghton-in-the-Brake and Houghton-Next-Harpley.[4]
Parish church
The parish church is inside the park and dates from the 13th century, although it was heavily restored in the 18th century when the tower was added.[5] Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford and Horace Walpole are buried in the church, which is a Grade I listed building.[6]
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Houghton, Norfolk) |
References
- ↑ The Domesday Book Online - Norfolk H-L - Houghton (near West Rudham)
- ↑ Samuel Lewis, A Popular Guide to Norfolk Place Names, The Lark's Press, 1991 ISBN 0-948400-15-3 (p.25)
- ↑ British Listed Buildings - 1, 2 and 3, the Street, Houghton
- ↑ A vision of Britain Through Time - Houghton Norfolk
- ↑ BBC Domesday Reloaded - St Martin's Church, Houghton
- ↑ Church of St Martin, Houghton
