Old Catton
| Old Catton | |
| Norfolk | |
|---|---|
 Church of St. Margaret, Old Catton | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TG234121 |
| Location: | 52°39’40"N, 1°18’8"E |
| Data | |
| Population: | 1,867 (2023 est) |
| Post town: | Norwich |
| Postcode: | NR6 |
| Dialling code: | 01603 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Broadland |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Norwich North |
Old Catton is a suburban village in Norfolk, two miles north-east of central Norwich.
The parish is bounded by the Norwich International Airport at Hellesdon to the west and Sprowston to the east. It had a population of 6,108 in 2,666 households at the 2011 Census.
The origin of the name 'Catton' is uncertain. It may be Cattan tun – 'Catta's farmstead', after an otherwise unrecorded local lord. Another possible explanation was the presence of wild cats in the area – now depicted on the village sign.
Historical development
The village was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Until recent times Catton was an agricultural village but following the late 18th and 19th century development of the Catton Park estate several wealthy Norwich families including the Gurneys, Jewsons, Buxtons, Lindleys, Norman and the Tilletts built their houses here.
Parish church
The Church of St Margaret, is a round tower flint design with extensions. The tower is built of flint with an octagonal top of brick and flint which was fashionable in the 15th century. The majority of the alterations to the building took place in the 15th and 19th centuries. Memorials inside the church include Richard Westmacott's 1820 memorial to the Mayor of Norwich; Jeremiah Ives. Also of note are several wall tablets of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.
This is one of 124 existing round tower churches in Norfolk.
About the village
The conservation area was designated in 1986 and encompasses three important open spaces: Catton Park, Buttercup Meadow, the War Memorial deer park and the historical core of the village: Church Street, Spixworth Road and George Hill. Contained within this area are several listed buildings, significant non– listed buildings, protected trees and parkland.
Due to its close proximity to Norwich, the village is a popular residential area. Amenities in Old Catton include a primary and a nursery school, medical practice, veterinary surgery, dental surgery and a range of privately owned businesses.
There are two public houses: the Maids Head and the Woodman are both located in the centre of the village.
Lavare Park is to the north of the village at Spixworth Road and offers various facilities including a full size football pitch.
Catton Hall, park and other buildings
Catton Hall was built around 1780 for the High Steward of Norwich – Charles Buckle. In 1788 the hall and estate passed into the hands of Jeremiah Ives (1754–1820) –twice Mayor of Norwich. Today, it is privately owned and divided into separate apartments.
Catton Park, set around (the new) Catton Hall was laid out by Humphry Repton in 1788 and was his first paid commission though not a subject of one of his famous "Red Books". The park (and the adjoining War memorial deer park and Buttercup Meadow) are designated Grade II* on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest. Some 69 acres of parkland remain, and this area is undergoing restoration to open it to community use. Most of the park to the north has been used for a modern housing development, though within it the former laundry and some of the perimeter wall of the Hall remains.
The Ornamental Pond, the small, gated garden at Parkside Drive contains remnants of Repton's original garden including a listed clamshell fountain set in a small oval pond. The garden is in the care of the Old Catton Society.
Catton Old Hall is located outside of the conservation area at Lodge Lane. The house was built in 1632 as a 'gentlemen's house' by William Bussey. Today, the property is used as a hotel.[1]
The Orangery, an 18th century Grade II listed building has seen a variety of uses. Originally an orangery adjacent to Catton Hall, it has been a museum for the Buxton family, and later as a voluntary aid hospital during the Great War. Today, the building serves as the village hall. The gates leading to the building were commissioned by Samuel Gurney Buxton of Catton Hall and made by the village blacksmith, William Badcock.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Old Catton) |
References
- ↑ Catton Old Hall Retrieved 2 November 2009