Wereham

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Wereham
Norfolk
File:Church Road, Wereham - geograph.org.uk - 1860165.jpg
Church Road, Wereham
Location
Grid reference: TF680016
Location: 52°35’10"N, -0°28’48"E
Data
Population: 660  (2011)
Post town: King's Lynn
Postcode: PE33
Dialling code: 01366
Local Government
Council: King's Lynn and West Norfolk
Parliamentary
constituency:
South West Norfolk

Wereham is a small village in Norfolk, in the valley of the River Wissey, and on the main A134 road. It is some five miles to the east of the town of Downham Market and thirteen miles from King's Lynn. Neighbouring villages include Boughton, Fincham, Crimplesham, West Dereham, Wretton and Stoke Ferry.

History

The villages name means 'Homestead/village on the River Wigor' or 'hemmed-in land by the River Wigor'. Wigor may be an older name for the River Wissey.[1]

The former Benedictine alien priory of St Winwaloe is now Winnold House. It lies a mile north of the village. A large fair was held on St Winnold's Day (3 March); the fair moved to Downham Market in 1798.[2]

In the centre of the village is the pond - known locally as the pit. Nearby on the village green, the village sign depicts 'Billy the Seal', one of Wereham's most famous residents from the 1920s.

About the village

Wereham once had four pubs: the George and Dragon, The Crown, The Nags Head and The Chequers; however, only the George and Dragon remains. The village also had a school which closed in the 1980s.

File:Wereham Church.jpg
St Margaret of Antioch, Wereham

The Parish Church, St Margaret of Antioch, is in the centre of the village.

File:Commons-logo.svg
("Wikimedia Commons" has material
about Wereham)

References