Somerton, Norfolk
| Somerton | |
| Norfolk | |
|---|---|
 West Somerton St Mary | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TG480197 |
| Location: | 52°43’5"N, 1°39’44"E |
| Data | |
| Population: | 289 (2011) |
| Post town: | Great Yarmouth |
| Postcode: | NR29 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Great Yarmouth |
Somerton is a parish in Norfolk consisting of conjoined twin villages: East Somerton (TG481197) and West Somerton (TG469198). The villages are found about eight and a half miles north of Great Yarmouth, 21 miles north-east of Norwich, and a mile and a half from the sea.
The 2011 recorded the parish population as 289.
The parish church, St Mary, is in West Somerton. It is one of 124 existing round-tower churches in Norfolk. East Somerton once had its own church, also St Mary's, which now lies in ruins.[1]
The Norfolk Giant
In the churchyard is the grave of Robert Hales, the Norfolk Giant. He was born in the village in 1820 as one of nine children. Eventually reaching 7 feet 8 inches and over 32 stone in weight, he worked in the circus world, met Queen Victoria, and retired to a pub in London. As his health worsened he returned to Norfolk, where he died in 1863.[2]
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Somerton, Norfolk) |
References
- ↑ East Somerton: Norfolk Churches
- ↑ "Robert Hales". http://norfolkcoast.co.uk/pasttimes/pt_roberthales.htm.