North Walsham
| North Walsham | |
|---|---|
 North Walsham market cross |
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 North Walsham
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| North Walsham shown within Norfolk | |
| Area | 17.27 km2 (6.67 sq mi) |
| Population | 12,634 (2011) |
| • Density | 732/km2 (1,900/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | TG282302 |
| Civil parish |
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| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | NORTH WALSHAM |
| Postcode district | NR28 |
| Dialling code | 01692 |
| Police | Norfolk |
| Fire | Norfolk |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament | |
North Walsham is a market town and civil parish in Norfolk, England in the North Norfolk district.
The civil parish has an area of 11.3 square miles (29 km2) and in the 2011 census had a population of 12,634. For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the district of North Norfolk.
The town is 7.5 mi (12.1 km) south of Cromer and the same distance north of Wroxham. The county town and city of Norwich is 15 mi (24 km) south. The town is served by North Walsham railway station, on the Bittern Line between Norwich, Cromer and Sheringham. The main road through the town is the A149. Also, the town is located on the B1145 a route which runs between King's Lynn and Mundesley.
The town is on the North Walsham & Dilham Canal, still privately owned by the North Walsham Canal Company. The canal ran from Antingham Mill, largely following the course of the River Ant to a point below Honing. A short branch canal leaves the main navigation near Honing and terminates at the village of Dilham.
North Walsham, an Anglo-Saxon settlement, and the neighbouring village of Worstead became very prosperous from the 12th century through the arrival of weavers from Flanders. The two settlements gave their names to the textiles they produced: "Walsham" became the name of a light-weight cloth for summer wear, and "Worsted" a heavier cloth. The 14th century "wool churches" are a testament to the prosperity of the local mill owners. North Walsham's church of St. Nicholas was originally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and is one of the UK's largest parish churches. It was also the site of a wayside shrine to St. Thomas of Canterbury. This church had the second-tallest steeple in Norfolk until its collapse in 1724. Plans for its rebuilding were abandoned at the outbreak of the Second World War. The ruined tower dominates the town centre and is a famous landmark of the area, visible from many miles away. In the parish church of St. Nicholas can be found the ornate tomb of Sir William Paston; the remains of medieval painted screens; a telescopic Gothic font canopy; a unique Royal Arms Board; an ancient iron bound chest; and many other ancient artifacts.
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Wikipedia