Hockwold cum Wilton | |
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St Peter's Church, Hockwold cum Wilton |
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Hockwold cum Wilton shown within Norfolk | |
Area | 31.05 km2 (11.99 sq mi) |
Population | 1,195 (2011) |
• Density | 38/km2 (98/sq mi) |
OS grid reference | TF615205 |
District | |
Shire county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | THETFORD |
Postcode district | IP26 |
Dialling code | 01842 |
Police | Norfolk |
Fire | Norfolk |
Ambulance | East of England |
EU Parliament | East of England |
UK Parliament | |
Hockwold cum Wilton ("Hock/mallow wood and willow-tree farm/settlement") is 10 miles west of Thetford, Norfolk, England and is in the borough of King's Lynn and West Norfolk. It is located near several USAF airbases, notably RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall. It is situated on the boundary between the geographical areas of the Breckland - a region of sandy heathland now largely forested - and the flat, low-lying Fens, with some characteristics of both.
The village is the location of the primary campus of Iceni Academy. Previously this was Hockwold Primary School. The village has two churches (St Peter's and St James') and a Methodist chapel.
An important Roman hoard of silver tableware and coins was found in Hockwold in 1962. It is now part of the Roman-British collections at the British Museum. Originally, the village was located next to the river. However, after the black plague infected the village, it was burnt down and relocated a mile to the north.
The village is also rumoured to be haunted by several ghosts. The gates of Hockwold Hall, a large manor house and estate, are said to be haunted by the White Lady, a cause of distraction to many drivers on their way through the village, while the Little Ouse River that runs past the village is rumoured to be haunted by a group of nuns and a horseman.
The Ramsgate (Kent) earthquake of 22 May 2015 was noticed as far away as Hockwold when residents woke up to household objects rattling.
Hockwold Hall is an Elizabethan house on the site of an earlier manor. The manor of Hockwold is mentioned in the Domesday Book. Hockwold Hall, with origins in the late 15th century, is a Tudor manor house with a substantial extension built by a Royal Prince at the end of the 19th century.