Please note that the postcard from series
ended in 2004 and that descriptions of shops and services were correct at
time of going to press
Where is it:
In mid-Norfolk, eight miles north-west of Dereham, on the B1145.
What’s all this about the history?
Well, Litcham is a conservation village with many listed buildings.
It is mentioned in the Doomsday Book as “a market town in
the centre of Norfolk.”
But its history goes back much further than that. Roman settlements
and roads have been found just outside the village.
Later it was on the King’s Lynn-Norwich-Great Yarmouth stagecoach
route, now the B1145. Horses were changed at the Bull Inn, which
still stands today.
The Litcham Historical and Amenity Society was set up in 1990, in
response to building work which threatened to change the character
of the village.
The society opened Litcham Village Museum in a Grade II listed coach
house, winning a Rural Village Ventures competition in the process.
As well as Roman coins and artefacts, the museum has over 1000 local
photographs, dating from 1860.
You can ask to see the underground lime kiln, also Grade II listed,
which was found in the grounds and lovingly restored. The free museum
is open on weekend afternoons April to early October, but may also
be open by appointment. Telephone 01328 701383.
The town sign (above)
and the Lime Kilns (below)
I fancy a bit of fresh air after all that.
Well, Litcham has plenty to offer walkers and nature lovers. There’s
a nature reserve at Litcham Common, or you can take a walk along
the Nar Valley Way. You can get a free history walk sheet from the
museum. Or why not try a spot of fishing?
What else is there to do?
You can stop to refresh yourself at the historic Bull Inn, which
serves food. And there’s a fish and chip shop, butchers
and post office/general store. There are a couple of schools, too,
both primary and secondary.
What about the church?
The 12th-century All Saints Church with its square tower was largely
rebuilt in the early 15th century. The stone font dates from then,
and is decorated with shields with the heraldic arms removed.
There are 22 images of saints on the unusual red and green painted
rood screen, completed in 1536. Outside, the clock is dated 1725
and was made by the Swaffham blacksmith.
What
else is there nearby?
Just half a mile west is the village of Lexham. The Grade II listed
Lexham Hall has a large 18th and 19th century park and woodland,
restored in the mid-20th century.
The River Nar flows through the park, and there is a formal garden,
yew walk, woodland garden and a Saxon round-tower church.
One mile east of Litcham is another conservation village, Mileham.
It also has a fine church and the remains of a castle.
What
else is there nearby?