Somerton, Norfolk Explained

Country:England
Coordinates:52.7179°N 1.6622°W
Label Position:bottom
Os Grid Reference:TG 480 197
Official Name:Somerton
Population:289
Population Ref:(2011)[1]
Area Total Km2:8.25
Static Image Name:West somerton Mary.jpg
Static Image Caption:West Somerton St Mary
Region:East of England
Civil Parish:Somerton
Postcode District:NR29
Postcode Area:NR
Post Town:GREAT YARMOUTH

Somerton is a civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. It comprises the twin villages of East Somerton and West Somerton and is situated some 14km (09miles) north of the town of Great Yarmouth, 35km (22miles) north-east of the city of Norwich, and 2km (01miles) from the sea.[2]

The civil parish has an area of 8.25km2 and in the 2001 census, had a population of 257 in 93 households, the population increasing to 289 at the 2011 Census. For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the district of Great Yarmouth.[3]

The church of West Somerton St Mary is one of 124 existing round-tower churches in Norfolk.

Notable residents

In the churchyard is the grave of Robert Hales, the Norfolk Giant. He was born in the village in 1820 and one of nine children. Eventually reaching 7feet and over, 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.[4]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Civil Parish population 2011. 24 August 2015.
  2. Ordnance Survey (2005). OS Explorer Map OL40 - The Broads. .
  3. Office for National Statistics & Norfolk County Council (2001). Census population and household counts for unparished urban areas and all parishes . Retrieved 2 December 2005.
  4. Web site: Robert Hales. 23 June 2009.