Barton Bendish

Barton Bendish
Barton Bendish with St Andrew's
Barton Bendish Location within Norfolk
Area	15.92 km2 (6.15 sq mi)
Population	210 (parish, 2011 census)[1]
• Density	13/km2 (34/sq mi)
OS grid reference	TF712056
• London	101 miles (163 km)
Civil parish	Barton Bendish
District	King's Lynn and West Norfolk
Shire county	Norfolk
Region	East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	KINGS LYNN
Postcode district	PE33
Dialling code	01366
Police	Norfolk
Fire	Norfolk
Ambulance	East of England
List of places UK England Norfolk 52°37′18″N 0°31′44″E / 52.62165°N 0.52885°E / 52.62165; 0.52885Coordinates: 52°37′18″N 0°31′44″E / 52.62165°N 0.52885°E / 52.62165; 0.52885

Barton Bendish is a village and a civil parish in the English county of Norfolk.^[2] The village is 7.6 miles (12.2 km) east of Downham Market, 38.6 miles (62.1 km) west of Norwich and 14.4 miles (23.2 km) south of the town of Kings Lynn.The nearest railway station is at Downham Market for the Fen Line which runs between Cambridge and King’s Lynn. The civil parish has an area of 15.92 km² and in the 2011 census had a population of 210 in 96 households. For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the district of King's Lynn and West Norfolk.^[1]

History[]

St Mary's Church, Barton Bendish

The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 where the name is given as Bertuna.^[3] The main tenant of the village was William from Hermer de Ferrers. Other tenants were Reynald Fitzlvo and Ralph Baynard.

The villages name means 'Barley farm within the ditch'. The ditch being the Devil's Dyke.

Barton Bendish is a settlement of scattered households where there are two churches^[4] which are little more than a field apart. What is more remarkable is that up until 1787 the parish had three churches. All Saints' was pulled down in that year with much of the material used to repair local roads and for repairing St Mary’s Church.^[4] The other remaining church is called St Andrew’s.

From the time of Richard I to Henry VIII the Lovells were lords of the manor here. Thomas Lovell, the third son of Sir Ralf Lovell was a loyal supporter of Henry VII. He fought at the Battle of Bosworth 1485 and was knighted by Henry VII for his prowess. In 1485 he was created President of the Council and Chancellor of the Exchequer for life. His elder brother Sir Gregory was made banneret at Stoke.^{[citation needed]}

The present owner, Albanwise Ltd, a UK-based farming and real estate company - which is ultimately owned by the Vighignolo Investment Trust (a non for profit organization), purchased the Estate in 1992 and has ever since then invested to preserve the village historic significance and enhance the surrounding landscape.^{[citation needed]}

RAF Barton Bendish was a short-lived Second World War airfield.^{[citation needed]}

The village contains a notable manor house, Barton Bendish Hall. The site was first developed in the 17th century, but the original house was almost entirely torn down and rebuilt in 1856, and the present structure is architecturally Victorian. The interior of the house was then extensively redone throughout the early and mid 20th century, meaning it retains little of its original artistic integrity, even from the Victorian period. Nevertheless, the house remains one of the more notable structures in the village, and the gardens have been developed by the current owner, Count Luca Padulli di Vighignolo, and are periodically opened to the public. Guided tours of the garden are occasionally offered on request.^[5]

Amenities[]

Both remaining churches, St Andrew’s and St Mary’s are Grade I listed. St Mary's Church is now under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust.^{[citation needed]}

The local public house was called The Berney Arms^[6] (formerly The Spread Eagle) and named for former owners of Barton Bendish Hall, the Berney family. In 2006 the pub was one of the three finalists in the Eastern Daily Press Norfolk Best Pub & Restaurant 2006 Food Awards. In 2020 the pub closed for business and is yet to find new owners this was as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. There is also a well-used Village Hall. A popular sport played in the village is bowls. The village bowling green, was officially opened in 1952 although before that the game was played in front of Avenue farmhouse courtesy of Commander Mansfield.^[7]

Notes[]

References[]

• ^ Office for National Statistics & Norfolk County Council (2001). Census population and household counts for unparished urban areas and all parishes. Retrieved 2 December 2005.

http://kepn.nottingham.ac.uk/map/place/Norfolk/Barton%20Bendish

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Barton Bendish.

• Information from Genuki Norfolk on Barton Bendish.
• Barton [Bendish] in the Domesday Book
• Barton Bendish Parish Council
• Barton Bendish History