West Raynham

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West Raynham
Remains of St Margaret's, West Raynham - geograph.org.uk - 401694.jpg
The ruins of St Margaret's church
West Raynham is located in Norfolk
West Raynham
West Raynham
Location within Norfolk
OS grid referenceTF871253
• London110 miles
Civil parish
  • Raynham
District
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townFakenham
Postcode districtNR21
Dialling code01328
PoliceNorfolk
FireNorfolk
AmbulanceEast of England
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Norfolk
52°47′36″N 0°46′28″E / 52.79334°N 0.77447°E / 52.79334; 0.77447Coordinates: 52°47′36″N 0°46′28″E / 52.79334°N 0.77447°E / 52.79334; 0.77447

West Raynham is an English village in the county of Norfolk. It is located close to the A1065 road, some five miles southwest of Fakenham and is the largest village on the Raynham estate. The river Wensum flows nearby.

The village can trace its origins back and before the Domesday survey of 1086 when it was known as Reinham.[1] It is in the civil parish of Raynham.

The villages name means 'Regna's homestead/village' or 'Regna's hemmed-in land'.[2]

The Raynhams[]

Today, The Raynhams would cover West, East and South Raynham, a large area of farmland known as Raynham Park, which the Raynham villages and the 17th-century Raynham Hall border.[1]

Raynham Hall[]

Raynham Hall

Raynham Hall is a rectangular mansion built of brick and stone dressings. Work commenced in 1619 and was completed in 1630. It is the seat of the Townshend family, and is owned today by the 7th Marquis Townshend.[1]

The Church of St Margaret[]

The church was first built in the 11th century. It fell into ruins from the 1720s, when the lead roof was removed to help pay for the restoration of St Marys at East Raynham. The ruin has now been consolidated and the church is now back in occasional use.[3][4]

RAF West Raynham[]

The former Royal Air Force station, RAF West Raynham, is located 2 miles west of the village. It opened in 1939 and closed in 1994, when it was sold to a property developer. Most of the properties are empty and in need of restoration, but people do currently live on the site and all houses are available to rent. There is also a small shop on site. In 2010 the paranormal television series Most Haunted filmed 5 episodes on the base.[5]

Recreation[]

Much of the area can be visited by a circular walk which takes in mixed woodland, water meadows, arable land and historic buildings, almost entirely on the Raynham estate.[6]

External links[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c The Raynhams Archived 2008-07-23 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved February 12, 2008
  2. ^ http://kepn.nottingham.ac.uk/map/place/Norfolk/Raynham%20East%20South%20and%20West
  3. ^ Church history Retrieved February 12, 2008
  4. ^ St Margarets Retrieved February 12, 2008
  5. ^ http://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/spook_search_at_west_raynham_1_537396[dead link]
  6. ^ Circular walk Retrieved February 12, 2008


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