Why visit Griston
Townapedia lists 3 museums and landmarks, 3 parks and trails, 8 places to eat and 1 place to stay in and around town.
Highlights include War Memorial, Thompson Water, Carr and Common and Wayland Wood.
Weather in Griston
Forecast from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). Full forecast
About Griston
Griston is a village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk.
From the Wikipedia article Griston (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Museums and landmarks3
War Memorial
Monument and historic site · 1.0 mi
Propeller mounted with small engraved plaques either side.
3d Strategic Air Depot, World War II, United States Army Airforce
Monument and historic site
Parks, trails and playgrounds3
Thompson Water, Carr and Common
Park · 3.2 mi
Site of Special Scientific Interest in Norfolk, England, UK
Restaurants and cafes8
Where to stay1
History
Griston's name is of Viking origin and derives from the Old Norse for either Griss' farm or settlement or young pig farm or settlement.
In the Domesday Book, Griston is listed as a settlement of 29 households in the hundred of Wayland. In 1086, the village was part of the East Anglian estates of King William I, William de Warenne, Roger Bigod, Ralph Baynard and John, nephew of Waleran.
Griston Hall was built in the Sixteenth Century and by the Nineteenth Century had been converted into several separate dwellings. Griston Hall and nearby Wayland Woods are the setting for the story of the 'Babes in the Woods' stories where a malicious uncle sent two children into the woods to die so he could steal their inheritance. It is rumoured that the cries of the children can still be heard in the woods today.
During the Second World War, parts of the parish made up RAF Watton which was used by both the United States Army Air Force and Royal Air Force.
From the History section of Griston on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
More about Griston
Geography
According to the 2021 census, Griston has a population of 1,816 people which shows an increase from the 1,540 people recorded in the 2011 census.
From the Wikipedia article Griston, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Churches and places of worship4
Shopping6
Gas and EV charging2
Schools, colleges and libraries1
Map of Griston
28 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Getting there and nearby towns
RAF Marham (KNF) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 14 miles away.
- Shipdham 5 mi north, about 8 min by car
- Attleborough 7 mi southeast, about 11 min by car
- Necton 7 mi northwest, about 12 min by car
- East Dereham 9 mi north, about 15 min by car
- Mundford 10 mi west, about 15 min by car
- Thetford 11 mi southwest, about 17 min by car
- Weeting 12 mi southwest, about 20 min by car
- North Elmham 14 mi north, about 22 min by car
- Bowthorpe 16 mi east, about 26 min by car
- Diss 16 mi southeast, about 26 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Towns near Griston
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Local news
Headlines from INDB.
Reviews, tips and questions
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Sources and licences
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, coordinates, regions and time zone
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- St Peter and St Paul's church Griston Norfolk (511802083), David from Colorado Springs, United States, CC BY 2.0
- Breckles-g3, Bernd Jatzwauk Pommes104, CC BY-SA 3.0
Page built November 10, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.