North Walsham, United Kingdom
North Walsham is a town of 13,007 people in England, United Kingdom.
Why visit North Walsham
Townapedia lists 2 museums and landmarks, 7 parks and trails, 33 places to eat, 11 places to stay and 1 attraction in and around town.
Highlights include Black Swan Theater, Norfolk Motorcycle Museum, The Shrubs and Pigneys Wood.
Weather in North Walsham
Forecast from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). Full forecast
About North Walsham
North Walsham is a market town and civil parish in the North Norfolk district of the county of Norfolk, England. The town is located 8 mi (13 km) south of Cromer and Norwich is 15 mi (24 km) south.
From the Wikipedia article North Walsham (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Travel tips from other travellers: North Walsham on Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Photos of North Walsham
Things to do1
Museums and landmarks2
The Shrubs
Monument and historic site
The writer Agatha Christie wrote many of her works here in the summerhouse and used to stay in room #9. There is Agatha Christie...
20 Cromer Road, North Walsham
Parks, trails and playgrounds7
Restaurants and cafes33
The White Swan
Bar and pub
12 Church Street, North Walsham
Mo-Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:30
The Olive Tree
Restaurant · Regional · 0.8 mi
1 Bacton Road, North Walsham
Mo-Th 08:00-10:30,12:00-15:00,18:00-21:00; Fr...
Costa Coffee
Cafe · Coffee Shop
35-36 Market Place, North Walsham
Mo-Fr 06:30-18:00; Sa 07:00-17:30; Su 07:30-16:00
The Bluebell Freehouse
Bar and pub · 0.7 mi
Bacton Road, North Walsham
Mo-Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 12:00-23:00
The Peasants' Tavern
Bar and pub
Cosy and welcoming pub/bar specialising in authentic pie & mash
18 Market Street, North Walsham
21 more on the map.
History
The name Walsham derives from the Old English walhshām meaning 'Walh's village'.
North Walsham, an Anglo-Saxon settlement, and the neighbouring village of Worstead became very prosperous from the twelfth century through the arrival of weavers from Flanders. The two settlements gave their names to the textiles they produced: 'Walsham' became the name of a lightweight cloth for summer wear, and 'Worsted' a heavier cloth. The fourteenth century 'wool churches' are a testament to the prosperity of the local mill owners. North Walsham's church of St. Nicholas was originally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and is one of the UK's largest parish churches. It was also the site of a wayside shrine to St. Thomas of Canterbury. This church had the second-tallest steeple in Norfolk until its collapse in 1724. Plans for its rebuilding were abandoned at the outbreak of the Second World War. The ruined tower dominates the town centre and is a famous landmark of the area, visible from many miles away. In the parish church of St. Nicholas can be found the ornate tomb of Sir William Paston; the remains of medieval painted screens; a telescopic Gothic font canopy; a unique royal arms board; an ancient iron-bound chest; and many other ancient artefacts.
Read more of the history
North Walsham was involved in the Peasants' Revolt of 1381. The peasants' leaders were defeated at the Battle of North Walsham and the site is marked by a wayside stone near the town's water towers.
The Great Fire of North Walsham took place on 25 June 1600. It began at six o'clock in the morning from a house occupied by a person with the surname of Dowle. Dowle subsequently fled and was captured and placed in gaol. The fire was devastating and destroyed 118 homes, 70 shops, the market cross, and market stalls. Although the church caught fire in five places, the building was mostly undamaged. It provided shelter for people whilst the town was being rebuilt.
The English naval hero, Horatio Nelson, and his brother, William, were educated at Paston Grammar School in North Walsham, founded by Sir William Paston (of Paston Letters fame) in 1606. Nelson left the school to start his naval career at the age of eleven. The school became Paston College in 1984.
William Suffolk, who murdered one Mary Beck, was gibbeted on the outskirts of North Walsham after his execution on Castle Hill in Norwich in 1797, remaining there until the enclosure of the parish.
During World War II, a North Walsham man lost his life when his Royal Air Force training aeroplane crashed in the United States. Local residents living near the site, in the State of Oklahoma, erected a monument in 2000 honouring the lives of all four RAF fliers who perished. The residents, who include Choctaw Native American People, and the Choctaw Nation government, continue honouring the lives of all four on each anniversary of the crashes, which took place in February 1943.
As part of the millennium celebrations, ten mosaics were commissioned, showing scenes from local history, including the Peasants' Revolt and the Great Fire of North Walsham, and a picture of a Norfolk wherry – an allusion to the canal.
North Walsham Picturedrome opened in King Arms Street around 1912 and survived until around September 1931. In 1931 the Regal Cinema opened in New Road and was open until 1979. When the Regal closed, the building was turned into a Vauxhall car dealership and later a Plant hire business, but in 2018 was knocked down to make room for housing..
From the History section of North Walsham on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
More about North Walsham
Arts and culture
The town's park features an oak tree sculpture commemorating the battle of the Peasants' Revolt at North Walsham in 1381, and the Agricultural Workers Union being founded in the town in 1906. It is constructed from a 120-year-old tree that was diseased and was due to be felled. The sculpture was unveiled in September 1999.
The Black Swan Theatre, part of the Black Swan Public House and Theatre, is operated by New Stages, a not-for-profit Community Interest Company. They won 'Best (Pub) for Entertainment' at the Great British Pub Awards 2026. Previously, North Walsham had a Fisher Theatre (part of the Fisher family theatre circuit) 1828–1845, and the Atrium, a £5.3 million arts and education development attached to North Walsham High School, which was opened to the wider community 2012–2016.
North Walsham is home to the North Walsham Heritage Centre. The Heritage Centre displays information and artefacts on the whole range of the town's history. It is also home to the Norfolk Motorcycle Museum, a privately owned collection of around 80 motorcycles dating up to 1960. Toys are also on display, particularly die-cast toys.
North Walsham Ghost Walks (and themed historical tours) have been running in the town since 2013. They run throughout the year with themed walks around Halloween.
Education
North Walsham High School is an academy school for pupils aged 11 to 16 located in the town. The school is administered by Enrich Learning Trust. The school converted from community school status in October 2019.
From the Wikipedia article North Walsham, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Notable people from North Walsham
Lauren HempEnglish association football player (born 2000)Photo: Katie Chan, CC BY-SA 4.0
Richard PorsonEnglish classical scholar (1759–1808)Photo: Engraved by B.Holl after a picture..., Public domain
James WillstropBritish squash playerPhoto: Dacoucou, CC BY-SA 4.0
Edward CareyPlaywright, novelistPhoto: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
Tom PercivalBritish powerboat racer (1943–1984)Photo: Rob Bogaerts for Anefo, CC0- Nicholas AlkemadeRoyal Air Force airman (1922-1987)
- Cassie JackmanBritish squash player
- Clive Bakerprofessional footballer (born 1959)
- Fred CuttingEnglish footballer (1921-1997)
- Steve McGavinEnglish footballer (born 1969)
- Christopher Borrettcricketer (born 1979)
- Matthew O'ConnorBritish swimmer
Born in North Walsham, according to Wikidata (CC0). Each name links to its Wikipedia article.
Where to stay11
Churches and places of worship12
Shopping9
Gas and EV charging1
Schools, colleges and libraries7
Healthcare4
North Walsham and District War Memorial Hospital
Hospital · 0.5 mi
Yarmouth Road, North Walsham
Map of North Walsham
87 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Getting there and nearby towns
Norwich Airport (NWI) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 11 miles away.
- Trunch 3 mi north, about 5 min by car
- Gimingham 4 mi north, about 6 min by car
- Mundesley 4 mi northeast, about 7 min by car
- Norwich 14 mi south, about 22 min by car
- Thetford 39 mi southwest, about 1 h by car
- Stowmarket 47 mi south, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Skegness 49 mi northwest, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Woodbridge 50 mi south, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Wisbech 52 mi west, about 1 h 30 min by car
- Ipswich 54 mi south, about 1 h 30 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Towns near North Walsham
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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
- -2019-02-19 Black Swan public house, Black Swan Loke, North Walsham, Kolforn ( Kolforn ) I'd appreciate if you could mail me ([email protected]) if you want to use this picture out of the Wikimedia project scope. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons..., CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2018-08-08 North Walsham parish church bell tower, Kolforn ( Kolforn ) I'd appreciate if you could mail me ([email protected]) if you want to use this picture out of the Wikimedia project scope. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons..., CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2018-08-08 Arnolds Keys Estate agent, Market Place, North Walsham, Kolforn ( Kolforn ) I'd appreciate if you could mail me ([email protected]) if you want to use this picture out of the Wikimedia project scope. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons..., CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2018-08-08 Watson's Estate agent, Market Place, North Walsham, Kolforn ( Kolforn ) I'd appreciate if you could mail me ([email protected]) if you want to use this picture out of the Wikimedia project scope. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons..., CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2018-08-08 Bocadillos, Market Place, North Walsham, Kolforn ( Kolforn ) I'd appreciate if you could mail me ([email protected]) if you want to use this picture out of the Wikimedia project scope. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons..., CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2018-06-18 Bank of Santander, Market Place, North Walsham, Kolforn ( Kolforn ) I'd appreciate if you could mail me ([email protected]) if you want to use this picture out of the Wikimedia project scope. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons..., CC BY-SA 4.0
- -2019-02-19 The Great Wall, Market Place, North Walsham, Kolforn ( Kolforn ) I'd appreciate if you could mail me ([email protected]) if you want to use this picture out of the Wikimedia project scope. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons..., CC BY-SA 4.0
- -2019-08-31 Street busker, Market Place, North Walsham, Kolforn ( Kolforn ) I'd appreciate if you could mail me ([email protected]) if you want to use this picture out of the Wikimedia project scope. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons..., CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2018-04-05 Market day, Market Place, North Walsham, Norfolk (2), Kolforn ( Kolforn ) I'd appreciate if you could mail me ([email protected]) if you want to use this picture out of the Wikimedia project scope. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons..., CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2018-08-08 The Black Swan, North Walsham, Kolforn ( Kolforn ) I'd appreciate if you could mail me ([email protected]) if you want to use this picture out of the Wikimedia project scope. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons..., CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2018-06-18 QD discount store, Market Place, North Walsham, Kolforn ( Kolforn ) I'd appreciate if you could mail me ([email protected]) if you want to use this picture out of the Wikimedia project scope. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons..., CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2018-06-18 The Drugstore, Market Place, North Walsham, Kolforn ( Kolforn ) I'd appreciate if you could mail me ([email protected]) if you want to use this picture out of the Wikimedia project scope. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons..., CC BY-SA 4.0
- Knapton Cutting (4), Dudley Miles, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Swafield Church 10 Nov 2007, Stavros1 at English Wikipedia, Public domain
- Bradfield Parish Church 1st September 2008, Stavros1, CC BY 3.0
- -2020-12-27 South facing elevation, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, North Walsham, Kolforn ( Kolforn ) I'd appreciate if you could mail me ([email protected]) if you want to use this picture out of the Wikimedia project scope. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons..., CC BY-SA 4.0
- -2022-05-22 Footpath, Pigneys Wood, Norfolk, England, David Pashley, CC BY-SA 2.0
- 2018-06-18 White Swan, Church Street, North Walsham, Kolforn ( Kolforn ) I'd appreciate if you could mail me ([email protected]) if you want to use this picture out of the Wikimedia project scope. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons..., CC BY-SA 4.0
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