Population 229 (2001 census) Sovereign state United Kingdom Area 6.34 km² | OS grid reference TG051166 Post town DEREHAM | |
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Elsing is a village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. It is situated some 6 miles north-east of the town of East Dereham and 12 miles north-west of the city of Norwich.[1]
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Map of Elsing, UK
The civil parish has an area of 634 hectares and in the 2001 census had a population of 229 in 105 households. For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the district of Breckland.[2]
History of Elsing
The village is named after a Danish chieftain, “Elesa”, whose image appears on the village sign together with his hunting hound. In mediaeval times, Elsing was a thriving town with a population of over a thousand. It had its own market and guildhall. The church of St Mary, built in 1347, has the widest pillarless nave in East Anglia. There is a brass commemorating the life of Sir Hugh Hastings, the Lord of the Manor. The Hastings family built the moated Elsing Hall in 1470. Elsing Hall has a priest hole amongst its many features, used during the 16th century to hide Catholic priests from persecution.
The village is widely spread and a succession of interesting old buildings can be seen passing through the village from East Dereham to the adjacent village of Lyng. These are Elsing Hall, the Church, the Guildhall, the Rectory and Elsing Mill on the River Wensum.
The Mermaid Inn public house (16th Century c.1540) is adjacent to 14th century St Mary's Church and Elsing Hall gardens are open to groups by prior appointment during the summer months.
Notable residents
BBC reporter Bob Simpson lived in the village and is buried in the churchyard. Simpson enjoyed driving an MG sports car which he had rebuilt through the Norfolk countryside.