Great Dunham stands on the crest of a low hill. Its history spans prehistoric finds and Roman settlement areas, a church dating from the 11th century, milling technology and historic farmhouses. For a stay that includes an interest in local and architectural history, the village offers several different themes: archaeological traces, preserved architectural features and buildings from different centuries.
Early Traces and Local History
Great Dunham is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The earliest documented find from Great Dunham is a flint blade attributed either to the Upper Palaeolithic or the Mesolithic. Several areas of Roman settlement have also been identified. The timeline therefore stretches from prehistory through Roman settlement to the medieval record of 1086. The find, settlement areas and written source each represent different aspects of the village’s history.
St Andrew’s Church and Rookery Farmhouse
St Andrew’s Church dates from around 1060 to 1100. Many Roman bricks were used in its construction, and original Saxon and Norman architectural features have been preserved. St Andrew’s Heritage Detective Trail describes features of the church from different centuries. The trail’s availability may change; check whether it is offered before visiting.
Rookery Farmhouse is an early 19th-century farmhouse and a Grade II listed building. Reused decorative carvings from the late 12th century add a distinctive detail to the building’s history: they are considerably older than the farmhouse in which they were reused.
Mills and Historic Houses
Great Dunham Tower Mill was built to replace an earlier smock mill. It powered two pairs of French millstones, each four feet in diameter. The mill can therefore be understood both in terms of what came before it and its technical features.
Mill House is a former miller’s house; a gable stone bears the date 1798. Hill Farmhouse dates from the 16th or 17th century and has later additions as well as exposed main beams from a timber frame. Great Dunham Hall is an 18th-century farmhouse. Together, these houses illustrate different forms and periods of local architectural history, from a former miller’s house to a farmhouse with an exposed timber frame.
Croquet and Table Tennis
Great Dunham Croquet Club has a full-size lawn court. Golf Croquet and Association Croquet are played there. The club also offers coaching from beginner to A-class level. Membership, availability and coaching arrangements may change; it is best to check with the club in advance about participation and current options.
Great Dunham Table Tennis Club welcomes anyone interested in having a game and finding out more: on Tuesday afternoons from 2:30 p.m. or in the evening after 6 p.m. As the time slots may change, check them before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Acle, North Creake, Long Stratton, Litcham, Burgh Castle, Necton, Hockering, Taverham
For the main travel overview: Norfolk.
