HEYDON – A very private Village

  Heydon, situated a couple of miles off the B1149 Norwich to Holt road, is indeed a very private village. It is one of only 12 villages in Britain privately owned by the estate on whose lands it sits. Yes! The whole village belongs to the Bulwer Long family who have been the owners, in residence, since 1640.  They own all the shops, the houses and the pub too.

THE VILLAGE: - Originally, High-Down is mentioned in the Domesday book and a weekly market was held there. There have been no new buildings in over a hundred years and one gets a feeling of  “stepping back in time” on approaching this pretty little village, down its own driveway. You almost expect everyone to be wearing costumes from a past century. The village was created a conservation area in 1971, Norfolk’s first, and has twice won the Best Kept Village award. This is due partly to its ‘olde worlde’ feel and partly because it is both so tranquil and pretty, and has frequently been used as the set for both television productions and films. The Go Between, The Women in White, Vanity Fair and Riders were all filmed, at least in part, at Heydon.

THE SHOPS:- There are only three as such, and the pub, The Earle’s Arms. The Blacksmith’s still has the appearance of a traditional Smithy and outside is a unique “mare and foal” made entirely out of horse shoes. 
The village hairdresser caters for all and draws its clientele from the surrounding villages. 
Lastly there is The Village Shop and Tea Room.  Suzanne & Peter Stainton run this beautiful little tearoom in the style of  traditional old fashioned tea rooms and if you like home cooking and cream teas, this is the place to come. Virtually everything on offer is homemade to a very high standard from the succulent Cornish pasties to the various cakes and gateaux. Apart from enjoying the goods at the tea rooms you can place an order with Suzanne & Peter who are only too happy to personally cook for you and /or your function, whether it be a small Party or a Wedding Reception.

THE HALL:- Built in 1582 by Henry Dynne, additions were made in 1797 and again around1830. It was almost derelict in 1972, but has now been renovated and most of the later extensions demolished, returning it to its original Elizabethan proportions.

THE GROUNDS: - The Gardens are only open when advertised. but the Park is open to walk in and enjoy throughout the year.

THE CHURCH: - Rebuilt around 500 years ago, it contains some interesting wall paintings that were not discovered until 1970 having been whitewashed over centuries ago.

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