Somerton, Norfolk

Somerton

West Somerton St Mary
Somerton

 Somerton shown within Norfolk
Area  8.25 km2 (3.19 sq mi)
Population 257 
    - Density  31 /km2 (80 /sq mi)
OS grid reference TG 480 197
Parish Somerton, Norfolk
District Great Yarmouth
Shire county Norfolk
Region East
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town GREAT YARMOUTH
Postcode district NR29
Police Norfolk
Fire Norfolk
Ambulance East of England
EU Parliament East of England
List of places: UK • England • Norfolk

Somerton is a civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. It comprises the twin villages of East Somerton and West Somerton and is situated some 14 km (8.7 mi) north of the town of Great Yarmouth, 35 km (22 mi) north-east of the city of Norwich, and 2 km (1.2 mi) from the sea.[1]

The civil parish has an area of 8.25 km2 (3.19 sq mi) and in the 2001 census had a population of 257 in 93 households. For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the district of Great Yarmouth.[2]

The church of West Somerton St Mary is one of 124 existing round-tower churches in Norfolk.

Notable residents

In the churchyard is the grave of Robert Hales, the Norfolk Giant. He was born in the village in 1820 and one of nine children. Eventually reaching 7 feet 8 inches (2.34 m) and over 32 stone (450 lb; 200 kg), he worked in the circus world, met Queen Victoria and retired to a pub in London. As his health worsened he returned to Norfolk, where he died in 1863.[3]

Notes

  1. ^ Ordnance Survey (2005). OS Explorer Map OL40 - The Broads. ISBN 0-319-23769-9.
  2. ^ Office for National Statistics & Norfolk County Council (2001). Census population and household counts for unparished urban areas and all parishes. Retrieved December 2, 2005.
  3. ^ "Robert Hales". http://norfolkcoast.co.uk/pasttimes/pt_roberthales.htm. Retrieved 23 June 2009. 

External links