Morston, a village of less than 200, and then only really in the Summer. But everywhere that has been around for a while has a story.
Morton very gradually, over hundreds of years, has become the main port of the North Norfolk coast. Having said that the 100,000 or so people that leave the land for the sea are mainly visiting the seals at Blakeney Point.
The first port was Cley-next-to Sea, then Wiveton, then Blakeney and now Morston. Over time the long shore drift has grown Blakeney Point to the west, silting up the harbours in successive villages, and handing the baton on up the coast.
This map is by Captain Grenville Collins, 1693, and shows navigable routes into these ports. It explains why the church in Cley Next to Sea is set so far back in the village. At one point the church near to the main bridge into Cley, so a far more significant location in the past.
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All Saints Moreston |
Moreton - or 'marsh town' (a bit like Morton on the marsh?) - did once have a thriving boat building industry. The church is famous for experiencing vitiligo. In the eighteenth century the tower was struck by lightning. Towers and buildings in this neck of the woods seem to be determined to fall down. It's not a surprise, the main building materials are cobbles and lime mortar. The community at the time opted for the more reliable and functional 'brick', with the idea that it could be tidied up in the future. But people got used to the pied tower, though they didn't forget the dangers of electricity. This is a church without electricity, and instead they have beautiful candelabra.
St Mary's Binham was once a fine Priory. Thye building seems to have given up the ghost following the dissolution, and also came tumbling down, leaving some very fine ruins. The village church is now splendid, occupying the wonderful double height nave of the old Priory church, with a viewing platform running round the interior. But is remains a very modest church from the outside, with bricked up windows and no tower.The predominant church names in the area around Little Walsingham appear be All Saints, St Mary's and St Peters.
Finally, not far from Binham you can find the Iceni fort at Warham. What a wonderful fort, subsequently used by the Romans. A small stream has steadily crossed the field to take the stronghold by stealth.
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Warham Fort. |