Wroxham
 |
The Coltishall side of Wroxham Bridge |
Wroxham is a small
town and
civil parish in the
English county of
Norfolk. It situated on the south side of the
River Bure, within
the Norfolk Broads, and some eight miles north-east of
Norwich.
Wroxham Broad lies about one mile downstream to the southeast.
[Ordnance Survey (2005). OS Explorer Map OL40 - The Broads. ISBN 0319237699.]On the northern side of the Bure is
Hoveton.
The civil parish has an area of 6.21 square
kilometres and in
2001 had a population of 1532 in 666 households. For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the
district of
Broadland.
[Office for National Statistics & Norfolk County Council (2001). Census population and household counts for unparished urban areas and all parishes. Retrieved December 2, 2005.]Wroxham regards itself as the "Capital of the Broads". Wroxham bridge is considered to be the second most difficult on the Broads to navigate (after
Potter Heigham) and a pilot station sits on the Hoveton side of the river to assist boaters for a fee.
Wroxham has almost merged with
Hoveton - with each village growing on one bank of the river. The combined Wroxham/Hoveton area is a local shopping centre, mainly due to the presence of
Roys of Wroxham - the self-named "world's biggest village store". Roys owns much of the commercial property in the town. In fact, Roys of Wroxham is entirely situated on the Hoveton side of the river. Hoveton itself contains only a few local shops and pubs. Both Wroxham and Hoveton have several boat building and pleasure craft hire yards. Other local industries include the canning of soft fruits.
Wroxham is served by
Hoveton and Wroxham railway station, which is on the
Bittern Line from
Norwich to
Cromer and
Sheringham, and which is the terminus of the
narrow gauge Bure Valley Railway to
Aylsham. The station is actually located in Hoveton.
The Church of St Mary has a famous north doorway with seven
orders and three
shafts. In the churchyard, is located the medieval-appearing
Trafford Mausoleum, which was built in
1831. A manor house is located southeast of the church which boasts a
panel dating to
1623 - its stepped gables show Dutch influence.
George Formby once lived in Wroxham in
Heronby.
.
*
Wroxham - A guided tour in pictures.*
Information from Genuki Norfolk on Wroxham.
*
Wroxham Football Club
