REEPHAM

Reepham is an attractive small town set in picturesque countryside between the Wensum and Bure Valleys. Lovely 18th century houses, many with Flemish influence, surround the Market Place, which has been designated a conservation area. The churchyard once had 3 churches, but one has been a ruin since 1543 with only a fragment now remaining. The parish church of St Mary's stands back to back with St Michael, the parish church of neighbouring Whitwell. Today, Reepham has some good shops to browse, a range of places to stay, eat and drink. Market day is Wednesdays and regular antiques fairs are held at the Old Reepham Brewery. Nearby Booton is a small village and contains one of the most intriguing churches in Norfolk. At the former Reepham Station there is a small museum, tea room and cycle hire. The station is the start of the Marriott's Way, 21 miles of former railway trackbed, made available as a rural trail for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

We start our tour in Reepham market place. Reepham market was founded in 1277 when Sir John de Vaux obtained a charter from King Edward I for a weekly market, held ever since and now takes place on a Wednesday. The market place is surrounded by some lovely 18th century Georgian buildings, some converted to interesting shops.

Artwork showing Reepham market place

Reepham is a typical Norfolk market town. In the middle ages, Norfolk had the greatest concentration of markets in the whole country - you would find a market every 10 miles or so! The markets would mainly be used by local farmers to sell their produce. By the 16th century, many of Norfolk's markets had closed, but the market place and surrounding narrow streets remain today. Reepham however, still has a weekly market every Wednesday.

As well as the shops in Reepham market place, there are a number of other shops around the town. It all makes for a few hours browsing, especially on market days.

The market place contains a number of places to stay, eat and drink. The Kings Arms is thought to be 16th century and was formerly a coaching inn. The Old Brewery House is a listed Georgian building built in 1729 and originally named The Dial House (because of the large sun dial above the main door). The name was changed in 1972 to recognise it's previous use as a brewery.

Although Reepham dates back to just after the Norman conquest, much of it was destroyed by fire in 1543 and many of the older properties were lost. However, the town was rebuilt and the majority of the existing buildings date from the 18th century, with a Flemish influence. The buildings are located along pretty streets, alleys and lokes.

At one time three churches stood in the churchyard at Reepham. The great fire in 1543 virtually destroyed one, with only a fragment remaining. St Mary’s is now the single parish church and stands back to back with St Michael’s, although consecrated, is mainly used as a community building. St Mary's church is usually open to visitors and the interior was extensively restored in the 19th century. A few medieval treasures have survived including a Norman font, a superb altar tomb and some lovely stained glass.

A local myth tells that three sisters were responsible for the building of the 3 churches in Reepham - one for each of them! This myth led to the design of the town sign which shows a group of three churches, villagers, farm labourers, sheep, lambs and the sisters themselves! You will find the town sign in front of the church (a picture can be found at the top of this guided tour).

Booton Church of St Michael and All Angels is a highly individual church. It was created on the shell of a medieval building in the 19th century by the rector Revd Whitwell Elwin over a period of 50 years. Its a gothic fantasy, with palace-like towers on the outside, and hosts of oak angels and stained glass on the inside. No tour of Norfolk's churches is complete without a visit to Booton!

Church Sign

Reepham Cottages

Butler and Castell

Reepham Loke