Heydon village is mentioned in the Domesday Book as High-Down. It's steeped in British history, with ancient local stories, and writings of Oliver Cromwell, King Henry 8th and the Boleyns - the family coming from nearby Salle. Both Heydon and Salle lay within the rural, feudal, hidden hinterland of Norfolk, enjoying close proximity to the market towns of Aylsham and Holt. The Hall is originally Elizabethan, built around 1580. It had some parts added in later years, and then fell into disrepair during the 20th century, but thankfully is now almost completely restored to its former Elizabethan glory.
You could be forgiven for never having heard of Heydon, because, unless you are actually going there, you will probably never have seen it, no matter how many miles you've driven around the region, or how long you took to do it. The reason for this is that there is no actual road that passes through, around, or across the village of Heydon, and the only road to pass anywhere near it is a very small and somewhat remote ‘b’ road, discreetly signposted in a wooded dell just off the main Norwich to Holt road. Thus Heydon village, boasting only 30 houses or so in total, could be considered a contender for smallest populated village in Norfolk, although I am quite sure it probably isn't.
It's not just because of its remotelessness, timeless nature, village green, market cross, historic church or traditional village layout, with most of the dwellings and the majestic church overlooking the well-kept village green, that creates such a feeling. Heydon is indeed magnificent, and, because of its timeless Norfolk charm, it has often been the chosen location for many ‘Olde Worlde’ films and dramas. In addition to this it is also a very special place for the owners of cherished vintage or historic cars and motorcycles, who gather occasionally in proud numbers at Heydon's Earl Arms public house affront the green for a pint, with much ‘mardling’ way into the balmy summer evenings. |
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 Photo of historic dwellings at Heydon
Heydon is one of only a very few unique, timeless villages remaining at heart true to rural Norfolk life and culture. So much so, that if it were not for the odd, occasionally visible, TV aerial or electric wire (and there are few), you could easily feel transported back through time, perhaps to beyond Victorian times almost to the Tudor period. The best way to describe Heydon is to say that it is remote, timelessly unique, hidden, and unparalleled. What’s more, it's ‘ever-so-unspoilt’ and without through traffic.
 Photo of a classic car driving through Heydon
Traditionally Norfolk locals are usually game for a 'good oll yarn' or two (which could go on forever) and the older regulars of the Earl Arms have probably lived in this unique village all their lives, and have much to tell, especially if you enjoy to chat over a pint of the best tongue-wagging Norfolk Ales befitting such an establishment (don’t be surprised though if you are the one who has to buy them!).
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Heydon is located about 4 miles from Aylsham on the Norwich to Holt road, just six or so miles en-route from the town of Holt, and at the end of a short (half mile) abruptly-ending road, taking you not only to the most typical Norfolk village you will have ever seen, but also (on foot or bicycle only) to the magnificent walks and historic parkland of Heydon Hall Park. The village, owned since the first half of the seventeenth century by generations of the Bulwer-Long family, is one of only twelve privately-owned villages in the country. Indeed the 2,800 acre estate of the Bulwer-Longs not only owns all the houses, but the shop, the smithy and the pub too, and long may it stay that way as it's plain to see just why if you care to visit.
Unless born in the village of Heydon you would be very lucky indeed to get to live there, as, with so few houses, it's not often that the tenancy of any one of them becomes available, also because the landlord (so it seems) is unique in caring not only for the land that he farms and the fabric of the village, but the community also. So rare nowadays, but true, as occasional conversation with Heydon folk on many a summer evening has taught me, that most folk who live in Heydon have no intention of moving out, and because no new houses have been built in the village for over a hundred years. You can begin to understand the reason just what it is that makes Heydon so unique!
Heydon Smithy is easy to spy along the roadside as you enter the village, as outside is a near full-size mare and foal made entirely of old horse shoes which is quite a sight. Further along the road you will come across the small tea room cum-shop, and the pub. A few yards further on, you will discover the magnificent church, with old wall paintings that for a long time remained whitewashed over. It also contains three war memorials, one marble and two wooden, rolls of honour remembering the brave local men who tragically fell in the first and second world wars.
Text author and copyright © 2007 : Chris Crane |
