Hockwold cum Wilton
Encyclopedia
Hockwold cum Wilton is 10 miles west of Thetford
, Norfolk
, England
and is in the borough of King's Lynn and West Norfolk
. It is located near several USAF
airbases, notably RAF Lakenheath
and RAF Mildenhall
. It is situated on the boundary between the geographical areas of the Breckland
- a region of sandy heathland now largely forested - and the flat, low-lying Fens, with some characteristics of both.
The village has two churches (St Peter's and St James') and a Methodist chapel.
The village is also rumoured to be haunted by several ghosts. The gates of Hockwold Hall, a large manor house and estate, are said to be haunted by the White Lady, a cause of distraction to many drivers on their way through the village, while the Little Ouse River
that runs past the village is rumoured to be haunted by a group of nun
s and a horseman.
Originally, the village was located next to the river. However, after the black plague infected the village, it was burnt down and relocated a mile to the north.
Thetford
Thetford is a market town and civil parish in the Breckland district of Norfolk, England. It is on the A11 road between Norwich and London, just south of Thetford Forest. The civil parish, covering an area of , has a population of 21,588.-History:...
, Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and is in the borough of King's Lynn and West Norfolk
King's Lynn and West Norfolk
King's Lynn and West Norfolk is a local government district and borough in Norfolk, England. Its council is based in the town of King's Lynn.-History:...
. It is located near several USAF
United States Air Forces in Europe
The United States Air Forces in Europe is the United States Air Force component of U.S. European Command, a Department of Defense unified command, and is one of two Air Force Major Commands outside of the continental United States, the other being the Pacific Air Forces...
airbases, notably RAF Lakenheath
RAF Lakenheath
RAF Lakenheath, is a Royal Air Force military airbase near Lakenheath in Suffolk, England. Although an RAF station, it hosts United States Air Force units and personnel...
and RAF Mildenhall
RAF Mildenhall
RAF Mildenhall is a Royal Air Force station located at Mildenhall in Suffolk, England. Despite its status as an RAF station, it primarily supports United States Air Force operations and is currently the home of the 100th Air Refueling Wing...
. It is situated on the boundary between the geographical areas of the Breckland
Breckland
The Breckland as a landscape region is an unusual natural habitat of England. It comprises the gorse-covered sandy heath that exists in the north of the county of Suffolk and the south of Norfolk. An area of considerable interest for its unusual flora and fauna, it lies to the south east of another...
- a region of sandy heathland now largely forested - and the flat, low-lying Fens, with some characteristics of both.
The village has two churches (St Peter's and St James') and a Methodist chapel.
The village is also rumoured to be haunted by several ghosts. The gates of Hockwold Hall, a large manor house and estate, are said to be haunted by the White Lady, a cause of distraction to many drivers on their way through the village, while the Little Ouse River
River Little Ouse
The Little Ouse is a river in the east of England, a tributary of the River Great Ouse. For much of its length it defines the boundary between Norfolk and Suffolk....
that runs past the village is rumoured to be haunted by a group of nun
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
s and a horseman.
Originally, the village was located next to the river. However, after the black plague infected the village, it was burnt down and relocated a mile to the north.