SWANTON ABBOTT PARISH HISTORY

Your House through History

Wouldn't you like to know more about the history of where you live? On this page we would like to assemble photographs, videos, documents and other information gleaned from talking to parishioners. Many people have a connection Swanton Abbott. Perhaps they were born here, or their ancestors lived in one of the houses. Or they recall stories of the recent past that should be recorded for posterity, to help others find their roots. This page is for anyone interested in the history of Swanton.

LOW COMMON

In the 1800's the whole area that now includes The Street, Aylsham Road, the Footpath and Cross Road was known as "Low Common". Today, Low Common is regarded as the woods opposite the Jolly Farmers and owned by the Poor Lands

SWANTON ABBOTT CHURCH

St Michael's church stands atop a hill overlooking the village of Swanton Abbott. There has been a church on the hill since Saxon times, but the present building is a product of the 14th and 15th centuries.
The oldest part of the church is the west tower, begun around 1340, while the nave, south porch, and chancel followed, and were completed by the middle of the 15th century.
For more background, see the link below:

Britain Express

ST JOHN'S

Built in 1829 this fine building was originally a methodist chapel, but has undergone several changes of use. In the 50's and 60's it was a garage. Note from the picture how one of the large windows has been replaced by garage doors. It is now used as a private house.

WINTERS SHOP

At the junction with The Street and Aylsham Road, many people remember popping it to Winters shop. The L shape lay-out would allow parking in front. Now private houses.

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UNVEILING THE VILLAGE SIGN

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UNVEILING OF THE VILLAGE SIGN

PAST EVENT

THE WEAVERS

This shows the former Weavers Arms and the row of cottages that date from the 1800's. From the cars, we think this is taken in the early 1970's, but any information to date it more accurately would be great.

These two pictures show the changes that have taken place over thirty years at the top of The Street.

Mill House, the Hill, sometime in the mid-19th century

Mill House in the modern era.

THE HILL

The Hill was the buzzing centre of Swanton Abbott in the 1840's and 50's with shops and traders servicing the farmers and labourers from Low Common.