Long Stratton: Churches, History and Routes

Long Stratton offers a range of options to help you plan your trip: medieval buildings with distinctive features, routes for walking and cycling, and bus connections to Norwich. The A140 is also an important point of reference. It runs through Long Stratton along a road built by the Romans. You can tailor your stay to your interest in architectural history, outdoor activities or getting to Norwich.

Medieval building and use history

St Mary’s Church has a round tower dating from the 12th century and houses a very rare sexton’s wheel from the 16th century. There are only two examples of this type nationwide. This brings together two different historical features: the tower’s architecture and the rare wheel as a distinctive piece of church furnishing. For anyone interested in architectural history, this contrast offers a particularly engaging way to explore the church’s features.

Guild House dates back to the 14th century and was used by two medieval guilds: the Guild of SS Mary and Thomas and the Guild of St John the Baptist. Its east wall contains a pair of medieval ogee-arched niches. The guilds’ names offer insight into the building’s history of use, while the niches are a specific architectural detail. Compared with St Mary’s 12th-century round tower, Guild House belongs to a later period of the Middle Ages.

Walking, cycling and getting around

The Boudicca Way walking route runs north to south along the eastern side of Long Stratton. The Norfolk-wide Rebellion Way cycling route connects to Long Stratton at Chequers Road. The routes therefore differ in both activity and their relationship to the town: the Boudicca Way is a walking route running north to south along the eastern side, while the Rebellion Way is a regional cycling route that connects at Chequers Road. Route conditions can change; check them before setting out.

Bus connections and fitness facilities

Several bus operators run services between Long Stratton and Norwich. As operators and services can change, check the current timetable for your travel dates. This will help you plan your journey to Norwich around the dates of your stay.

Long Stratton Leisure Centre has a gym. If you would like to include it in your plans, check its current status in advance, as facilities can change.

Nearby buildings

Nearby, you’ll find the Church of St Michael. It dates mostly from the 14th century and has a low west tower with a timber bellcote. Other features include a 15th-century font and 15th-century bench ends with tracery finials. Also nearby is The Old Rectory, a 16th-century timber-framed building with a jettied upper storey. A jettied upper storey projects beyond the wall below; at The Old Rectory, this projection and the timber framing are among the building’s architectural features.

Discover more destinations: Edingthorpe, Diss, Hopton, Tharston, Aylmerton, Marsham, Thorpe Market, Reedham.

For the main travel guide: Norfolk.