Matlaske: Church, Manor House and Airfield History

Matlaske can be viewed from several historical perspectives. St Peter’s Church in Matlaske dates from the late Saxon period, and the earthworks of the medieval village of Matlask are visible in the fields near the Rectory. Barningham Hall adds the history of a manor house and its gardens to the picture; the main gates to its park are in the village of Matlaske. There is also the former Matlask Airfield, also known as Matlaske Airfield. Anyone looking for a hotel in Matlaske can choose which of these different historical themes to focus on according to their interests.

The Church and Medieval Village Traces

St Peter’s Church in Matlaske dates from the late Saxon period and has a round tower. These details relate to different aspects of the building: the late Saxon dating places it in time, while the round tower describes an architectural feature. Those interested in churches for their history and design can consider these aspects separately. The church thus combines a clear historical period with a specific architectural form.

The earthworks of the medieval village of Matlask are visible in the fields near the Rectory. A hollow way may be the remains of the medieval village street. The two clues differ in how definite and what they indicate: the earthworks are visible and associated with the village, while the interpretation of the hollow way as a street remains a possibility. Thus, an identified settlement trace sits alongside a more tentative interpretation of a route. This distinction is useful for understanding local history, since the village layout and the possible line of a street describe different aspects of the medieval settlement.

Barningham Hall and Its Gardens

Barningham Hall is surrounded by a park, a garden and a walled garden dating from the early 19th century, which enclose a manor house built in the early 17th century. The manor house was built in 1612 for Sir Edward Paston. The precise year gives a more specific date for the house, while the park and gardens belong to a later period. The construction history and the design of the grounds can therefore be distinguished chronologically. The park’s main gates are 600 m south-south-east of the manor house, in the village of Matlaske, on the village’s southern boundary.

Matlask Airfield in the Second World War

Matlask Airfield, also known as Matlaske Airfield, was a former Second World War military airfield. It opened in 1940 and closed in 1945, and was built as a satellite airfield for Coltishall. The fighter squadrons based there carried out missions against enemy ships and aircraft over the North Sea. The dates place the airfield within the war years; its role as a satellite airfield and the missions flown there provide further specific details of its military history.

Comparing the Historical Periods

The historical references span distinctly different periods. The late Saxon church and the medieval village of Matlask represent early architectural and settlement history. Barningham Hall illustrates a manor house built in 1612 alongside park and garden areas dating from the early 19th century; the airfield takes the story into the years 1940 to 1945. This chronological comparison helps distinguish the local themes: church architecture, settlement traces, garden design and military use belong to different chapters.

Discover more destinations: North Burlingham, Edgefield, Broome, Northrepps, Pentney, Yaxham, Great Massingham, Harleston

For the main travel overview: Norfolk.