Wiggenhall St Germans is a village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk in the East of England. It is 85 miles (137 km) north of London and 5 miles (8.0 km) south-west of King's Lynn. The parish covers an area of 18.98 km2 (7.33 sq mi) and had a population of 1,373 in 554 households at the 2011 census.[1]
Wiggenhall St Germans
| |
|---|---|
 St German's church, Wiggenhall | |
  Wiggenhall St Germans Location within Norfolk | |
| Area | 18.98 km2 (7.33 sq mi) |
| Population | 1,373 (2011) |
| • Density | 72/km2 (190/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | TF596141 |
| • London | 136 km (85 mi) WbS |
| Civil parish |
|
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | King's Lynn |
| Postcode district | PE34 |
| Dialling code | 01553 |
| Police | Norfolk |
| Fire | Norfolk |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| UK Parliament | |
| Website | Wiggenhall St Germans Parish Council |
The parish is on the River Great Ouse which divides the village into two. Most of the parish lies below the high-water mark and some areas are level with the bed of the river, which is confined by high banks.[2] The parish includes the hamlets of Wiggenhall St Mary the Virgin and Wiggenhall St Peter, and the settlements of Eau Brink[3][4] and Saddlebow[5] (Saddle Bow on some maps).[6]
History
editThe village's name means 'Wicga's nook of land'.[7]
An estate just south of the village was the site of Fitton, the ancient seat of the Howard family, later the dukes of Norfolk;[2] their former hall of 1570–77 is now the Grade II* listed building called Fitton Oake.[8]
During the Second World War, two Hawker Hurricanes collided over the parish. The crash site was investigated by a local aviation society and a book published.[9]
Governance
editWiggenhall St Germans is part of the electoral ward called Wiggenhall. The population of this ward at the 2011 Census was 2,102.[10]
Amenities
editThe village has a primary school, St Germans Academy.[11]
St German's Church is a Grade I listed building.[12] St Mary the Virgin's Church, also Grade I,[13] is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust.[14] The ruined St Peter's Church is a Grade II* listed building.[15]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Office for National Statistics (2011). "Neighbourhood Statistics — Wiggenhall St Germans". Retrieved 29 May 2013.
- ^ a b Samuel Lewis, ed. (1848). "Wiggenhall-Wigton". A Topographical Dictionary of England. British History Online. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
- ^ "Google Streetview of A47 showing Eau Brink name sign".
- ^ "Google Streetview showing Eau Brink name sign in Wiggenhall St Germans".
- ^ ."Google Streetview showing Saddlebow village entry highway name sign".
- ^ "Saddle Bow". GetOutside. Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
- ^ "Key to English Place-names".
- ^ Historic England. "Fitton Oake, Wiggenhall St Germans (Grade II*) (1077894)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- ^ Andrew B.N. Ketley (1990). The Saddlebow Hurricanes: The account of a wartime mid-air collision and the recent excavation of one of the aircraft. Fenland Aircraft Preservation Society.
- ^ "Wiggenhall Ward population 2011". Retrieved 30 August 2015.
- ^ "St Germans Academy". www.stgermansacademy.co.uk. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
- ^ Historic England. "Church of St Germans, Wiggenhall St Germans (Grade II*) (1077892)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- ^ Historic England, "Church of St Mary the Virgin, Wiggenhall St Germans (1342293)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 9 April 2015
- ^ Church of St Mary the Virgin, Wiggenhall, Norfolk, Churches Conservation Trust, retrieved 3 December 2016
- ^ Historic England. "Ruins of Church of St. Peter, Wiggenhall St Germans (Grade II*) (1152777)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
External links
edit
Media related to Wiggenhall St Germans at Wikimedia Commons