Beachamwell

This is a quiet village west of Swaffham where the drive itself through dark forests, gentle farmland and remains of brilliant scarlet poppy fields.

There is a large village green surrounded by cottages, a church, a pub and a shady tree with a seat.

In the Dark Ages an earthwork called Devil’s Dyke was built, which remained the parish boundary till 1879. Prehistoric tools, Roman coins and Saxon jewellery have been found.

The Domesday Book, mentions not one but two villages, ‘Wella’ and ‘Bitcham’, the remains of Wellahave been found near the ruins of All Saint’s church. The ghost of Diana and her dogs is supposed to haunt the ruins and certainly owls hoot eerily on moonlit nights.

At the west end of the green, guarded by cherry trees, stands the village fourth and oldest church of St Marys.