Ludham, Norfolk

Description
Ludham, a village and a parish in Norfolk. The village stands 1 1/2 mile NE of the river Bure, 2 miles SW of Potter Heigham station on the Midland and Great Northern Joint railway, and 12 1/2 NE by E of Norwich, was once a market-town, and has a fair on the Thursday and Friday after Trinity Sunday. It has a post and money order office under Great Yarmouth; telegraph office, Potter Heigham. The parish comprises 3004 acres; population, 767. The manor belonged to the abbey of St Benet-at-the-Holrne, and was given by Henry VIII. to the Bishops of Norwich. A grange of the abbey on it was converted by the bishops into a palace. The palace was in great degree burnt down in 1611, was restored and enlarged by Bishop Harsnet, and after the bishops ceased to occupy it was partly converted into a granary and partly made a farmhouse, now called Ludham Hall. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Norwich; net value, £210. Patron, the Bishop of Norwich. The church is a building of stone and flint in the Perpendicular style; comprises chancel, nave, aisles, and an embattled western tower; and contains a richly carved screen and a beautifully carved font. The interior was restored in 1891. There are Baptist and Wesleyan chapels. The Bishop of Norwich is lord of the manor.