To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site.  Learn more

Allow cookies
Worstead

Book Tickets Online

About

This village is the original home of worsted - a woollen cloth woven by Flemish weavers who settled here in the Middle Ages. Early in his reign Edward III, married to a Flemish princess, encouraged immigration of Flemings to “exercise their mysteries in the kingdom”. Attracted to England by its abundant supplies of wool, a large number of weavers settled in and around Norwich where Norfolk sheep produced the same long wool as they had used in Flanders. This was made into the cloth called Worsted.

This trade brought not only wealth and prosperity to England for 600 years but also provided a household word throughout the world. Weaving flourished in the village for over five hundred years. Today some of the weavers’ houses in and around the village survive. The crypt of one house with a groined ceiling still survives at the bottom of a derelict stair under the bake house in the market square.

Today, Worstead is famous for its annaul Worstead Festival taking place on the last weekend of July every year.

Map & Directions

Worstead

Type:Village

North Walsham, Norfolk, NR28 9AL

What's Nearby

  1. Please come and visit this lovely church and you are welcome to join us for services.

    1.97 miles away
  2. Head for a rural and peaceful corner of north-east Norfolk where a sleeping beauty has…

    2.17 miles away
  3. North Walsham has a very rich heritage and a town centre including 62 listed buildings.…

    2.94 miles away
  4. There is so much to see and do at Wroxham Barns, including shopping in craft studios,…

    3.31 miles away
  1. Come and explore - there is something for everyone to enjoy!

    3.75 miles away
  2. Come and explore - there is something for everyone to enjoy!

    3.75 miles away
  3. A 32-acre exotic garden separated into sections including the Tropical Borders,…

    4.28 miles away
  4. Welcome to the only museum of Broadland life. Discover stories of the Broads, its people,…

    4.48 miles away
  5. Stalham Firehouse Museum is one of the oldest in the country.

    4.48 miles away
  6. Wroxham Miniature Worlds is the largest indoor model railway attraction in the UK with a…

    4.58 miles away
  7. Norfolk’s longest narrow gauge steam railway runs between the old market town of Aylsham…

    4.6 miles away
  8. Visit one of the country's largest operating collections of amazing vintage amusement…

    4.63 miles away
  9. Discover the Norfolk Broads by joining Broad Tours for a river trip on board a double…

    4.9 miles away
  10. Our Day Launches seat up to eight people comfortably with cushioned seating and easy to…

    4.93 miles away
  11. Discover the Broads National Park from the water. Experience a unique day on the water in…

    4.97 miles away
  12. A huge, award winning forest of family fun and outdoor adventure in the heart of the…

    5.34 miles away
Previous Next