West Common

Wood, Forest in Norfolk King's Lynn and West Norfolk

England

West Common

All Saints church, Narborough Viewed from the path leading from Main Road. — All Saints church, Narborough Credit: pam fray

West Common is a picturesque woodland located in Norfolk, England. Covering an area of approximately 50 hectares, it is a prominent feature of the county's natural landscape. The forest is situated near the village of Wood, making it easily accessible for both locals and tourists.

West Common boasts a diverse range of tree species, including oak, beech, and birch. The woodland is known for its dense canopy, which provides a cool and tranquil atmosphere, perfect for nature enthusiasts and walkers. The forest floor is covered in a thick carpet of moss, adding to the enchanting ambiance.

This woodland is home to a wide array of wildlife, making it a popular spot for birdwatchers and animal lovers. Visitors may catch a glimpse of various bird species, such as the great spotted woodpecker and the tawny owl. Additionally, West Common is inhabited by mammals like deer, foxes, and badgers, making it an ideal location for wildlife enthusiasts to observe these creatures in their natural habitat.

The forest offers several walking trails, allowing visitors to explore its beauty at their own pace. These well-maintained paths wind through the trees, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. West Common also features a picnic area, providing the perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Overall, West Common, Norfolk is a delightful woodland that offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With its diverse flora and fauna, well-marked trails, and peaceful ambiance, it is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and those seeking a tranquil retreat.

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West Common Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.691448/0.57302594 or Grid Reference TF7313. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

All Saints church, Narborough

Viewed from the path leading from Main Road.

pam fray

All Saints church, Narborough

17th century monument to the Spelman family.

pam fray

All Saints church, Narborough

Detail of the 17th century Spelman monument.

pam fray

All Saints church, Narborough

Monument to Sir Clement Spelman and his wife.

pam fray

Monument to Clement Spilman esq., All Saints church, Narborough

He was Recorder of Nottingham. Died 1679 aged 72 years.

pam fray

All Saints church, Narborough

Detail of a window in the south east aisle of the church.

pam fray

Narborough Mill

An 18th century water mill which ceased to work in the 1950s. It has been converted into private dwellings.

pam fray

The river Nar, Narborough

Viewed from Main Road.

pam fray

The river Nar, Narborough

Viewed from the footpath near Main Road.

pam fray

Hollow oak tree by the Nar Valley Walk

The tree has lots of worm holes but it is still flourishing. It is next to the A47 on the outskirts of Narborough.

pam fray

Grey Cottages, Low Road, Pentney

This cottage is where I spent most of my school holidays as a child. My grandparents James and Alice Chinn, moved there in 1965 from Tottenham. Apart from retiring to the country they chose Norfolk because my fathers company were moving to Thetford, so they would be nearer my family once we moved. However before the company moved my father died suddenly and so we stayed in Tottenham. I went back in 2003, some 25 years after my grandparents moved and the place hadn't changed apart from a new porch. It was still incredibly quiet except for the crows at Maltkiln Farm which were always noisy, although in the '60s and '70s the Victor Tankers from nearby RAF Marham tended to upset them a lot by flying low over the fields. A very kind lady who lives in the cottage showed me around the cottage and a neighbour gave me an aerial photograph of the cottages as a keepsake; the kindness of the people in the village hadn't changed either. My grandparents bought the cottage for £500 (five hundred). I see that one's up for now in 2013 at £80,000. Very fond memories. (Can Alan give me another e-mail address; I've tried replying twice to his e-mail about this photo but it keeps getting returned undelivered)

Ian Andrews

Narborough Water Mill

This photo was taken from the road in 2003 and shows the old watermill astride the River Nar. This was my first visit to the mill in 30 years. The road I'm standing on used to be the main A47 Swaffham to Kings Lynn Road but the village now has a by-pass so there was no need to dodge the lorries that use to fill the area with noise and dust as they ran from the local gravel pits. In fact 30 years ago this photo would have been a blur of yellow as the lorries roared past. The mill pool beside the road used to be stuffed full of trout that you could see easily in the crystal clear water and we'd walk the mile and a bit from Pentney with bags of stale bread to feed them but I didn't see a single fish on this visit.

Ian Andrews

A carpet of leaves on the track

South of Summer End Farm, East Walton, Norfolk

Richard Humphrey

Private woodland near Pentney Lodge

Part of Big Plantation

Richard Humphrey

Lane to Magpie Farm

A dead-end lane pretty much equidistant from West Bilney, Pentney and East Walton

Richard Humphrey

Narborough All Saints church

This was originally a Norman church although little evidence of it can be seen, the north side does reveal a Norman archway. The tower was begun in the 14th c. Inside is most interesting with three different profiles of piers in the arcades; octagonal, concave octagonal and quatrefoil with fillets. Stone seating around the columns are from the days before pews. There are numerous splendid memorials, the one facing the entrance to John Spelman (1662) has a wodewose it its apex. Another has two recumbent figures, Clement and Ursula Spelman. The most unusual is a standing figure, Clement Spilman (sic) (1679). Good ancient brasses are set into the sedilia, next to it a cinquefoil headed piscina. The church is full of interest and an hour can be easily spent looking at all there is to see.

Adrian S Pye