Great Heath

Downs, Moorland in Norfolk Breckland

England

Great Heath

County School Station in 1990 Preserved railway station in the country
County School Station in 1990 Credit: Kevin Waterhouse

Great Heath is a vast area of heathland located in Norfolk, England. Covering an area of approximately 1,500 hectares, it is one of the largest heaths in the county. The landscape is characterized by rolling hills, open spaces, and a diverse range of plant and animal species.

The heathland is composed of sandy, acidic soils and is predominantly covered with heather, gorse, and grasses. These plants create a colorful tapestry of purples, yellows, and greens, providing a striking visual display throughout the year. Additionally, the heathland supports a variety of wildlife, including rare birds such as the nightjar, stonechat, and woodlark. Reptiles like adders and common lizards can also be found in the area.

Great Heath is not only home to a diverse range of flora and fauna but also offers recreational opportunities for visitors. The heathland is crisscrossed with walking trails, allowing visitors to explore the area and enjoy the stunning views. It is a popular spot for hiking, birdwatching, and nature photography.

Managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Great Heath is subject to conservation efforts to preserve its unique ecosystem. These efforts include controlled burning to maintain open spaces, grazing by livestock to prevent vegetation overgrowth, and the removal of invasive species.

Overall, Great Heath in Norfolk is a picturesque and ecologically significant heathland, providing a haven for wildlife and a delightful destination for nature enthusiasts.

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Great Heath Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.764607/0.92332705 or Grid Reference TF9722. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

County School Station in 1990 Preserved railway station in the country
County School Station in 1990
Preserved railway station in the country
County School Station The curious name of this remote Norfolk country junction derives from the nearby Norfolk County School, a public school that only operated from 1874 until 1895. However, it was reopened as the Watts Naval School in 1901, an establishment that prepared boys for a life in the navy with, from all accounts, a regime that would be considered intolerably harsh today. That school closed in 1953 followed only 11 years later by all passenger services at the station. However, the Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust has done a wonderful job in restoring it to the condition seen here. The long-term intention is to extend the Mid-Norfolk Railway here from its current terminus at Dereham.
County School Station
The curious name of this remote Norfolk country junction derives from the nearby Norfolk County School, a public school that only operated from 1874 until 1895. However, it was reopened as the Watts Naval School in 1901, an establishment that prepared boys for a life in the navy with, from all accounts, a regime that would be considered intolerably harsh today. That school closed in 1953 followed only 11 years later by all passenger services at the station. However, the Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust has done a wonderful job in restoring it to the condition seen here. The long-term intention is to extend the Mid-Norfolk Railway here from its current terminus at Dereham.
County School Station Detail of this immaculately restored station.
County School Station
Detail of this immaculately restored station.
Road to the former Watts Naval School Beyond County School station this is a private road that, until its closure in 1953, led to Watts Naval School, an establishment that prepared boys for a life in the navy. Nowadays, parts of the site are used for housing.
Road to the former Watts Naval School
Beyond County School station this is a private road that, until its closure in 1953, led to Watts Naval School, an establishment that prepared boys for a life in the navy. Nowadays, parts of the site are used for housing.
End of the line: County School The track ends abruptly just beyond the platforms at County School station.
End of the line: County School
The track ends abruptly just beyond the platforms at County School station.
County School Station Showing the station house and level crossing; there is clearly much work yet to be done before passenger trains on the Mid Norfolk Railway can run this far.
County School Station
Showing the station house and level crossing; there is clearly much work yet to be done before passenger trains on the Mid Norfolk Railway can run this far.
County School Station Fallen leaves lie on the platform of this beautifully restored station on the former Wymondham - Wells line. The bay platform on the right was once used for the branch line service to Wroxham.
County School Station
Fallen leaves lie on the platform of this beautifully restored station on the former Wymondham - Wells line. The bay platform on the right was once used for the branch line service to Wroxham.
Lane at County School Station Looking along the lane leading away from County School station with the former station house on the right.
Lane at County School Station
Looking along the lane leading away from County School station with the former station house on the right.
North Elmham Chapel Showing the eastern end of the remains of this ancient ecclesiastical building.
North Elmham Chapel
Showing the eastern end of the remains of this ancient ecclesiastical building.
North Elmham Church Dedicated to St Mary this is a substantial church for a village; in fact, North Elmham has a long ecclesiastical history having had a Saxon Cathedral (on a site a short distance away) until 1071, when the diocesan headquarters were moved to Thetford (it later moved to Norwich).
North Elmham Church
Dedicated to St Mary this is a substantial church for a village; in fact, North Elmham has a long ecclesiastical history having had a Saxon Cathedral (on a site a short distance away) until 1071, when the diocesan headquarters were moved to Thetford (it later moved to Norwich).
North Elmham village sign As is usual in East Anglia, North Elmham sports a village sign depicting various aspects of its history.
North Elmham village sign
As is usual in East Anglia, North Elmham sports a village sign depicting various aspects of its history.
County School Station For an excellent history go to: <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1894208" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1894208">Link</a>
County School Station
For an excellent history go to: Link
View towards the crossing gates at County School Station For a view of the station building see > <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2762456" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2762456">Link</a>. For an excellent history go to: <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1894208" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1894208">Link</a>
View towards the crossing gates at County School Station
For a view of the station building see > Link. For an excellent history go to: Link
County School Station - old advertising board For a view of the station building see > <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2762456" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2762456">Link</a>. For an excellent history go to: <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1894208" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1894208">Link</a>
County School Station - old advertising board
For a view of the station building see > Link. For an excellent history go to: Link
County School Station - old advertising board For a view of the station building see > <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2762456" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2762456">Link</a>. For an excellent history go to: <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1894208" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1894208">Link</a>
County School Station - old advertising board
For a view of the station building see > Link. For an excellent history go to: Link
County School Station - George VI postbox For a view of the station building see > <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2762456" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2762456">Link</a>. For an excellent history go to: <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1894208" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1894208">Link</a>
County School Station - George VI postbox
For a view of the station building see > Link. For an excellent history go to: Link
County School Station - entrance to the waiting room For a view of the station building see > <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2762456" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2762456">Link</a>. For an excellent history go to: <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1894208" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1894208">Link</a>
County School Station - entrance to the waiting room
For a view of the station building see > Link. For an excellent history go to: Link
County School Station - the general waiting room For a view of the station building see > <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2762456" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2762456">Link</a>. For an excellent history go to: <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1894208" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1894208">Link</a>
County School Station - the general waiting room
For a view of the station building see > Link. For an excellent history go to: Link
Show me another place!

Great Heath is located at Grid Ref: TF9722 (Lat: 52.764607, Lng: 0.92332705)

Administrative County: Norfolk

District: Breckland

Police Authority: Norfolk

What 3 Words

///hedgehog.prep.alright. Near North Elmham, Norfolk

Related Wikis

County School railway station

County School railway station is on the Mid-Norfolk Railway in Norfolk, England; it will serve the villages of North Elmham and Guist once services resume...

Fakenham and Dereham Railway Society

The Fakenham and Dereham Railway Society (F&DRS) was a heritage railway society in the English county of Norfolk. For a short period of time it operated...

North Elmham Castle

North Elmham Castle, also known as North Elmham Bishops Castle and North Elmham Bishops Chapel, is a ruined castle in the village of North Elmham, in the...

North Elmham

North Elmham is a village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. It covers an area of 7.41 sq mi (19.2 km2) and is located about 5 mi (8.0...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 52.764607,0.92332705
Heath Farm
Place: farm
Lat/Long: 52.7653668/0.9219371
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

Have you been to Great Heath?

Leave your review of Great Heath below (or comments, questions and feedback).