Camp Hill

Hill, Mountain in Norfolk South Norfolk

England

Camp Hill

A143 east at turning for Earsham Credit: Roy Hughes

Camp Hill, Norfolk is a small hill located in the county of Norfolk, England. Situated in the East Anglian region, it is an area known for its picturesque landscapes and rich history. Camp Hill is located near the village of Northwold, approximately 10 miles southwest of the town of Thetford.

The hill itself is not particularly tall, standing at a modest elevation of around 70 meters above sea level. However, its prominence in the surrounding flat landscape makes it a notable landmark in the area. The summit of Camp Hill offers stunning panoramic views of the Norfolk countryside, with rolling fields and wooded areas stretching as far as the eye can see.

The name "Camp Hill" originates from its historical significance as a site for military encampments. During various periods in history, the hill was used as a strategic location for defensive purposes. Archaeological evidence suggests that it may have been occupied during the Iron Age, and later by the Romans and Saxons.

Today, Camp Hill is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The surrounding area offers numerous walking and cycling trails, allowing visitors to explore the natural beauty of Norfolk. Wildlife is abundant, with a diverse range of flora and fauna found on and around the hill.

In summary, Camp Hill, Norfolk is a small but historically significant hill in the county of Norfolk, England. Its panoramic views and natural beauty make it a popular destination for those seeking outdoor activities and a glimpse into the region's past.

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Camp Hill Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.450953/1.397877 or Grid Reference TM3089. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

A143 east at turning for Earsham

Roy Hughes

Earsham turning on A143 east

Roy Hughes

Earsham Hall: Car parking area

Michael Garlick

Site of the WW2 munitions siding at Earsham

This was the access road and the siding ran alongside, to the left of the concrete roadway. It was here that, during WW2, a siding of about 437 yards (400 metres) was constructed north of the track for munitions and other materials to be off-loaded onto trucks for delivery to the local airfields. In the meantime many of the bombs were stored alongside roads nearby including Whitehouse and Hogg Lane and Denton Road. TM2990 : One of the eight similar hard-standings It was a dispersed USAAF bomb storage facility that had its headquarters at Earsham Hall, which was requisitioned for the purpose. Many of the roadside hard standings remain extant to this day. During the time the siding was in existence more than 200,000 tons of freight, mainly bombs were delivered by 625 special trains.

Adrian S Pye

The former Earsham railway station house

The old platform is still extant and the sloping end can be seen just in front of the trees. From the outset Earsham Station was a passenger station and had no goods facilities. The single 310 feet long platform and a signal box were its only other assets, being only a mile west of Bungay additional works were deemed unwarranted. The station bisected Hall Road, the village end of which was thereafter known as Station Road with a level crossing on the Bungay side.

Adrian S Pye

Site of the former level crossing at Earsham

This side of the Hall Road has been realigned and widened, but the position of the gates were to the left of the former station between it and the telegraph pole. The other side of what was Hall Road before it was bisected by the railway was renamed Station Road.

Adrian S Pye

Remains of the 310 feet long station platform at Earsham

This picture was taken as if standing on the former level crossing of the railway which ran this side of the platform with the signal box out from the right side of the picture

Adrian S Pye

Underpass on the site of a former level crossing

The Waveney Valley line had a level crossing (#61) where this road now passes over an underpass created for the farmer to access the land on the opposite side of the road.

Adrian S Pye

A143 Old Railway Road past the munitions siding

West (right) of the road was a loop siding which was installed in 1944 for materials and munitions to be offloaded for storage and onward delivery to the American Bomb Groups at the airfields in the vicinity for final delivery to Germany. A concrete roadway TM3087 : Site of the WW2 munitions siding at Earsham stretched the length of the siding which was about 450 yards (411 metres). The railings are the site of an underpass which was the location of the level crossing (#61) at Drakes Lane crossing.

Adrian S Pye

Underpass, the site of a former level crossing #63

The road alignment has been much altered but this was the site of the Five Acre Lane crossing. There is no sign of a gatekeepers cottage so it was the train crew who would have operated the gates. The gates were removed in 1954 while trains still ran on the line. The old lane is now a footpath which follows the follows the same route as far as Pheasant's Walk.

Adrian S Pye

The deep cutting at Buck Hills Plantation

This was the deepest cutting on the line as it passed by the plantation. It was about 200 yards long, gradually petering out at each end.

Adrian S Pye

The location of the turnout into Earsham munitions siding

The siding a turnout from the down-line was installed early in 1944 for offloading and further distribution of bombs and other munitions and materials to local airfields. In it's short history it received 625 special trains delivering 21,000 wagons, carrying a total of 200,000 tons of bombs and other freight. After unloading bombs were stored at various specified "dumps" beside local roads and in cleared woodland before distribution. see TM3089 : Concrete platform Contemporary maps show it as a siding and not a loop as it is sometimes referred to. I leave the question open for positive confirmation.

Adrian S Pye