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Abbey Yard

Heritage Site in Norfolk South Norfolk

England

Abbey Yard

A143 east at the end of the Harleston by-pass
A143 east at the end of the Harleston by-pass Credit: Roy Hughes

Abbey Yard, located in Norfolk, England, is a historically significant heritage site that offers visitors a glimpse into the rich cultural and architectural history of the region. Situated in the picturesque village of Wymondham, Abbey Yard is home to the imposing ruins of Wymondham Abbey, a former Benedictine monastery.

The abbey, founded in 1107, played a prominent role in the religious and social life of medieval Norfolk. The ruins that remain today showcase the remarkable craftsmanship and architectural grandeur of the original structure, including the impressive west front and the soaring tower. Visitors can explore the extensive grounds, which include the remains of the cloisters, chapter house, and the abbey's ornate gatehouse.

In addition to the abbey ruins, Abbey Yard is also home to several other historically significant buildings. The 17th-century timber-framed Becket's Chapel is a well-preserved example of Jacobean architecture, and the adjacent Prior's Hall, dating back to the 15th century, houses a fascinating museum that tells the story of Wymondham's past.

Visitors to Abbey Yard can immerse themselves in the history of the site through guided tours, educational exhibits, and interactive displays. The site also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including reenactments, craft fairs, and concerts, which further bring the history of Abbey Yard to life.

With its captivating ruins, well-preserved buildings, and engaging events, Abbey Yard offers a unique and enriching experience for history enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and anyone seeking to explore the storied past of Norfolk.

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Abbey Yard Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.42/1.317 or Grid Reference TM2585. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

A143 east at the end of the Harleston by-pass
A143 east at the end of the Harleston by-pass
The site of the former Redenhall railway station Close to this point at the lower end of Church Road was the Redenhall railway station, built in 1861 and closed in 1866 as an economy measure and very few passengers and no freight facilities. It was 7½ miles from Tivetshall with a low platform 60 yards long. The station remained in use as a cottage for the gatekeeper. The Church Road crossing (designated No. 41) was immediately to the west of the station. The A143 was built over 6¼ miles of the original track-bed between the former Ditchingham maltings and Redenhall roundabout.
The site of the former Redenhall railway station
Close to this point at the lower end of Church Road was the Redenhall railway station, built in 1861 and closed in 1866 as an economy measure and very few passengers and no freight facilities. It was 7½ miles from Tivetshall with a low platform 60 yards long. The station remained in use as a cottage for the gatekeeper. The Church Road crossing (designated No. 41) was immediately to the west of the station. The A143 was built over 6¼ miles of the original track-bed between the former Ditchingham maltings and Redenhall roundabout.
The embankment still remains in the garden This piece of the railway embankment is still extant and is indicative of the precise location of the railway bridge (No. 1181) which carried the line over Redenhall Road 670 yards (614 Metres) distant from the short lived Redenhall Station. see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7349611">TM2684 : The site of the former Redenhall railway station</a>
The embankment still remains in the garden
This piece of the railway embankment is still extant and is indicative of the precise location of the railway bridge (No. 1181) which carried the line over Redenhall Road 670 yards (614 Metres) distant from the short lived Redenhall Station. see TM2684 : The site of the former Redenhall railway station
Location of the Redenhall Road girder bridge The bridge carried the WVR line diagonally over the Redenhall Road on an embankment which is still extant in the garden of Bridge House. The bridge which was designated No. 1181 was just over 7 miles distant from Tivetshall and only 670 yards distant from the short-lived Redenhall station which stood at the bottom of Church Lane. The bridge crossed the road between the green Telecom box and the second lamp-post. The embankment of the left side of the road was removed when the bridge was dismantled.
Location of the Redenhall Road girder bridge
The bridge carried the WVR line diagonally over the Redenhall Road on an embankment which is still extant in the garden of Bridge House. The bridge which was designated No. 1181 was just over 7 miles distant from Tivetshall and only 670 yards distant from the short-lived Redenhall station which stood at the bottom of Church Lane. The bridge crossed the road between the green Telecom box and the second lamp-post. The embankment of the left side of the road was removed when the bridge was dismantled.
The name-plate on Bridge House, Redenhall The railway embankment in the garden of Bridge House is still extant. <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7349991">TM2584 : The embankment still remains in the garden</a> I am very grateful to the owner for his assistance in allowing me access and for additional information regarding the railway line.
The name-plate on Bridge House, Redenhall
The railway embankment in the garden of Bridge House is still extant. TM2584 : The embankment still remains in the garden I am very grateful to the owner for his assistance in allowing me access and for additional information regarding the railway line.
The approach to Redenhall Station The station at Redenhall was opened in January 1861 and closed in August 1866. Nevertheless the station building remained as a crossing keeper's cottage for the remaining years of the line. It would have stood close to the centre of this image which looks toward Wortwell station a short distance down the line.
The approach to Redenhall Station
The station at Redenhall was opened in January 1861 and closed in August 1866. Nevertheless the station building remained as a crossing keeper's cottage for the remaining years of the line. It would have stood close to the centre of this image which looks toward Wortwell station a short distance down the line.
By Redenhall Station, Harleston next stop The railway followed the line of the road from here, the site of the crossing (No. 41) over Dyke Bridge (No. 1184) and over Redenhall Road and on towards Harleston Station. No trace of the line or infrastructure remains here.
By Redenhall Station, Harleston next stop
The railway followed the line of the road from here, the site of the crossing (No. 41) over Dyke Bridge (No. 1184) and over Redenhall Road and on towards Harleston Station. No trace of the line or infrastructure remains here.
A bridge and underpass beneath Old Railway Road The bridge spans a drainage channel and was designated bridge #1182. The occupational underpass was bridge #1183 is only a few yards to the right hidden in the trees. The road was built on the original railway embankment but was diverted from the original trajectory left of this point to meet the original height of the road at the roundabout on the left of the picture. The railway continued on the embankment towards the girder bridge #1181 over Redenhall Road, whereas the road diverts either side of the track.
A bridge and underpass beneath Old Railway Road
The bridge spans a drainage channel and was designated bridge #1182. The occupational underpass was bridge #1183 is only a few yards to the right hidden in the trees. The road was built on the original railway embankment but was diverted from the original trajectory left of this point to meet the original height of the road at the roundabout on the left of the picture. The railway continued on the embankment towards the girder bridge #1181 over Redenhall Road, whereas the road diverts either side of the track.
The site of the former Redenhall railway bridge The line was on an embankment both sides of the road and passed over Redenhall Road on a girder bridge which stood where at the location of the green BT cabinet and the keep left bollard. The embankment can still be seen in the garden of Bridge House.
The site of the former Redenhall railway bridge
The line was on an embankment both sides of the road and passed over Redenhall Road on a girder bridge which stood where at the location of the green BT cabinet and the keep left bollard. The embankment can still be seen in the garden of Bridge House.
Harleston Station, on the former Waveney Valley Railway Harleston Station was the largest station on the line, if Tivetshall and Beccles are discounted. It was 6¼ miles down line from Tivetshall and about 14 miles from Beccles. Everything except the station building has been demolished, cleared or built over. The owners of the building are a company called Zero Retain so it isn't surprising. The station was approached from an embankment and a girder bridge, diagonally spanning Redenhall Road The Tivetshall to Harleston was the first stage to be completed and trains began running on 1st December 1855, with stations at Pulham Market Pulham St Mary and Starston. Work was already underway to extend the line to Bungay and finally to Beccles. The station was well equipped with a 70 Yard long platform, Goods shed with various sidings with a total length of 3500 feet serving a coal yard, maltings, cattle pens, the corn mill and five private sidings. The station signal box which stood at the eastern end of the Up platform. After a Down platform was installed a covered passenger footbridge, the only one on the line was also added.
Harleston Station, on the former Waveney Valley Railway
Harleston Station was the largest station on the line, if Tivetshall and Beccles are discounted. It was 6¼ miles down line from Tivetshall and about 14 miles from Beccles. Everything except the station building has been demolished, cleared or built over. The owners of the building are a company called Zero Retain so it isn't surprising. The station was approached from an embankment and a girder bridge, diagonally spanning Redenhall Road The Tivetshall to Harleston was the first stage to be completed and trains began running on 1st December 1855, with stations at Pulham Market Pulham St Mary and Starston. Work was already underway to extend the line to Bungay and finally to Beccles. The station was well equipped with a 70 Yard long platform, Goods shed with various sidings with a total length of 3500 feet serving a coal yard, maltings, cattle pens, the corn mill and five private sidings. The station signal box which stood at the eastern end of the Up platform. After a Down platform was installed a covered passenger footbridge, the only one on the line was also added.
Harleston Railway Station from the west Standing where the level crossing was once located west of the station. More about the station here <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7353067">TM2483 : Harleston Station, on the former Waveney Valley Railway</a> The goods yard was north of the station. The different colour brickwork is an extension built on the platform.
Harleston Railway Station from the west
Standing where the level crossing was once located west of the station. More about the station here TM2483 : Harleston Station, on the former Waveney Valley Railway The goods yard was north of the station. The different colour brickwork is an extension built on the platform.
The site of the former level crossing #34 The station on the right with the malthouse and the corn mill on the left of the picture, where houses on what is now Millers Green have been built. West of the crossing was a siding of over 300 yards which ran as far as the bridge number TIB 1177, on the B1134 (The Street).
The site of the former level crossing #34
The station on the right with the malthouse and the corn mill on the left of the picture, where houses on what is now Millers Green have been built. West of the crossing was a siding of over 300 yards which ran as far as the bridge number TIB 1177, on the B1134 (The Street).
Part of the former Harleston goods yard The line of cars are standing on where the old track-bed of the Up and Down railway tracks. The signal box was on the back of the platform behind the station building. The Goods Shed, which had a line running through the building, stood beyond the wooden shed on the left. A covered passenger footbridge used to span the two platforms close to the centre of the picture with the coal yards a little to the left of centre. Behind the camera were the malthouse and corn mill with a short siding for a few wagons.
Part of the former Harleston goods yard
The line of cars are standing on where the old track-bed of the Up and Down railway tracks. The signal box was on the back of the platform behind the station building. The Goods Shed, which had a line running through the building, stood beyond the wooden shed on the left. A covered passenger footbridge used to span the two platforms close to the centre of the picture with the coal yards a little to the left of centre. Behind the camera were the malthouse and corn mill with a short siding for a few wagons.
Site of the former Redenhall Road girder bridge at Harleston The bridge, just a few yards from Harleston Station, (designated No.1179) was a girder bridge on brick abutments, crossed the road diagonally where a house has since been erected on one side of the road and two bungalows on the other.
Site of the former Redenhall Road girder bridge at Harleston
The bridge, just a few yards from Harleston Station, (designated No.1179) was a girder bridge on brick abutments, crossed the road diagonally where a house has since been erected on one side of the road and two bungalows on the other.
Former WVR railway track ran across this field The line would have left the embankment after the last bridge and entered a short cutting before returning to ground level across the field before once again going on to an embankment before crossing the next bridge and entering Harleston Station.
Former WVR railway track ran across this field
The line would have left the embankment after the last bridge and entered a short cutting before returning to ground level across the field before once again going on to an embankment before crossing the next bridge and entering Harleston Station.
A crossing over the railway line for the farm The train at this point was coming down off the embankment after last the bridge (No. 1181) and before a short cutting, an unmanned gated crossing for farmer's access across the line. The train continued across the field to the next bridge on the Harleston Road.
A crossing over the railway line for the farm
The train at this point was coming down off the embankment after last the bridge (No. 1181) and before a short cutting, an unmanned gated crossing for farmer's access across the line. The train continued across the field to the next bridge on the Harleston Road.
The location of the former Wortwell Station The station house and 180 feet platform was situated roughly where the path terminates. The 'platform' in the background is in the original location but has been rebuilt on a smaller scale. Wortwell Station was built in the second phase, Harleston to Bungay and opened in January 1861, and was closed in January 1878, as an economy measure. The station house became the gatekeeper's house. The Tunbeck Road level crossing #44 was just to the right of the scene.
The location of the former Wortwell Station
The station house and 180 feet platform was situated roughly where the path terminates. The 'platform' in the background is in the original location but has been rebuilt on a smaller scale. Wortwell Station was built in the second phase, Harleston to Bungay and opened in January 1861, and was closed in January 1878, as an economy measure. The station house became the gatekeeper's house. The Tunbeck Road level crossing #44 was just to the right of the scene.
The location of the Tunbeck Road level crossing Wortwell Station closed in 1878, 17 years after it opened. The station building remained until the Old Railway Road was built.
The location of the Tunbeck Road level crossing
Wortwell Station closed in 1878, 17 years after it opened. The station building remained until the Old Railway Road was built.
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Abbey Yard is located at Grid Ref: TM2585 (Lat: 52.42, Lng: 1.317)

Administrative County: Norfolk

District: South Norfolk

Police Authority: Norfolk

What 3 Words

///pity.inflates.mandates. Near Harleston, Norfolk

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 52.42,1.317
Commemorates: Lt Joseph Philips
Historic: memorial
Inscription: Dedicated on July 20th 2011 this cross was commisioned by Redenhall with Harleston town council with the generous help of members of the community.
Website: http://hiddencommemoration.org.uk/news/second-lieutenant-joseph-phillips-rfc/
Lat/Long: 52.4157465/1.3192788
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 52.4174898/1.3223564
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Power: pole
Transformer: distribution
Lat/Long: 52.4179636/1.3216157
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 52.4182861/1.3129881
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 52.4181963/1.3142561
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 52.4181187/1.3155474
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 52.4179518/1.318096
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Man Made: utility_pole
Lat/Long: 52.4180255/1.3185603
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 52.4178872/1.3193656
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Man Made: utility_pole
Lat/Long: 52.4178067/1.3180667
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Man Made: utility_pole
Lat/Long: 52.417683/1.3178002
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Man Made: utility_pole
Lat/Long: 52.4185717/1.3207854
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 52.4184818/1.3210858
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 52.4180016/1.3215458
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Public Footpath
Hiking: yes
Information: guidepost
Inscription: Circular Walk / Norfolk Trails
Material: wood
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 52.4175313/1.3175212
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Bicycle: yes
Information: guidepost
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 52.4175825/1.3174736
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Location Transition: yes
Man Made: utility_pole
Lat/Long: 52.4175076/1.3175681
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Give Way
Lat/Long: 52.4175861/1.317567
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Colour: yellow
Inscription: High pressure gas pipeline
Location: underground
Marker: pedestal
Material: plastic
Ref: IP
Utility: gas
Lat/Long: 52.4178691/1.3172851
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Man Made: utility_pole
Lat/Long: 52.4184351/1.3200304
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Man Made: utility_pole
Lat/Long: 52.4182732/1.3192458
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 52.4178037/1.3206258
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Material: wood
Power: pole
Ref: 130312
Lat/Long: 52.4180413/1.3168345
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Man Made: utility_pole
Lat/Long: 52.4181341/1.3132196
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Power: pole
Transformer: distribution
Lat/Long: 52.418364/1.3118121
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The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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