Great Massingham is a charming little village with brick flint and cobble cottages dating from the 18th and 19th century clustering around two huge ponds.  During the 13th century Augustian friars may well have fished these waters as their was an Abbey here in the village at that time.  One of the ponds still has fishing available as long as fishermen don't mind sharing their space with a couple of ducks. Or just sit and watch the antics of the ducks and the occasional swans which dip in and out of the water, rearing their young on the ponds banks. For holiday accommodation in Great Massingham or closeby - self catering - bed and breakfast - camping and caravan - hotel - inns - guest house look at our accommodation pages.

Unfortunately over the centuries the inns of Great Massingham have closed their doors and it is no longer possible to drink at the Black Swan, the Fox and Pheasant, the Rose and Crown or the Royal Oak.  Not unless that is you know the owners of these former hostelries, which are now family homes. 

Beyond the village lies the Peddars Way which marches out across Massingham Heath, with its old flint mines and burial mounds.

The likeness of Sir Robert Walpole, England's first Prime Minister and the great great uncle to Horatio Nelson peers out at visitors from the Village Sign.  It is believed that he was educated here in Great Massingham. He was also responsible for the building of Houghton Hall one of the grandest surviving Palladian houses in England, just four miles away and open to the public.

Great Massingham has a small shop which has a good range of provisions.  In addition to fishing, tennis courts are available for hire in the village. For the nearest open public house you will need to visit nearby Harpley just over two miles away down the road, or there is Castle Acre which is six miles away which has a range of eating places.  For a larger selection of shops visit historic Kings Lynn which is just over ten miles away and holds not one but two weekly markets.

The ancient and attractive village of Castle Acre, located to the south was on the pilgrim route for centuries with its 13th century castle gateway, fine church and ruins of a Cluniac Priory, which is sometimes described as the finest in Southern England. The village is located on the ancient Peddars Way walk by the River Nar.

A famous ghostly sighting is attached to Raynham Hall which is located down the road at the nearby villages of East and West Raynham.