Watton

Watton is the smallest town in the Breckland area and is situated 20 miles west of Norwich on the crossroads of the A1075 Thetford to Dereham road and the B1108 running from the west to Norwich in the east. The trunk routes of the A47 passing ten miles to the north and the A11 twelve miles to the south leave the town somewhat isolated from the modern transportation system a "disadvantage" that has worked to the towns benefit

Watton is a busy, bustling, market town with most of its business being done on the main high street. The market is on a Wednesday, and now also there is a Farmer's market on the first Saturday every month, bringing shoppers in from all over the countryside and boosting the trade in the town centre shops. There are shops of all kinds here from your local friendly newsagent or bakery to the larger shops and supermarket. There is a small Tesco on the outskirts of town. Some of the shops have stayed in the same family, with second and third generations continuing to run the businesses.

Just south of the town is Wayland Wood, noted for its bluebells and its association with the "Babes In The Wood" legend. The legend providing the inspiration for the town sign which occupies a prominent position in the High Street in front of the Clock Tower, an edifice built in the late 1670's by Christopher Hey, a wealthy Mercer. The Clock Tower now houses the Tourist and Local Information Centre, manned by volunteers during the season - at selected times and upon request.

Watton enjoys close links with its surrounding parishes and three years ago the Wayland Partnership was established as a way of boosting the economic prosperity of the area. The Partnership's aim is to persuade people to come to Watton and the eight parishes for either a day or a short break and encourage them to spend their money.

Watton also has links abroad and the town is twinned with Weeze in Germany.

Local Authority
- Breckland.

Services
- Gas and Electricity

Broadband
- Available

Schools & Nurseries
- Watton Little Acorns Playgroup
- Westfield Infants and Nursery
- Watton Junior
- Wayland Community High School

Transport Amenities

Sports, Clubs & Leisure Facilities
- Richmond Park Golf Club
- Youth centre
- Young farmers
- Village Hall
- Sports Centre
- Theatrical groups
- Masonic lodges
For details of the above and nearly a hundred other clubs and societies click here

Home and Garden related shops

Local Tradespeople
- Plumbers
- Electricians
- Builders

Pubs
- The Bull
- Kings Arms
- The Willow House
- The Crown

Restaurants
- China Cottage Restaurant - Chinese
- Hare and Barrel hotel
- Italian Job
- Rivaaj Indian Restaurant
- The Cafe at Bovey Lair
- Swallowtails Restaurant - Broom Hall Country Hotel

Places of Interest and Activities
- Wayland Wood
- Loch Neaton
- Watton Ceramic Mural
- Watton Wartime Museum - closed at the present time
- Peddlars Way
- Pingo Trail
- Melsop Farm Park, Scoulton
- Eden Meadows Riding Centre, Lower Stow Bedon
- Watton Festival - every other year in October
- Town Carnival - June
- Wayland Show - August

Places to stay
- Broom Hall Hotel
- Crown Hotel
- Hare and Barrel Hotel
- Willow House Hotel
- Brovey Lair
- Chequers Inn, Thompson

- Churches and other religious centres
- Watton Methodist Church
- St Mary's Church

Useful Telephone Numbers:

Police Services
Emergency Services 999
Norfolk Constabulary 0845 456 4567
Norfolk Police Authority 01953 424455
Crime Stoppers 0800 555111
The Drink & Drive Hotline 0800 835835
The Drugs Hotline 0345 442255

Hospitals & Health Centres
Emergency Services 999
Watton Group Practice 01953 881247
Dentist 01953 882777
Norwich Hospital 01603 286286
Ipswich Hospital 01473 712233
West Suffolk Hospital 01284 713800

Chemists
Kings Chemist 01953 881258

Bus & Rail Travel

Public Services
Citizens Advice Bureau 10 -3pm Weds 01953 882746
Post Office 01953 881201
Watton Library 01953 881671
Registrars Office 01842 754115
Unemployment Office - careers office 01842 855800

Utilities
Electricity 08004 791210
Gas 08456 091122
Water 08457 145145

Local Authorities
Watton Town Council 01953 881007
Breckland District Council 01362 695333
South Norfolk District Council 01508 533633
Norfolk County Council 0844 800 8020

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