Welcome to the History of Watton

Watton is small market town in the rural heart of Norfolk with some 7000 inhabitants (including some surrounding villages), and it is the centre of an area known as Wayland. Watton derives its name from the Saxon Wadetuna, homestead of Wade. In the nearby Wayland Wood, legend has it, the 'Babes in the Wood' were abandoned. The town sign shows the two babes, and the hare jumping over the barrel reflects the town name: wat being the local dialect word for hare, and ton for barrel. 

We hope this website will serve the community of Watton in years to come and that individuals, organisations, churches, and companies will all contibute to make this a place of memories.

We would like to thank every one who has contibuted so far and allowed this to become a comprehensive history of the town and its activities through the years.The History of Watton website exists through the kindness of its contibutors and is a non-profit making organisation that aims to serve the Town of Watton.

If you have anything that you think would help please contact us.
                     Please email: webmaster@historyofwatton.org.uk

We are currently looking for the oldest picture to be taken in Watton, can you help or perhaps you can identify the images on the help required page