Taverham and Drayton Area Guide

History

Taverham is situated six miles from the centre of Norwich on the north bank of the River Wensum. The village boasts a fine parish church, built mainly of flint with corner dressings of freestone or sandstone. Dating probably from Saxon times, it is dedicated to St Edmund, King and Martyr, who was the King of East Anglia from 855 to 870 AD.

Taverham Hall was built by the Rev. J. Nathaniel Micklethwait in 1859, after the previous building was destroyed by fire. In 1919, when the estate was broken up into over 90 lots, it then became a school, which it remains today and is now Langley Preparatory School at Taverham Hall. Until 1899, Taverham had a very unusual paper-mill. Today only the remains of the sluices can be seen but, in its hey-day, the paper-mill made paper of a very high quality. It was used for printing bank notes, bibles, the Oxford Dictionary and several daily newspapers including ‘The Times’.

Drayton has evidence of Romans settlers, as in 1849 labourers unearthed Roman pottery and an ampoule or flask. You can see why early settlers chose this area with its sheltered, green river valley. The stream, which is now piped under the ground, would have been a good supply of drinking water for their animals.

From 1882 to 1959 Drayton had a railway station, which was on the Midland and Great Northern line. During the First World War it was used for the movement of troops, but today it is an industrial site. Harry Cator, the son of a railwayman, was awarded the Victoria Cross Military Medal and the Croix de Guerre for his services during the war. He became a well-known figure and was highly respected throughout the area.

R.G Carter began his building firm in the early 1920’s and the business is still flourishing today. The lych-gate to the church in Drayton is in memory of R.G Carter and all the good work he did for the village. The playing field, adjacent to the church, was given in memory of his wife.

Attractions

Marriot's Way cycle track leads to the city and is a popular cycle and walking route for those who work in the city or those who are just cycling or walking for pleasure.

Taverham Nursey Centre is a popular garden centre that stocks a wide range of indoor and outdoor plants, with an aquatics centre, landscaping section, garden furniture area, gifts and home products and a café. On site there are also a variety of other independent shops including picture framing, hairdressers, tearoom, shoe shop, arts and craft supplies, cookshop and pet store. Taverham has a village hall with excellent facilities and activities, a library, schools for all age groups including a sixth form, doctors' surgery, veterinary practice, scout hut, public house, estate agents, pharmacy, dentist, and a good selection of shops and fast food outlets.

Drayton has very good amenities, including a bank, post office, estate agents, doctors’ surgery, chemist, baker, tea rooms, florist, hairdressers, beauticians, butchers, ladies clothing and 2 child-friendly public houses – the Red Lion and The Cock. There are two schools, first and middle, and a village hall. Drayton’s King George V’s playing field has football pitches, a cricket pitch and a bowling green. The Bob Carter Centre offers a vast range of sporting and social activities including badminton, squash and many dance classes and has a welcoming community atmosphere with a licensed bar and food available.

Schools

Local schools include Nightingale Infant & Nursery School, Ghost Hill Infant & Nursery School, Drayton Community Infant School, Drayton C of E Junior School, Taverham VC CE Junior School and Taverham High School.