About

Thornage is a beautiful, rural village, just over three miles from the Georgian town of Holt. Thornage neighbours Little Thornage and is located in the Glaven Valley, one of the most attractive areas of north Norfolk.

The village is surrounded by beautiful countryside with a network of footpaths and bridleways.

There are good local pubs in the neighbouring villages of Hunworth and Letheringsett and nerby Holt is well known for its boutique shopping, Byfords delicatessen, restaurants, pubs, art galleries, craft shops and antique showrooms and historic Gresham's School founded in 1555.

Around a ten minute drive to the north will take you to the coastline villages of Blakeney and Cley, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, ideal for bird watching, sailing and walking. 

Thornage is included in the Domesday Book. At that time, it was known as Tornedis which translates as “pasture where thorns grow”. It is a historic linear village up the side of a small valley with the high point occupied by Thornage Hall and, nearby the medieval church of All Saints.

Historically there was a large foundry across two sites, which is commemorated on the village sign. Some of the cast iron windows have survived in houses and the unique piers with cast iron plaques and the names of Old Foundry House and Foundry Cottages are testimony to its industrial past.

Thornage’s economy also historically depended on agriculture, which is reflected in the surviving farmhouses, barns and outbuildings, although these are no longer working farm buildings.