Stow Bedon

Stow Bedon /ˌstoʊ ˈbɛdən/ is a village of 290 inhabitants in the Breckland district of the English county of Norfolk.

Stow Bedon
St Botolph, Stow Bedon
Stow Bedon Location within Norfolk
Area	13.68 km2 (5.28 sq mi)
Population	290 (2011 census)[1]
• Density	21/km2 (54/sq mi)
OS grid reference	TL955963
District	Breckland
Shire county	Norfolk
Region	East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	ATTLEBOROUGH
Postcode district	NR17
Dialling code	01953
Police	Norfolk
Fire	Norfolk
Ambulance	East of England
UK Parliament	South West Norfolk

The Domesday Book mentions Stow Bedon, but in limited detail. The Inclosure Act, however, mentions Stow Bedon as a 'Free Village' and mentions how the village "maintained an independent spirit". Further records show that during Queen Victoria's Jubilee, instead of the traditional roasting of an ox, Stow Bedon only roasted a pig.

Kelly's Directory for 1883 records that Stow Bedon had a population of 324 with a total of 35 dwellings. It has been assumed in recent times, however, that the true number of houses during this period would have been greater.

Stow Bedon adjoins the hamlet of Lower Stow Bedon although the two often appear to be considered one village and the church of Breckles St Margaret is nearby. The village fete is held annually in June, and the village church, St Botolphs, holds a flower festival.

A station at Stow Bedon, on the Thetford & Watton Railway, opened in October 1869, and closed with the line in June 1964.[2] The Great Eastern Pingo Trail, a 13-kilometre circular walk, starts and finishes in the village. Parking is on the A1075, in the former railway station yard.

Stow Bedon is closely connected to the towns of Watton, Attleborough and Thetford.