Little Cressingham

{{Short description|Village in Norfolk, England}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}

{{Use British English|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox UK place

|country = England

|coordinates = {{coord|52.5656|0.7645|display=inline,title}}

|os_grid_reference= TF873000

|official_name =Little Cressingham

|population =

| area_total_km2 = 11.90

| population_ref = (2001 census)

|shire_district= Breckland

|shire_county= Norfolk

|metropolitan_borough=

| metropolitan_county =

|region= East of England

|constituency_westminster= South West Norfolk

|post_town= THETFORD

|postcode_district = IP25

|postcode_area=IP

|dial_code=01953

|static_image = St Andrew, Little Cressingham, Norfolk - geograph.org.uk - 636446.jpg

|static_image_width = 240px

|static_image_caption= St Andrew, Little Cressingham

}}

Little Cressingham lies {{convert|2.5|mi|km}} south east by road from Great Cressingham, {{convert|3|mi|km}} west of Watton and {{convert|8|mi|km}} south of Swaffham in the Breckland District of Norfolk. It covers an area of {{convert|11.90|km2|abbr=on}} and had a population of 157 in 70 households at the 2001 census[https://web.archive.org/web/20170211032229/https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/consumption/groups/public/documents/general_resources/ncc017867.xls Census population and household counts for unparished urban areas and all parishes]. Office for National Statistics & Norfolk County Council (2001). Retrieved 20 June 2009. It is in the civil parish of Great Cressingham. The village is located on the edge of the Stanford Battle Area.

The villages name origin is uncertain but probably means 'Homestead/village of Cressa's people', or perhaps, 'cress homestead/village'.

The village is dispersed, with the main centre focused on a crossroads around the church and the mill. The village church is dedicated to St Andrew and is partially ruined.[http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/littlecressingham/littlecressingham.htm St Andrew, Little Cressingham], Norfolk Churches. Retrieved 2011-05-02.[http://goodrick.info/little_cressingham.htm St Andrews Church]. Retrieved 2011-05-02. The building is medieval and designated as a Grade I listed building.[http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-221030-church-of-st-andrew-little-cressingham Church of St Andrew, Little Cressingham], British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 2011-05-02. The village is in the Benefice of Cockley Cley.{{Cite web |url=http://www.norwich.anglican.org/church?benefice=194 |title=Benefice Of Cockley Cley |access-date=2 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718132143/http://www.norwich.anglican.org/church?benefice=194 |archive-date=18 July 2011 |url-status=dead }} The round tower Church of All Saints at Threxton lies {{convert|0.5|mi|km|1}} to the east of the village.[http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-221031-church-of-all-saints-little-cressingham Church of All Saints, Little Cressingham], British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 2011-05-02.

The village pub, The White Horse, closed in 2004. Next to the church is the old Free School founded and endowed by William Farrer in 1809 and built at a cost of £144. It is now the village hall. The mill at Little Cressingham, a Grade II* listed building, is both a water and wind mill, one of only two in Norfolk.[http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-221027-wind-and-water-mill-little-cressingham Wind and Water Mill, Little Cressingham], British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 2011-05-02.[http://www.norfolkmills.co.uk/Watermills/lt-cressingham.html Little Cressingham Mill], Norfolk Mills. Retrieved 2011-05-02. It was built in about 1820 on the Clermont Estate and is now disused.

In 1849 Early Bronze Age finds attributed to the Wessex culture dating from c. 2000 BC were discovered in Little Cressingham, consisting of a rectangular gold plaque, three small cylindrical gold boxes, an amber necklace, a bronze dagger and bronze knife, and human remains. The finds are now on display at the Norwich Castle Museum.{{cite web |url=https://norwichcastle.wordpress.com/2020/07/30/a-burial-of-gold-little-cressingham/ |title=A Burial of Gold |website=Norwich Castle Museum}}

File:Gold objects and amber necklace from Little Cressingham, Norfolk, England, Wessex culture, Early Bronze Age.png|Gold plaque, boxes and amber necklace

File:Bronze dagger and knife from Little Cressingham, Norfolk, England, Wessex culture, Early Bronze Age.jpg|Bronze dagger and knife

File:Little Cressingham Wind - Watermill - geograph.org.uk - 1954541.jpg|Little Cressingham Wind/Watermill