Stratton Strawless

{{Infobox UK place

| official_name = Stratton Strawless

| country = England

| region = East of England

| shire_district = Broadland

| shire_county = Norfolk

| civil_parish = Stratton Strawless

| static_image = St Margarets Church.JPG

| static_image_width = 240px

| static_image_caption = St Margaret's Church

| population = 580

| population_ref = (2011){{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11129226&c=Stratton+Strawless&d=16&e=62&g=6448486&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&o=362&m=0&r=1&s=1471024898938&enc=1|title=Civil Parish population 2011|accessdate=12 August 2016|publisher=Office for National Statistics|work=Neighbourhood Statistics}}

| area_total_km2 = 7.14

| os_grid_reference = TG220208

| coordinates = {{coord|52.738867|1.289338|display=inline,title}}

| post_town = NORWICH

| postcode_area = NR

| postcode_district = NR10

| dial_code = 01603

| constituency_westminster = Mid Norfolk

| london_distance = {{convert|123|mi|km|1}}

}}

Stratton Strawless is a village in the county of Norfolk and district of Broadland. The civil parish covers {{convert|714|acre|ha|abbr=on}} and has a population of 495,{{Cite web |url=http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/consumption/groups/public/documents/general_resources/ncc017867.xls |title=Archived copy |access-date=16 October 2008 |archive-date=9 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809072353/https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/consumption/groups/public/documents/general_resources/ncc017867.xls |url-status=dead }} increasing to a population of 580 in the 2011 Census. Located close and to the east of the A140 road and being {{convert|4.5|mi|km}} south of the market town of Aylsham and some {{convert|7|mi|km}} north of Norwich. Much of the parish has been given over to the growing of arable crops, but there are substantial amounts of mixed woodland to be found.

History

The village was first recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as Stratuna ('tun') meaning house or farm in Anglo-Saxon.[http://www.broadland.gov.uk/leisure_and_tourism/1190.asp Villages of Broadland] Retrieved 16 October Strawless is an appellative from the poorness of the soil, producing little grain and less straw, but favourable to the production of timber.Sparks, T, & Lines, J, Chapters in the life of Robert Marsham(2008) pp56.65

File:Stratton Strawless Hall.jpg

The Marsham family

From the 14th century to the end of the 19th century Stratton Strawless hall was the home of the Marsham family which included Robert Marsham (1707–97), the phenologist. Marsham is believed to have planted two million trees on the estate. Most of the plantings were cleared for much-needed timber for the First and Second World War. A few ancient trees remain, and in particular The Great Cedar (planted in 1747). The current hall (then 3 storeys) was completed c. 1800; in 1960 the top storey was removed. During the Second World War the hall housed an operations room for RAF Coltishall.[https://archive.today/20120723170853/http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/45/a3130345.shtml People's war] Retrieved 16 October 2008 Today, the Grade II listed hall has been converted into residential flats and part of the grounds have been turned into a caravan park.

St Margaret's church

The Grade I listed building dates back to the 13th century with a broad tower from 1422. The oldest feature is a Norman doorway leading to the chancel. The church is full of artefacts which include 17th century alabaster monuments dedicated to the Marsham family.[http://www.strattonstrawless.churchnorfolk.com/ St Margaret's church] Retrieved 16 October 2008

Also, of note is the early 18th century great brass chandelier which holds 25 candles and is lit every fourth Sunday for Evensong. The life-sized Black Abbess was found walled up in the tower during the 19th-century renovation. She is believed to depict a crusader's widow dating from the late 13th century.

Leisure and recreation

The village hall is located in Parish Road. Adjacent to the building is the village sign which depicts Marsham's Great Cedar, woodlands and the lily ponds that are located close by.

In May of each year at Brook House, the bluebell woods are opened to the public.[http://www.norwich.anglican.org/calendar/e2786 Brook House] Retrieved 1 May 2012

Much of the area can be explored by bicycle and foot via the network of quiet lanes and footpaths.