Watton is 21 miles west of Norwich, with the Broads and the East Coast not far away, and is the smallest of Breckland’s five towns.

The Parish Church of St Mary dates from the 12th Century and has a Norman tower with an octagonal belfry. Watton also has a Methodist Church situated in the High Street and both have regular services.

In the High Street there is an unusual clock tower, which dates from 1679 AD. This was erected after a fire destroyed much of the town in 1674, reputedly so that its bells could warn townsfolk should such a disaster strike again.

On the town sign are the two ‘babes’ from the popular fairytale. It is said that the nearby Wayland Wood is where the two ‘babes in the wood’ unfortunately met their fate. The hare (wat) and barrel (tun) also feature on the town sign showing the derivation of the town name.

Watton has a thriving community with a bustling high street where you can purchase the locally made ‘Wayland Sausage’ and ‘Wayland Bap’. Wednesday is market day with an additional farmers’ market held on the first Saturday of every month.

Tourist attraction in Breckland
Breckland is bursting with entertainment, with so many places to visit. For those seeking peace and tranquility there are magnificent stately homes and halls, all with spectacular gardens. For those with an interest in history, Breckland also has many museums.
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Accommodation in Breckland
Breckland has it all when it comes to accommodation from grand hotels, guest houses and self catering cottages, to motor cruisers, caravans and campsites.
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