Thorpe is in the Domesday Book, in which it is
spelt ‘Torp’, which is a Scandinavian word meaning
village. It is thought that the Danes were in East Anglia
as early as 870 AD and in 1004 Sweyn and his ships came up
the river to Norwich.
There is also evidence that Thorpe was occupied
by the Romans with the discovery of various remains. The earliest
references found that relate to the parish are under the names
of ‘Thorpe Episcopi’ and ‘Thorpe-next-Norwich’.
In later years it has been known as ‘Thorpe
St Andrew’.
In years gone by the river spread over much of Thorpe's
neighbouring marshes and was not confined between banks as
it is today. There were woods that stretched to the city,
replaced today by housing.
Thorpe has around 13,000 residents with
roughly 6,000 dwellings in an area measuring some 705 hectares.
The Dussingdale estate has attracted many families to Thorpe
and the facilities and organisations in the area reflect this.
There are some 14 schools and playgroups and it is home to
the 15th Norwich
Air Scouts, Norwich
Beavers and Cubs, Brownies and Guides and the 1st Thorpe
St Andrew Rangers and Norwich
Venturers, to name but a few.
There are also numerous leisure facilities, groups and organisations
including the County Arts Club on Plumstead Road, Thorpe Kite
Flyers, Starlight Express Majorettes and the Oasis Sports
and Leisure Centre on Pound Lane. Religious groups of many
denominations meet regularly all over Thorpe.
With picturesque river banks, excellent amenities and sought
after properties, Thorpe St Andrew is one
of Norwich’s
most desirable suburbs
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