Booton is located 0.7 miles (1.1 km) south-east of Reepham, 5.7 miles (9.2 km) south-west of Aylsham and 12 miles (19 km) north-west of Norwich. The civil parish of Booton also includes the smaller village of Brandiston.
History
The origin of Booton's name is uncertain. It is either of Anglo-Saxon origin and derives from the Old English for Bota's farmstead or settlement or of Viking origin, deriving from the Old Norse for Bo's farmstead or settlement.[1]
In the Domesday Book, Booton is listed as a settlement of 7 households in the hundred of Erpingham. In 1086, the village was part of the estates of Tihel of Hellean.[2]
Within the village is Booton Hall, a red-brick structure which dates back to the Seventeenth Century though has significant Eighteenth Century re-modelling.[3] There is also an Eighteenth Century threshing barn located nearby.[4]
There are two Grade II listed structures on 'The Street', including Town Farmhouse and a nearby barn.[5]
A postmill was constructed in the village by Mr. R. George in 1848. It stood until it was largely dismantled in 1900.[6]
In 1940, a polygonal bunker was built as part of the defences against a possible German invasion of Britain.[7]
Geography
According to the 2021 census, Booton has a population of 216 people which demonstrates an increase from the 196 people listed in the 2011 census.[8]
Booton is dominated by its parish church which is dedicated to Saint Michael. St. Michael's was built largely due to enthusiasm of Whitwell Elwin who built over the much smaller Medieval church.[9] The church has been Grade I listed since 1961.[10]
Whitwell Elwin- (1816-1900) clergyman and critic, lived in Booton.
Stephen Fry- (b.1957) actor and comedian, grew up in Booton.
War Memorial
Booton's war memorial takes the form of a grey marble plaque in St. Michael's Church. It has gold lettering and a grey wreath of poppies carved at the top, it lists the following names for the First World War:[11]
