Merton, Norfolk

Description
Merton, a parish in Norfolk, on the Bury St Edmunds, Thetford, and Swaffham section of the G.E.R., and 2 miles S of Watton station, and 10 NNE of Thetford. Post town and money order and telegraph office, Watton, under Thetford. Acreage, 1394 ; population, 180. The property and tha manor, with Merton Hall, belong to Lord Walsingham. The hall has been long the seat of the De Greys, was almost rebuilt in 1613, is a red brick edifice in the Tudor style, and stands in a finely-timbered park about 2 miles in length, and formerly contained an ancient oak which measured fully 23 1/2 feet in girth at 6 feet from the ground. This noble tree fell in November, 1891, when the trunk was found to be quite hollow. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Norwich ; net value, £145 with residence. Patron, Lord Walsingham. The church stands in the park about 300 yards NE of the hall, is a cruciform building of flint chiefly in the Decorated style, with very beautiful windows, comprises nave, S aisle, and chancel, with early Norman circular tower, and contains a font with lofty carved oak canopy, a carved oak reredos, and some ancient memorials.