Hellesdon

Hellesdon is a village in the District of Broadland in Norfolk, England. It lies approximately 4 mi north-west of Norwich city centre and has a population of 11,132, according to the 2011 Census. Norwich International Airport immediately adjoins the parish.

History
Hellesdon has signs of very early settlement. A variety of flint instruments have been unearthed in and around the suburb, thought to date back at least 4,000 years. A collection of bronze axe heads were found near Hellesdon Hall and a skeleton dating from around 600 AD was discovered next to Hellesdon Lodge, in Low Road.

The Dictionary of British Place-names indicates that the name Hellesdon comes from Hægelisdun (the spelling of the location c.985), meaning 'hill of a man named Hægel', with the spelling having changed to Hailesduna by 1086. Hægelisdun is recorded in tradition as the location where King Edmund was killed by Viking invaders in 869, although there is no consensus on the location of this event.

Hellesdon was one of several manors owned in the fifteenth century by Sir John Fastolf, the original of Shakespeare's Falstaff, and as with other of his properties; his death in 1459 led to something close to a private war between the Paston family and John de la Pole, 2nd Duke of Suffolk for its possession.

In the 1880s, what became the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway reached Hellesdon, linking the area with nearby Norwich and Melton Constable; the station closed in 1952 and the line followed in its fate in 1959.

In 1915, Mann Egerton built H1s, Spads and Type B seaplanes in Hellesdon. In the 1920s, construction of the Norwich ring road began, making the area much more accessible.

From 1930 to 1964, motorcycle speedway team the Norwich Stars raced at the old Firs raceway. Ove Fundin was World Speedway Champion on a number of occasions in the early 1960s. The stadium was sold for housing in 1964, bringing the Norwich Stars speedway team to an end.

The area has now developed into a major suburb of Norwich.

Amenities
Hellesdon has a number of small independent shops, along with some large retailers including a B&Q and a large Asda superstore, which was opened in 1983 and a filling station was added to the site in 1990.

There are six schools: one high, two junior and three infant schools. Hellesdon High School is a leading-edge academy.

There is a library and a community centre for use by local clubs, such as Hellesdon Horticultural Association and the Hellesdon Community Choir. The local football team, Hellesdon FC, play at the community centre which also was used to hold the World Cycle speedway championships in 1987.

There are two pubs in Hellesdon: The Whiffler and The Bull (whose original name was restored in 2022 after local opposition to its brief renaming as The Chestnut Tree). Former pubs include The Man On The Moon, which is now Hellesdon's doctor's surgery; The Bignold Arms is now a fish restaurant and takeaway; The Firs became a Tesco Express; and The Falcon became a Co-op, but this closed in 2019 and the building is now an office location.

There are several other leisure destinations including Funky's roller skating club and a snooker hall. There are also several parks and green spaces although the golf course has been sold for further residential housing developments, potentially increasing the village's population significantly.

Hellesdon has a large psychiatric hospital, Hellesdon Hospital, but many of the former ward buildings are no longer occupied and the upper level of the site is destined to be sold for housing development. Situated next to the hospital is the East of England Ambulance Service's Norwich office, which includes its AOC (Ambulance Operations Centre), Hellesdon Response Post and a training centre, along with a vehicle workshop.

The parish church of St Mary dates from the 15th century and is a grade II* listed building.

Culture


Hellesdon was one of the places in Norfolk depicted by the Norfolk School artist, John Middleton.

Transport


Norwich International Airport is located in Hellesdon. It is owned by the Rigby Group and provides flights to many destinations in the British Isles and Europe.

After the closure of Hellesdon railway station in 1952, the nearest National Rail station is Norwich; it provides direct trains to locations throughout East Anglia and to London, operated by Greater Anglia.

Bus services in the area are provided primarily by First Eastern Counties and Sanders Coaches; destinations include the city centre, Aylsham, Cromer, Fakenham, Mulbarton and Sheringham.