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NWT Hethel Old Thorn, photo by Roger Jones 2/4
Hethel Old Thorn, photo by Richard Osbourne 3/4
Hethel Old Thorn, photo by Richard Osbourne 4/4

Hethel Old Thorn

NWT’s smallest nature reserve happens to consist of just one very old ‘tree’, though perhaps bush would be a better description!

Hethel Old Thorn is located beside a picturesque church. The tiny reserve is one of the smallest in the UK.
 

The Old Thorn
The eponymous thorn itself is thought to be one of the most ancient hawthorns in England, possibly dating from the 13th century. In 1755 its girth was recorded as 9 feet 1 inch, but it has now decayed to a remnant of its former self. Even so, there is still something very appealing about this venerable shrub, which continues to grow each year and remains healthy. Superstition has it that the hawthorn grew from the staff of Joseph of Arimathea – a folk tale associated with other thorns around the country including at Glastonbury.



Access
NWT Hethel Old Thorn can be accessed about 300m down a public footpath from All Saints Church, which is 6km (3.75 miles) east of Wymondham.
 

Details

Address

Post code
NR14 8HE
Map reference
OS Landranger 134
Grid reference
TG 171 005
Designation
Claylands Living Landscape
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