Caston

This article is about the village. For the surname, see Caston (surname).

Caston is a village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. It is 3 miles (4.8 km) south-east of Watton, {{convert|5|mi|north-west of Attleborough, and 18 miles (29 km) west of Norwich.

Caston
Church of the Holy Cross
Caston Location within Norfolk
Area	6.37 km2 (2.46 sq mi)
Population	480 (2021)
• Density	75/km2 (190/sq mi)
OS grid reference	TL955978
Civil parish	Caston
District	Breckland
Shire county	Norfolk
Region	East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	ATTLEBOROUGH
Postcode district	NR17
Dialling code	01953
Police	Norfolk
Fire	Norfolk
Ambulance	East of England
UK Parliament	Mid Norfolk
List of places UK England Norfolk 52.543°N 0.883°E / 52.543; 0.883

At the 2021 census, the village had a population of 480, an increase from 443 at the 2011 census.^[1]

History

Village sign

Caston's name derives from the Old English for "Catt's enclosure", with Catt, referring to wild cats, probably being a nickname.^[2][3] In the Domesday Book the village is recorded as a settlement of 57 households in the hundred of Wayland; a church and a mill were recorded. It was divided between the estates of William the Conqueror and William de Warenne.^[4]

The three-tiered base of a medieval stone cross close to the church is the remains of a cross which is thought to have been a waypoint for pilgrims travelling to Walsingham Priory. The shaft was removed in the 19th century by which point it had become dangerous. The remains are a scheduled monument.^[2][5]

During the sixteenth century, Caston was the residence of Edward Gilman, who was one of the earliest recorded ancestors of Abraham Lincoln.^[6]

By 1848, the village had a population of 513.^[7]. Caston Windmill was built in the nineteenth century for Edward Wyer. Today, the mill is in private ownership and is Grade II listed.^[8][9]

Amenities

The Church of the Holy Cross dates from the 13th century, although an older church probably stood on the same site. The building has been Grade I listed since 1958.^[2][10] The church was heavily restored in 1850s and features several medieval stained-glass roundels which were re-set after damage during the Second World War. The church also has a grand candelabra, believed to have come which originally from Hampton Court Palace via Cheshunt in Hertfordshire.^[2][11]

Caston school is a voluntary aided primary school. It serves the village and surrounding area. After leaving primary school, children usually transfer to Wayland Academy in Watton.^[12]