Old Buckenham
Old Buckenham is known for several notable features and historical significance some of which are detailed below
Old Buckenham Castle
The village is home to the ruins of Old Buckenham Castle, a motte-and-bailey castle dating back to the 12th century. It was once a formidable fortress and played a role in the conflicts of the Middle Ages.
Old Buckenham Airfield
Located near the village, Old Buckenham Airfield has a rich aviation history. During World War II, it served as a base for American bombers and played a role in the D-Day preparations. Today, it is still an active airfield and hosts various aviation events including an annual airshow which is proud to have a display by the Red Arrows on both days.
All Saints Church
The church dates back to the 12th century and features notable architectural elements and historical artifacts.
The Gamekeeper
For those visiting and living in Old Buckenham, The Gamekeeper is sure to provide warm hospitality and refreshments.
1957 Map of Old Buckenham
This map was made as evidence of one of the squabbles between New Buckenham and Carleton Rode about commons. New Buckenham claimed common as far as the crossroads and Carleton claimed to share the bit between the present end of the common and the crossroads. Carleton eventually won.
Family friendly pub on one of the largest village greens in England. A community pub at the centre of village life. Two open plan drinking areas, one being quiet, without TV or electronic game machines. Large garden at front of pub overlooks the village green. Real ale dispensed from four to six hand pumps
The Ox & Plough
The Cricket Grounds
The estate at Old Buckenham Hall was purchased by the Australian financier Lionel Robinson in 1906.
The first ground was half a mile from the Hall and adjacent to Old Buckenham Stud, which Robinson established to further his involvement in horse racing. The second – still in use today – was created in a woodland clearing close to the rebuilt Hall, Robinson having replaced Duleep Singh’s Georgian house with a vast neo-Jacobean mansion.
Old Buckenham Windmill
This mill was built for John Burlingham in 1818.
The brick-built mill is notable as having the widest tower in England. It also has the largest cap. The tower is 42ft tall with very little taper. It has a diameter of 26ft 6in at the base and measures 23ft in diameter at the top.
The Almshouses
New Almshouses at Old Buckenham, near Attleborough, Norfolk, founded by Mr. Robert Cocks, 1861. Mr Cooks at his own cost purchased the land and erected these buildings for the benefit of the poor deserving inhabitants. The buildings are of red brick, with white brick and Bath stone dressings...with pointed gables and moulded stone coping and angular buttresses.
World War II
World War II
Old Buckenham Hall played a significant role during World War II as an operational airfield for the Royal Air Force (RAF). The airfield, known as RAF Old Buckenham, was constructed in the early 1940s and was primarily used by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) Eighth Air Force.
From 1943 onwards, RAF Old Buckenham served as a base for the 453rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) of the USAAF. The 453rd Bomb Group operated B-24 Liberator bombers and conducted strategic bombing missions over Nazi-occupied Europe.
The airfield played a crucial role in the Allied bombing campaign, primarily focusing on targets such as German industrial sites, transportation infrastructure, and military installations. The missions flown from Old Buckenham included attacks on targets in France, Germany, the Netherlands, and other parts of Europe.
RAF Old Buckenham and the 453rd Bomb Group were involved in numerous combat operations, including the famous bombing raid on the Focke-Wulf aircraft factory in Marienburg, Germany, in October 1943. The group also participated in the D-Day invasion in June 1944, dropping paratroopers and providing air support for ground forces.
The airfield at Old Buckenham remained operational until the end of the war in Europe. After the war, it was returned to the RAF and eventually closed in 1960. Today, Old Buckenham Airfield is still active, hosting a mix of recreational aviation and heritage aircraft activities.
You can read more about this history here