Houghton on the Hill, Norfolk

Houghton on the Hill
St Mary's Church, Houghton on the Hill
Houghton on the Hill
Location within Norfolk
Population0 
OS grid referenceTF868053
Civil parish
District
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townSwaffham
Postcode districtPE37
Dialling code01760
PoliceNorfolk
FireNorfolk
AmbulanceEast of England
UK Parliament

Houghton on the Hill is a deserted medieval village and former civil parish, now in the parish of North Pickenham in the Breckland district of Norfolk, England, notable for its Grade I listed church. The only surviving buildings are a farm and St Mary's Church. The church was rescued in the 1990s after being left in a ruinous state. During the restoration some wall paintings dating from about the time of the Domesday Book were discovered; these are the earliest-known large-system wall paintings in the country. The restoration was driven by the efforts of one man, Bob Davey MBE. The church is supported by a charitable trust 'The Friends of St Mary's', who open the church on a regular basis and provide guided tours. In 1931 the parish had a population of 21.