Hethel Old Thorn (credit: Richard Osbourne)
Hethel Old Thorn (credit: Richard Osbourne)
Hethel Old Thorn
Once a mighty tree, this ancient hawthorn bush is probably the smallest nature reserve in the UK.
Location
Leave Norwich on the B1113 road heading south west for 10km. Turn right into Hethel and head for the church. Limited parking is available on the verge near the church. NWT Hethel Old Thorn can be found about 300m down the public footpath from the church. Access is over a stile.
Hethel
Norfolk
NR14 8HE
OS Map Reference
TG 171 005
Know before you go
Dogs
When to visit
Opening times
Dawn till dusk, every day, all year round.Best time to visit
The best time to visit is in spring when the tree is in full bloom.About the reserve
Hethel Old Thorn is thought to be one of the oldest hawthorns in England, possibly dating back to the 13th century. In 1755, its girth was recorded as 9 feet 1 inch, but it has since decayed to a remnant of its former self. Even so, there is something very appealing about this venerable shrub, which continues to produce flowers, leaves and a crop of haw berries each year.
Folklore has it that the hawthorn grew from the staff of Joseph of Arimathea – although this is a tale associated with other thorns around the country too.
