Great Thurlow

The nearest train station is in Dullingham, almost 6 miles to the north, and HMP Highpoint prison is past the parish boundaries to the east.

[5] Evidence of moated sites, used as Saxon defence systems, are visible in the area in the Glebe, the Island, Wadgells and Sowley Green.

The Domesday Book includes the first record of Great Thurlow, where the village is shown to be in the possession of a "freewoman called Edred".

This record of the name predates their foundation by over 30 years however, which leads some to believe a temple of a previous age once stood there.

[8] Great Thurlow prospered for much of this era, with the Soame family having keen interests in agriculture, while also contributing to new properties and building renovations.

The Parish Book holds a record of meetings held for the care of villagers and, under Sir Stephen Soame, almshouses were built and a school for the male children of Thurlow was founded.

[10] Great Thurlow received considerably more attention towards the end of the Soame's dynasty, and this trend of investment continued through the nineteenth century.

Great Thurlow Hall is thought to have been restored in this period, while many Georgian style houses were built.

The prominence of agriculture in Great Thurlow was driven by the villagers need to be self-sufficient and led to numerous small farms surrounding the area.

Most small farms were absorbed into larger ones and the number of agricultural jobs available consistently decreased.

- Great Thurlow Hall, a grade II listed building dating back to the 18th century.

[19] The hall is surrounded by gardens and more historical features, such as a barn and brick wall, which are also grade II listed.

A 20th Century map showing Great Thurlow.
Great Thurlow population, 1801 to 2011
Great Thurlow occupations in 1881.
Church of All Saints, Great Thurlow