The surface is agreeably undulated, and the high grounds command fine views of the picturesque scenery within and around the parish, which is remarkable for the number and variety of wild flowers with which its meadows are studded.

), signifying "the place of the followers or kin-group of Tyrn", typical of the earlier, immigration phase of Angle-Saxon settlements.

[7] Charles Parkin translates its findings from the Latin:[8] The principal lordship of this village was, at the survey, farmed of the Conqueror, or took care of by Godric his steward, Ulf, a Saxon, lord of it in the days of King Edward, being deprived, when one carucate of land and 6 villains, 9 borderers, and one servus belonged to it; there were 2 carucates in demean, one and a half among the tenants, with 10 acres (40,000 m2) of meadow, &c., the moiety of a mill, 4 runci, 20 cows, &c., and 50 sheep; and 6 socmen had 16 acres (65,000 m2) of land, and a carucate and a half.

A great part of the soil belongs to Hastings Elwyn, Esq., the owner of Thurning Hall, a neat mansion, with a fine lawn and small lake, and now the residence of James Gay, Esq.

Rech Barber, Richard Harvey, James Margarson, John Pye, John Sewell and Daniel Sidney, farmers.In 1835, there were twelve parliamentary electors for the West Norfolk division in respect of Thurning, of whom four were outside the parish: Thomas Armes of Weybourne, Hastings Elwin, Esq., of Thorpe, Caleb Elwin, clerk, of Melton Constable, and Robert Fountain Elwin, clerk, of Norwich.

The rectory, valued in K. B. at £7, has 18 acres (73,000 m2) of glebe, a good residence, rebuilt in 1832, and a yearly rent of £370, awarded in 1839, in lieu of tithes.

The other residents are, Maria Eke, shopkeeper; James Gay, Esq., Hall; Henry Pointin, blacksmith; Wm.

£1,581: poor rates in 1848, £189, 13 s. The Hall, a pleasing mansion, is the seat of James Gay, Esq., the representative of an ancient family which originally came from Normandy and were settled early in the time of Elizabeth at Matlask and Thurgarton, in which and the adjoining parishes they possessed considerable landed estates.

John Fenwick, B.D., J.P., rector, Robert Brownsell, William Brownsell, Frederick Faircloth, Henry Hall, and Alfred Clark of Wood Dalling, farmers, George Burton, gamekeeper, William Harvey, farm bailiff, and Edwd.

[12] At the census of 1891, the following surnames are recorded in the parish: Adams, Aldis, Allen, Barnes, Baxter, Breeze, Brownell, Clitheroe, Cottrell, Cozens, Faircloth, Frances, Frost, Gay, Girling, Hall, Hardingham, Hazelwood, Hipkin, Howell, Hubbert, Keeler, Knowles, Ladell, Lease, Meadows, Partridge, Plane, Plattan, Poynton, Ray, Scarff, Sexton, Shave, Shuton, Southgate, Strutt, Twiddy, and Wright.

Open every day,[22] it stands alone, isolated from other buildings, on the Reepham Road and about a quarter of a mile north of The Rectory.

The middle of the church contains plain benches, the sanctuary has communion rails, and the south wall a line of hat pegs.

According to Kelly's Directory for 1883:[4] The church of St. Andrew is a building of flint in the Perpendicular style and has chancel, nave, north aisle and square tower containing 1 bell.

The living is a rectory, tithe rent charge £370 with 23 acres (93,000 m2) of glebe and residence, in the gift of the Master and fellows of Corpus Christi college, Cambridge, and held since 1858 by the Rev.

Thurning Hall is an 18th-century grade II listed country house with a walled garden, set in 40 acres (160,000 m2) and surrounded by woodland.

A large square three-storey Georgian building, it remains a private house but can be hired for weddings.

Shortly after the present house was built, it was advertised to let:[26]To be Lett from Year to Year, and entered upon immediately, a genteel modern built Brick House, pleasantly situated at Thurning, in Norfolk; consisting of a neat Vestibule and Stair-Case, two good Parlours, wainscotted, small Study, six Bed-chambers, Closets, Servants Garret, Kitchen, and all convenient Offices necessary for a small Family.

- There is a very good Six-stall'd Stable, with a roomy Hay-chamber, Coach-house, Dogs-kennels, with a Granary over the same, small Garden, spacious Court Yard, Plantations, handsome Waters, well stocked with Carp and Tench; contiguous to the House are 5 acres (20,000 m2) of rich Meadow and Pasture Land to be lett with the same, part of which (adjoining to the Stable) is inclosed with a new Paling towards the Road.

- The House has been largely put into exceeding good Repair; Coppers, Kitchen Range, Jack, Bath and other Stoves, are already fixed for the Convenience of a Tenant.

Carriers to and from Norwich pass by the House weekly.Kelly's Directory, 1883, says:[4]The Hall, the seat of James Gay esq jun.

B.A., D.L., J.P. is a mansion which stands upon rising ground, surrounded by trees: the river Thurn, which flows through the park, expands into a lake within it: the view from the front of the Hall is very fine.

Some curious flint hatchet-heads and some Druidical remains have been dug up in the grounds of the Hall.In 1996, the Hall was one of the locations for the filming of a BBC television version of George Eliot's The Mill on the Floss.

Bryant's map (1826) shows the windmill immediately to the north of the water-mill and marks them together as 'Union Mills', which infers that they worked together.

[28] A notice for an auction at the Black Boys Inn, Aylsham, to be held on 14 August 1826 advertised the sale of "Lot 2.

A Water Corn Mill & Wind Mill, lately erected on the most improved construction & containing four pairs of stones & two flour dressers, with stable, cowhouse & other outhouses & 27 acres (110,000 m2) or thereabouts of Arable land, meadow, wood & ozier ground adjoining.

A Messuage or Dwelling House with productive Garden adjoining, Watermill driving two pairs of stones, with large waterwheel in good repair & plentiful supply of water, Windmill, Cart Lodge, & other Outbuildings together with 30a.