The history of Pentney

Pentney is a village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk, located about 8 miles (13 km) south east of King's Lynn placing it about halfway between King's Lynn and Swaffham on the A47 road. It covers an area of 10.39 km2 (4.01 sq mi) and had a population of 387 in 184 households at the 2001 census,[1] increasing to 544 at the 2011 Census.[2] For the purposes of local government, it falls within the district of King's Lynn and West Norfolk. It is in the valley of the River Nar, a tributary of the River Great Ouse.

The age of the village is unknown, but it dates at least to the 3rd or 4th centuries CE, from which time there is evidence of a Romano-British local pottery industry.[3] A Roman road and settlement in Pentney ran close to the river Nar[4] The name suggests that Pentney was at one time an island: one theory for the etymology is Penta's / Penda's Island, from the Anglo-Saxon Pendan-ig, the ig being equivalent to Old Norse ey = island (Pentney is on drained waterlands).[5]

The wayside cross that marked the route between the church of St Mary Magdalene in the village to the old Augustinian Priory

About Pentney Village Hall

Charity number: 295427

Pentney Village Hall was built in 1934 and is the hub of our community. We would like to raise additional funds to assist with maintenance, improvement and refurbishment work to see this community asset secured for future generations. You can contribute to the cause at no cost to yourself by ordering online purchases via the Easyfundraising website.