This tiny scattered rural Norfolk village was named after a Danish chieftain “Elesa” whose image appears on the village sign together with his hunting hound.

Elsing Hall built in 1470 is a half timbered house complete with moat every Sunday afternoon from June to September it opens its ten acre gardens to the public.  The house was once home to the Hastings gamily who were remained staunch Catholics during Henry VIIIs time and their home was used as a hiding place for priests.

During recent works there was found in the moat a ring which bore the inscription 'forget me not'.  Unfortunately nothing is known of the origins of this ring, but it was believed to date from around the time of Tudor England. 

The village does have an inn, but for retail therapy then there is nearby East Dereham with its wide range of shops, plus golf course and swimming pool.

Dereham has many historical figures associated with it including: a saint; a famous poet; an enthusiastic burner of Protestants; the man responsible for publishing the historic Paston Letters and a 19th century linguist and traveller