Sprowston
Sprowston covers an area of 2,348 acres and is one of Norwich’s largest suburbs. In 1086 Sprowston was first officially mentioned in the Domesday Book and was described as a small village with two holdings.
One century on Sprowston was dominated by two significant families, the de Sproustons and the Mountereys. The Mounterey family occupied their manor for over 250 years whilst the manor held by the de Sproustons, and then later the Aslaks, was in fact the property of the Bishop of Norwich.
Mounterey Manor was passed over in 1545 to the Corbets. The village signs in Church Lane and Blue Boar Lane show the Corbet family symbol, a crow. There are also many monuments dedicated to the family in Sprowston Church.
When the last of the Corbet family died, the manor was bought by Sir Thomas Adams, who was a former Lord Mayor of London and a friend to Charles II. A monument to him and his wife can also be found in the church.
During the 18th century it is recorded that the population was less than 200, but by 1901 it had increased to 2,359. The 20th century brought great change with the disappearance of fields to make way for housing.
Today Sprowston has 3 primary schools and 3 middle schools, with a high school that has its own sixth form. It is also a centre for adult education classes.
Sprowston has many small shops that offer a wide range of goods, as well as a large supermarket. There are many places of worship for a variety of denominations.
Sprowston Manor Hotel offers excellent facilities, including a golf course, and there are also other family-friendly public houses located in that area.
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Get startedLocal information
Around Sprowston
Sprowston at a glance
- District
- Broadland
- Distance to Norwich
- about 2.0 miles
- Nearest town
- Norwich (2.0 miles)
- Height above sea level
- 42 m
Historic and listed buildings in Sprowston
2 listed buildings within about ¾ mile of the village centre, from the National Heritage List for England.
- Grade II
- Grade II
Source: Historic England. Most listed buildings are private homes – please view from public land.
Places to eat, drink and stay near Sprowston
The closest pubs, cafés, restaurants, takeaways and B&Bs, with their official food hygiene rating.
- 4/5
- 5/5
- 5/5
- 5/5
- Awaiting
- 5/5
- 5/5
- 4/5
- 5/5
- 5/5
- 5/5
- Awaiting
Ratings: Food Standards Agency (Open Government Licence). Ratings change after each inspection – tap a name for the latest.
Wildlife recorded around Sprowston
The most frequently recorded species within 3 km of Sprowston since 2022 (16,831 records submitted to the National Biodiversity Network).
Birds
- Woodpigeon
- Magpie
- Blackbird
- Blue Tit
- Robin
- Great Tit
- Dunnock
- Jackdaw
- Collared Dove
- Carrion Crow
- Goldfinch
- Wren
Other wildlife and plants
- Grey Squirrel
- Feral Cat
- Hedgehog
- Common Frog
- Large White
- Gatekeeper
- Common Darter
- Meadow Brown
- Speckled Wood
- Small White
- Green-veined White
- Holly Blue
Source: NBN Atlas – records from Norfolk recorders and conservation groups. Please follow the Countryside Code and keep to paths.
Villages near Sprowston
- Rackheath 2.2 miles
- Spixworth 2.5 miles
- Trowse Newton 2.7 miles
- Great Plumstead 2.9 miles
- Horsham St Faith 3.1 miles
- Crostwick 3.3 miles
- Postwick 3.3 miles
- Little Plumstead 3.6 miles
- Salhouse 3.7 miles
- Kirby Bedon 3.8 miles
Live weather
Weather in Sprowston
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Updated every time the page loads · Data: Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0)
Nearest town guide
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Getting to Norfolk
- Train: Greater Anglia runs direct trains from London Liverpool Street to Norwich, plus lines to Cromer, Sheringham, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Cambridge. National Rail journey planner
- Road: the A11 (from Cambridge and London) and the A47 (east–west) are the main routes.
- Air: Norwich Airport is 4 miles north of the city.
- Bus: plan local journeys on Traveline.
Useful links
- Visit Norfolk – official tourism site
- Visit the Broads – Broads Authority
- Met Office weather warnings
- RNLI beach safety and tide advice
- National Trust in Norfolk
In an emergency
- 999 – police, fire, ambulance and coastguard
- 111 – NHS urgent medical advice
- 101 – Norfolk Police, non-emergency