Hellesdon Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Hellesdon Parish Hall. Beside Low Road, adjoining St Mary's church; the village sign > 850755 - 850757 is located here. Hellesdon is a large suburb of Norwich. Signs of very early settlement, such as a variety of flint tools (believed to be at least 4,000 years old) have been unearthed in the area. Bronze axe heads were found near Hellesdon Hall and a skeleton dating from around 600 CE was discovered in Low Road. It is not clear where the old name for Hellesdon - Hailesduna - originates from. It is believed that Edmund, the King of the East Angles, may have been martyred here. In 985, Abbo of Fleury, who at Ramsey Abbey (Cambridgeshire) compiled the 'Life of St Edmund', writes that he heard the Archbishop relate a story that came from a young man who had heard it from a very old man who claimed to have been King Edmund's armour bearer at the time of his death. On his capture, Edmund was whipped and tied to a tree, and shot with arrows. He was then beheaded and his head thrown into a bramble thicket in Hegelisdun Wood - hence the association with Hailesduna, present-day Hellesdon. The King's head was later found, guarded by a wolf, and according to the story the body was buried in a small chapel built nearby for the purpose. The site of the chapel is believed to be the site where St Mary's church stands > 850769. The church and the dead body of King Edmund, guarded by a wolf, are depicted on the village sign > 850757.
Photo by Evelyn Simak (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Hellesdon Parish Hall. Beside Low Road, adjoining St Mary's church; the village sign > 850755 - 850757 is located here. Hellesdon is a large suburb of Norwich. Signs of very early settlement, such as a variety of flint tools (believed to be at least 4,000 years old) have been unearthed in the area. Bronze axe heads were found near Hellesdon Hall and a skeleton dating from around 600 CE was discovered in Low Road. It is not clear where the old name for Hellesdon - Hailesduna - originates from. It is believed that Edmund, the King of the East Angles, may have been martyred here. In 985, Abbo of Fleury, who at Ramsey Abbey (Cambridgeshire) compiled the 'Life of St Edmund', writes that he heard the Archbishop relate a story that came from a young man who had heard it from a very old man who claimed to have been King Edmund's armour bearer at the time of his death. On his capture, Edmund was whipped and tied to a tree, and shot with arrows. He was then beheaded and his head thrown into a bramble thicket in Hegelisdun Wood - hence the association with Hailesduna, present-day Hellesdon. The King's head was later found, guarded by a wolf, and according to the story the body was buried in a small chapel built nearby for the purpose. The site of the chapel is believed to be the site where St Mary's church stands > 850769. The church and the dead body of King Edmund, guarded by a wolf, are depicted on the village sign > 850757.
Photo by Evelyn Simak (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Hellesdon Hospital, Norwich Located on part of the old sports ground at the rear of the hospital, this new psychiatric unit was opened in the Spring of 2009
Photo by Andy Parrett (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
St Mary's parish church, Hellesdon, Norfolk: view from the southwest
Photo by Evelyn Simak (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
St Mary's parish church, Hellesdon, Norfolk, seen from the north, showing the bellcote and spire
Photo by Evelyn Simak (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

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Holiday Inn Norwich North by IHG

Holiday Inn Norwich North by IHG

4 out of 5
Cromer Road Norwich England
The price is £83 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
£83
15 Mar - 16 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Norwich. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (687 reviews)
Room spotless, great staff and value for money

Reviewed on 22 Feb 2026

Holiday Inn Norwich North by IHG
Holiday Inn Express Norwich by IHG

Holiday Inn Express Norwich by IHG

3 out of 5
Drayton High Rd Norwich England
The price is £61 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
£61
8 Mar - 9 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Norwich. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Sweetbriar Marshes and Anderson's ...
8/10 Very Good! (797 reviews)
Hotel very clean. Perfect position. Lovely big shower. Staff friendly and happy. Breakfast great. Nothing negative to say at all.

Reviewed on 22 Feb 2026

Holiday Inn Express Norwich by IHG
Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort

Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort

4 out of 5
Ipswich Road Norwich England
The price is £120 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
£120
8 Mar - 9 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Norwich. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and a golf course. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
Room air condition was not working. Heating in bathroom broken. Very noisy hotel.

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2026

Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Cromer Country Club

Cromer Country Club

4 out of 5
127 Overstrand Road Cromer England
Stay at this aparthotel in Cromer. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,012 reviews)
Modern, well equipped, clean, spacious accommodation

Reviewed on 27 Feb 2026

Cromer Country Club
Wellington Apartments

Wellington Apartments

4 out of 5
St Faiths Ln Norwich England
Stay at this aparthotel in Norwich. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and concierge services. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (427 reviews)
Staff very friendly, room was clean and had everything we needed.

Reviewed on 25 Feb 2026

Wellington Apartments
3 Bed House - Sleeps 5 - Garden - Parking - Wifi

3 Bed House - Sleeps 5 - Garden - Parking - Wifi

3 out of 5
Norwich England
Stay at this apartment in Norwich. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Mousehold Heath and Badminton at Blyth Jex are located ...
3 Bed House - Sleeps 5 - Garden - Parking - Wifi
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Sainsbury Centre for the Visual Arts showing art and interior views

University of East Anglia

Explore the campus of University of East Anglia during your stay in Norwich. Visit the spas and lively bars in this relaxing area.

University of East Anglia
Olivia loves her day there

BeWILDerwood

Bring your family to BeWILDerwood and enjoy this exciting theme park in Hoveton. Visit the spas and top-notch restaurants in this relaxing area.

BeWILDerwood
Norwich Cathedral showing heritage elements, interior views and a church or cathedral

Norwich Cathedral

Visit this spectacular historic building to attend a service, event or exhibition, or simply to marvel at its splendid Romanesque architecture.

Norwich Cathedral
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Banham Zoo

Why not see the exotic and native animals who call Banham Zoo home during your trip to Banham? Visit the top-notch restaurants or lively bars in this relaxing area.

Banham Zoo
Norwich Castle which includes heritage architecture and night scenes

Norwich Castle

Norwich’s most prominent historic site is now home to a splendid museum and art gallery, with exhibits spanning many centuries.

Norwich Castle

Snetterton Race Circuit

Catch an event at Snetterton Race Circuit during your trip to Snetterton. Visit the top-notch restaurants or lively bars in this relaxing area.

Snetterton Race Circuit

Things to do

The harbour from the air

Lowestoft Harbour Tour

£24
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Lowestoft Harbour Tour
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Cities near Hellesdon

Mousehold Heath featuring a city, heritage elements and landscape views

Norwich

Fields near Drayton
Photo by lambcrash (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0)

Drayton

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