The tiny village of Burnham Thorpe is the birthplace of Horatio Nelson, and yet there are few signposts to lead you to the relics of England’s most famous admiral which are to be found here. Your best bet is to follow signs to Burnham Market from the A149, and then look for another signpost to Burnham Thorpe, or consult a good map!
Nelson’s Birthplace
You will find Nelson’s birthplace at the edge of the village. Nelson’s father, Edmund, was the rector of the church in this village, and also of the churches in the other nearby Burnham villages. Nelson was born in The Parsonage at Burnham Thorpe in 1758, and also lived here with his wife between 1786 and 1793 while waiting to be assigned a ship. Sadly the original building was demolished, but the property that replaced it has a plaque on the garden wall, which is visible from the road.
All Saints Church
When All Saints church was restored in 1890, the Admiralty donated wood from the HMS Victory to the church, from which the lectern, altar and rood screen were made. A bust of Nelson and the tombs of his parents are in the chancel. Flags flown by HMS Indomitable at the Battle of Jutland, and by HMS Nelson, are in the nave.
Lord Nelson Pub
Nelson visited the seventeenth-century Lord Nelson pub frequently during the period that he lived in the village, and dined here to celebrate being given command of the HMS Agamemnon in 1793. The pub has no bar, and real ales are served from a tap room. The look of the pub in Nelson’s time has been preserved, with wooden settles (including one on which the Admiral sat), stone floors, and plenty of Nelson memorabilia on the walls. You can purchase a souvenir, such as a mug or a bottle of special liquor as a memento of your visit. The pub serves reasonably-priced snacks and meals, and has a large garden with play area.
Walk from Burnham Thorpe to Holkham
It is only a short walk from Burnham Thorpe to the beautiful Holkham Estate. For more information, see the relevant OS map.
More Information About Horatio Nelson
Nelson is famously associated with HMS Victory and the Battle of Trafalgar. The HMS Victory has been beautifully preserved and is open to the public at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. It is well worth a visit!