The place-name ‘Godwick’ derives from Old English and probably means ‘Goda’s farm’. Objects found in the surrounding fields suggest the village was founded in the Anglo-Saxon period. It was a stable community throughout the Middle Ages but fell out of use in the Tudor and Elizabethan periods. It was almost completely abandoned by 1586, when the Old Hall was constructed and gardens and a park laid out around it. The Great Barn was built in 1597 with the church tower converted into a folly soon afterwards. Both were an important part of a very early landscape park.
In 1086 Godwick was held by Ralph de Tosny. He granted it to West Acre Priory, in whose hands it remained until the dissolution of the monasteries in the 1530s. It then passed between families until it was bought by Sir Edward Coke in 1590. The Coke family sold it to the current owners in the 1950s.
The site is open to the public from dawn to dusk on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and until midday on Saturday. It is closed all day Wednesday and Saturday after midday.
We want you to enjoy your visit to Godwick but take care as historic sites can be dangerous. Please shut all gates behind you and take litter with you when you leave. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead at all times and dog mess must be picked up and placed in the general rubbish bin at the Great Barn. Be aware livestock roam this site.
Causing damage to scheduled monuments like Godwick is a criminal offence. Climbing, camping, metal detecting, commercial photography and removal of building material and vegetation are prohibited.
