{{Short description|Village in Norfolk, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Use British English|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox UK place | official_name = Bexwell | civil_parish = Ryston | country = England | region = East of England | coordinates = {{coord|52.60|N|00.40|E|region:GB|display=title}} | os_grid_reference = | post_town = DOWNHAM MARKET | postcode_area = PE | postcode_district = PE38 | dial_code = 01366 | constituency_westminster = South West Norfolk | shire_district = King's Lynn and West Norfolk | shire_county = Norfolk | hide_services = | population = | population_ref = | area_total_km2 = | static_image = Bexwell-g1.jpg | static_image_caption = Bexwell St Mary | website = }} '''Bexwell''' is a village in the civil parish of Ryston, in the King's Lynn and West Norfolk district, in the county of Norfolk, England. It is located {{convert|1|mi}} from Downham Market.
== History == The name Bexwell is of Anglo-Saxon origin<ref>{{Cite web |title=Key to English Place-names |url=http://kepn.nottingham.ac.uk/map/place/Norfolk/Bexwell |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=kepn.nottingham.ac.uk}}</ref> and the village is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as consisting of 18 households in the hundred of Clackclose. At this time, Bexwell was divided into the estates of Roger Bigod, the Abbey of St. Etheldreda, Henry de Ferrers and Reginald, son of Ivo.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bexwell {{!}} Domesday Book |url=https://opendomesday.org/place/TF6303/bexwell/ |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=opendomesday.org}}</ref>
St. Mary's Church is one of the 124 existing Round-tower churches in Norfolk. It was likely built during the 12th century and contains memorials to Henry Bexwell and Francis Bachcroft within.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bexwell |url=http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/bexwell/bexwell.htm |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=www.norfolkchurches.co.uk}}</ref> The church was restored in the 19th century and was further refurbished in the 1980s by local fundraising.<ref>{{Cite web |title=St-Mary's-Church-Bexwell - Norfolk Heritage Explorer |url=https://www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk/record-details?MNF2470-St-Mary's-Church-Bexwell |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk}}</ref>
thumb|Stone barn at Bexwell There is also a late 15th century stone barn which stands adjacent to the A1122 King's Lynn to Colchester road. It is likely that this structure was built as a gatehouse to Ryston Hall and was later repurposed as a barn. It was re-roofed in the 20th century. The building has been Grade II listed since 1984.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BARN 110 METRES NORTH OF ST MARYS CHURCH, Ryston - 1077854 {{!}} Historic England |url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1077854?section=official-list-entry |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=historicengland.org.uk |language=en}}</ref>
Bexwell Hall Farmhouse was built in the late 16th century but has been extensively remodelled since. This structure has been Grade II listed since 1989.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BEXWELL HALL FARMHOUSE, Ryston - 1251340 {{!}} Historic England |url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1251340?section=official-list-entry |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=historicengland.org.uk |language=en}}</ref>
In the 1931 Census, Bexwell had a population of 60.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10068770/cube/TOT_POP|title=Population statistics Bexwell AP/CP through time|publisher=A Vision of Britain through Time|accessdate=23 September 2022}}</ref> On 1 April 1935, the parish was abolished and merged with Ryston.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10068770|title=Relationships and changes Bexwell AP/CP through time|publisher=A Vision of Britain through Time|accessdate=23 September 2022}}</ref>
Some parts of Bexwell were part of RAF Downham Market during the Second World War.
The village is part of the electoral ward of Ryston for local elections and is part of the district of King's Lynn and West Norfolk. It is in the South West Norfolk parliamentary constituency.
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.bexwell-church.co.uk/ St Mary's Church website] *[https://www.roundtowerchurches.net/norfolk/norfolk-a-b/bexwell-2/ St Mary's on the European Round Tower Churches Website]
{{commons category|Bexwell}}
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Category:Villages in Norfolk Category:Former civil parishes in Norfolk Category:King's Lynn and West Norfolk