Pentney is an old Norfolk village, located about 8 miles south east of Kings Lynn. Although the exact age of our village is unknown, evidence exists to suggest that there was a settlement here during Roman times, and possibly even earlier.
The name suggests that Pentney was at one time an island. The old Saxon word for an island was Ey, and one theory suggests that the name is derived from the Saxon for Pentna's Island.
Another theory suggests that the name might be of Celtic origin, and might mean Hill Island. Pen being the old Celtic word for a hill. However, as very few examples of Celtic words have survived in Norfolk terminology and place names, this theory is less likely.
Whatever the origin of the name may be, it's clear that it's derived from the villages historic status as an island, as locals to this day can still be heard to say "You can't enter or leave Pentney without crossing water".

Pentney's history and heritage is clearly visible for all to see. Although the village is spread out over a large area, the signs of Pentney through the ages are all still there for even the casual passer by to observe.
One of the most obvious relics from Pentney's past is the gatehouse at the site of the old abbey, which can be found by following the road out of the village past the lakes and the wayside cross for around one mile, then at the T-junction, turn left and the gatehouse is directly ahead.
The Augustinian priory was established on the site by Robert De-Vaux in 1075, when he invited a number of Augustine Canons to come and settle at Pentney. De-Vaux was placed in charge of the manor of Pentney by the Norman King William. The village of Pentney existed for the following 500 years to support the ever growing priory, and over time the Canons would come to take up residence in the village itself.
The village and the priory survived many catastrophes, including the Black Death in 1381, however by the time Henry VIII came to the throne, the priory's days were sadly numbered. Henry had the priory closed and it's estate sold on to the earl of Rutland, who in turn allowed Cromwell's armies to destroy the buildings in target practice exercises. Since then, the stone from the priory has been removed bit by bit to be used as building materials in the houses of the village, where the intricate carvings can still be seen to this day.

As you travel from the village to the abbey, you pass a mysterious old stone pillar at the side of the road. This was in fact an old wayside cross, most likely intended to mark the route from the village to the abbey.
All that remains standing today is the rather magnificent plinth with a stone pillar rising upwards from its pinacle, however in it's day it would have sported a carved stone cross on the top, and would have been visible for quite some distance in all directions.
At one time, wayside crosses were a very common sight, and marked the routes of pilgrimages to sites of religious signifigance. But sadly, during the reign of Henry VIII, many of these crosses met their demise along with the churches and abbeys they belonged to.
Our own wayside cross was fortunate enough to escape relatively unscathed, having only lost the cross from the top, and we're lucky enough to still have most of it in-tact to this day.

Returning to the village, you're greeted by the friendly sight of the church of St Mary Magdalene, which has stood on this site since Norman times and was built in two clearly visible stages, the second of which happened around the 14th century.
In 1977, Mr William King was hard at work in the churchyard digging a grave when his shovel struck something hard and metallic. When he dug the items out, wiped off the dirt and examined them, he concluded that they were most likely some old horse brasses. Nevertheless, he put them in his pocket and the next day he took them to the Rector to ask his opinion.
The six metal artifacts remained sealed in a box for the next three years until the new Rector, the rev. John Wilson arrived and realised that these items might be something rather more signifigant than just discarded or lost horse brasses.
The items were packed up and shipped off to the museum in Norwich castle, who promptly forwarded them on to the staff at the British Museum for expert examination, whereupon they were declared to be 9th century silver disc brooches with a value of £135000.
A subsequent inquest declared the items as treasure trove, allowing Mr King to keep them. Mr King used his new found wealth to make a very generous donation of £25000 to Pentney church, and the brooches can now be viewed at the British Museum, and on their website.

Pentney today is a rich and varied community consisting of long standing native Pentney families, blow-ins from other parts of the UK, many of which have settled here after serving at the local Royal Air Force station at Marham, and recently a small community of foreign workers have joined our happy family of villagers.