Bessingham on the map

Location in NorfolkBessingham sits where the marker shows within the county.

21,050
Population
7,926
Households
5 / 10
Deprivation decile
Around average
12
Schools nearby
£50,555
Avg. household income
785
Businesses
108
People per km²
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About Bessingham

Bessingham is a small village located in the county of Norfolk, in the east of England. It lies within the NR11 postcode area, situated near the border with Cambridgeshire. The village is primarily residential, with a mix of traditional and modern homes set along quiet, tree-lined roads. Bessingham is known for its rural setting, with open fields and farmland surrounding the community. The village has a local pub and a small shop, providing basic amenities for residents. It is a peaceful place with a strong sense of community, and its location offers easy access to nearby towns such as Swaffham and Fakenham. The area is popular with those seeking a quiet countryside lifestyle, and the village maintains a traditional character with its modest architecture and green spaces.

School Ratings in Bessingham

Bessingham is served by 12 schools. A further 9 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Bessingham

Property prices average £339K across the area, and detached homes are the most common property type, typically selling for £407K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Bessingham

Local crime rates sit lower than national averages.

Deprivation and Employment in Bessingham

Based on the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation, Bessingham falls within the mid-range nationally for overall deprivation. Working-age employment is around the national average for the area. Income levels locally sit close to the national average.

Healthcare in Bessingham

There is 1 GP surgery within three miles of Bessingham, the nearest being Aldborough Surgery (1.9 miles away).

Property Prices 2,942 sales

Average Price £339K
£100 , £3.5M
Detached £407K 1,329
Semi £285K 777
Terraced £270K 495
Flat £157K 119

Household Income in Bessingham ONS 2023

The average total household income in Bessingham is approximately £50,555 a year before tax, 9% below the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £38,426. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Bessingham £50,555
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £38,426.

Businesses in Bessingham ONS 2025

There are approximately 785 active businesses based in Bessingham, around 37 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 90% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 0 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

785 Total businesses
37 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 90%
Small, 10-49 9%
Medium, 50-249 0%
Large, 250+ 1%

Deprivation and Employment in Bessingham IMD 2025

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation places Bessingham in the mid-range nationally. Employment and income levels are close to the England average, with a mix of opportunities across sectors. Overall living conditions are comparable to similar areas across the country.

Overall Deprivation
5/10
Income
6/10
Employment
5/10
Education
4/10
Health
7/10
Housing
3/10
Living Environment
4/10
Children 0-15 15%
Working age 53%
Older 65+ 32%
3,070 Children (0-15) 15%
11,198 Working Age 53%
6,792 Older (65+) 32%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 30.4% of children in income-deprived families
Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 11.8% of over-60s in income-deprived households
Data from English Indices of Deprivation 2025 · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Crime in Bessingham 1 crimes · May 2026

Low Crime Area

Reported crime in Bessingham falls below the national average, suggesting a comparatively safe environment. Violence & sexual offences tops the list of recorded incidents, but figures are low overall. Residents and visitors alike tend to find this a quiet and reassuring town.

Violence & Sexual Offences 1
Local Policing
Data from data.police.uk · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Crime figures depend on reporting by individual police forces and may not reflect the full picture in all areas.

Nearest Train Stations 6 stations

West Runton Train Station 4 miles
Sheringham Train Station 4.1 miles
Roughton Road Train Station 4.2 miles
Cromer Train Station 4.5 miles
Gunton Train Station 5.5 miles
North Walsham Train Station 8.2 miles

Location

Local Government

District Broadland
County Norfolk
Ward Aylsham
Constituency Broadland
Parish Aylsham
Region East of England

Home Ownership in Bessingham

Of the 9,694 households in and around Bessingham, 72% are owned, 13% are socially rented and 15% are privately rented. Home ownership here is higher than the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 72% Social rented 13% Private rented 15%

Tenure from the 2021 Census (ONS), for the postcode districts covering Bessingham.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bessingham

What is the population of Bessingham?
Bessingham has a population of approximately 21,050 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Bessingham?
The average property in and around Bessingham sold for about £339,363, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 3% below the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Bessingham a deprived area?
Bessingham sits around the national average for deprivation, with an Index of Multiple Deprivation decile of 5 out of 10, where 1 is the most deprived and 10 the least deprived.
What postcodes cover Bessingham?
Bessingham is covered by the NR11 postcode district.
How many schools are there in Bessingham?
There are 12 schools within easy reach of Bessingham, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Bessingham?
The nearest railway station to Bessingham is West Runton Train Station, about 4 miles away.