Hemsby

Coordinates: 52°41′52″N 1°41′28″E / 52.69764°N 1.69115°E / 52.69764; 1.69115

Hemsby is a village, civil parish and seaside resort in the English county of Norfolk. It is situated some 7.5 mi (12.1 km) north of the town of Great Yarmouth. In the 2001 census had a population of 2,973 in 1,221 households, the population increasing in the 2011 Census to 3,275. Hemsby borders the villages of Winterton-on-Sea and Scratby. For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the district of Great Yarmouth.

A Norfolk county map dated around 1610 shows a headland, called Winterton Ness, extending into the sea north-east of Hemsby. This headland has now almost entirely disappeared through coastal erosion.

History

Hemsby along with much of the Norfolk coast was targeted by the Vikings, who initially raided the area in search of precious materials and slaves. The village was founded at some point during this time. The settlement grew steadily and is listed in the Domesday Book under the name of Haimesbei with a description of "a hamlet covering 43 meadow acres with 50 households, 3 slaves, 2 salt pans and 160 sheep."