In the heart of the Norfolk countryside in a peaceful village lies one of the country's smallest nature reserves.

Hethel Old Thorn, managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust (NWT), is described as a nature reserve - though it actually consists of just one very old tree.

The eponymous thorn itself is thought to be one of the most ancient hawthorns in England, possibly dating from the 13th century, and it is located beside the picturesque All Saints Church. 

Eastern Daily Press: Hethel Old Thorn is one of the country's smallest nature reserves Picture: Richard OsbourneHethel Old Thorn is one of the country's smallest nature reserves Picture: Richard Osbourne (Image: Richard Osbourne)

This unique nature reserve was given to the NWT in 1960 by Mr F W Myhill and at just 0.025 hectares in total, it is the smallest one managed by the Wildlife Trust in the whole UK. 

When examined in 1841, the trunk measured 3.7 metres in circumference, with the branches spreading more than 30 metres.

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It is also recorded that local boys were "in the habit of going a-Maying" at the tree, which involved collecting May blossom for their girlfriends. 

Eastern Daily Press: Hethel Old Thorn is though to date back to the 13th century Picture: Richard OsbourneHethel Old Thorn is though to date back to the 13th century Picture: Richard Osbourne (Image: Richard Osbourne)

Since then, the thorn has decayed to a remnant of its former self but it continues to grow.

Today it provides food for blackbirds and wintering redwings, with the NWT aiming to prolong the life of the tree with oak props and protection from livestock. 

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Eastern Daily Press: A board explaining some of the history of Hethel Old Thorn Picture: Denise BradleyA board explaining some of the history of Hethel Old Thorn Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)

For visitors, there is still something very appealing about Hethel Old Thorn, which might have seen such dramatic events as the Magna Carta, the Black Death and the Peasants’ Revolt.

Superstition has it that the hawthorn grew from the staff of Joseph of Arimathea – a folk tale associated with other thorns around the country including at Glastonbury.

It is also thought to have been a meeting point for rebels during Kett's Rebellion in 1549. 

NWT Hethel Old Thorn can be accessed down a 300-metre public footpath from All Saints Church, which is four miles east of Wymondham, and the postcode is NR14 8HE.