Carbrooke was a self-sufficient village, and through the years had it’s own shops and tradesmen to serve the community.
Watton, the nearest market town, is just a 30-minute walk away if you need more services. But it’s hard to imagine what could be needed, since Carbrooke already had a mill, pubs, post office, butcher, baker, thatcher, blacksmith, wheelwright, constable, tailor, bricklayer, plasterer, and carpenter
In the early 1900’s there was even a hairdresser and fried fish shop!
Over the years, most of these trades have moved away from the main village, but we still have a supermarket and a takeaway located within the parish on Norwich Road.
Many tradesmen still live in Carbrooke, and either operate a business from home, or travel further afield to work.
The pits between Summer Lane and Mill Lane have supplied sand and gravel for many years. Originally operated by the Minns family, an old Carbrooke family, and now by 4Leaf Aggregates and Frimstone/Mick George.
It was used for road building and repair and building hoggin, also known as ‘marl’, and the ‘marl pit’.
- Last updated 01.11.25