Middleton is a village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. It covers an area of and had a population of 1,516 in 621 households at the 2001 census, reducing to 1,450 at the 2011 Census. The village's name means 'Middle farm/settlement'. Middleton is the second village on the A47 road to Norwich, after North Runcton, and lies approximately east of King's Lynn. The A47, the main road of Norfolk, effectively divides the village in two, and has long been a site of road traffic accidents. Fair Green and Blackborough End are also areas of Middleton. Fair Green is on the northern part of the village, whilst Blackborough End is in the southern half of the village. Middleton has a primary school, Middleton V.C. Primary School, a village hall, a post office and a car repair garage called Total Motors. The village church is called Saint Mary's, and the current Rector is the Revd Jim Ryan. The church is situated beside the A47, opposite the Middletons Steakhouse & Grill. The village had a petrol filling station, but this closed during the 1990s. The village also has a golf club. Governance An electoral ward in the same name exists. The population of this ward at the 2011 census was 2,298. Middleton Castle Middleton Castle was founded by William d'Ecouis. It was a motte and bailey fortress which was thought to be constructed from timber. The large motte is surrounded by a wide ditch. Public houses There are currently two pubs in Middleton, the Crown, now called Middletons which is a bar and grill and the Gate Inn. The Crown has spent many years opening and closing with new tenants. The earliest recorded landlord was William Newman, who lived there in 1836, although the pub is known to have been there before this, as it is shown in historical maps. The Gate Inn, which may have been opened in c. 1845, is situated on Hill Road in Fair Green. Its first owner is recorded as Ann Bardell. The current owner Mr. McAllister has been the landlord since Christmas 2008 and offers service as a traditional country pub. As well as being a dog friendly establishment, the Gate Inn offers traditional homecooked foods. Previously, there have been a few other pubs in Middleton. These included the Castle Inn, which was opened by Bedingfield Bardell in c. 1845, later on sold to