North Runcton is a village and a civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. The village is west of Norwich, south-south-west of King's Lynn and north of London. The village is located a small distance south-west of the A47 between King's Lynn and Swaffham. The nearest railway station is at King's Lynn for the Fen Line which runs between King's Lynn and Cambridge. The nearest airport is Norwich International Airport. The parish of North Runcton in the 2001 census, has a population of 266, increasing to 549 at the 2011 Census. For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the district of King's Lynn and West Norfolk. Description The parish of North Runcton is situated in the west of Norfolk, and is directly southeast of the town of King's Lynn. The name North Runcton is thought to originate from the Old English for settlement at the north bridge, or northern settlement at the bridge. The village is close to the village of West Winch, which is west along Rectory Lane. Half a mile from the village green is the junction with the A47. The road south from the common leads to Setchey away. Other nearby villages include Middleton and Blackborough End. The village surrounded by arable farmland. In the centre of the village is the green and All Saints' parish church. Also on the green are the buildings which used to house the school and the post office which closed in October 1975. The village school closed in July 1983 but the building now serves as the village meeting place and is also holds a nursery which opened 1996. As a boy, the English actor Michael Caine was evacuated to North Runcton from London during World War II. History Roman period Evidence suggests that there had been a settlement in the parish during the Roman period. Crop marks visible on archaeology oblique aerial photographs taken in 1976 showed a complex series of features including rectangular and sub-rounded enclosures, linear features and pits. Evidence to back Roman occupation have been backed up with archaeological finds which have includes a bracelet, coins, a dolphin brooch and a plate brooch. Anglo-Saxons During the 1920s and '30s archaeologist unearthed an Anglo-Saxon burial containing beads and a brooch within the parish. Also discovered and excavated was an early Anglo-Saxon cremation cemetery. A few metal objects have also been recovered from the parish