Ovington stands about 1½ miles to the north east of Watton. The village consists of about 1500 acres with a population of under 300. There are traces of a Roman encampment on Ovington Common and urns and Roman coins have been unearthed in the village. Ancient earthworks in the village are known variously as Danes' Graves and High Banks and, at the latter, in 1838 seven enamelled horse bronzes were discovered.
Its name has been spelt variously Uvinton, Uvington and Oviton and in the 17th century it was pronounced Overton by the inhabitants. There are five Ovingtons in England — ours, and those in Essex and Hampshire, are “the tun of Ufa’s people” while the one in Yorkshire is “the tun of Wulfa’s people” and that in Northumberland “the tun of Ofa’s people. A tun being a settlement with a stockade around it. The Knights Hospitaller of the Commandery of Kerbrook (Carbrooke) had lands here in 1221.
The principal manor was known as Bozun's or Bozomes and, at the time of the Domesday survey, included in Saham. The last Lord of the Manor to live in Ovington was Thomas Wright of Downham, at College Farm, he subsequently presented the title together with the living of the parish to the Chancellor, Master and Scholars of the University of Cambridge who are the present lords and patrons. Another manor, Woodhouse, was divided from Bozuns in 1324 and passed to the Harvey family. Lt Col Sir Charles Harvey, Bart, of Rainthorpe Hall being the lord of this manor in 1883.
It is now primarily a residential community with a several farms, a transport depot, gunsmiths and a few home based enterprises. In earlier days it supported a Miller, Blacksmith and Boot and Shoe maker.
The church, dedicated to St John the Evangelist, is situated on high ground to the north of the village and makes a fine landmark. It is a small building of rubble, comprising of a low square tower and a nave whose walls contain a variety of later windows. Founded in 1095, it is mainly built in the decorated style although there is work of a much earlier period. It consists of Norman chancel, nave and Saxon western tower. In the tower hangs a bell weighing 5cwt. Cast into it are the words “ John Draper made me 1606” and “Robert Clemac ITM”. No one knows who the last named was nor what the initials stand for. The Norman doorway is a most important feature with shafts supporting an arch with zigzag moldings under a hood. Immediately to the right of the doorway there is a holy water stoup. The 14th c font, originally from Watton church, is a very special one. The top section and the bowl have been carved from a single piece of stone.
St John’s
A Primitive Methodist Chapel, no longer used for worship, stands in the centre of the village.
Old Methodist Chapel
The Village Hall, originally the school, was built in 1840 and extended in 1855. A further extension on the north side was added in recent years. Although the population has shrunk from a reported 280 in 1891 the school had an average attendance of 50 children. Many of their initials still survive carved into the brickwork of the south wall which once adjoined the playground.
Village Hall
There are no large houses in the village and the buildings are fairly evenly divided between late 19th century and modern. The most substantial properties are the farm houses and the old rectory, now in private occupation as are the one time inns, The Crown and The Cock.
The Old Crown
The Old Rectory