Newton was a significant settlement in the Hundred of South Greenhoe at the time of the Domesday Survey of 1086, with 39 households under the ownership of King William and Ivo Tallboys. William's holding comprised two villagers, six freemen, 11 smallholders and four slaves, and resources included two mills, a shared salthouse and cattle, pigs and sheep, with a total value of eight pounds. Ivo Tallboys holding included eight villagers, two freemen, five smallholders and 1 slave, and with horses, cattle and sheep had a total value of four pounds.[5]
A watermill and house on the River Nar was built in 1797 using materials from the nearby ruined Castle Acre Priory. Dick Joice, Norfolk historian and TV presenter, bought the site in 1967 and rebuilt the millhouse.[9]