Norfolk Overview |
The fourth largest county in England with a long coastline protruding into the North Sea and gentle rolling countryside. A great place to visit! |
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An Introduction to the County of Norfolk
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The county of Norfolk is the fourth largest in England and with its long coastline protruding into the North Sea, it has tended to become isolated from the rest of the country. This was especially true in times gone by, when the fens to the west were flooded, forming a natural barrier and Norfolk people have therefore acquired a sense of independence. In medieval times Norfolk was the most populated and achieved great prosperity, leading to the building of some of the finest churches in England. Since these times the population has steadily declined and over 100 villages have been lost. Norfolk was also a great sea faring county and it developed strong links with Northern Europe, which has influenced the architecture. Fishing has declined over the years, but the crabs from Cromer remain world famous to this day!
The gently rolling countryside of Norfolk has inaccurately been described as flat, however not much rises above a few hundred feet. There is great scenic interest from woodland, forests, rolling chalklands, coastline and the watery patchwork of the Norfolk Broads. This landscape is filled with ancient churches, windmills and picturesque villages decorated with attractive signs and thatched cottages. The many activities that visitors to Norfolk can enjoy include, walking, cycling, shopping, sightseeing, boat trips, canoeing, sailing or just relaxing on a beach! Norfolk also has many local attractions and facilities including arts, crafts, gardens, museums, zoos, fine hotels, restaurants, tea-rooms, pubs and inns. It is a county definitely worth exploring!
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Norfolk Guided Picture Tour
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We start our overview tour of Norfolk on the NORFOLK COAST, where you can still see fishing boats operating from pretty harbour's. At one time, all the villages along the Norfolk Coast had a substantial fishing fleet, with some forced to move to nearby Lincolnshire due to overcrowding. Today, most of the ancient ports have silted up and have left miles of mudflats and marshes - the Norfolk Coast path makes a lovely walk across these on a sunny day. |
Burnham Overy Staithe |
Fishing Boats on the Norfolk Coast |
Norfolk Coast Path |
Did you know that Norfolk is one of the driest parts of the UK?
Average annual rainfall in Norfolk is roughly half that of Cornwall and substantially less than the Lake District
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Norfolk contains many pretty villages, such as Burnham Market, known locally as " Chelsea on sea" as it attracts visitors from upmarket London and has the sort of shops that you would normally find down the Kings Road! |
Norfolk Living Shop, Burnham Market |
The Hoste Arms, a famous 15th Century Coaching Inn |
Norfolk is famous for its wonderful open countryside and magnificent sandy bays - all wonderful for fresh air and a walk! No wonder it attracted our ancestors to build so many stately homes in the area! |
A panorama of Holkham Bay at low tide (click to open the full picture) |
Blickling Hall and Lake |
Holkham Hall, Norfolk |
There are plenty of coastal villages, such as Blakeney, with pretty flint cottages (many for holiday rent), shops, tea-rooms, restaurants, pubs and inns. Many of these villages have some great stories to tell, including stories of smuggling and even piracy. During the middle ages, the North Norfolk ports would have been filled with the aroma of imported spices and the colour of fine silks. |
Blakeney Harbour and Quay |
Fisherman's Cottage in Blakeney |
Norfolk is famous for two types of building. The first is the windmill and the second is a medieval church. Norfolk has the greatest concentration of these in the whole of the UK - Cley next the sea for example has both! |
Norfolk Windmill |
Medieval Church, Norfolk |
Norfolk also has has plenty of examples of Dutch influenced architecture, a reminder of its close ties with our Dutch friends through its trade links - including fishing and weaving. Norfolk is closer to Amsterdam than London and in times gone by, it only took a day to sail to Amsterdam, compared with 4 days to travel to London. |
Flemish Architecture, Norfolk |
Dutch Style Property, Norfolk |
Around Weybourne, Sheringham and Cromer you will actually find a ridge of heathland, giving fabulous views out over the sea and marshes below - who said Norfolk was flat? !! |
Norfolk Coast Views, Salthouse |
Muckleburgh Hill, Norfolk |
A view of the North Norfolk Railway at Weybourne |
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Cromer Pier |
Britannia Pier in Great Yarmouth |
Happisburgh Lighthouse, Norfolk |
The Norfolk countryside consists of farmland, forest and heathland. Contrary to belief, it is a gentle rolling landscape, rather than the totally flat landscape of the Fens. There are many long distance footpaths for walkers. |
Trees in their autumn colours in Thetford Forest |
A footpath winds its way through heathland in the Brecks |
The Marriott's Way a little out of Reepham |
The NORFOLK BROADS National Park is the UK's largest and finest wetland landscape and has over 120 miles of lock free waterways to explore. Wroxham is known as the " Capital of the Broads" and from here you can hire a boat for the week, weekend, day, hour or take an organised cruise. |
Wroxham Bridge, Norfolk Broads |
Moored up outside a pizza restaurant in Wroxham |
Putting the kettle on in the middle of Salhouse Broad |
Broads Tours, Norfolk Broads |
Pretty Broadland villages, such as Horning, Ranworth or Ludham, invite you to stop for a refreshment and watch the world float by! Many have riverside pubs and beautiful cottages with gardens that run down to the river. |
The River Ant at Irstead |
The Swan Inn at Horning |
Alfresco Tea Rooms at Ludham |
With miles of lock free, scenic waterways to explore, you will never get bored (lost, yes probably, unless you have a good map!). The Broads are a great place to explore by dinghy, canoe, kayak and also on land,walking or cycling. |
Thurne Dyke meets the River Thurne |
The River Ant at How Hill |
Boat Moorings at Martham |
The Norfolk Broads are full of pretty windmills, where traditional Norfolk Yachts float by - it's like time has stood still and it's a real escape from fast modern living. |
Norfolk Mill |
Norfolk Wherry |
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Barton Boardwalk Viewpoint near Neatishead |
The thatched visitors centre at Ranworth Broad |
The Weavers Way at Thurne |
Modern Norwich includes a state-of-the-art public library and media centre, and 2 modern shopping malls - one is even built under the Castle! You will also find plenty of restaurants and entertainment such as cinema, clubs and a bowling alley. |
The Forum, Norwich |
Shopping Mall, Norwich |
Norfolk's second town is KINGS LYNN in the west of the county. Kings Lynn competes with any town in England for history. It is relatively undiscovered containing a wealth of historic buildings and tales to go with them. Highlights include the Historic Quarter, Purfleet Quay and the fabulous Town Hall. |
Looking along King Street past the Custom House |
The Town Hall |
Other places not to miss in Norfolk are Wymondham, with its lovely Abbey ... |
and Holt a fabulous Georgian town, with absolutely loads of great shops! |
Wymondham Abbey, Norfolk |
Georgian fronted shops in Holt |
THE NATIONAL TRUST IN NORFOLK |
Click to view pictures of the Blickling Estate |
Click to view our picture tour of Felbrigg Hall |
Click to view our Oxburgh Hall picture tour |
Click to view our Horsey picture tour |
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The North Norfolk Steam Railway |
The Spider Garden on the Hoveton Hall Estate |
The Dinosaur Adventure Park |
Visitors exploring the many areas of Pensthorpe Natural Park |
Craft Workshops and Shops at Wroxham Barns |
Discovering all kinds of fish at the Sealife Centre in Yarmouth |
See Guided Picture Tours of the individual areas of Norfolk |
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10 Top Things to SEE & DO In Norfolk
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Explore the cobbled streets of old Norwich and combine with a visit to Norwich Cathedral |
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Visit the wonderful Georgian town of Holt - especially when it's lit by Christmas lights |
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Our Verdict
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Norfolk is relatively undiscovered by many. There are plenty of beautiful places that offer the visitor so much variety, so why not come and explore this corner of England for yourself? |
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NORFOLK TOUR INDEX |
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NORFOLK PICTURE TOURS |
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NORFOLK HOLIDAYS |
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HOLIDAY SHOPPING |
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MORE OF OUR WEBSITES |
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