Norwich; Urban Ramble, part 1

This urban ramble finds us in the beautiful medieval city of Norwich and is just over an hour from Cambridge. It is the first "big trip" since lock down!
After checking in at The Maids Head Hotel -Leia mais
Norwich; Urban Ramble, part 2

After crossing St George's Bridge, we passed the Old Technical School to reach The Halls; comprising St Andrew's Hall and Blackfriars Hall (14th century), they make up the most complete friary complexLeia mais
Norwich; Urban Ramble, part 3

Just opposite the Cathedral close is Tomblands, originally a pre-Norman market place, and the oldest part of Norwich. Passing through the Erpingham Gate, you reach the west entrance of thisLeia mais
Norwich; Urban Ramble, part 4

This walk is from an old booklet we have called "North Norfolk Rambles" and covers a circular route from Cow Tower and passes through Mousehold Heath, Waterloo Park and Sloughbottom Park beforeLeia mais
Norwich; Urban Ramble - revisited

I went back to Norwich with friends from Duxford ("Friday Forum" Plough group) and treated them to the Urban Ramble Tour (parts 1 to 3); there was also time (and inclination) to visit a few of theLeia mais
Downham Market

Downham Market is situated on a terrace overlooking the Great Ouse and was an important market centre for the surrounding agricultural area, as it incorporated a famous horse fair and weekly livestockLeia mais
King's Lynn

King's Lynn, known until 1537 and the dissolution of the monasteries as Bishop's Lynn, is a port and market town in Norfolk. It was one of England’s most important ports from as early as the 12thLeia mais
Felbrigg Hall, Gardens and Estate

We're off to Cromer in Norfolk for a couple of nights and stop off at Felbrigg Hall en-route (to make full use of our National Trust Membership!).
Felbrigg Hall is a 17th-century English countryLeia mais
Blickling Hall, Gardens, and Estate

After a visit to Cromer yesterday, as part of a circular walk from the hotel, we are now on our way home and visit Blickling Hall en-route (this is also a National Trust property).
Blickling Hall isLeia mais
Castle Acre; Town, Castle and Priory

We're staying in Old Hunstanton in North Norfolk for a week and stop off at Castle Acre on the way here.
Castle Acre is a rare and complete survival of a planned Norman settlement; it includes aLeia mais
Old Hunstanton and Ringstead

It started off very windy and wet today but perked up before midday when we went out.
Old Hunstanton is a quiet, small village compared to what is known locally as "New" Hunstanton. We walk aroundLeia mais
Royal Sandringham; House and Garden

Sandringham House is a royal residence of King Charles II, and usually used by Royalty in the winter; it was originally a large manor house in the Elizabethan era and was rebuilt in the Jacobean styleLeia mais
Burnham Thorpe and the Creakes

We drive to Burnham Thorpe and park near the church. Burnham Thorpe is a hamlet on the River Burn and famous for being the birthplace of Horatio Nelson, the victor at The Battle of Trafalgar on HMSLeia mais
Oxburgh Estate

We stop off at the Oxburgh Estate, near Swaffham, on our way home. Oxburgh Hall is a moated Manor house originally built by Sir Edmund Bedingfield as a symbol of power in 1482. It underwent extensiveLeia mais
Houghton Hall 1; House and Walled Garden

Helen and I are off on a day trip to Norfolk to visit Houghton Hall.
Houghton Hall is a country house in the parish of Houghton and now the residence of the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley; it wasLeia mais
Houghton Hall 2; Grounds and Exhibitions

After visiting the Hall, we explore the parkland around it; this is known for its iconic white fallow deer and the grounds which feature the local church and a water tower with the appearance of anLeia mais
Grime's Graves

We arrive at Grime's Graves and go to the visitor centre first.
The name Grime's Graves means "pits of the pagan god Grim" (Grim is also known as Woden) and was named by the Anglo Saxons. It is aLeia mais