A Short Guide To Cromer

Cromer is one of the many coastal towns that dot the north-eastern side of the United Kingdom. It is believed that the original settlement was actually two smaller villages, one of which is now under the sea close to the end of the Cromer Pier. The population of the civil parish is 7,749 and it lies twenty-three miles north of the county seat of Norwich. It was not mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086, but the two settlements of Shipden-juxta-Felbrigg and Shipden-juxta-Mere – which are believed to be Cromer’s ancestors – were mentioned.
The Victorian era saw the surge of affluent individuals into the Norfolk County coastal towns, Cromer included. Many families from Norwich built summer homes in Cromer and King Edward VII played regularly at the Cromer Links golf course. The Pier was built in 1907 and the promenade and Pavilion Theatre were added later. In 1883, the journalist Clement Scott nicknamed the area ‘Poppyland’ because of all of the poppies that grew in the fields and along the country roads. This caught the imagination of his readership and contributed greatly to the popularity of the area.

The local Crab was and is a main income source for Cromer and the town fished all year round for crab, lobster, herring, and cod. The last thirty years has seen a decline in fishing off the coast, and the fishermen that go out now primarily catch lobster and crab. The catches are usually sold to one of the many restaurants and shops in the town and visitors can enjoy a seafood dish at any one of the many eateries and know that it was locally caught and prepared.

Awaydays Norfolk Tours

Travelling through the Norfolk countryside while riding on an open top double decker bus is an experience people will enjoy; they get to stop and visit places such as the Cathedral in Norwich and the many other attractions throughout the county. Awaydays Norfolk Tours provide this service and it is a great way to tour the area without the stress of driving yourself.

The Norwich tour is 45 minutes and is guided via a pre-recorded commentary. This tour starts at Theatre Street across from the Theatre Royal and it stops and drops off visitors at places such as Castle Meadow, Tombland, and the railway and bus stations. Tour times start at 10:15am and 4:15pm. The tour is currently operating on Tuesdays through Saturday from April 1 through May 3, daily from May 4 through September 27 and then from Tuesday through Saturday from September 30 to November 1. Admission fees are £8.00 for adults, £7.00 for concessions, £4.00 for children 5 through 14 and £20 for a family package of two adults and up to three children.
There is also a floodlit evening tour of Norwich with live commentary that ends at the oldest pub in the city. Group rates are available and anyone wishing to take this tour individually can pay a fee of £15 per person with a minimum group of six. This tour requires a booking.
There is also a backroads tour of Norfolk that is guided by David McMaster who has lived and worked in the area for the last twenty years. You will get to visit places that are not normally open to the public. This tour is also by booking only.

Anglia Karting Centre

Go kart racing is fun for anyone aged eight and over. The Anglia Karting Centre outside North Pickenham in Norfolk County, England, is a great all weather track designed to be driven by family members and corporate or business people alike. Whether you go there for a day of racing fun or sponsor a corporate gathering at the track, there is fun to be found for everyone. They also have an extensive event list available on the chance that visitors are interested in joining in additional fun.

The track itself is 625 metres of fast lanes and tight turns. It flows well and drivers have the potential of being able to open the throttle up to its top speed of 70mph. Night driving is available thanks to the floodlights above the track. Grass areas provide ample run off for safety in case you lose control of your cart. Currently, the track is being expanded and another 385 metres will allow management to be able to run two separate circuits at once with up to eight different track configurations.

There are two types of racing available: the Deavinson Single Pro which is great for inexperience drivers; and the Biz 270cc Thunderkarts which are for more experienced drivers and can hit top speeds of 70mph. Racing gear, such as overalls, gloves, and safety helmets are provided as well as wet weather over suits for those drivers who wish to race in the rain. The tracks are also equipped with warning lights on corner approaches. For more information on operating times, prices, and groups, visitors can telephone 01760 441777.

Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life

This Museum located in the historic town centre of Thetford, Norfolk County, England is a beautiful Tudor building. Using 21st century displays, the life and times of the town of Thetford and the Brecklands is explored with collections of artefacts, audio commentary, animation, and educational films. Visitors can ‘meet’ local people from the city’s past such as philosopher Tom Paine to Sikh hero, Maharajah Duleep Singh. You will also be introduced to rabbit warreners and railway workers.

The merchant’s house that contains the museum is crooked, a testament to the strength of the builders of the time and the materials they used. It is listed as a Grade I historical site and recently underwent a £1.6 million renovation. The money was used in conservation projects as well as enhancing and updating the exhibits and displays in the house. There is a new gift shop and the garden has been replanted with all fresh plants.

Visitors to the museum should alot an hour and a half for a proper tour. Parking is free and visitors with disabilities are invited to bring a companion for free. Wheelchair access is available on the ground floor, shop, and garden. The Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life is open all year round from 10am to 5pm through November 1, and then 4pm from November 3 on. The museum is closed on Sundays. Admission from March 17, 2008 through November 1, 2008 is £3.20 for adults, £2.65 for seniors, disabled patrons, and students, and £1.75 for children 4 to 16.

Currently the Museum is offering free admission for all visitors during the period of November 3, 2008 through March 28, 2009

Alby Crafts

If you like handmade crafts, you will enjoy Alby Crafts located close to Aylsham in Norfolk County, England. With four acres of beautiful and carefully tended gardens, the craft shops feature some of the best craftspeople in the area. The farm buildings are made of brick and flint, common building materials in the area, and they include a gallery, gift shop, tearooms, and furniture showroom. Alby Crafts has been in business for over thirty years and through the years around fifty craftspeople have called the complex home.

The craftspeople here offer classes for the general public in stained glass, pottery and wood turning. You could spend a few days creating some pieces for your home and leave with the knowledge to continue creating delightful craft pieces to your own design.
The gardens include four ponds, a wild area, stream, island, and small woodland which is the home to an interesting poplar tree that was felled during the hurricane of 1987. The poplar is still alive and is growing into a beautiful and very unique hedge. The lack of paths in the garden makes it an informal place for the visitors to wander and enjoy.
Alby Crafts is open Tuesday through Sundays up until Christmas Eve from 10am and 5pm. They are also open on bank holiday Mondays. The gardens are open April through November from 10am to 4pm. Entrance is £2.50 and children are free. Dogs are welcome to come with their owners as long as they are kept on a leash.

African Violet and Garden Centre, Kings Lynn

Located near the town of King’s Lynn, Norfolk, England, the African Violet and Garden Centre is a nursery specifically devoted to the growing and cultivation of the many varieties of African violets available. Visitors are welcome to stroll through the nursery to see the flowers in a variety of growth stages. The full grown plants are available for sale and the only problem the visitor will have is choosing the one they want to buy.

The staff on hand are knowledgeable about the plants they care for and can answer any questions visitors may have. Additionally, demonstrations and talks for gardening groups are available by appointment. There is a café on the premises as well as a children’s play area that can be utilized by the youngsters while visitors look around and relax over a cup of tea. They also offer a wide variety of gardening products, house plants, pots, containers and more, including garden furniture and hot tub enclosures.

The centre is open daily from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm, and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. They are closed for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Years Day. Admission to the centre is free and public toilets are available. For additional information on the centre or to speak to someone about scheduling a tour or demonstration, interested parties can call 01553 828374.

Currently the African Violet and Garden Centre’s website is being finished. Some of the pages are not complete and visitors to the site would be better to contact the centre directly for any inquiries.

A-maize-ing Maize Maze, Compton Hall

Corn mazes are popular especially in the late summer when the crop is just the right height. The maize maze that can be found at Compton Hall at South Creake, near Fakenham, England, is one of the most fun places around the area. The hall is a working farm complete with sheep and pigs and large fields of maize. For the last eight years it has also been the home of the A-maize-ing Maize Maze. People from all over the world have come here to get lost – or found – in this large and unique puzzle.

The maize expands over 7-1/2 acres of farmland. Each maze is planned carefully through the year into a specific theme. Then each maize plant is pulled out by hand in order to create the maze. Visitors to the maze are highly advised to stay on the path and not cut through the 9 foot stalks of corn that are the ‘walls’. This is cheating and there are observers everywhere to ensure that the fun is not ruined. There is also a quiz you can complete as you go through the maze.

The corn that creates this great attraction is planted at the end of April, early May, and it does not even hit the half-way mark of its growth until June. The corn should be at or close to 9 foot by the end of September. It is said that if the day is hot enough, the corn will grow about an inch and you can hear the plants getting bigger.

The A-maize-ing Maize Maze is open to the public from July 21 through September 9 from 10am to 6pm with the last entry being at 5pm. Admission is 4.00 adults, OAP’s £3.00, children 2 to under 14 £3.00 and £12.00 for a family of four. Wheelchair users can enjoy the maze and get in free.