Hippodrome Circus Gt. Yarmouth

Great Yarmouth has a unique structure in the Hippodrome Circus, the only surviving total circus building from 1903.  This Edwardian structure was built by circus showman George Gilbert as a permanent home for his circus.  Today visitors can still enjoy a circus style show complete with dancers, aerial acts, clown, acrobats, and contortionists.  The floor lowers and is filled to become a 700,000 gallon swimming pool for the synchronized swimming show.
Over the decades, the Hippodrome Circus saw a wide range of entertainment in the arena.  Water shows, cinema, variety shows and it even became a military shooting range during wartime.  Many famous names such as Lloyd George, Lily Langtry, Little Titch, Max Miller, and Harry Houdini have performed there. There is even a rumour that Charlie Chaplin once performed at this unique venue when he was a child.  For eight weeks each summer the circus returns to the Hippodrome in Jack and Peter Jay’s production.  2008 will mark the 27th year of circus performances at the site.  Rock’n’Roll shows, opera performances, wrestling and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra have all performed there and it is a popular spot for filmmakers, video producers and photographers.
The famous swimming show at the Hippodrome circus is one of only four similar shows still left in the world.  Moscow and Blackpool still have synchronized swimming shows and Las Vegas recently introduced the fourth one on the Strip.
The Hippodrome Circus current schedule of performances is located on their website and it is recommended that visitors get their tickets early as they usually sell out quickly.

Holkham Hall

Built between 1734 and 1764, Holkham Hall is the ancestral home of the Coke family and the Earls of Leicester.  This stately home was built by Thomas Coke, the first Earl, and it reflects the Palladian style of architecture that was very popular in Europe at the time.  Lord Burlington and his apprentice William Kent helped Coke design Holkham Hall and the estate today is the way they had designed it in the 1700’s.  It is now filled with manuscripts and statues that Coke brought back with him during his many international travels.
Thomas coke died in 1759, five years before Holkham Hall was finished.  His widow Lady Margaret Tufton made sure the house was finished and properly furnished, and ruled the manor for the next seventeen years with an iron hand.  When she passed away, the estate was passed on to the Wenman Roberts, the next living male relative.  He changed his name to Coke and his son, Thomas William Coke, inherited shortly thereafter.  Thomas William Coke is best known as ‘Coke of Norfolk’ and was an active and energetic Member of Parliament for fifty-three years.
The estate is not a museum or under the National Trust because the current Viscount, his family, and three other families still reside in the house and on the land.  The hall is closed to the public in the winter but the grounds remain open; academic researchers are allowed access to the library and other artifacts all the year round by appointment.  Many of the items that reside in the house have toured the world and the estate is part of the Historic House Association.

Houghton Hall

Located near King’s Lynn in the county of Norfolk, England, Houghton Hall is a country estate that was built for Sir Robert Walpole, the de facto first Prime Minister of Great Britain.  It was built in the Palladian style of architecture and designed by Colen Campbell, James Gibbs, and William Kent, all well known architects of the period.  The house was built in a rectangular form with a rustic basement and living quarters above.  There are two wings and the corners of the main house each have a beautiful dome.  The inside is colorful and retains the atmosphere of the residence throughout the centuries.

The estate is now held by the Marquess of Cholmondeley who has opened it up to the public.  The lands have a herd of white deer living in the park and peacocks that inhabit the lawns.  Very little of the exterior has changed since it was built in the 18th century.  The house was inherited by the family of the current owners in 1797 and they saved it from disrepair and being sold off.  There has been extensive repair and renovation on and in the house which include a walled flower garden, a ha-ha that has been replaced on the west side of the house, and the addition of a tea room and gift shop.

Houghton Hall’s grounds are open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays, and Bank Holiday Mondays from 11am to 5pm from March 23 through September 28.  The house itself opens at 1:30pm to 5pm with the last admission at 4:30pm.  Admission is £8.00 per adult, £3.00 per child 5 through 16, and £20 for family ticket.  These prices include the house tour.  Without the house tour prices would be £5.00, £2.00, and £12.00 respectively.

Hoveton Hall Gardens

Hoveton Hall Gardens is 15 acres of formal and informal plants, shrubs, flowers and trees that sit on the edge of the Norfolk Broads just north of Wroxham, Norfolk.  As soon as the spring weather arrives the flowers begin to bloom with the rhododendrons and azaleas flowering in May and June.  The summer flowers include hydrangeas and the berried shrubs and leaf tints appear in autumn.  The entire year the garden is full of colours and beautiful foliage depicting some on the planting choices throughout the season.

The estate is owned by Andrew and Barbara Buxton and the family has owned the lands since 1946.  The Hall itself is not open to the public and it was built in 1809 through 1812.  The construction was attributed to Humphrey Repton, and in the 1940’s the grounds around the estate were used to grow food for the war effort.  In 1993, the arable parts of the park were re-sown with grass under the watchful eyes of the Countryside Commission Scheme.  The commission is responsible for the restoration of Historic Parks.

The Hoveton Hall Gardens are open every Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and bank holidays in April, May, June, July, August, and September until the 14th of the month.  It is open from 10:30am to 5:00pm.  The tea room on the estate takes their last order at 4:15pm.  Admission is £5.00 for adults, £2.00 for children, £2.50 for wheelchair users and care givers.  Maps of the garden are available for £1.00.  Unfortunately no dogs are allowed in the gardens.

Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary

The Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary’s aims are to rescue and provide treatment for sick, distressed, and injured marine life.  They rehabilitate, provide and maintain homes for animals that have no chance in the wild and then work to release them back into the sea once they are healthy.  The staff also strive to educate the community on the marine environment, especially important since the town is right on the coast of the North Sea in Norfolk County, England.

Grey seals and common seals are found all along the eastern coast of the United Kingdom and they comprise two thirds of the world’s seal population.  The grey seals love spots that are inaccessible to humans, islands, caves and coves.  The casual observer can tell the two species apart as the common seals are smaller and their bodies are more spotted.  These seals prefer the sand banks, rocky or shingle beaches and sand beaches.

The sanctuary is open to the public everyday of the year except Christmas from 10am to the last admission at 4pm.  The closing times for the centre vary by season and visitors are advised to call for both closing times and admission fees.  Entry tickets are valid for the entire day it is issued and other displays include starfish, sharks, sting rays, penguins, otters, seahorses, and other aquarium life.  There are feeding demonstrations spaced out over the course of the day and the centre offers both a café and gift shop for visitor’s enjoyment.  Currently there is a Japanese Crab exhibit available to view in the aquarium.

The Bridewell Museum

Once upon a time, the Bridewell was a prison in the heart of Norwich, designed specifically for the incarceration of women and beggars.  Today the building is used for a totally different – and much more pleasant – purpose.  The Bridewell is now a historic museum in Norwich, England, that tells visitors the story of how the medieval city in the heart of Norfolk County became well known for its mustard, textiles, shoes, beer and chocolate.
The museum has on display a variety of machinery that was used during the manufacturing of Norwich’s products and the exhibits show how they were used to help people produce the items.  There is a pharmacy recreated here and tourists can examine the many different types of chemicals and compounds that were used over the years to treat the people of the city of various sicknesses and diseases.  A pawnbroker’s and smithy also remain and tourists will delight in the exhibit of shoes that have been made in the city.  Currently the museum is hosting an exhibit for the Norwich City Football Club who are celebrating their 100th birthday.
It is recommended that visitors allow themselves two hours to properly tour the Bridewell Museum.  The museum is not accessible to wheelchairs, although disabled visitors who can walk the exhibits with assistance are welcome to bring one companion with them for free.  Guide dogs are also welcome and the staff will be more than happy to assist visitors with a tailor made tour on request.  The Bridewell is open from March 25 through October 31, 2008 from 10am to 4:30pm Tuesday through Friday, and 10am to 5pm on Saturdays.  It is closed Sunday and Mondays.  Admissions are £3.20 for adults, £1.75 for children and £2.65 for seniors, students, and disabled guests.

The Candle Maker

If you like candles then you will love this small shop in Stokesby.  The Candle Maker village workshop overlooks the River Bure and the employees are used to the local wildlife of mainly ducks being everywhere they look.  The Candle Maker has a wide variety of handcrafted and novelty candles, the largest display in the county. Every candle is poured and scented by hand for their customers.  They are open five days a week and when the employees are not creating their candles, they are more than happy to answer questions.

The village of Stokesby is located around nine miles from Great Yarmouth and thirteen miles from the county centre of Norwich.  It is a peaceful area and many tourists enjoy staying at the Ferry Inn for a quiet weekend.  Besides The Candle Maker shop, a cycle hire shop and a Post Office village store will be found.  Quite a few visitors arrive by boat on the River Bure and there are free moorings available, as well as some by the Ferry Inn for £5.00 per night.  There is also a small play park available for the children.

The Candle Maker is open Monday through Friday and during the main school holidays they offer candle dipping classes in the workshop.  Children over the age of five that meet certain height restrictions and adults are welcome to come and colour their own candles.  The cost is £1.95 per person and the candles can be taken immediately since they dry that fast.  Candle dipping ends at 4:00pm on the days they are offered.  Questions or more information can be had by calling 01493 750242 and asking for Mrs. Wells.

The Glandford Shell Museum

The building that houses the Glandford Shell Museum is a small building with Dutch gables built in 1915.  Sir Alfred Jodrell, Baronet, of Bayfield Hall made sure that the building was built to match the rest of the buildings in the village so that there was a harmony between them all.  The museum was built near the river Glaven and it is very common to see wild ducks near the footbridge that can be seen from the museum.
The museum was built to hold a collection of shells that Jodrell had collected for over sixty years.  They had been stored at his estate and when the museum was complete, Jodrell and his two sisters painstakingly arranged the shells in their new glass cases.  The shells were gathered from locations all over the world and the collection is still being added to today.  Every type of shell can be viewed at the museum, from delicately coloured shells to ones that are exquisitely carved.
Shells are not the only items that are displayed at the museum.  Jewels, pottery fragments, agate ware, archaeological items found in Glandford proper, pieces from Pompeii, and a sugar bowl used by Queen Elizabeth I can all be seen here.  There is also a very beautiful tapestry that was made by a local fisherman on display.  There are more items on display at the Glandford Shell Museum, and the collection is very unique.
The museum is run by a small private trust and depends on the income of its visitors and patrons.

The INSPIRE Discovery Centre

The INSPIRE Discovery Centre is located in Norfolk County, England and its main function is to promote the love of science for all ages by providing everyone hands on exhibits and fun related activities.  There are over 40 hands on experiments and activities available and the staff at INSPIRE work with the schools and research institutes to cover specific themes, distribute the National Curriculum science packages to the schools, produce the Science Squad videos, and provide access to everyone including disabled members of the community.  They are part of the Science Projects Federation, an educational charity.
Part of the Science Projects program in the United Kingdom, INSPIRE’s Discovery Dome made the name a household one.  The Discovery Dome is a travelling science centre providing hands on exhibits for other science centres and schools.  It did so well that the idea of permanent science centres was developed and in 1995, INSPIRE was built in Norwich and in Herstmonceux, Sussex.  Both are run by the Science Projects and there are plans for at least three more centres to be built in the United Kingdom.
INSPIRE finds its home in Norwich in the medieval church of St. Michael’s Coslany.  Part of the Norwich Historic Churches Trust, it has previously been a martial arts centre and was formerly part of the Royal Observatory.  Most of the churches 1500s construction and 1800s restoration work has been maintained in the building to preserve the original architecture while giving the building a new lease of life.  The centre is open to the public and visitors can not only enjoy the science exhibits, but also the former churches memorials and architecture.

The King of Hearts

A 16th century Tudor styled merchant’s mansion, the King of Hearts is an arts centre complete with medieval halls, courtyards, contemporary art gallery, craft shop, music and arts activities, and more.  It’s located on the river near Norwich Cathedral and also includes a craft shop, meeting room and café.  The architecture and historical ambience of this beautiful venue is very attractive to everyone who has the opportunity to visit it for business or pleasure.
The King of Hearts is home to a contemporary art gallery that is the perfect place for artists to put on a small show, private or public.  There is a formal music room for concerts and the craft shop features pieces of art from displayers as well as books on art, poetry, and stories for children.  Training sessions, lectures, corporate events, working meetings and social occasions are all welcome at the King of Hearts.  Their four meeting rooms are specially set up for these types of meeting.  There is a Café on the grounds as well as a courtyard garden that will provide guests with a relaxed area to sit and talk.
The King of Hearts was opened in 1990 specifically as a venue for meetings and other arts events.  This building not only lends itself to the needs of the community, it also instils the heritage of the area into the visitor.  The environment was created specifically in a relaxing manner that tries to dispel any notions of it being an elite establishment.  The quality of the service from the staff at the King of Hearts is second to none and they strive to make every visitor to this Tudor mansion complex feel welcome.

The Norfolk Broads

One of the largest wetland areas, the Norfolk Broads makes up quite a bit of the area that is the county of Norfolk.  With 125 miles of waterways with plenty of places to dock and explore, the Broads are nationally protected and a sanctuary for the large variety of wildlife that lives there.  It was discovered in the 1950’s that the Norfolk Broads were not a natural occurrence, but instead man-made.  Research has shown that the years of digging for peat to fuel homes and as building materials in the medieval times eventually carved out the waterways that make up this beautiful landscape.
Visitors to the Norfolk Broads can enjoy a day of navigating these man-made waterways by hiring a motor launch or even a yacht or canoe, depending on their taste.  A boating holiday on the Broads will give them access to many of the small towns and villages in this area of the county as well as being able to enjoy sighting the many animals that make it their home.  If boating is not an option, visitors can hike or bike through the land that helps make up the waterways.  There are 330 kilometres of paths and trails that weave their way through the wetlands that lead to places such as St. Helen’s Church in Ranworth or the How Hill Nature Reserve.
Anyone who is visiting Norfolk and wishes to learn more about the Broads can visit the Museum of the Broads in Stalham.  There they will see how researchers determined that the Broads were man-made, how medieval citizens of the area dug for peat, and the tools they used to not only dig the peat but also to perform traditional tasks such as thatching using the local reed.

The Norfolk Coast - An Overview

Visiting the Norfolk coast on the east coast of England is like visiting another world.  This lovely area of unblemished and natural coastline offers beautiful beaches with miles of clean sand and rolling dunes.  There are nature reserves filled with a variety of wildlife that can be seen all year round and a good part of the county has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  The pace here is slow and the residents warm and welcoming.  It is the perfect spot for a weekend getaway.
The Norfolk Coast has plenty for you to do.  From windsurfing to visiting the historical sites to simply strolling along the beach barefoot, the feel of the wind in your hair off the North Sea is exhilarating.  There are boat trips out of the villages of Blakeney and Morston that will take you out on the water of Blakeney Pit.  You can then see the numerous seals sunning themselves on the coastal sandbanks.  The landscape also offers hiking trails and cycling pathways for those who wish to see the county this way.  You will find small villages dotting the coast complete with pubs, bed and breakfasts, and unique shops.
While you are out and about walking, cycling, horseback riding, or even just sitting outside in the pub’s garden, make sure you keep an eye on the birds.  The entire coastline is the home to a wide range of species and types of birds, some of which have made the endangered list in England.  Or, try your hand at fishing and go to Cromer to cast your line from the pier.  No matter what your fancy is you can find it along the Norfolk Coast.

The Play Barn, Norwich

Situated just outside of the city of Norwich, Norfolk County, England, is The Play Barn, a fun centre specially designed for children aged seven and under.  This indoor and outdoor play area is located off the B1332 ten minutes from the Norwich city centre and it is open all year round except for Christmas, Boxing and New Years day.  For those parents who need a little break from their child on that rainy day, a day at The Play Barn is just what you need.

The Play Barn has a variety of engaging activities for your little one including areas that simulate a beach indoors; a duck pond, a quiet area for putting together puzzles and reading, a soft play areas especially for toddlers, and an outdoor play area filled with pedal tractors and other outdoor toys.  Tractor rides, pony rides, and the farm animal petting zoo are also available starting at Easter and going through to the end of October.  There is also an outdoor maze and nature trail available during nice weather.

Snacks and a light lunch are available for those who do not want to bring along food and there is parking available as well as toilets.  Hours are from 9:30am to 3:30pm Monday through Friday, and until 5pm on school holidays and Sundays.  The Play Barn will close at 2pm on Christmas and New Year’s Eve.  The Play Barn is closed on Sundays.  Admission is £6.00 per child under seven years old and £1.50 for adults and children over 8.  Parents interested in getting riding lessons for their children can inquire at The Play Barn’s riding centre where there 22 ponies waiting to be ridden.

Origins Norwich

Author’s Note: Origins has closed after six years of serving the community and providing them with information on the 2,000 year history of Norwich and Norfolk.  This page simply provides information on what Origins was and operating information on the gift shop which is still open.

Located in Norwich, Norfolk, England, Origins was an interactive journey that took visitors through the 2,000 year history of the city and county.  Located in the Forum building this unique learning museum covered three floors with over sixty different exhibits that included hands-on activities such as pressing buttons to find answers, pulling levers, playing games, and other activities that children of all ages could perform.  It also included an underground cinema where patrons could relax and learn.  It was designed to teach members of the community about the people, personalities, and places within the county that made it what it is today over two millennia.

This exhibit won numerous tourist attraction awards during its operation.  Currently the Forum Trust is looking for another unique attraction to replace Origins.  The gift shop that was attached to the interactive exhibit is still open and selling items that pertain to the historical information Origins imparted to its visitors.  The items are all unique and unusual and include everything from board games to jewellery.  There are also DVD’s, maps, and books about Norwich and Norfolk county available and locally made gifts and souvenirs.  Currently everything is being sold at 25% off and the gift shop is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30am to 5:30pm and Sundays from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

Overstrand

Overstrand – known once as Ox Strand – is listed in the Doomsday Book of 1086 and is a small coastal village in the county of Norfolk in the east of England.  A little less than a thousand people live there and it can claim crab fishing, farming and tourism as its main sources of revenue.  Because of the type of land along that entire portion of the coastline, cliff slippage is still a problem, the town losing over an acre of land to the North Sea in 1992.
Overstrand was a fairly quiet hamlet with no recognition until Anna Gurney, Sarah Buxton, and Sir Thomas Fowel Buxton got involved with prison reform and anti-slavery in the 19th century.  Northrepps Cottage, located in Overstrand, became a popular meeting place for many of the reformers of the era.  Anna Gurney was also well known for translating the Saxon Chronicles and starting a school in the village.
Overstrand was the village to which famous names such as Edward VII, Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein, and the Duke of Marlborough travelled to when they were taking holidays in nearby Cromer.  Some of them even built homes there for their use during summer, earning the town the nickname of ‘the Village of Millionaires’.
Today this seaside village has two hotels, a café, pub, caravan site, and other everyday needs such as a village shop and schools.  It does not see as many tourists as some of the other towns and villages on this coast but visitors who manage to make it to Overstrand will enjoy the hospitality and the excellent beach. There is good car parking provision.

Pensthorpe Nature Reserve

Located near Fakenham, Norfolk, England, Pensthorpe Nature Reserve is specifically designed for the nature lover.  It was originally created by a local farmer as a refuge for waterfowl.  It is now owned and run by the Jordan family of breakfast cereal fame. Filled with wildlife and flora, the nature reserve is a safe and secure place for people to come and enjoy the natural beauty of the world around them.  During the spring they will see many birds showing off their colourful plumage and bird watchers will find this the perfect time for some serious bird watching.

Pensthorpe encourages families to bring their children to the reserve and allow them to take an active part in exploring the world around them.  Activities for families here include: pond dipping with nets, identification sheets, and buckets; the Bug Walk where children can learn about bugs by exploring the bug boxes, moulds, and other natural habitats that bugs like; a nature quiz for children of all ages to enjoy; bird feeding with provided feed; and binocular hire to see things in vivid detail.

Pensthorpe Nature Reserve, its Courtyard Café and gift shop are open daily except Christmas and Boxing Day.  The hours are 10am to 5pm April through December and then until 4pm January through March.  Only guide dogs for the blind are allowed entrance into the nature reserve and the shop, café, and viewing gallery are wheelchair accessible.  There are trails accessible for wheelchairs.  Admission is adults £7.50, children ages 4 to 15 £4.00, seniors £6.00, and a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) £19.50.  Additional fees apply if visitors wish to add in the Wensum tour.

Pettit’s Animal Adventure Park

The eastern area of Great Britain is blessed with several animal parks but the Pettit’s Animal Adventure Park is more than just another zoo.  Set in fifty acres at Reedham, the entire adventure park is like three mini-parks that are great for children of all ages.  There are family shows several times a day, a theme park with a bouncy castle and rides of all types, plus a petting and feeding zoo.  There are three restaurants on site and this is a great place for a child’s birthday party.

The petting zoo includes reindeer, alpacas, wallabies, raccoons, a reptile house, and lemurs.  There are also chickens, pigs, miniature horses and donkeys.  Peacocks and ducks run free throughout the entire park and children are invited to feed the animals in the petting zoo.

The theme park includes the flying elephant ride, teacups, and the runaway train roller coaster.  A miniature train traverses a half a mile of the park and the rides are all included in the admission price.  Older children and adults will enjoy the driving school, tractor farm, and adventure play area.  There are live shows all day long that include the parks mascots Bingo the Clown, Maxi Mouse, and Bobbi Rabbit.

Parking at Pettit’s is free and it is open daily from April 3 through October 31, 10:00am to 5:00pm/5:30pm.  There are three large picnic areas, and hot and cold snacks available all day long and visitors are encouraged to stop in the souvenir and sweet shop before they leave.

Picturecraft

Opened in 1972, Picturecraft is an award winning art gallery located in Holt, Norfolk, England.  The site is a pleasant building that displays original art work by thirty-two different artists in their own separate little alcove.  The artwork is on display via a non-commissions system which attracts both professional and semi-professional artists.  The gallery offers fourteen different exhibitions each year that are interlinked with five other major events.
With the public acceptance of Picturecraft and its exhibits, there grew a call for an art and graphic supplies outlet nearby.  The Art Materials shop at Picturecraft offers residents and visitors alike the most comprehensive selection of art supplies and materials in that part of Norfolk.  It is laid out in four specific areas: Pastel; Acrylic; Watercolour; and Oil.  All needed stock and accessories are easy to find and if the shop does not carry what you are looking for they will gladly order it.
There is also a picture framing service available at Picturecraft and the professionals on site can guide visitors to the best choice for their artwork.  They offer 1,000 different picture frame mouldings and close to 100 different coloured mounts to choose from.  Once the selection has been made, one of the many professional framers will take care of preparing the artwork and frame, giving it all a beautiful finished presentation.  Framers us a combination of machinery and hand tooling to make the frame that you desire.
Picturecraft is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00am to 5pm with an hour break for lunch and only until 1pm on Thursdays.

Pleasure Beach Great Yarmouth

Great Yarmouth in the county of Norfolk, England, has some great tourist attractions that are perfect for a family day trip.  One of these sites is the Pleasure Beach that covers nine acres of the seafront area.  Amusement rides, children’s rides, crazy golf, and water attractions are all complimented by hot doughnuts, candy rock, and candyfloss.  This seafront attraction is one of East Anglia’s most popular.

There are over twenty adult rides available as well as some ‘awe-inspiring white knuckle classics’ for those visitors who enjoy a deep seated thrill.  Over 1.4 million people spent the day at the Pleasure Beach in 2007 alone, elevating its status to one of the United Kingdom’s top ten free entry amusement parks.  Management is hoping to attract more visitors with new rides, innovations, and attractions.

There is an extensive garden attached to the Pleasure Beach and it’s a great place for everyone to just relax during a busy day.  There are tearooms and kiosks serving food, an eleven hole safari golf course, twelve hole adventure golf course, and ten care junior driving school.  This is also a great place for large groups to gather for meals or to decide on the next day’s plans.

Amenities at the park include a first aid station with trained and qualified attendants, assistance for disabled guests, baby changing rooms and lost property office.  There is a system in place to find ‘misplaced parents’ by the General Office staff.  All major credit cards are accepted for tokens and wristbands for the attractions.

Princess Theatre in Hunstanton

Originally a hotel and then known as the Capitol Cinema, the Princess Theatre in Hunstanton, Norfolk, England, opened in 1932 with the showing of ‘The Desert Song’.  It was built by Ben Culey to be used as a live theatre and cinema and it has the largest gable wall made of carrstone in the world.  The theatre remained active as the Capitol until it closed in the 1960’s before being sold in 1974 and the name changed to the Kingsley Centre.  It served as a Bingo Hall and then was left derelict for years until the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk purchased it in 1981.

The theatre was re-opened on July 5, 1981 and renamed the Princess Theatre in honour of Lady Diana Spencer’s marriage to Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales. The Wurzels played the first concert under the new venue name.  By 1988, the Princess Theatre was actually showing movies again.  That is not the only thing the theatre presents; pantomimes are preformed at the Princess Theatre and ever since December of 1988 some members of the Royal Family continue to attend the Christmas performances.

The Box Office is open every day except Christmas and the theatre provides the community with a wide range of entertainment from variety shows to dramas, dance, music concerts, pantomime and, of course, films.  It is also the home of the Hunstanton & District Festival of Arts event in June and July.  It is wheelchair accessible and has recently been renovated to include a new foyer, central heating and air conditioning, raked seating and new toilets.

East Runton

Situated near the North Sea, East Runton is a small village in Norfolk County, England.  Like Cromer, it was once a fishing community that was turned into a popular holiday spot during the Victorian era.  The population of the village is around 1,633 which includes the area known as West Runton.  The village proper can be reached by the A149 coast road, but most of the houses and businesses will be found south of the road around the two village greens.  The beach that is part of East Runton has become a well known surfing area.
The Fishing Boat and the White Horse Inn are East Runton’s two public houses.  The Fishing boat is the oldest, dating back to 1734 when it was called the Three Horse Shoes.  The White Horse dates back to 1851.  Like many of the town’s surrounding it East Runton once had a working mill, but the land and the buildings upon it have been restored and turned into a private residence.  According to historical records, the town also boasted a wooden post mill, but there is no evidence as to where it stood.
East Runton’s famous citizen was James Leak, the local blacksmith and bare knuckle prize fighter in the 1800’s.  Supposedly he developed gangrene in one of his toes and decided to perform surgery on it himself to keep the gangrene from spreading.  Using his blacksmith tools, he removed the toe and cauterized the wound by himself since he couldn’t afford a surgeon’s fees.  He went on to a full recovery and continued fighting, dying at the age of 82.

East Ruston Old Vicarage

You will not find any signs to point you around the gardens at the East Ruston Old Vicarage in Norfolk County, Norfolk, England.  This private garden is the pride and joy of Alan Gray and Graham Robeson and they do provide their guests with a map and key index to the many delights that they have constructed and grown here.  One of the unique things about the gardens at the vicarage is that they were planned and grown from scratch, with no previous plan to follow.  The two gentlemen designed the entire garden and buildings that are found on the property.
The gardens contain many rare and unusual plants that the staff propagate from in small quantities so that visitors can buy and take their favourite home after touring the site.  Some of the plants are difficult or slow to grow – they are quite rare - but the owners do offer some of these in small quantities if requested.  So if you see something there that you like enquire if they have any set aside.
The East Ruston Old Vicarage is only one and a half miles from the North Sea and provides a wildlife habitat for many birds and animals. The gardens contain hedgerows, wildflowers, ponds, and banks, and they are sheltered from the North Sea winds and frost by a large belt of Monterey pine, Italian alder, eucalyptus, and other easy growing trees.  These belts help provide a unique micro-climate for the gardens.

Eaton Golf Course

Eaton Golf Course, located off the A11 Newmarket Road in Norwich, was founded in 1910, and sits just two miles from the city centre.  It is a member’s club and has been referred to as the ‘hidden gem’ in the golfing community.  This 18 hole course is known as one of the finest England has to offer and it is highly accessible from anywhere in the country.
The golf course plays 6,118 yards (par 70) for men, and 5,562 yards (par 72) for the women.  It is a challenging course through beautiful and lush parkland.  Each fairway is lined with foliage, making the shot off the tee demanding and needing to be accurate.  Otherwise, the player may be in the rough for some time trying to get out.  It is a tight track and any golfer who claims that Norfolk is flat probably has not played at Eaton.
The golf course hosts a variety of regional and county championship golf tournaments and they offer a club house and restaurant with some of the finest foods in the area overlooking the 1st, 10th, and 18th fairways.  The greens fees are reasonable and have rates for both adults and juniors.  If players are interested, they can pay a little extra and enjoy a meal after their eighteen holes.  Weekend rates are slightly higher and the club offers a temporary membership.  The pro shop is PGA qualified and lessons are available for an additional fee including ‘playing lessons’ where the player actually plays Eaton’s first nine holes with the professional instructor watching and analyzing their game.

Elephant Playbarn, Mundesley

Located just outside of the town of Mundesley, Norfolk on the eastern coast of the United Kingdom, the Elephant Playbarn is a great place to bring the kids on a rainy day so they can run around and have fun.  Being cooped up in a house is hard for little ones and this indoor amusement park offers plastic ball pits and additional soft play items.  Located in a large, converted barn, this unique play area is designed for children aged 1 through 7.

The Elephant Playbarn also includes an enclosed courtyard that contains tractors and small cars the children can play on.  Parents are encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy the space the establishment offers them for a nice time with their children.  There is a snack bar on site and parking is available for all visitors.

The Elephant Playbarn is open during the school term from Wednesdays to Sundays from 10:00am to 4:00pm.  During school holidays it will also be open on Tuesdays and Mondays if the weather is inclement and children cannot get outdoors.  The establishment is closed the week after Whitsun, for two weeks over Christmas and New Years, and the first week in September.  Admission is £3.50 for children under 2 years of age, and £4.00 for children ages 2 to 7.  There is no parent’s admission information available.

Additional information can be obtained by calling telephone number 01263 721080.  Currently the Elephant Playbarn’s website is not available and visitors are advised to call or contact the tourist information centre in Mundesley with questions.

Elizabethan House

The Elizabethan House in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk County, England, is a unique museum that allows the visitors to get a feel for what family life was like between the Tudor and Victorian eras.  Fans of British television will enjoy discovering what a kitchen and scullery maid’s days were about in the ‘upstairs, downstairs’ hands-on format and families have the opportunity to try on Tudor costumes, experiencing the feel of the starched ruffled collars so prevalent in the time.  The toy room has plenty of activities for the children and the Conspiracy Room gives guests a chance to discuss the ‘conspiracy’ around Charles I’s death.
There is a very unusual exhibit there called the Haddiscoe Hoard that was acquired in December of 2005.  This collection of over 300 silver coins range from Edward VI in 1550 to Charles I in 1646.  It is part of a display that chronicles the life of citizens in Great Yarmouth during the English Civil War which was from 1642 through 1649.  This collection is that largest hoard from that period that was ever found in the county.  Visitors will find the collection in the ‘Conspiracy Room’, appropriate considering Oliver Cromwell was part of the Parliamentarians during the time and visited the house often, possibly even with co-conspirators to plot the death of Charles I.
Craft lessons are available at the museum and visitors can lean how to make carved clay tiles, window cards, toys from the Victorian era, and stationary to use to mail letters to friends in a Penny Post celebration.  There is also a class in which visitors can make a mini diorama of a Victorian home and the kitchen has some very tasty treats available.

Fairhaven Gardens

Comprised of 131 acres of ancient woodland, water gardens and a private broad, the Fairhaven Gardens contain some of the most beautiful plant life that can found in the Norfolk Broads.  Located just outside South Walsham in Norfolk County, England, the land was left in trust in 1973 by the second Lord Fairhaven.  It was opened to the public per the Lord’s instructions and it is well known for having the best naturalised collection of flowers, shrubs, and trees in the United Kingdom.

The colours of the gardens in May are absolutely breathtaking with the candelabra primulas in full bloom.  The autumn colours in late October, early November are also staggering and the many walkways through the garden makes is a great place to get away all year round.  Concerts, garden parties, walks, and children’s activities occur at the Fairhaven Garden during the year and visitors to the site should inquire about them beforehand by calling or visiting the website.

The Fairhaven Gardens offer their visitors a gift shop, plant sales area with plants propagated from the garden, tearoom, and children’s trail.  Most of the garden is wheelchair accessible and group tours can be arranged in advance.

There is a Edwardian-style launch that runs from April to October offering 20 minute cruises along the Fairhaven Private Broad and South Walsham Outer Broad in addition to a longer trip to St. Benet’s Abbey, which is perfect for keen bird watchers.  The standard 20 minute cruise is £3.00 for an adult, £2.00 per child, and 50p per dog.  The longer cruise to the Abbey is £6.00, £4.00, and £1.00 respectively.

Fairhaven Gardens are open all year round except Christmas Day.  Hours are from 10am to 5pm or dusk.  They are open until 9pm on Wednesday and Thursday from May to the end of August.  Admission fees are adult £4.75, senior citizen £4.75, child £2.25, and dog on a lead 25p which includes a pooper scooper.  Children under age five are free.

Fakenham Golf Course

The Fakenham Golf Course has been in existence in some form or another since 1889 when the first course in the town was laid out at Hempton.  Since then, it has been moved to the racecourse in Fakenham and the current course has been open since 1974.  The course is attractively laid out, giving players a few challenges with the holes that follow the river, and three holes that are located within the race course itself.  It is a par 71, nine hole course that offers varying tee shots and is a total playing length of 6,245 yards when played from the white tees.  Experienced golfers will enjoy the challenge this course offers and beginners will appreciate the variety of the holes.
Jimmy Dennis was the first club professional at Fakenham Golf Course in 1920 when the course was still located at Hempton.  While the course and the windmill at Hempton are gone, many of the cottages that lined the fairways and greens are still there.  The first club president was the Marquis of Townsend of Raynham Hall.  The clubs rules were based on the ones that were in existence at the golf course in nearby Cromer and they were printed for the members.  In 1889, membership cost only £1.00 for the year and £10.00 for the year if they lived more that fifteen miles from Fakenham.
Today, greens fees start at £18.00 for visitors and there are discounted rates for members and juniors.  Fakenham has a dress code that must be followed and jeans, collarless shirts, training and street shoes, football shirts and other casual attire is not allowed.  Shorts must be tailored and sock should be knee length or short sports style.

Fakenham

Located on the Wensum River, Fakenham is a small town and civil parish in Norfolk County, England.  It is not far from the county seat of Norwich and the popular seaside town of Cromer, and it has a population of around 7,357 people.  The name of the town is Saxon, which possibly translates to ‘fair place’.  In 1086 the town only had 150 citizens in it.  Nearby Hempton was located across the Wensum River and had its own abbey, making it the larger town.  The abbey was destroyed by King Henry VIII when he split from the church and Fakenham suddenly became the trading centre in the area.  In the 19th and 20th centuries, Fakenham was well known for its print works, but most of the major facilities closed in the 1970’s, leaving only a few presses still in operation around the town.
Everything in Fakenham closes early on Wednesday causing it to be dubbed, in a national guide, as the ‘most boring place on Earth’ in the late 1990’s.  The town has been attempting to shake off this misnomer ever since, doing everything in its power to show the world that it is anything but boring.  The entire town centre has been renovated and motor vehicles are no longer allowed in much of the central area.  The Farmer’s Market has found renewed interest and is always crowded on the morning of the 4th Saturday each month.
There were two railway stations in Fakenham, Fakenham West and East.  The West station was on the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway which closed in 1959.  The Fakenham east station was on the Great Eastern Railway and closed in the 1960’s to passenger service.  Freight service discontinued on the line in the 1980’s.  There are plans to restore rail services to Fakenham via the Mid-Norfolk Railway line which would connect the town to East Dereham, Wymondham, and Norwich.

Fakenham Museum of Gas

An interesting museum that can be found in Fakenham, Norfolk, England, is the Fakenham Museum of Gas and Local History.  It is currently housed in the town’s last gas works which ceased producing gas from coal in 1965.  The discovery of gas in the North Sea contributed to the closing of the plant.  The gas works is the only works that survived destruction and it has been given the designation of a Scheduled Ancient Monument, one of the highest honours that can be given to such an establishment in the country, making it a national treasure.

The collection of artefacts in the museum is a view of the past that gives the visitors an insight into the history of William Murdoch who founded the gasworks in 1846.  At the time only eight men were employed there and the gasworks provided service for 500 consumers in the area.  After the discovery of gas in the North Sea, most of the gasworks that provided gas by burning coal closed down.  Fakenham shut down when a main trunk line for Norwich was run to the city.  It was scheduled under Section 1 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979;  it was inaugurated in 1987.

Currently the buildings of the gasworks are being renovated and prepared for more exhibits and many people are excited about the restoration of this historical site.  Other projects include cleaning the retort house, weather proofing, rust treatment, weather treating the outdoors exhibits and adding a tearoom for their visitors.  If you are interested in volunteering for the project, contact the museum.

Admission is free but donations are highly appreciated.  It is open all year round on a Thursday from 10:30am to 1pm until June.  From June to August it is open on a Thursday from 10:30am to 3:30pm, and on Bank Holidays from 10:30am to 3:30pm.

Fakenham Racecourse

The first races ever held at the Fakenham racecourse were on Easter Monday in 1905 and were conducted by the West Norfolk Hunt.  Located in rural Norfolk, the course provides a softer soil that is very conducive to horse racing and the first race saw 37 runners.  The races here have been a tradition ever since, only missing the years during World War I and II when they were forced to take a break because of the hostilities.  The first hurdle races were introduced in 1926 after a decline in three mile steeplechase and by 1945 six annual race meetings were being held here.

The popularity of the hurdle racing caused the need to have a grandstand erected and the paddocks enlarged.  The Racecourse Ltd. was formed to get Levy Board support and in an effort to keep the racecourse from being closed, a new sports complex was designed in and around the course.  This complex included tennis and squash courts, improved racecourse facilities, and, of course, Fakenham Golf Course, one of the nicest courses in this area of England.

The racecourse has always had Royal patronage and up until 2000 when HRH The Prince of Wales took over the task, Queen Elizabeth II supported the complex.  The Members’ Stand was named after Prince Charles and he opened the new facility on March 15, 2002.  Admission prices to the racecourse during races are £9.00 for course enclosure, £14.00 for grandstand and paddock, and £20.00 for a day member.  Children under the age of 16 get in free.  Members’ car park costs £8.00 and other car parks are free.

Fineway Launch Hire

If you want to take a cruise along the Bure River then you will be well advised to rent a boat from Fineway Launch Hire at Wroxham, in Norfolk County, Great Britain.  The company offers rental boats for a day trip, cabin cruisers for a more luxurious getaway and also riverside cottages.  They also act as dealers for Avon and Bombard Inflatables and Ribs, Seastrike, and Quicksilver, with a variety of other equipment offerings to go with the new boat you may have purchased.  If interested in purchasing your own launch, they will give a quote.

Visitors to the Norfolk Broads can enjoy the more than 120 miles of navigable and lock free water in their rental launch and see some of the wildlife that calls this area home.  They can dock their launch at one of the many waterside pubs and restaurants to enjoy a meal and pint, or they can stop and take in one of the conservation centres.  There are also plenty of trails that they can walk and they have the opportunity to see plenty of wildlife in the area.  Coarse fishing on the Broads is permitted between June and March.

You will want to bring along a camera as the Broads offers some great photographic opportunities.  You can get to Norwich and Great Yarmouth as well via the Broads and there are plenty of places to moor your rented launch as you explore the cities.  Prices for launches vary by the number of hours you wish to cruise and the size of the boat.  No skill is needed to operate one of these launches and the staff at Fineway will instruct in how to work the boat.  Visitors are advised to check their website or call them to verify the prices.

Fishing in Norfolk

If you enjoy fishing, the County of Norfolk offers you a wide variety of opportunities to get some serious angling done.  From the Norfolk Broads to the coastline, there are plenty of places for you to cast your line.  The Broads has over 200 miles of waterways, rivers, lakes, and ponds that are filled with pike, perch, bream, roach, tench, and chub.  It is best known for its pike fishing and even the beginner will be able to catch something.
While fishing inland, check out the Narborough Trout and Coarse Lakes.  These are located in the Nar Valley and the area has been declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest.  Twenty-seven acres of beautiful countryside surround five lakes that offer the best fishing for all levels.  If you don’t get any bites, you can buy fresh or smoked trout from one of the shops nearby.
The Norfolk coastline is filled with bass throughout the summer and anglers can get some great catches from the Wash to Wells to Walcott.  For a touch of Victorian charm, try fishing off of the Cromer pier for mackerel or wait until winter to try cod fishing out of Mundesley.  Dabs, flounder, and sole can be caught at Overstrand while plaice will hook your line out of Sheringham.  You can even do some offshore fishing for tope if you are brave enough to set sail into the North Sea.
Lastly, fishing in the Fens’ Drains offers fisher’s miles of straight waterways stocked with roach, bream, and tench.  The area is wide open and wild, making for a great day away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Fritton Lake Countryworld

Located in the town of Fritton, Norfolk, England, the Fritton Lake Countryworld is a beautiful natural complex of woodland and Victorian gardens.  The lake extends over two and a quarter miles and covers 150 acres of ground.  There is a nine hole par three golf course with an eighteen hole putting green located there, as well as a miniature railway that runs along the lakeside.  A farm with animals that the children can get close to and a heavy horse centre, that includes Suffolk Punches and Shire horses, are also located at the Fritton Lake Countryworld.
Fishing, rowing boats, and paddle boats are allowed on the lake and disabled visitors can take a specially built boat as well.  Visitors can enjoy a twenty to twenty-five minute tour of the lake in an electric powered launch that will also take them to the Bittern where they can learn about the history of the lake and the wildlife that inhabit it.  Falconry lessons are available and children can have fun in the adventure playground with its aerial slides and assault course.
Hikers here will enjoy the marked trails around the lake with its woodland and wild flowers which include bluebells and Rhododendrons.  There is a café/restaurant on site for visitor’s convenience, picnic areas, and areas for birthday parties.  The park is open from March 18 through October 31 from 10:00am to 5:30pm daily.  Admission is £6.50 for adults, £5.50 for seniors, and £4.50 for children.  Disabled facilities are available and the park is also wheelchair accessible.  The Fritton Lake Countryworld is part of the Somerleyton Hall and Gardens just under five miles away.

Blooms of Bressingham

In 1946 Alan Bloom bought Bressingham Hall and began the process of building a world-renowned gardening industry in the eastern portion of the United Kingdom.  He had been gardening since the age of 16 and is considered by many to be one of the great plantsmen of the 20th century.  Today his legacy has spanned three generations and his gardening dynasty is still growing.

Bloom was the founder of the Blooms Nursery and the mastermind behind the Dell Garden with its ‘Island Beds’ between 1955 and 1962.  The garden has over 5,000 species of perennials all in as many varieties and colours.  The garden is designed to remind visitors of a park like meadow filled with bright colours and a wide range of shapes.

The Dell, Foggy Bottom, and Plant Centre are located in Bressingham, outside of the town of Diss in Norfolk, England.  All three are open every day from April 3 to November 2.  The Dell Garden is open form 10:30am to 5:30pm (4:40 pm in April and October) and the Foggy Bottom Garden is open from 12:30pm to 4:30pm.  The Plant Centre is also the home to Alan Bloom’s collection of Steam Engines, the second largest in Europe.  With 11 kilometres of working railway, visitors can take a fun ride to other rides along the line as well as to a Dad’s Army collection that has been launched for 2008.  Group tours are also welcome and it is recommended that visitors contact the gardens to ensure that they will open on the day they wish to visit.

Bradenham Hall Gardens and Arboretum

Sitting on top of one the highest points in the Norfolk County, England, is Bradenham Hall.  The estate is the home of some gorgeous gardens and an extensive arboretum and its vantage points give visitors a fantastic view of the rolling farmland to the south of the estates.  This tourist attraction has been seen in ‘Country Life’ and ‘House & Garden’ magazine and on the ‘Gardens without Borders’ television show.

The garden and arboretum on the estate take up twenty-seven acres of ground that includes a red brick Georgian home that was built at the beginning of the era.  The house is not open to the public, but it does have historical connections to Norfolk.  The garden is divided into sections by Yew hedges and some of the areas include an herbaceous border, shrub border, Philosopher’s walk, paved garden, and true English rose garden.  The borders are an interesting collection of plants and shrubs, trees, and flowers, all of which have been selected for their unique beauty.

The Bradenham Hall Gardens and Arboretum are opened to the public on the second and fourth Sunday of each month between April and September inclusive from 2pm to 5:30pm with $4:30pm being the last entrance time.  Alternate times can be arranged for large groups.  Admission is £4.00 for adults and free for children.  There is a tea room on the premises that serves from 2:00pm to 5pm when the gardens are open.  Dogs and photography is expressly forbidden unless the latter has prior managerial approval.

Brancaster Golf Course

Known more by its formal name of Royal West Norfolk Golf Club, this golf course was designed and founded in 1892 by Horace Hutchinson and Holcombe Ingleby.  The course has a par of 71 and a total championship length of 6,427 yards.  Players at Brancaster will feel isolated while playing through the course built in and around salt marshes and sand dunes.
Brancaster has been rated one of the top fifty golf courses in Ireland and Great Britain.  The greens are sleepered with excellent cross bunkers.  The area surrounding the golf course includes the sea, farmland, the sea, and marshland that are the home to many rare birds.  The biggest drawback of this gold course is part of the course is inaccessible at times thanks to tidal flooding.  You will still be able to play at the course, but the number of holes you will be able to complete will be diminished.
Golf courses are native to the United Kingdom, having been invented by the Scottish.  Brancaster is one of the true golf courses in the world with forbidding bunkers, difficult roughs to play out of, and firm and true greens.  Players start out with back to back par fours that measure over four hundred yards each.  Each hole has its own unique idiosyncrasy, like marshes and woods surrounding the greens.  Hole number eight is a short par five, but also the hardest hole on the course.  And always make sure you account for the wind coming off the ocean on the outer holes.  They can change your score in a heart beat.

Breckland Balloons

If you are looking for an interesting daytrip, then you will want to visit Breckland Balloons, located in Norfolk County, England.  You can take a hot air balloon trip over the beautiful countryside of East Anglia which includes Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, and Lincolnshire.  Leaving the Norwich area, the balloons give visitors a birds-eye view of the Norfolk Broads and coastline.  Tourists are encouraged to help prep the balloon for flight, and cameras are a recommended must have in order to capture the sights from the air.

Balloon flight travels west along the coastline and you will be able to see the old woodlands and wildlife of the area.  Visitors will be able to see the ancient Norman cathedral in Peterborough as well as a great view of the city proper.  This includes the rich rolling landscape of East Anglia and the white capped waves of the North Sea lapping along the shore.

Breckland Balloons launches from Wymondham, Great Cressingham near Swaffham, and Peterborough.  They are a family run business and have been offering hot air balloon tours since 1991.  They have flown over 15,000 passengers, are fully vetted, and have been certified by the Civil Aviation Authority out of Gatwick.  Prices for hot air balloon flights start at £155.00 for one person anytime during the week, £290.00 for two people anytime during the week, and £135.00 for one person midweek only.  Visitors are encouraged to dress in outdoor clothing suitable for cruising at altitudes of 500 feet to 3,000 feet.

Bressingham Steam Experience and Gardens

Bressingham Steam Museum and Gardens located near Diss, Norfolk was built by Alan Bloom, the same man who started the firm Blooms of Bressingham.  He purchased Bressingham Hall and began designing his garden around the hardy perennial plants that seemed to always take second place to the trees and shrubs in other gardens around the country.  In an effort to allow the plants to grow as naturally as possible, Bloom planted what he called ‘Island Beds’, miniature meadows where the flowers grew naturally without being inhibited by hedge rows or walls.  Today, the garden with all of its island beds contains 5,000 species and varieties of flowers amidst mature trees, giving the entire garden the feel of a park.

The Steam Experience offers visitors a chance to take a train ride from Bressingham through the woodlands around the gardens or a chance to ride a steam carousel, one of the few left in the United Kingdom.  Visitors can see the steam exhibit in the locomotive shed that was part of Alan Bloom’s collection as well as being able to view the new Dad’s Army collection that includes props and vehicles from this popular television show.  The 6100 Royal Scot locomotive has also returned to its home of Bressingham after a successful tour of the United States.

The Bressingham Steam and Gardens open daily at 10:30am and close at 5:00pm in March, April, May, September and October.  In June, July, and August the site closes at 5:30pm.  All rides close at 4:30pm unless there is a special event happening.  The Dad’s Army Exhibit has closed for the year.

Broadland Arts Centre

The Broadland Arts Centre is a creative arts establishment designed to help the beginner and advanced artist refine their skills.  Led by qualified tutors, visitors can take a craft or painting holiday and explore their artistic side.  It is located at the village of Dilham near North Walsham, Norfolk. Potential visitors can request a virtual reality DVD in order to get a glimpse of the courses they offer, the facilities, and the two operating locations.

Courses that are available at the Broadland Arts Centre include: painting; drawing; textiles; painting and art appreciation; printmaking; holidays abroad; sculpture; and sailing and painting cruises.  Each class is taught by a professional artist or craftsperson and the atmosphere is fun while being structured at the same time.  The classes will take place at the Norfolk centre, but there could be a field trip to Leigh-on-Sea in Essex or a few days aboard a traditional sailing boat.  They welcome non-painting partners as well.

Students of the centre can stay at the Norfolk school quite cheaply and they get a full breakfast plus a tea making facility in their room.  Another option is for the student to stay at one of the many accommodation places in the town, including B&Bs, self-catering, caravan parks, and hotels.  Campervans and tents can also be accommodated on the grounds of the centre by prior arrangement only.  A light lunch is provided for all courses and tea or coffee and snacks are also provided.  Evening meals are at the expense of the student.  The centre remains open until 10pm for the student’s convenience.

Broadland Cycle Hire

Touring the Norfolk Broads using a bicycle is a fun adventure; Broadland Cycle Hire can set you up easily with all that you require.  They have a wide variety of choices available at exceptional prices that include single day, multiple days, and weekly rentals.  Baby seats and tandem bikes are also available and this is a great way to enjoy the winding rivers, fens, pastures, and woodlands of the area.  You have the ability to stop at your own leisure and explore cottages, churches and the coast if you wish, without every having to worry about catching the bus.

The company offers visitors fifty quality bicycles to choose from and there are two rental centres in the Broads.  Mountain bikes and hybrid cycles are available as are tag-alongs and children’s bikes.  They even provide helmets, baskets, pumps, locks, and repair kits if requested by the renter.  All of their bikes are kept in good working order, are clean, and insured for a minimum of £2,000,000 for public liability.

The centres will also provide you with maps that show local attractions, churches, tea rooms and pubs so you can stop along your travels and take a break.  Twenty miles of trails and paths are scattered throughout the Broads, many of them perfect for long rides while others are shorter and perfect for families with the children bicycling alongside.  The Broadland Cycle Hire is open daily from 10am to 5pm with the last hire being at 2:30pm.  Call ahead of time to verify prices and hire times or to book in advance.

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