Norfolk, Nelson's County
Norfolk is the birthplace of one of England's greatest heroes, Admiral Lord Nelson. Born in the Norfolk village of Burnham Thorpe and destined for greatness in England's sea battles.
Norfolk is one of Englands most beautiful counties with its legendary big skies and vast beaches, it makes a wonderful destination for a holiday with so many lovely towns and villages to explore.
From its Market towns to the enchanting Norfolk Broads with its unspoiled rural tranquillity. Norfolk is an archetypal English county.
Swaffham
Swaffham is a lovely Norfolk market town and it makes an ideal place to explore the area.
Ideally placed for the North Norfolk beaches and also within easy reach of the Norfolk broads which are a short car journey away.
There is also the city of Norwich for a good shopping experience, restaurants and culture in the form of Art galleries and museums.
St Peter and St Paul's church, Swaffham, Norfolk.
Buttercross, Swaffham
Oakleigh House,Swaffham
This is the building which features in the television series " Kingdom" starring Stephen Fry.
Holkham Bay
Typical of the big Norfolk skies and vast beaches, this one is Holkham bay with with its beautiful beach in the distance beyond the sand dunes.
There are many lovely beaches in this part of Norfolk such as Wells next the Sea, Brancaster,
Holm next the Sea and the popular resort of Hunstanton.
The family friendly beach of Holkham bay, one of the finest in all of Norfolk.
The beach near Wells-next-the-Sea
A view of the Norfolk Broads from the Church tower of St Helens, Ranworth.
The village of Ranworth is a delightful hamlet situated in the Norfolk broads.
With its Marina,thatched houses, a couple of pubs, a tiny hall and the lovely medieval Church of St Helens with its glorious views from the Church tower.
After the climb to the top of the tower there is a very good tea room as part of the Church complex selling a selection of food and drink. A good cup of tea is certainly called for after the climb, don't go up the tower just before 12 mid-day, I did and caught the chimes in the bell tower just as I was descending !
Church of St Helens, Ranworth, Norfolk
Medieval panelling inside the church of St Helens, Ranworth
The Marina, Ranworth, Norfolk
A thatched house in a leafy lane at Ranworth, Norfolk
The village green of Woodbastwick, Norfolk. One of many pretty villages in the Norfolk broads area.
A thatched cottage near the village green at Woodbastwick, Norfolk
Windmills abound in Norfolk.
This one is on the Norfolk Broads near How Hill.
All over Norfolk you will find these signs for the Market Towns and villages which I feel must give people a sense of pride in their community, a tradition I would like to see across the whole of England.
The Ostrich pub
In Castle Acre we came across this lovely old English pub that served very good pub food and a good selection of beers and wines. The staff were helpful and friendly and I have no hesitation in recommending the Ostrich in Castle Acre, Norfolk.
Castle Acre also has a fine Church, Castle ruins, a Priory, a pretty teashop and a traditional toyshop.
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Toad Hall cottage at How Hill, Norfolk
In this tiny cottage lived a marsh man and his family. His job was to maintain the river banks and to cut
the water reed used for thatching. Water reeds are still used for cottage roof repairs to this day.
A part of the tiny kitchen area of this historical cottage in Norfolk
Tools of the marsh man's trade
The main source of food was the eels caught in the nearby river which they cooked and preserved in various
ways. There was also the cottage garden which produced seasonal fruit, vegetables and herbs.
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Blickling Hall near Aylsham, Norfolk.
Blickling Hall estate was bought by Sir Henry Hobart in 1616. He employed architect Robert Lyminge to
re-design the house in 1619. Unfortunately Sir Henry died before the alterations were complete.
His descendants lived there until the 1940s.
The rear of the house and gardens of Blickling Hall