“I am a Norfolk man and Glory in being so”
And Norfolk has every right to glory in him. Lord Horatio Nelson, arguably the world’s most famous naval commander learned to sail on a Norfolk Broad. Did you know that?
The truth is there’s quite a lot about Norfolk that quite a lot of people don’t know. And in a way, Norfolk people are quite happy about that. It’s not that they’re shy, or unduly modest. It’s that in Norfolk they like, as they say there, to ‘do different’. And that’s what makes it such a special place. If you want evidence of that take a look at this very Norfolk list.
1. The Norfolk Broads
Unique is not a world to use lightly. Something can’t be almost unique, or nearly unique.
The Broads are unique. These magical waterways, this extraordinary landscape, home to wildlife and beloved by holidaymakers, is man made. Well within living memory it was believed they were a natural phenomenon but, in the 1950s, it was proved that they are in fact the flooded remains of medieval peat diggings. And who proved it? Dr Joyce Lambert. She had been born in London but brought up in Norfolk. Not many women scientists were making their mark in 1950s England. But there’s Norfolk for you; doing different.
Happisburgh Lighthouse on the Norfolk coast
2. Big Skies
There may be other parts of the world who can claim spectacular skies but it’s amazing how often the skies are mentioned when people want to describe Norfolk. The skies there are huge. Those low horizons are often attributed to the county being flat. And it is, in places. (If you think it’s entirely flat try cycling across it!).
But, those horizons, punctuated by windmills and the masts of sailing boats, are such a fact of Norfolk life. They stretch for miles under those giant skies. Has there ever been a better time to savour the beauty, peace and cleanliness of a big sky?
Oh, and those windmills? Be careful when discussing them. In Norfolk many of them are not windmills. They are - or were - windpumps. There’s Norfolk again, doing different.
3. Great Yarmouth
The UK is famous for its seaside resorts - it practically invented seaside resorts. From Skegness to Whitby, we know how to do seaside holidays. Great Yarmouth is in the premier league of places to stroll along the prom (prom, prom…).
All the fun of the fair is there. The Pleasure Beach is a legendary whirl of rides and amusements - the Roller Coaster is world famous and even features in a Madness music video from the 80’s.
And then there are the Snails at Joyland; this little ride, this gentle little amusement where people are carried in snails on rails is probably the most loved fairground attraction ever. Ask people in Norfolk about Great Yarmouth and they will go misty eyed and talk about ‘The Snails’. People ride them, grow up and then take their children on them. And then their grandchildren. Someone rode them on their wedding day.
Some resorts seek out and install the newest, the fastest, the most head spinning, stomach churning, cutting edge technology rides they can find. In Great Yarmouth they embrace change too. But they keep the Snails. Because it’s Norfolk, where they do different.
4. Important People.
This isn’t about ‘VIPs’ or transient celebrities of the moment. This is about really important people; people who came from Norfolk. Turning a blind eye to Nelson for a moment (sorry - it had to be done!) there’s Robert Kett. This is a man who was targeted by rebels and then became their leader. A comfortably off man who understood the plight of the less fortunate to such a degree that he took up their cause and, in 1549, led Kett’s Rebellion against wealthy landowners.
Then there’s Thomas Paine. The author of ‘The Rights of Man’, Paine is universally acknowledged as one of the founding fathers of the United States.
In the 18th century it was Norwich born Elizabeth Fry who campaigned and created reforms in making the treatment of prisoners more humane. The woman opened a night shelter for the homeless long before the phrase had become part of today’s vocabulary.
And Norfolk and the world will always remember First World War nurse Edith Cavell, who gave her life to save soldiers by helping them to escape the enemy.
All of them are wonderful and inspiring examples of how people can rise above the ordinary. And do different.
5. Motorways - what motorways?
It’s a simple fact that Norfolk has no motorways. Some might say that’s a shame. Some might say it’s because Norfolk ‘is a backwater’. There have been campaigns to improve roads in parts of the county but Norfolk does pretty well without motorways. You’ll hear a lot of people complaining about the ‘car park’ that is the M25. Or how they spent hours stuck on the M4. You don’t hear too many complaints about people being stuck in the clean, green, motorway free county of Norfolk. They just do different.
6. Then there’s Norfolk Day
Given all of the above it’s hardly surprising that there’s a special day to celebrate the marvellous county that is Norfolk. This year the event is on Thursday July 27th. Norfolk Day is celebrating its sixth birthday and promises to be another great success. Street parties, pub celebrations, business events and masses of activities will be taking place all over Norfolk. A great opportunity to do different.
Do different with a uk holiday home
Owning a UK holiday home is fast becoming the financial, and leisure, aim of more and more families. It’s a great way to ‘future proof’ holiday plans, at the same time as creating a place where it’s possible to spend time with family and friends. And spending time without the hassle of airports and international travel is becoming more appealing by the day.
The fitness centre at Caldecott Hall Country Park
Caldecott Hall Country Park - so very Norfolk; so very you.
It’s certainly you if you’re looking for a stunning holiday home location with a Great Yarmouth golf course on your doorstep. Caldecott Hall Country Park is set in timelessly tranquil Norfolk woodland, but it’s packed with fabulous facilities. If you’re looking for the lifestyle that you might call country club Norfolk, and you want to be close to great Great Yarmouth golf - this place could just be pitch perfect for your own UK seaside holiday home. UK golf breaks are increasingly popular and a holiday home in Norfolk puts you right on course.
It’s not all about Great Yarmouth golf. Caldecott Hall Country Park has a very interesting next door neighbour in the famous Redwings Horse Sanctuary. This special place says so much about Norfolk - and it’s well worth a visit. In fact, there’s so much to visit when you have a holiday home at a Norfolk location like Caldecott Hall Country Park. You’re close to the joys of the traditional seaside resort of Great Yarmouth and you’re very close to the world famous Norfolk Broads. There’s the history and heritage of Norfolk from Boudicca to Delia, and there’s modern shopping, dining and drinking across the county.
Businesses in all of those sectors join in with Norfolk Day, encouraging people to take part and celebrate all that’s best about the county. A holiday home of your own in such a fantastic location has to be on that list surely, all day long.
Refurbished lodge interior - for sale at Waveney River Centre
Waveney River Centre - south Norfolk and superb
A way south of Caldecott Hall Country Park you’ll find Waveney River Centre. This is definitely something worth celebrating about Norfolk. On the county’s borders in The Waveney Valley, this wonderful holiday home location is surrounded by the scenery that defines the Broads. World famous and genuinely unique, the Broads are magical waterways.
Did you know that Lord Nelson learned to sail on a Norfolk Broad? Do you know how they were created? There’s so much to discover, and so much to enjoy, about this part of the country. It’s no surprise that it’s vey much part of Norfolk Day and an increasingly sought after, but still unspoiled location for owning your own UK holiday home. Waveney River Centre is an authentic piece of Broads life. You’ll love it, all day long.
Broadlands Park & Marina is the perfect base to explore the Broads
Holiday homes in Suffolk - when we’re talking Norfolk Day?
Really? Well yes. It sounds odd but, although it is officially in Suffolk, Tingdene Broadlands Park and Marina is a brilliant base for exploring the Norfolk Broads. Imagine having your own holiday home here - as well as owning your own day boat. What better way to explore the Broads?
Plus, with a berth at Broadlands Marina you get 28 nights free of charge at other Tingdene Marinas. That includes Brundall Bay Marina near Norwich with its popular East Hills Cafe and Bistro, as well as Waveney Marina at Waveney River Centre.
There’s also North Denes Caravan Park, residing next to the UK’s most easterly point and just a few miles from the Norfolk border. North Denes is just a short car or bus ride away from the coastal Norfolk towns of Hopton, Gorleston and Great Yarmouth. It’s the perfect base to enjoy the sounds of the sea, the green spaces of Lowestoft and all that Norfolk has to offer.
THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN NORFOLK
Here’s some of our favourite places to go and things to do in Norfolk:
“My favourite place to visit is Cromer/Sheringham. It’s a beautiful stretch of coastline but mostly because of the fishing boats, from a young age I was brought up around boats. I used to go out on boats with my dad fishing and I had my first boat at the age of 9.”
Visit the Norwich 12 - a collection of 12 of Norwich’s most iconic buildings from a variety of eras and architectural styles.
Explore Thetford Forest - Thetford Forest is on the borders of Norfolk and Suffolk with a variety of activities and trails in its 18,740 hectares to explore.
Walk along the promenade at Sheringham Beach - You can walk for miles along the North Norfolk coast, but Sheringham is a special place. The peaceful sandy beach is perfect to watch a summer sunset and there’s plenty to see and do in the town.
Visit the oldest working lighthouse in Happisburgh - We’ll forgive you if you don’t know how to pronounce Happisburgh! The lighthouse was built in 1790 and is available for visits on open days throughout the summer.
Enjoy the nature trails at Pensthorpe - There’s fun for all the family at Pensthorpe, with gardens, trails, bird hides and more to explore around the internationally recognised nature reserve. Our favourite thing to do is head to the Wetlands to see the Flamingos.
“The Assembly House for afternoon tea is a fantastic place to visit, its located in Norwich city centre. They are extremely accommodating; I went for my birthday and they put a personalised cake and card on the table. You can also upgrade your mug of tea to a glass of champagne.They have a theme which they run every few months - when I went it was ‘Under the sea’. They give you a full detailed menu of everything, but the detail they go to is fantastic. For example, the macaroon was made to look like a clam with a pearl in it and there was also a small shot glass with a spoon and biscuit crumbs which represented a bucket and spade!”
Planning ahead now for the future has never seemed so important. But, some of the things we’re planning for have changed. Having more time with friends and family is more important to us now. Thinking more about the environment is higher on our list. Making good use of our finances is firmly in focus.
Owning your own UK holiday home performs pretty well against that checklist. Somewhere to be with your family and friends, when you want to. Somewhere you can get to without racking up less than planet friendly air miles. Even a sound financial investment with the possibility of additional income from holiday lettings, it all stacks up as an exciting prospect.
