Posts Tagged ‘Places To Visit’
According to recent research by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), people in East Anglia are drinking more real ale than ever before. As it should be, really, given that here in Norfolk we produce excellent malting barley that is subsequently used across the UK and beyond to produce fantastic beers, lagers and ales.
One such malting barley farm is Branthill Farm near Wells-next-the-Sea, which extends to over 1000 acres on the Holkham Estate. Malting barley has been grown in the region since Shakespearian times, with the coastal microclimate and light, sandy soil over chalk combining to make it one of the best places on Earth to grow the crop.
The concept seen in wine-producing countries of promoting the produce to the public at source inspired tenant Farmer Teddy Maufe to open The Real Ale Shop on-site at Branthill Farm. Now a must-visit destination for any real-ale fan in the area, The Real Ale Shop has also gone on to win several prestigious awards, including ‘Off Licence News Independent Beer Retailer of the Year 2009’ and ‘CAMRA Bottle Online Sales Awards 2008’.
The Real Ale Shop stocks bottle conditioned real ales from a host of Norfolk breweries including the Fox Brewery, Woodforde’s, the Iceni Brewery, the Humpty Dumpty Brewery and Tipple’s Brewery. Teddy believes that one advantage of such an arrangement is total traceability, an important feature with today’s savvy consumers. Apparently, one of the brewers even quotes the field grid reference on their bottle label. Presumably, using local floor maltings is also fairly ‘green’, cutting down on the mileage required in transportation and, therefore, boasting a lesser ‘Carbon Footprint’. Environmentally friendly, locally produced and flavoursome. Fabulous.
Now stocking some 50+ naturally bottle conditioned ales onsite, The Real Ale Shop has extended to the web, offering online selection and ordering. Ideal if you’re not a native, although if you can, we’d highly recommend you take the signposted detour on the Fakenham-Wells road to visit this unique off-licence in person.
Open Tues-Sat 10am-6pm (Winter 10am-4pm).
Sun 12Noon-4pm.
Closed Mondays (except Bank Holidays & high season).
The Real Ale Shop
Branthill Farm, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1SB
Tel 01328 710810
Situated on East Quay in Wells-next-the-Sea, Standard House Chandlery has a long tradition of catering to the needs of sailor-types. As The Standard Inn during the 1700s, a young Nelson sat and watched sailors performing shanties and generally discussing all things nautical, an experience that can only have helped him find his own ‘sea legs’ only a few years later.
Doubling as the first rural post office in Norfolk, and located on the then-busy sea-going harbour of Wells, it must have been quite a lively place.
Nowadays, Wells Harbour is more famed for its visual appeal than its functionality. It is lovely to sit on the quay and watch the yachts or fishing boats (even better with a portion of salty chips from one of the chip shops opposite). The Albatross sailing ship (one of the oldest sailing ships still afloat, and the last ship to bring a cargo to the harbour) is moored there as a permanent visitor attraction and rather nice restaurant (great pancakes!).
The Standard Inn is now Standard House Chandlery – an emporium of all sorts of equipment and accessories for boating and sailing, from footwear and clothing to outboard engines. You can even buy new and used craft.
Proprietor John Crook (who, along with wife Marion, has run Standard House for over twenty years) is an experienced marine engineer. Consequently, Standard House Chandlery is able to offer storage, maintenance and repair services for all types of inboard or outboard engines.
Whether you’re a keen sailor (or aspire to be one), or simply visiting Wells, a visit to Standard House Chandlery is a great opportunity to experience a little, local feature of maritime history.
Standard House Chandlery.
East Quay, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1JY.
Tel: 01328 710593.
Sheringham Little Theatre.
2 Station Road, Sheringham, Norfolk, NR26 8RE.
Tel: 01263 822347 (Box Office).
www.sheringhamlittletheatre.com
Located in the centre of the popular North Norfolk seaside town of Sheringham, Sheringham Little Theatre is aptly named since it features the smallest stage in a professional theatre in the country. With only 180 seats this much loved Sheringham institution offers a refreshingly intimate experience in these times when most theatres, cinemas and auditoriums are adopting a ‘bigger is better’ approach. Formerly a library and then a Town Hall, the building saw its first arts and craft exhibition held in 1902, in aid of the fishing boat disaster fund. This opened the floodgates for all manner of concerts, receptions, lectures, dances, political meetings and fund raising events. Operating as a cinema throughout and after World War I, the stage was built up in the early 1960s and the theatre started to become the establishment it is today.
Lottery-funded modernisation in the mid-1990s, exterior makeovers in 2004 and 2005 and, most recently, refurbishment to The Hub coffee bar in 2007 have ensured that the Theatre remains a popular and essential treasure within the community of Sheringham and beyond.
Today, Sheringham Little Theatre hosts one of the last surviving summer repertory seasons, along with live music events, musical theatre, workshops and courses, comedy, films, art exhibitions and drama groups throughout the year.
Box Office open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm.
Natural Surroundings.
The Wildlife, Wildflower and Conservation Centre,
Bayfield Estate, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 7JN.
Tel: 01263 711091.
Found within one of the most beautiful country estates in East Anglia, the Natural Surroundings Wildlife, Wildflower and Conservation Centre is a wonderful visitor attraction for those that enjoy getting out and about and a little bit closer to nature.
Explore acres of natural habitats, including the Wildlife Gardens (perhaps pick up tips on attracting wildlife in your own garden?), discover the rich variety of aquatic life in the Wildlife Ponds and enjoy the natural beauty and aromas of the Wild Flower Meadows.
One of the most fantastic and unique aspects is that you can see flora and fauna at Natural Surroundings that you may otherwise never see in the wild.
Natural Surroundings has a rather lovely Tea Room, complete with window feeders and nest box cameras, offering an intimate view of birds going about their daily business (as well as a naughty Grey Squirrel that you may spot taking advantage of the free bird food!), a Wildlife and Eco Gardening Shop (in case you’ve been inspired by your visit) and a Wild Flower Nursery (with hundreds of plants for sale).
Winner of the North Norfolk District Council Environmental Business of the Year Award in 2007, Natural Surroundings is a superb example of a forward-looking, eco-conscious venture, inspired by a team of people who really care for wildlife.
If you like Natural Surroundings, don’t forget to also visit associated Wildlife Shop Bird Ventures.
Opening times Wednesday – Sunday. 10am – 4pm.
The Studio (Helen Herbert).
23 Holt Road, Sheringham, Norfolk, NR26 8NB.
Tel: 01263 821333.
A visit to Helen Herbert’s Studio in Sheringham presents a rare and precious opportunity to get ‘up close and personal’ with an inspiring Norfolk artist in their own creative environment.
Helen has enjoyed a rich and successful artistic career, studying for four years at the Cambridge School of Art before spending some 15 years as an illustrator for children’s books. In 1998, Helen gave up illustration to concentrate full-time on her painting, inspiration for which she finds from travelling to exotic destinations and also on her own North Norfolk doorstep.
Helen says that she is “an observer of people and places” and it is the relationship between individuals and their surroundings that interests her. Through her paintings, she attempts to capture the atmosphere, mood and connection between the sea, sky and people, often with heightened colour.
Truly an artist driven by love rather than commercial gain, Helen’s work shows distinctive themes as she develops and changes in the focus of her interest. Currently she says she is “intrigued by dark against light”.
A visit to Helen’s Studio is by far a richer and more interesting experience than simply seeing artwork in a gallery or exhibition. Helen is only too happy to chat about her work and you can see examples of her paintings at various stages of completeness – a luxury rarely afforded to the public. Naturally, the majority of Helen’s work is for sale, so if you are taken by a piece you can buy it for your own walls.
Helen’s paintings feature in many collections around the world and she exhibits in solo shows around Britain as well as in mixed shows in the UK and abroad.
As well as being on view at The Studio, Helen’s work is on display at Crayford and Abbs Garage in Bodham, Norfolk.
Open 10am-5pm (or later by appointment). To visit The Studio please ring first to check Helen is available!
Upcoming Exhibitions:
Summer Exhibition at The Old Workshop Gallery, Corpusty, Norfolk (with 4 other artists).
31 July – 5 September.
Mad Hats – a mixed exhibition at The Old Workshop Gallery,
Corpusty, Norfolk.
11 September – 24 October.
Norfolk Wildlife Trust: Cley Marshes.
On the A149 coast road, 1/2 mile east of Cley-next-the-Sea,
4 1/2 miles north of Holt.
Postcode: NR25 7SA.
Tel: 01263 740008.
www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk
The original Norfolk Wildlife Trust reserve and a blueprint for nature conservation that has since been replicated across the Country, Cley Marshes in North Norfolk is regarded as one of the UK’s best bird watching sites. Deservedly so, with pools, scrapes, trails and hides, this nature reserve attracts water birds in the thousands throughout the year (more than 300 species of birds have been recorded at Cley Marshes, with regular visitors including Avocets, Kestrels, Bearded Tits, Cormorants and Oystercatchers).
The Reserve boasts an inspiring and award-winning ‘eco-friendly’ visitor centre that employs a wind turbine to generate its power and harvests rainwater to flush the toilets, among other fascinating green innovations. Inside, the café and gift shop provide protection from the elements on chillier days, whilst still allowing a fabulous view of the Reserve through a vast observation area along one side of the Centre (complete with telescopes and audio-visual presentations).
Nature Reserve and visitor centre open all year (except Christmas Day) 10am-5pm (10am-4pm 1st Nov-1st Mar).
There is a small charge for entry to the Reserve (about £4) but entry is free for children and members of Norfolk Wildlife Trust.
Boardwalks provide access for wheelchairs and pushchairs throughout the reserve and the visitor centre is accessible to wheelchair users via a lift.
There is ample parking in front of the visitor centre.
Other Norfolk Wildlife Trust sites across North Norfolk that are well worth a visit include Salthouse Marshes (just along from Cley Marshes), Foxley Wood, Thursford Wood, Ringstead Downs (near Hunstanton), Syderstone Common and Booton Common.
Bircham Windmill.
Great Bircham, Norfolk, PE31 6SJ.
Tel: 01485 578393.
Found only a few miles from Sandringham and Hunstanton in North-West Norfolk, Bircham Windmill is considered to be one of the best remaining examples of a British Windmill. It is also the only working windmill in the area to be open to the public. Brave visitors can ascend the five floors to the fan stage and, on windy days, you can see the sails and milling machinery turning.
Carefully restored to look just as it did over a Century ago, a visit to Bircham Windmill offers the rare opportunity to experience the history and character of a Norfolk Corn Mill – a phenomenon that was once prolific in this region.
On site is also the original bakery and a baking shop, from which the inimitable smell of freshly baked bread will welcome you if you’re lucky enough to visit on a baking day. The baking shop sells various flours, fresh bread, scones and cakes as well as baking paraphernalia, recipe books and much more. ‘Children’s Baking Corner’ enables children to bake some bread to take home for tea (£2 per child).
Also for Children (and grown-up animal lovers of course!) are the adorable Falabella miniature horses, sheep, pygmy goats, chickens and guinea pigs. With the opportunity to meet the animals and an Under 7’s play area, you can relax in the Mill garden while your kids play.
Bircham Windmill also has Tea Rooms (serving home made cakes, scones and light lunches along with their famous Clotted Cream Teas), an Art Gallery (with a different artist each month), Gift Shop, Family Cycle Hire Centre and trails and walks around the Mill for cyclists and walkers.
With so much to do and enjoy, most of which is free and can be accessed separately to the Mill itself, Bircham Windmill is a novel day out in Norfolk that will appeal to all members of the family.
FREE ENTRY into Tea Rooms & Gardens.
Entry to Windmill: Adults £3.75, Retired £3.00, Children £2.00.
Open daily from April 5th – Sep 30th 10am-5pm.
SAUSAGE AND SONG NIGHT
July 29th 6-9pm
Come and join the Bircham Windmill crew for a night of summer sounds, food and fun. Enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Bircham Windmill and the tranquil gardens whilst listening to some smooth jazz and pop covers by ‘The Sally Taylor Duo’.
The fee includes sausage in a bun, followed by fruit and cream and music throughout to fulfil the soul! You will also have the opportunity to climb the mill (included in the price) and feed and cuddle the animals and mingle around the grounds until your heart is content. So grab your sun hats and shades for a musical garden party in the sun. Tickets £7.50 for adults, £6.00 retired and £4 for children (aged 5-15), under 5’s are free.
The Hat Shop.
Pentney House, The Green, Burnham Market,
Norfolk, PE31 8HD.
Tel: 01328 738267.
www.thehatshop-burnhammarket.co.uk
The Hat Shop at Pentney House in Burnham Market is a North Norfolk institution that deserves a visit whether you’re in the market for headwear or not.
If you are looking for a hat, then you’ve come to right place. Pentney House has thousands of ladies and men’s hats on display at any one time, along with a fabulous array of fascinators, handbags, shoes and other accessories. Be it for a formal occasion, such as a wedding or Royal Ascot, or a more casual style for holidays or everyday wear, you’ll find it all here. The Hat Shop stocks leading brands including Olney, Stetson and Bailey as well as many other exciting names.
The Hat Shop staff are friendly and helpful and will be happy to assist and advise with any aspect of your search for the perfect hat – bring your outfit or a swatch with you and they will help choose a hat and accessories that will match perfectly.
If you’re not strictly hat-shopping, go along anyway – the ground floor features a Candle Room, a Greeting Card Room, a Preserve Room and a host of excellent items at reasonable prices, which make ideal gifts and souvenirs. Within the Craft Room, you’ll find plenty of items for the craft maker, many of which start at just £1.
In case you can’t get to Burnham Market, you can now purchase many items from The Hat Shop online via their web shop – with free UK delivery on all items, looking stylish has never been so tempting!
Summer Opening Times:
Monday-Saturday 9am-5.30pm.
Sunday 11am-5pm.
The Hat Shop is open on Bank Holidays.
EnjoyMent Offer:
- Ten per cent discount off all full-price hats, bags & shoes from the Burnham Market shop (excludes sale items) with an EnjoyMent Card.
Click here to become a member.
The Real Ale Shop.
Branthill Farm, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1SB.
Tel: 01328 710810.
www.therealaleshop.co.uk/norfolk
EnjoyMent Offer:
- Enjoy a Heydon Cream Tea for only £2.95 (normally £4.25). Offer applies to Cardholder plus guest.
Click here to become a member.