Next Week’s Highlights

STOP PRESS

Outdoor Theatre. Alice in Wonderland at Raynham Hall, 2.30pm, Sat 22 Aug. Presented by the excellent Strange Fascination Theatre co, from Norwich. Check them on Facebook. Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/strange-fascination-theatre

EVENTS

Yes, there are some events. They are low key and mostly outdoors. Go to the Calendar Page.

ART

Anish Kapoor at Houghton Hall

Outdoor sculpture by renowned artist Kapoor, laid out through the grounds and gardens of Houghton Hall, with two indoor spaces. Breathtaking. Limited numbers so do book in advance, online. £16 per adult for entry to exhibition and gardens. Houghton Hall PE31 6TY www.houghtonhall.comTel 01485 528569

Pam Noyes

Garden Studio Exhibition, at her studio in Burnham Market. Sat 22 Aug to Sat 5 Sep, 10am-6pm. Northfields, Church Walk, Burnham Market, PE31 8DH Tel 01328 738745 or 07798 692352

BOATS

Branta Cruises

Guided tours of the marsh and Scolt Head from Brancaster. Up to six people, family units only. £180 per trip. www.brantacruises.co.ukTel 01485 211132 or 07775 728904

Boathouse Burnham Overy Staithe

Single and double kayak hire. Buoyancy aids and spray tops available. See classified advert. PE31 8JE www.burnhamoveryboathouse.co.ukTel 01328 738348 or 07484 537482

Coastal Exploration

This boutique – and exclusive – venture is not cheap but worth every penny. If it’s out of your price range simply stare at the film collage on the homepage. Mesmerizing. www.coastalexplorationcompany.co.uk Tel 07970 276397

Growler
Young local Ash Ring is restoring a vintage sailing barge in the field behind the quay in Burnham Overy Staithe. Onlookers and donations welcome. Just drop by. If coming from far, call ahead. Burnham Overy Staithe PE31 8JE www.growler.org.ukTel 07342 721218

Hunstanton Kayaks

Hire a kayak or join a tour out to the sandbanks. Also leads tours of the creeks at Burnham Overy Staithe. North Promenade, Hunstanton PE36 6GB www.hunstantonkayaks.co.ukTel 07810 188165

Hunstanton Watersports

Windsurfing, kite surfing, power kiting and paddle boarding. North Promenade, Hunstanton PE36 6GB www.hunstantonwatersports.comTel 01485 534455

Norfolk Etc.

Power boating, paddleboards and sailing. Morston Quay, NR25 7DJ www.norfolketc.co.ukTel 01263 740704

Norfolk Fishing Trips

Three-and-a-half or eight-and-a-half-hour sea fishing trips, for tope, bass and mackerel. Bring your own food and cook it on board. (See front page) Departs from Brancaster Staithe PE31 8BW www.norfolkfishingtrips.co.ukTel 07852 959528

North Norfolk Paddle Boards

Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JE. www.northnorfolkpaddleboards.co.ukTel 07768 123797

Rescue Wooden Boats

The organization’s Maritime Heritage Centre beside High Sand Campsite in Stiffkey reopens at the August bank holiday weekend, and will be open every Sunday (11am-4pm) until the end of October. You can still - even better perhaps – take a sail on the Lucy Lavers, RWB’s flagship restored lifeboat. See Wells Harbour tours, below. Maritime Heritage Centre, Stiffkey NR23 1QF www.rescuewoodenboats.com

Snettisham Beach Sailing Club

Offering RYA Level 2 (adult, approx. 16 hours) and Stage 2 and 3 (child, approx. 12 hrs each) courses. Can be completed over a weekend, or longer.  Snettisham Beach PE31 7RB www.snetbeach.co.ukContact James Trim 07938 190846 or courses.snet@gmail.com

Wells Harbour Tours

Runs tours of Wells Harbour, £5 or £10 per person depending on length of tour. Acts as water taxi out to the beach. Times of trips on Facebook and a sign board on the Quayside. Also helms trips on the Lucy Lavers, historic lifeboat. Wells-next-the-Sea Quay, NR23 1AT www.wellsharbourtours.co.ukTel 07747 401222

PICNIC SPOTS

Barrow Common

Heathland above Brancaster Staithe with open grass spaces, cosy woods and in some places fantastic views down to the sea and marshes. PE31 8DB

Binham Priory

Impressive ruins of a major priory centred on a surviving (and thriving) church. The Little Dairy (self service) Shop right beside it sells raw milk and fresh coffee. NR21 0DQ

Burnham Overy Staithe to Wells Woods

The dunes and woodland in the belt that runs from Burnham Overy Staithe all the way to Wells, via Holkham, has idyllic glades of ‘beechen green and shadows numberless’.

Creake Abbey

Small but perfectly formed abbey ruins very close to Creake Abbey café and shop. Perfect for on the spot supplies or take away from the café. NR21 9LF

Castle Acre Priory

‘One of the largest and best-preserved monastic sites in England, dating back to 1090’. Plenty of space. PE32 2XD

Kelling Heath

Trails and paths through the gorse lead to wooded glades and clearings with views across rolling farmland to the coast. Secluded. Car park: NR25 7ER

Nar River

Sweet riverside meadows and woodland near Westacre. Car park: PE32 1UE

Sheringham Country Park

National Trust. You must book a parking space online in advance. Great views across parkland laid out by Humphry Repton. www.nationaltrust.org.ukCafé open. NR26 8TL

Warham Camp

Well-preserved Iron Age fort, ideal for letting children run riot. Give them a football and see if they can kick it to the top of the ditch from the bottom. NR23 1NJ

Wiveton Downs
One for the geologists. Classic example of an esker. Also handy for the Wiveton Bell pub. Car park: NR25 7JP

MARKETS

Every Sunday. 11am-3pm. Holt Outdoor Makers Market. Local crafts and things. Appleyard, Holt. NR25 6AR

GARDENS

East Ruston Old Vicarage

An exotic coastal garden over 30 acres, and ongoing project. ‘Something for everyone.’ Guided tours by appointment. Picnic in the car park. Open Weds to Sun and bank holiday Mons, 12-5.30pm. Plant sales. East Ruston NR12 9HN www.eastrustonoldvicarage.co.ukTel 01692 651246

Hindringham Hall

Shortlisted for Historic Houses Garden of the Year Award, 2020. Surrounding the house and moat, the garden makes a perfect one-way social distanced walk with a diversion to the medieval fishponds that supplied the table of the Bishop of Norwich. Open Wed 10am-1pm and Sun 2-5pm. Café and toilets open. Hindringham NR21 0QA www.hindringhamhall.orgTel 01328 878226

Holkham Walled Garden

Six acres of walled garden dating from the late 1700s. Grows produce for Holkham’s food and drink venues, and hosts weddings and events. This year’s project is the restoration of the ornamental flower garden. Open daily, 10am-5pm. Entry by ticket only, best booked in advance. Holkham NR23 1ABwww.holkham.co.ukTel 01328 713111

Houghton Hall

The Walled Garden at Houghton is a magical Meaulnes-like escape. Covers five acres comprising a rose garden, ornamental gardens, herbaceous borders, a croquet lawn, even fruit and vegetables and works of art. It’s a wonderful spot to lose yourself for an hour or two. Entry to gardens only is £10. But we recommend the Anish Kapoor exhibition. (See Art) You must book online. Houghton Hall PE31 6TY www.houghtonhall.comTel 01485 528569

Gooderstone Water Garden

Twelve numbered bridges guide visitors to the Kingfisher Hide and other features. Open daily 10.30am-5pm. Last admission 4pm. Picnics welcome. Toilets open. If travelling from far, recommended to call ahead. 

Gooderstone PE33 9BP www.gooderstonewatergardens.c.ukTel 01603 712913

Merchant’s House, Blakeney

Two acres of ‘secret’ walled garden. The only ‘Open Garden for St. John Ambulance 2020’ in the area. Groups of up to six people by appointment. Picnics welcome. Open Mon and Thu. Entry fee £5 per person. Plants for sale for local charity. Blakeney NR25 7NT Tel 01263 740260. Go to www.justgiving.com/virtualgardensfor virtual tours of other St. John Ambulance gardens

West Acre Gardens

Strictly speaking, a nursery with a display section, but it’s a significant old walled garden, with seating and a café attached. Good wheelchair access. Free admission. Would make a good small tour combined with Gooderstone. Or bring the children and bikes and drop them at the new West Acre Estate bike trail. West Acre PE32 2BW www.westacregardens.co.ukTel 01760 755562 

HISTORIC HOUSES

Blickling Hall

National Trust. House still closed, park and gardens open. Book in advance. NR11 6NF www.nationaltrust.org.uk01263 738030

Felbrigg Hall

National Trust. House still closed, park and gardens open. Book in advance. NR11 8PP www.nationaltrust.org.uk01263 837444

Holkham Hall

Park and walled garden open. Also adventure playground and cycle hire. Food stalls at the weekends. NR23 1AB www.holkham.co.ukTel 01328 713111

Houghton Hall

See Art and Gardens above. www.houghtonhall.com

Mannington Hall

Gardens open on certain days. Hall closed. Estate open for walks. www.manningtongardens.co.uk

Oxburgh Hall

National Trust. House, park and gardens open. Book in advance. NR11 8PP www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Raynham Hall

House open for tours on certain days. See events and advert. Park and grounds open Mon to Sat, 10am-2pm. Park by church and take a wander. NR21 7EP www.raynhamhall.com01328 862133

Sandringham

House open from 6 Aug to 6 Oct. Choose a time slot and book online. Gardens open at weekends through August, 10am-5pm, last entry 4pm, also require pre-booking. Car parks open daily. Visitor Centre and gift shop open to limited numbers. Sandringham PE35 6EN www.sandringhamestate.co.uk01485 545400

NATURE

See also Boats

Norfolk Wildlife Trust

Car parks at Cley and Holme are open. Centres also open daily 10am-4pm. Hides remain closed. Volunteers are doing a heroic job of explaining the ins and outs to all visitors. NWT Cley NR25 7SA  www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.ukTel (Cley Centre) 01263 740008

North Norfolk Safaris

North Norfolk native and ex-worldwide nature filmmaker Martin Hayward Smith is running his popular safaris in his old Landrover, based from East Barsham. NR21 0LQ.  Full details on www.northnorfolksafaris.co.ukTel 01328 820660 or 07768 632838

Sculthorpe Hawk and Owl Trust

Reserve is open daily 8am-4pm, last entry 3pm. Entry to hides is limited to one person per window and you must wear a mask to enter. One way system in the visitor centre and use passing places on the boardwalks. Entry by donation of £6 per adult (children under 16 free)Sculthorpe NR21 9GN www.hawkandowltrust.orgTel 01328 856788

TRAINS

North Norfolk Railway

Limited service from Sheringham. Holt Station now open. Sheringham NR26 8RA www.nnrailway.co.uk01263 820800

Wells and Walsingham Light Railway

Running trains to Wighton Gap and back. Round trip 30 mins. Trains every hour on the hour from 10am to 4pm. £10 per ticket. Children under 5 go free. Wells-next-the-Sea NR23 1QB www.wwlr.co.uk01328 711630

SPORT/ACTIVITY

CYCLING

North Norfolk Wheelers

Road. No club rides yet but they have restarted their popular time trials. All comers welcome to have a go. £5 per TT for non-members. Usually every Tuesday evening at 7pm, somewhere near Holt. www.nnwheelers.co.ukfor full details.

Syderstone

MTB pump and jump and drop-off circuit in the woods just to the south of the village. You’ll find it.

West Acre Estate Trail

Brand new 15-mile off road route through woodland, with pump and jump circuit nearby. Call the estate office on 01760 755254 for more info and map. Centred on West Acre Village, PE32 2XB

GOLF

Royal Cromer Golf Club

Cromer, NR27 0JH. Clifftop course with stunning views, also the site of the first ever international golf match, in 1905. Open to non-members.  www.royalcromergolfclub.com Tel 01263 512884

Fakenham Fairways

Fakenham NR21 9SA. Driving range and nine-hole pitch and putt with a small café run by a very warm and welcoming team. ‘Fun for all the family’.  www.fakenhamfairways.uk Tel 01328 856614

Fakenham Golf Club

Fakenham, NR21 7NY. Offers ‘pay and play’, £25 for 18 holes. Open every day, dawn to dusk. A pleasant nine-hole course in and around Fakenham Racecourse and alongside the River Wensum. www.fakenhamgolfclub.co.uk Tel 01328 855678

Heacham Manor Golf Club

Heacham, PE31 7JX. Open to non-members and visitors. The hotel and club bar have pleasant outdoor areas and views. www.heacham-manor.co.uk/golf Tel 01485 579825

Hunstanton Golf Club

Hunstanton, PE36 6JQ. ‘A connoisseur’s course, jammed full of memorable quality golf holes’. Open to non-members, excepting Sat before 2pm. www.hunstantongolfclub.com Tel 01485 532811

Royal West Norfolk, Brancaster

Brancaster, PE31 8AX. Open to visitors but recommended to call well in advance. www.rwngc.org Tel (Club Sec) 01485 210087 or (Club Stewards/Clubhouse) 01485 210223

Sheringham

Sheringham, NR26 8HG. Clifftop long distance course with scenic steam trains. Open to visitors.  www.sheringhamgolfclub.co.uk Tel 01263 823488

Tilney Sports

Tilney All Saints, PE34 4RS. Nine hole pitch and put. Also ‘Footgolf’ and ‘Discgolf’. www.tilneysports.comTel 01553 827147

Tennis Courts

Courts on Clubspark can be booked online. Quickest way is to Google the location and ‘tennis club’. Phone numbers listed where available.

Blakeney

Behind village hall (free parking). Two hard courts. Non-members £10 per hour. www.blakeneyparishcouncil.org.uk or blakeneysc@icloud.com or 01263 740158

Brancaster

Two hard courts behind the village store and Post Office. Open to non-members. £5 per hour. Ask at the store. 

Brancaster Staithe

Two hard courts. £10 per hour for non-members. https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/DBSTennisClubor email tennis@brancasterstaithe.co.uk

Burnham Market

Two floodlit hard courts. Open to non-members. Club morning Sun 10am-12pm, open to all. https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/TheBurnhamsTennisClub

Burnham Overy Staithe

One court, Gong Lane, PE31 8JG. Open to non-members, £25 per hour. Tel 07758 633469 (see classified adverts for excellent local coach)

Cromer

Cromer Lawn Tennis and Squash Club, Norwich Rd. NR27 0EXFour floodlit hard courts and ten grass courts. £5 per hour for non-members. www.cromerltsa.co.ukTel 01263 513741

Fakenham Tennis Club

Part of the Fakenham Sports Centre at the Racecourse. Hard courts available to non-members. www.fakenham-tennis-club.co.uk  Tel 01328 862867

South Creake

Two grass courts in the middle of the picturesque village. Available for hire on ad-hoc basis. https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/SouthCreakeTennisClub Tel 01328 823377

Thornham

One floodlit court, with windbreak. £5 per hour. Currently members only. www.thornhamvillagehall.co.uk/tennis

Wells-next-the-Sea

Two hard courts in centre of town. Open to non-members. https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/wellstowntennisclub Tel 01328 710752

Bicycle shops/repairs

Huff and Puff

Rental, bike sales and repairs. Efficient and friendly operation in Kelling Heath Holiday Park, NR25 7HW. www.huffandpuffcycles.co.uk Tel 07500 865095

Black Bikes

Classic small town small bike shop, family run, excellent service. Sheringham NR26 8EH www.black-bikes.co.uk Tel 01263 822255

Open Sky Cycles

Brand new bike repair and retail operation set up by one of the former Hunstanton Fat Birds crew. Collects and delivers bikes for repair. Coffee and home made cakes in the store. Having used their services for many years, we highly recommend. Heacham Bottom PE31 7PQ www.openskycycles.co.ukTel 07786 396396

Pedal Revolution Norwich

Since the demise of Fat Birds in Hunstanton, this is the nearest big shop for roadies, MTBers, Mamils and Puffins. Excellent service and wide range of brands, parts, extras and clothing. Organizing new style events. Bethel St, Norwich. NR2 1NR www.pedalrevolution.co.uk 01603 614400

South Creake Cycles

A local institution. Large selection of second-hand bikes, all sorts. Low prices. Repairs. Ask for Michael. Open daily 9am-6.30pm. The Common, on the B1355 just south of South Creake. NR21 9JA Tel  01328 823036 

Bicycle Hire

Bike Art

High Lodge, Thetford. Open daily 9am-5pm. No bookings, hence only standard bikes available. For bike hire bring a passport or photo id such as driving licence. Café open for take-outs. Thetford Forest IP27 0AF www.bikearthire.cc Tel 01842 810090

Holkham Cycle Hire

Holkham Hall. Open daily 9am-5pm. No pre-booking. Adult bikes from £18 per day. Holkham Hall, NR23 1AB www.holkham.co.ukTel 01328 713071

Huff and puff

See Shops/repairs above.

On Yer Bike

Remote location but they deliver. 20 hybrids, 12 children’s bikes, 2 electric bikes. Nutwood Farm, Binham Rd, Wighton, NR23 1NX www.norfolkcyclehire.co.uk Tel 07584 308120

Wells Bike Hire

Selection of hybrid bikes. Wells-next-the-Sea NR23 1HG www.wellsbikehire.co.uk Tel 07920 016405