North Norfolk

Thornham is surrounded by lovely ancient trackways and coastal walks along dunes, sweeping beaches and cliff tops. There is a marked sense of history to be gained by visiting Norfolk’s hidden gems such as the villages of Walsingham, Aylsham, Bacton, Binham, Castle Acre, Castle Rising etc with their lovely medieval centres, ruined priories, monasteries and castles.

At various points along the coast old silted up harbours can be identified, outlined by the houses and churches that surround them, strung along the old harbour roads, now simply tracks, a reminder of when in medieval times these ports were some of the most important in the country trading with Europe in grain, barley, salt fish and timber.

Birdwatching is a big draw for people on the North Norfolk Coast, in particular for the Marsh Harriers, Barn Owls, a wide variety of wading birds and spectacular skenes of geese at dusk. Birds can be seen everywhere and in particular the nearby RSPB Reserves at Titchwell, Redwell Marsh, Dersingham, Holme Dunes, Holkham, Scolt Head and further afield.

Nearby stately homes with gardens are open to the public, such as Houghton Hall, Holkham Hall and the Queen’s country estate at Sandringham. Brancaster Staithe is available for dinghy sailing, sailboard hire (tuition available) and boat trips, including seal watching. Local golf courses on the whole welcome visitors.

Burnham Market is a 30 minute drive from Thornham and is a characterful Georgian market town often used as a backdrop in period costume dramas. Holt, 45 minutes away, is a bustling market town which parades a host of old-fashioned shops. Wells, 20 minutes away, is a quaint and old-fashioned town on the sea front which is still used as a fishing port. Brancaster Staithe is home to probably the best fish shop in the area serving fresh Grimsby produce daily. In Brancaster harbour the fish shed is well known for its fresh, home-made crab sandwiches as well as its other local produce. Burnham Thorpe, the birth place of Nelson, retains in its parish church a lectern which is said to be made from timbers taken from his ship HMS Victory.

Mallards Cottage is within easy reach of more traditional seaside entertainment for all ages and shopping in Hunstanton, a charming old-world seaside town which is a ten minute drive from Thornham. Hunstanton has a Tesco’s and a Sainsbury’s as well as beachfront amusements, fun fair, swimming pool, bowling alley, bandstand concerts, open air bowling, entertainment on the green, a theatre and its famous sea life sanctuary which is open to the public.

Hunstanton

Wells

Holt

Burnham Market

Cley next the Sea

Great Walsingham

Binham

Kings Lynn

Blakeney

Brancaster Staithe

Stiffkey