Norfolk, a county of vast beaches, medieval buildings and nature reserves
This historic county has much to offer in the way of outdoor pursuits. Its vast beaches include the one at Holkham made famous when Gwynetth Paltrow walked across it at the end of Shakespeare in Love). The Broads, a network of inland waterways, is loved by sailors. And there are numerous walking trails (Peddars Way, The Weavers Way, etc) and cycling routes. Wildlife lovers come to visit the National Nature Reserve at Blakeney (with boat trips to Blakeney Point at high tide to see seals), and the Titchwell Marsh Nature Reserve, with its RSPB bird sanctuary.
The country town, Norwich, once the centre of trade with the Low Countries, has a magnificent Anglican cathedral, many fine old churches, and remains of medieval buildings. Art lovers can visit the well-preserved Norman castle. Popular seaside resorts include Great Yarmouth and Cromer. Wells-Next-The-Sea is a holiday venue and fishing port. King’s Lynn, on the River Ouse, formerly one of England’s chief fishing ports, has the largest surviving 15th-century guildhall in England, and some interesting old churches; the Queen’s country mansion, Sandringham, which can be visited when the royal family is not in residence, stands in 60-acre grounds nearby.
