Christine’s guidebook
Towns and villages we love
Pretty Heydon is an idyllic example of unspoiled rural England just 5.3 miles from Carpenters Yard. One of the last privately owned villages in Britain, visit the fabulous tea room or browse the small collection of artisan shops.
Heydon
Pretty Heydon is an idyllic example of unspoiled rural England just 5.3 miles from Carpenters Yard. One of the last privately owned villages in Britain, visit the fabulous tea room or browse the small collection of artisan shops.
Thornham
One of our favourite places on the coast
Reepham is a pretty little Georgian town just 5 miles away and well worth a visit. Reepham has a chemist, flower shop, antique shops and deli in the picturesque market square and a couple of small super markets.
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Reepham
Reepham is a pretty little Georgian town just 5 miles away and well worth a visit. Reepham has a chemist, flower shop, antique shops and deli in the picturesque market square and a couple of small super markets.
Pretty Broads village with great ice cream kiosk on the green and Broads boat trips.
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Horning
Pretty Broads village with great ice cream kiosk on the green and Broads boat trips.
Old Hunstanton has fabulous beaches and a great beach cafe (only open in Summer) It’s a lovely walk (east) to Holme or take a stroll to Hunstanton for a traditional seaside town vibe, great ice cream next to the pitch and putt.
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Alter Hunstanton Strand
Old Hunstanton has fabulous beaches and a great beach cafe (only open in Summer) It’s a lovely walk (east) to Holme or take a stroll to Hunstanton for a traditional seaside town vibe, great ice cream next to the pitch and putt.
Shopping
Pretty Georgian town with lots of independent shops
Holt
A little hidden gem a few miles from Wells-next -the-Sea selling artisan coffee, cakes and a fabulous collection of gorgeous homewares.
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Stiffkey Stores
Wells RoadA little hidden gem a few miles from Wells-next -the-Sea selling artisan coffee, cakes and a fabulous collection of gorgeous homewares.
Drove Orchards is an eclectic collection of shops from lifestyle garden and fashion to farm produce and Brancaster Oysters. Just past Thornham on the beautiful North Norfolk coast it is well worth a visit.
Drove Orchards
Drove Orchards is an eclectic collection of shops from lifestyle garden and fashion to farm produce and Brancaster Oysters. Just past Thornham on the beautiful North Norfolk coast it is well worth a visit.
Sightseeing
Pretty harbour and nice place to discover individual local shops. Park in the town or in the large car park by Wells Beach Cafe (1.3 miles along the beach road) to access the fabulous Wells/Holkham beach and pinewoods
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Wells-next-the-Sea
Pretty harbour and nice place to discover individual local shops. Park in the town or in the large car park by Wells Beach Cafe (1.3 miles along the beach road) to access the fabulous Wells/Holkham beach and pinewoods
Picturesque, quirky shopping, lovely harbour and walks. We often take a picnic in the Land Rover and just watch the sun go down.
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Blakeney
Picturesque, quirky shopping, lovely harbour and walks. We often take a picnic in the Land Rover and just watch the sun go down.
The most fabulous stately home in Norfolk in our opinion, a must see.
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Holkham Hall
Holkham RoadThe most fabulous stately home in Norfolk in our opinion, a must see.
Huge beach backed by pinewoods, great walking and bird watching
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Holkham Beach
Huge beach backed by pinewoods, great walking and bird watching
Fabulous stately home, look out for events and exhibitions throughout the year
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Houghton Hall & Gardens
Bircham RoadFabulous stately home, look out for events and exhibitions throughout the year
Blickling Anwesen
Our favourite National Trust property in Norfolk
Sheringham Park
Great walks and woodland reaching down to the coast.
National Trust restored Windpump and cafe. Check out nearby Winterton-on-Sea for seals in the winter and beach walks in the summer.
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Horsey Windpump
National Trust restored Windpump and cafe. Check out nearby Winterton-on-Sea for seals in the winter and beach walks in the summer.
One of our favourite places on the North Norfolk Coast, no shops just beautiful scenery, paddle boarding in high season and a few nice pubs, great if you just want to chill. Alternatively you can walk to the lovely beach, its about 20 minutes from the (free) car park and not as for as the walk to Blakeney Point !
Burnham Overy Staithe Beach
One of our favourite places on the North Norfolk Coast, no shops just beautiful scenery, paddle boarding in high season and a few nice pubs, great if you just want to chill. Alternatively you can walk to the lovely beach, its about 20 minutes from the (free) car park and not as for as the walk to Blakeney Point !
The Norfolk Coast Path runs from Hunstanton in west Norfolk to Sea Palling on the north east Norfolk coast, a dramatic landscape and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You can walk sections of the path using the Coast Liner and Hopper bus, summer time table in the Carpenters info folder
Norfolk Coast Path, Hunstanton PE36, Vereinigtes Königreich
The Norfolk Coast Path runs from Hunstanton in west Norfolk to Sea Palling on the north east Norfolk coast, a dramatic landscape and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You can walk sections of the path using the Coast Liner and Hopper bus, summer time table in the Carpenters info folder
Wildlife
Just a few miles up the road.
Pensthorpe Nature Reserve
Horsey Gap
City/town information
Norwich has been ranked as one of the top places to visit in the UK. This beautiful historic city is just 18 miles away., less than 30 minutes to drive. Headliners include 2 cathedrals, the largest covered market in Europe and the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts. We love Elm Hill with its timber framed houses, cobbled streets and independent shops, walking by the river and the fabulous old department store Jarrolds.
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Norwich
Norwich has been ranked as one of the top places to visit in the UK. This beautiful historic city is just 18 miles away., less than 30 minutes to drive. Headliners include 2 cathedrals, the largest covered market in Europe and the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts. We love Elm Hill with its timber framed houses, cobbled streets and independent shops, walking by the river and the fabulous old department store Jarrolds.
Food scene
Norfolk has amazing food ! If you are lucky enough to be here on the first Saturday of the month the farmers market at Creake Abbey is a must. Local produce can be found at the many farm shops and delis including Algys farm shop just 1.3 miles away. Here is a selection of our favourite places to eat.
Binham Priory is one of the most complete monastic ruins in Norfolk and an impressive site. Next to Binham Priory you will find The Parlour, one of our favourite destinations for brunch or afternoon tea. Its about 12 miles from Carpenters Yard, through some pretty Norfolk villages
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Binham Priory
Warham RoadBinham Priory is one of the most complete monastic ruins in Norfolk and an impressive site. Next to Binham Priory you will find The Parlour, one of our favourite destinations for brunch or afternoon tea. Its about 12 miles from Carpenters Yard, through some pretty Norfolk villages
One of our favourites restaurants for celebrating a special occassion.
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The Brisley Bell Inn
The GreenOne of our favourites restaurants for celebrating a special occassion.
We are so lucky to have a village pub, The Queens Head, its a real hub for the village community. Just across the road from Carpenters Yard they serve great food and often host live music and other events.
The Queens Head Steak and Grill
We are so lucky to have a village pub, The Queens Head, its a real hub for the village community. Just across the road from Carpenters Yard they serve great food and often host live music and other events.
This award winning restaurant just 12 miles away is in a beautiful setting and serves great food.
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Sculthorpe Mill
Lynn RoadThis award winning restaurant just 12 miles away is in a beautiful setting and serves great food.
The Pigs at Edgefied, one of our go to restaurants as you can usually get a table and the food is reasonably priced.
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The Pigs
Norwich RoadThe Pigs at Edgefied, one of our go to restaurants as you can usually get a table and the food is reasonably priced.
The Gunton Arms at Thorpe Market near Cromer (NR11 8TZ ) is about 30 minutes away but well worth a visit. Set in a beautiful deer park it is perfect for lazy lunches in front of the super cosy inglenook fire. For lazy summer lunches and fab cocktails check out their sister pub The Suffield Arms.
The Gunton Arms
The Gunton Arms at Thorpe Market near Cromer (NR11 8TZ ) is about 30 minutes away but well worth a visit. Set in a beautiful deer park it is perfect for lazy lunches in front of the super cosy inglenook fire. For lazy summer lunches and fab cocktails check out their sister pub The Suffield Arms.
A recent discovery for us, great food and outside space, 30 minute drive through pretty Norfolk countryside to the village where Nelson was born !
The Lord Nelson
Walsingham RoadA recent discovery for us, great food and outside space, 30 minute drive through pretty Norfolk countryside to the village where Nelson was born !
Just 15 minutes from Carpenters Yard Fat Cow Burgers is a unique dining experience. Set in a beautiful wild flower meadow with seating the perfect spot on a summers evening for fabulous burgers and ice cream. Open Thursday to Sunday 12 .00 - 9.00 pm throughout the summer months.
Fat Cow Norfolk
Just 15 minutes from Carpenters Yard Fat Cow Burgers is a unique dining experience. Set in a beautiful wild flower meadow with seating the perfect spot on a summers evening for fabulous burgers and ice cream. Open Thursday to Sunday 12 .00 - 9.00 pm throughout the summer months.
Cromer is not our first choice for a traditional seaside town we prefer the more chilled Wells-Next-The-Sea but it does have the best fish and chips in Norfolk. The restaurant overlooks the sea or you they do take away. Be prepared to queue but it is worth the wait
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No1 Cromer
1 New StCromer is not our first choice for a traditional seaside town we prefer the more chilled Wells-Next-The-Sea but it does have the best fish and chips in Norfolk. The restaurant overlooks the sea or you they do take away. Be prepared to queue but it is worth the wait
Just 3 miles from the cottage this is our favourite place for breakfast or lunch. Lovely fresh home made food in a single story barn just of the main road at Bawderswell.
The Horkey Kitchen
Just 3 miles from the cottage this is our favourite place for breakfast or lunch. Lovely fresh home made food in a single story barn just of the main road at Bawderswell.
A pretty drive 25 minute through rural Norfolk takes you to the Painted Barn. Fantastic lunch destination with a great homewares section to browse.
The Painted Barn Ltd
A pretty drive 25 minute through rural Norfolk takes you to the Painted Barn. Fantastic lunch destination with a great homewares section to browse.
Gardens
If like me you love your garden here are some of my favourite must see places
Probably the most famous garden in Norfolk, a series of garden rooms full of rare and exotic plants.
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Garten der East Ruston Old Vicarage
Vicarage RoadProbably the most famous garden in Norfolk, a series of garden rooms full of rare and exotic plants.
West Acre Garden
Tumbleyhill RoadA little hidden gem of a nursery just 15 minutes away with unusual perennials and a great selection of hostas and ferns. Not open everyday so check before visiting
Dover Farm Nurseries
A little hidden gem of a nursery just 15 minutes away with unusual perennials and a great selection of hostas and ferns. Not open everyday so check before visiting