1. Ruins of St Mary’s Church – East Somerton
Set within the grounds of Burnley Hall, St Mary’s, a perpendicular church built in the 15th century is one of the top 7 local places near Hemsby. Originally a parish church, but later used as a chapel for the residents of Burnley Hall, the building fell into disuse during the 17th century.
It is often said that centuries ago, a witch with a wooden leg was buried alive in St Mary’s and from her leg, a large oak tree grew and destroyed the church. Today the tree can be found growing in the middle of the original nave.
Barnum signed him for his American Museum and Robert was exhibited in New York and was known as the Norfolk Giant. While with Barnum, he met and ‘married’ the giantess Eliza Simpson. He toured with Barnum for 2 years before he went back to England, tired of touring.
Caister Castle is a 15th-century moted castle situated in the parish of West Caister, some 5 km (3.1 mi) north of the town of Great Yarmouth in the English county of Norfolk.
The castle had a 100 ft (33 m) high tower and was built between 1432 and 1446 by Sir John Fastolf, who (along with Sir John Oldcastle) was an inspiration for William Shakespeare‘s Falstaff. The castle suffered severe damage in 1469 when it was besieged and captured by the Duke of Norfolk. The castle, other than the tower, fell into ruin after 1600 when a new house was built nearby.
4. National Reserve at Hickling Broad
Hickling Broad is a 600-hectare (1,500-acre) nature reserve 4 km south-east of Stalham, north-east of Norwich in Norfolk. It is managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust.[1] It is a National Nature Reserve[2]and part of the Upper Thurne Broads and Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest[3] and Hickling Broad and Horsey Mere Nature Conservation Review site, Grade I.[4] It is in the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,[5] and part of the Broadland Ramsar site[6] and Special Protection Area,[7] and The Broads Special Area of Conservation.
5. Thurne Mill
Finishing its working life in 1936, it has now been restored to full working order and is one of only a handful that can be seen turning majestically in the wind.
The mill can be reached by road, footpath or boat and the unspoilt, picturesque village of Thurne boasts a shop and is home to the Lion Inn
6. How Hill
How Hill National Nature Reserve forms a large area of established fen within the River Ant valley, north of Ludham Bridge. It is remarkable for its variety of Broads habitats. The reserve is of national and international importance for nature conservation, supporting a wide range of wetland plant communities and associated birds, insects and animal species.
There is lots to see and do at How Hill. Why not visit the Broads information centre Toad Hole Cottage? You’ll find heaps of information, and you can have a look around to see how life was for a marshman and his family in the Broads many years ago.
A medieval monastery of the Order of Saint Benedict, also known as St Benet’s at Holme or Hulme. It was situated on the River Bure within the Broads in Norfolk, England.[1] St Benet is a medieval English version of the name of St Benedict of Nursia, hailed as the founder of western monasticism. At the period of the Dissolution of the Monasteries the abbey‘s possessions were in effect seized by the crown and assigned to the diocese of Norwich. Though the monastery was supposed to continue as a community, within a few years at least the monks had dispersed. Today there remain only ruins.
Belle Aire Holiday Park is the perfect base for exploring what Norfolk has to offer. Whether you want to wander up the road to bask in the golden sands of Hemsby Beach or planning on visiting top 7 local places near Hemsby, we are the ideal jumping off point for a beach holiday in Norfolk.