The North West of Norfolk

• Eating Out
• Family Attraction
• The Great Outdoors
• The Arts
• Historical Interest

The historically-significant sites of West Norfolk are always worth visiting. The pretty ruins of Castle Acre are a great place to enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside, while the historic port and town of King's Lynn has many notable buildings - its Custom House was described by architect Nikolaus Pevsner as "one of the most perfect buildings ever built". The stately home of Holkham Hall - where the movie The Duchess was filmed - is set in beautifully landscaped gardens and is certainly a jewel in Norfolk's architectural crown.

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  Castle RisingCastle Rising Castle is one of the most famous 12th Century castles in England. The stone keep, built in around 1140ad, is amongst the finest surviving examples of its kind anywhere in the country and, together with the massive surrounding earthworks, ensures that Rising is a castle of national importance.

  Castle Rising Castle is one of the most famous 12th Century castles in England. The stone keep, built in around 1140ad, is amongst the finest surviving examples of its kind anywhere in the country and, together with the massive surrounding earthworks, ensures that Rising is a castle of national importance.

  Tel: 01553 631330

  Kings Lynn, Norfolk. PE31 6AH

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  Kings Lynn Town MuseumA whole gallery is devoted to telling the story of these unique 4,000 year old timbers which includes a life size replica of the Bronze Age circle. Around half of the original timbers are housed in a display which echoes their beach findspot. The gallery reveals information about the people who created the monument and the details revealed by a study of the timbers. Seahenge timbers in case Seahenge is a stunning centrepiece to the new displays at the Lynn Museum. The story of west Norfolk is continued in the main gallery, which narrates the tale from the Iron Age to the 20th century.

  A whole gallery is devoted to telling the story of these unique 4,000 year old timbers which includes a life size replica of the Bronze Age circle. Around half of the original timbers are housed in a display which echoes their beach findspot. The gallery reveals information about the people who created the monument and the details revealed by a study of the timbers. Seahenge timbers in case Seahenge is a stunning centrepiece to the new displays at the Lynn Museum. The story of west Norfolk is continued in the main gallery, which narrates the tale from the Iron Age to the 20th century.

  Tel: 01553 775001

  Lynn Museum, Market Street, King's Lynn, Norfolk. PE30 1NL

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  Castle AcreThe delightful village of Castle Acre boasts an extraordinary wealth of history. Situated on the Peddar's Way, a major trade and pilgrim route to Thetford, Bromholm Priory and Walsingham, it is a very rare and complete survival of a Norman planned settlement, including a castle, town, parish church and associated monastery. All this is the work of a great Norman baronial family, the Warennes, mainly during the 11th and 12th centuries.

  The delightful village of Castle Acre boasts an extraordinary wealth of history. Situated on the Peddar's Way, a major trade and pilgrim route to Thetford, Bromholm Priory and Walsingham, it is a very rare and complete survival of a Norman planned settlement, including a castle, town, parish church and associated monastery. All this is the work of a great Norman baronial family, the Warennes, mainly during the 11th and 12th centuries.

  Tel:

  Swaffham, Norfolk.

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  HoughtonThe residence of Great Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole with magnificent interiors designed by William Kent in the early 18th Century. Houghton Hall has received the “Garden of the Year Award” from Christies and the Historic Houses Association in recognition of the renovation of the 5-acre walled garden which began in 1991

  The residence of Great Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole with magnificent interiors designed by William Kent in the early 18th Century. Houghton Hall has received the “Garden of the Year Award” from Christies and the Historic Houses Association in recognition of the renovation of the 5-acre walled garden which began in 1991

  Tel: 01553 612908

  The Administrator, Houghton Hall, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE31 6UE

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  HolkhamHOLKHAM HALL, home of the Coke family and the Earls of Leicester, was built between 1734 and 1764 by Thomas Coke, the first Earl of Leicester. This Palladian style mansion reflects Thomas Coke's appreciation of classical art developed during his six-year-long Grand Tour of Europe. By the time he returned to Norfolk in 1718, Thomas had bought many valuable and unique manuscripts and printed books, along with many great works of art and statuary.

  HOLKHAM HALL, home of the Coke family and the Earls of Leicester, was built between 1734 and 1764 by Thomas Coke, the first Earl of Leicester. This Palladian style mansion reflects Thomas Coke's appreciation of classical art developed during his six-year-long Grand Tour of Europe. By the time he returned to Norfolk in 1718, Thomas had bought many valuable and unique manuscripts and printed books, along with many great works of art and statuary.

  Tel: 01328 711707

  Holkham Hall, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk. NR23 1AB

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  OxburghOxburgh's secret doors and priest's hole make this a house of mystery and history. Step back in time through the magnificent Tudor gatehouse into the dangerous world of Tudor politics. Home to the Bedingfeld family since 1482, this stunning red-brick house charts their history from medieval austerity to neo-Gothic Victorian comfort. As well as early Mortlake tapestries in the Queen's Room, Oxburgh houses beautiful embroidered hangings by Mary, Queen of Scots, and Bess of Hardwick. Panoramic views from the roof look out over the Victorian French parterre, walled orchard, kitchen garden and a Catholic chapel. There are quizzes, trails and dressing-up clothes to try on, and charming woodland walks.

  Oxburgh's secret doors and priest's hole make this a house of mystery and history. Step back in time through the magnificent Tudor gatehouse into the dangerous world of Tudor politics. Home to the Bedingfeld family since 1482, this stunning red-brick house charts their history from medieval austerity to neo-Gothic Victorian comfort. As well as early Mortlake tapestries in the Queen's Room, Oxburgh houses beautiful embroidered hangings by Mary, Queen of Scots, and Bess of Hardwick. Panoramic views from the roof look out over the Victorian French parterre, walled orchard, kitchen garden and a Catholic chapel. There are quizzes, trails and dressing-up clothes to try on, and charming woodland walks.

  Tel: 01366 328258

  Oxbrugh Hall, Garden & Estate, Oxbrugh, King's Lynn, Norfolk. PE33 9PS

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  True's Yard Fisherfolk MuseumTrue's Yard is all that remains of King's Lynn's old fishing community, the North End, which existed for hundreds of years, and which was finally demolished in the clearances of the 1930’s and the 1960’s. Once hundreds of families lived within a stone's throw of their chapel of St Nicholas, which still dominates the area, and the North End had its own boat builders, chandlers, sail makers, pubs, bake houses and school. Now, although the fishing fleet still sails regularly from King's Lynn, the old way of life has gone.

  True's Yard is all that remains of King's Lynn's old fishing community, the North End, which existed for hundreds of years, and which was finally demolished in the clearances of the 1930’s and the 1960’s. Once hundreds of families lived within a stone's throw of their chapel of St Nicholas, which still dominates the area, and the North End had its own boat builders, chandlers, sail makers, pubs, bake houses and school. Now, although the fishing fleet still sails regularly from King's Lynn, the old way of life has gone.

  Tel: 01553 770479

  North Street, King's Lynn, Norfolk. PE30 1QW

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  Denver WindmillDenver Windmill is a Grade II tower mill at Denver, Norfolk, England which has been restored to full working order.

  Denver Windmill is a Grade II tower mill at Denver, Norfolk, England which has been restored to full working order.

  Tel: 01366 384009

  Denver, Downham Market. PE38 EG

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  Collectors WorldWhatever your age you will enjoy a visit to Collectors World which has become a highly popular tourist attraction in Norfolk. Set in beautiful tranquil grounds, with peacocks and doves, just west of Downham Market, so vast and fascinating is Collectors World and the Magical Dickens Experience that at least 2 hours should be set aside for a visit - longer if you wish to visit the animal sanctuary or walk along the mile and a half river frontage on the River Great Ouse. A delightful picnic area is available, plus tea room and gift shop. As well as the museums and the Dickens Experience, you may also take the opportunity to visit The Hermitage Hall All Faiths Religious Centre, which can be used by all denominations. On the site of a Mediaeval Monastery, the ancient pilgrims stopped and rested in the 'slipper chapel' on their way to Walsingham.

  Whatever your age you will enjoy a visit to Collectors World which has become a highly popular tourist attraction in Norfolk. Set in beautiful tranquil grounds, with peacocks and doves, just west of Downham Market, so vast and fascinating is Collectors World and the Magical Dickens Experience that at least 2 hours should be set aside for a visit - longer if you wish to visit the animal sanctuary or walk along the mile and a half river frontage on the River Great Ouse. A delightful picnic area is available, plus tea room and gift shop. As well as the museums and the Dickens Experience, you may also take the opportunity to visit The Hermitage Hall All Faiths Religious Centre, which can be used by all denominations. On the site of a Mediaeval Monastery, the ancient pilgrims stopped and rested in the 'slipper chapel' on their way to Walsingham.

  Tel: 01366 383185

  Downham Market. PE38 0AU

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  Iceni VillageThe Iceni Village is a reconstruction of the type of village occupied by a British tribe, the Iceni, shortly before the Roman occupation-about 2,000 years ago. The Iceni lived in the northern part of what is now called East Anglia. They probably entered the area some time in the last few centuries before Christ. Their territory came under Roman rule after the invasion of Claudius in 43AD. They staged an unsuccessful rebellion in 60-61AD: after that we have no record of them. Culturally, they belonged to the Iron Age-that is, they could smelt iron and work it into weapons and utensils, often with great skill, but they were illiterate. There is archaeological evidence that around the time of Christ there was a settlement at Cockley Cley.

  The Iceni Village is a reconstruction of the type of village occupied by a British tribe, the Iceni, shortly before the Roman occupation-about 2,000 years ago. The Iceni lived in the northern part of what is now called East Anglia. They probably entered the area some time in the last few centuries before Christ. Their territory came under Roman rule after the invasion of Claudius in 43AD. They staged an unsuccessful rebellion in 60-61AD: after that we have no record of them. Culturally, they belonged to the Iron Age-that is, they could smelt iron and work it into weapons and utensils, often with great skill, but they were illiterate. There is archaeological evidence that around the time of Christ there was a settlement at Cockley Cley.

  Tel: 01760 724588

  Cockley Cley, Swaffham, Norfolk. PE37 8AG