John Betjeman said ‘I am still reeling with delight at the soaring majesty of Norfolk'.
Our trip to Norfolk began at the Urban Jungle Garden Centre. A place specialising in tropical plants and a must for anyone wanting to create their own piece of paradise at home (as we have). Crucially though, the garden centre has a lovely cafe and toilets!
The café leads to a large indoor koi carp pond and to an incredible selection of indoor plants both very small so you can nurture them yourself and giants that you would need to take home on a fork-lift truck.
A few photos of our tiny slice of paradise below although they don't give the full effect. The colours are only just beginning but the range of tropical plants you can grow in this country is amazing and the foliage alone gives so much interest all year round.
Our accommodation for this trip looks out onto the town square where there is still a small market twice a week. The square has a number of shops, tea rooms, restaurants and a pub.
The boutique hotel is a grade 2 listed building. Each room is uniquely furnished and all are inspired by the old market trades of the area.
We found it was really well located for so many places, including the coast, Norfolk Broads and much more.
People have lived in this area since prehistoric times. About 500 AD a Saxon named 'Aegel' settled and 'Aegel's ham' became Alysham over time. In 1066, it was recorded in the Domesday Book as a large and important place with a population of 1000.
John of Gaunt was Lord of the Manor in 1372 and Alysham was famous for fine linen which was supplied to the royal palaces of Edward II and III. By the 16th century, the linen industry had declined and woollens were being made instead.
The castle was founded by William the Conqueror between 1066 and 1075. The stone keep that you can see in the photo looks like it was built yesterday.
It has, as with most castles, a fascinating history and has been a prison for most of its existence (until 1887).
The site is currently undergoing a significant redevelopment and is due to reopen later in 2024.
William the Conqueror had a number of Saxon homes demolished to make way for the castle earthworks and defensive ditches.
In 1094, William II begins work on the stone keep, shipping limestone in from France at a cost of over three times the original stone. I would suggest he got his money's worth as the stone looks pristine!
We were able to walk through the gardens, hidden away from the streets full of shops opposite.
There is also a museum and art gallery on the site.
We were really lucky with the weather during our trip, enjoying an ice cream as we wandered along the sea front and pier with the warm sun on our backs.
The pier (pictured below) is an example of Victorian engineering hardly changed over the years and boasts the only remaining traditional end-of-pier variety show.
It also houses the town's lifeboat station (which you can visit and buy from the shop).
Cromer Pier has won Pier of the Year in 2024 and for the third time.