North Norfolk Living High Summer 2025

Norfolk North LIVING

Contents High Summer 2025

AVERY warm welcome to our high summer issue of North Norfolk Living Magazine

- as I write, we’re peak late June heat wave, and the sea lavender is in full bloom on the marshes, one of my highlights of life on the coast.

And speaking of full, we’ve a jam-packed, bumper issue for you, with plenty of inspiration for your North Norfolk summer, whether that means familyfriendly events and activities, immersing yourself in the arts scene, getting back to nature, maybe a spot of retail therapy or enjoying a taste of local foodie hotspots. And that really is just the half of it!

I hope you enjoy your North Norfolk summer - we’ll be back in the autumn.

Amanda Loose

Editor

This issue’s cover features ‘Fishermen of Cromer’ by local artist Samuel Thomas. You can see more of Samuel’s work at www.samuelthomasart.co.uk and at The Garden House Gallery in Cromer, the venue for his summer exhibition from 11 to 31 August; www.gardenhousegallery.co.uk

@northnorfolkliving

North Norfolk Living Magazine www.northnorfolkliving.co.uk

Editor Amanda Loose

Email: amanda@northnorfolkliving.co.uk 07796 645427

Write to North Norfolk Living Magazine, PO Box 208, Stamford. Lincs. PE9 9FY

Advertising Manager

Bridget Steele 01733 707538 / 07745 107897

Email bridget@northnorfolkliving.co.uk

Head of Design

Steven Handley

Publisher Nicholas Rudd-Jones 01780 765571

Email: nicholas@bestlocalliving.co.uk

Published by North Norfolk Living Limited

www.northnorfolkliving.co.uk 01780 765571

Printed by Warners of Bourne

Details correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change

5-10

HEADLINING THIS SEASON

What’s on, what’s good and where to go

12-21 NORFOLK PEOPLE

Historian Steve Snelling explains the significance of VJ Day in the region; Harriet Cooper chats to the local brands celebrating milestone birthdays and Norfolk author Rachel Hore shares her guide to North Norfolk

23-32 SUMMER BY NUMBERS

Sarah Hardy presents her 10 must-dos for summer in North Norfolk, and we’ve rounded up more than 25 ways to get your culture fix this season

37-48

ARTS & CULTURE

From exhibitions to recent reads, culture for kids and an interview with local author Heidi Swain, we share our guide to the high summer arts scene in North Norfolk

53-57 STYLE

Harriet Cooper discovers the local labels to know and shop now, and we earn our stripes!

58-64

BEAUTY & WELLBEING

News and notes; Harriet Cooper learns more about rosacea and the products which can help; we road-test beauty products for those neglected areas and uncover Norfolk’s wild sauna movement

68-74

REWILDING

10 ways to get back to nature this summer, go wild with Robin Chittenden and Natalie Douglas shines a spotlight on some of North Norfolk’s conservation projects and heroes

79-94 LIVING

Green-fingered news and floral experiences; Sarah Hardy gets the lowdown on kitchens, Niobe Wray-Shaw shares fantastic Norfolk finds for greener living and Rachel Bowles enjoys a day out in Hunstanton

97-108 FOOD & DRINK

What’s on the menu? A generous helping of foodie news, taprooms to visit, the perfect summer picnic and lunch spots galore

110 THE LAST WORD

We meet the founders of LILAC, a Norfolk fundraising group celebrating its 20th anniversary this year

Hello summer!

FEAST IN THE PARK

Relax in Holkham Park with mouthwatering street food from Norfolk’s best food trucks. 19th-20th, 26th-27th July, 2nd-3rd, 16th-17th, 23rd-25th August

THEATRE IN THE WALLED GARDEN

See Twelfth Night and The Big Bad Wolf. 5th, 12th August

FAMILY HOLIDAY FUN

Enjoy pond dipping, tractor trailer tours, GoGo Safari and youth art workshops. Throughout the summer holidays

WELLBEING AND CRAFT WORKSHOPS

Experience soundbathing, oil painting, willow weaving, forest bathing and floragami. Various dates

See more events at holkham.co.uk

Headlining this season... All summer long

From world-famous artworks in Cromer to a lesson in maritime history in Wells-next-the-Sea, these events run through the duration of the season, so no need to worry you’ve missed the boat, says Harriet Cooper

Combine history with contemporary art at Wolterton Wolterton Hall, one of Norfolk’s finest 18th-century Palladian stately homes, has opened its doors to the public for the first time in a generation, with the owners also launching a contemporary arts and culture programme. The inaugural exhibition ‘Sea State’ showcases new work by Maggi Hambling and Ro Robertson (until 7 December), plus Dutch collective De Onkruidenier are artists-in-residence over the summer. www.wolterton.co.uk

Get back to nature at RSPB Titchwell Marsh

RSPB Titchwell Marsh is always a good idea, especially in summer. Follow the Sammy the Swallow trail (which begins at the start of the school summer holidays); before setting off, hire a backpack which contains all the kit you’ll need to spot the nature reserve’s insects, birds and plants. Alternatively, why not try your hand at pond dipping (nesting birds permitting) or hit the beach for fun activities on the sand. www.rspb.org.uk/titchwell

Experience maritime history at Wells-next-the-Sea 2025 is the 10th year of former Wells lifeboat and Dunkirk Little Ship Lucy Lavers being afloat in Wells-next-the-Sea after the charity Rescue Wooden Boats restored her. Climb aboard for your own slice of maritime history on a 1.5-hour heritage tour. As you go through the tidal creek and into the harbour mouth, the skipper will regale you with tales about the boat, the area’s fishing heritage and the local RNLI. www.rescuewoodenboats.com

Walk through the ages in King’s Lynn King’s Lynn is layered with history, so how better to learn about its rich past than on a guided walk? Taking place seven days a week during their peak season (until 28 September), the twohour excursions are led by experienced guides who will bring the town’s 1000 years alive. Discover historic buildings, hidden courtyards and the Great Ouse river, while learning how King’s Lynn grew from being a small settlement to a thriving port town.

www.kingslynntownguides.co.uk

See the bigger picture in Cromer Art comes to the seaside again with the return of The Bigger Picture. For 2025, Cromer Artspace is working with the National Galleries of Scotland, with 20 life-size reproductions from the galleries’ collections on display in the town and on the seafront, including Sir Edwin Landseer’s ‘The Monarch of the Glen’ and ‘Skating on Duddingston Loch’ by Sir Henry Raeburn. If you’re unable to visit in person, discover the exhibition on free arts app Bloomberg Connects. www.cromer-artspace.uk

Follow Pensthorpe’s new sculpture trail

Don’t miss Pensthorpe’s seasonal sculpture trail, with eight artists showing their work until 30 September. The installations have been specially selected for their affinity with the natural world and include pieces made from glass, metal and willow. Little ones might prefer Pensthorpe’s ‘poop-ular’ Poo Trail, which runs until the beginning of September and promises to unlock plenty of quirky facts. www.pensthorpe.com

Time-travel in the seaside town of Sheringham Head to Sheringham Museum for an exhibition celebrating the seaside resort over the past 50 years. ‘T’wixt Sea and Pine’ (until 1 November) takes the visitor through five decades with displays covering everything from the town’s businesses and seafront murals to its annual events.

www.sheringhammuseum.co.uk

King’s Lynn from above

Wolterton Park © Wolterton Hall

Pond dipping at RSPB Titchwell

Butterfly by Amberlights, Pensthorpe sculpture trail

Headlining this season…

Is it just us or are there more festivals than ever in North Norfolk this summer? From long weekends dedicated to local ale and oysters to arts extravaganzas, these are the dates to put in your diary, says Harriet Cooper

BEST FOR… FEASTING & FOOD

North Norfolk Food & Drink Festival 30 and 31 August

Every foodie in the county knows to make a beeline to Holkham’s walled garden for the North Norfolk Food & Drink Festival. Now in its 16th year, it promises over 60 local producers, from charcuterie to chutney to chocolate, as well as pop-up concessions and family entertainment. Make sure to visit the cookery theatre for live chef demos.

www.northnorfolkfoodfestival.co.uk

The White Horse Annual Oyster Fest 13 to 17 August

If you like oysters, you’re in for a treat. This five-day festival at The White Horse, Brancaster Staithe, takes place marshside, with plenty of molluscs, as well as live music every day from midday. If lobster is more your thing, executive head chef Fran Hartshorne has put together a tantalising menu for their Norfolk Lobster & Fizz Festival, from 25 to 27 July. www.whitehorsebrancaster.co.uk

Three Horseshoes Charity Beer Festival

22 to 25 August

Lovers of ale and beer will want to gather at The Three Horseshoes’ garden in Briston over the long weekend to sample the 18 beers from Norfolk breweries including Woodforde’s and Barsham Brewery. There’ll be food and music, too. The best bit? Proceeds will go to The Benjamin Foundation, a local charity that offers support to children and young people.

www.bristonhorseshoes.co.uk

BEST FOR… ARTS & CULTURE

King’s Lynn Festival 13 to 26 July

This is the 74th King’s Lynn Festival; the programme is stellar including a performance by Black Dyke Band, a brass band dating to 1855, Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, violinist Rachel Podger, and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. Keep your ears open for ‘King’s Lynn Calling’, a new audio trail around the town.

www.kingslynnfestival.org.uk

North Norfolk Music Festival 8 to 16 August

and festival suppers every evening. www.northnorfolkmusicfestival.com

Hunstanton Music Festival 2 and 3 August

This two-day event has become a highlight in Sunny Hunny, attracting around 2000 music fans. It features live rock, country, pop and punk bands on The Green from across East Anglia; headliners this year include 2nd Sunset on Saturday and Vic Burns & The Flirtettes on Sunday. Bring a picnic, something to sit on and enjoy.

Find them on Facebook

North Norfolk’s much-loved music festival celebrates its 20th anniversary with rising stars and established names, from 21-year-old American double bassist Levi Andreassen to Italian soprano Rosa Feola. All will be performing in the intimate setting of the Church of Our Lady St Mary. There’s also a bar

Fakenham Film Festival 23 September to 7 October

The Fakenham Film Festival champions local filmmakers and first-time creators. The theme for 2025 is ‘Made in Norfolk’, with a programme of full-length films created in the county. In addition, the shortlisted entries of the festival’s short film competition will be screened in September.

www.activefakenham.org.uk

Fakenham Arts Festival 1 to 24 August

This new community initiative organised by Active Fakenham will showcase local artists, with works displayed in over 50 venues around the town, with some of the pieces available to buy. The festival will culminate in a mixed media exhibition on 24 August in the Fakenham Community Centre.

www.activefakenham.org.uk

North Norfolk Food & Drink Festival © Steve Adams, 2023

Violinist Rachel Podger will perform at King’s Lynn Festival © Broadway Studios

Gone Wild Festival, Holkham

Headlining this season…

BEST

FOR… LITERATURE & BOOKS

Mannington Book Bash

25 to 28 September

This year’s literary festival, held in the pretty gardens at Mannington Hall, features a Mini Mannington programme, with 400 local primary children invited to the event for a live show with Guy Bass. Other names for 2025 include Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, Esther Freud and Nigel Planer. www.manningtonbookbash.co.uk

North Norfolk Festival of Literature and Landscape

3 to 5 October

A weekend of talks and walks to celebrate the local landscape and wildlife. The literary programme is in Wells Maltings with writers including Sir Alan Hollinghurst. Walks range from a salt marsh outing with Jake Fiennes to Nick Trend’s guide through Holkham’s picture galleries and into the parkland. literatureandlandscape.org

The Holt Bookshop Festival

1 to 3 August

This three-day mini festival of literature, music and art is organised by Pam Horrocks and Keith Britten on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of their Holt Bookshop. It takes place in Lion House Court, St Andrew’s Church and Holt Community Centre, with authors Marian Keyes, Lucy Mangan and Ben Garrod in attendance. www.holtbookshop.co.uk

BEST FOR… HERITAGE & HISTORY

Brancaster Staithe Sea Shanty Festival

12 to 14 September

Centuries-old sailor songs will ring out across Brancaster Staithe with Shanty groups performing at The Jolly Sailors, The White Horse, the village hall, Deepdale Camping and St Mary’s Church Deepdale. They’ll be collecting money in their buckets for local charities along the way.

www.brancasterstaithe-shantyfest.co.uk

Festival on Rails

23 to 28 August

It’s the 50th anniversary of North Norfolk Railway and how better to mark the occasion than the Festival on Rails in Sheringham and Holt? You can enjoy unlimited travel behind a varied line-up of steam locomotives, plus there’ll also be a special appearance from Betton Grange, its newly-built engine, the culmination of 30 years’ work.

www.nnrailway.co.uk

Maritime Heritage Festival and Flotilla 2 and 3 August

This colourful festival sees historic wooden fishing boats and Dunkirk Little Ship Lucy Lavers gather at Wells’ Tugboat Yard for the weekend. The vessels will form a flotilla on Saturday afternoon, returning to the harbour with a sea shanty welcome. Plus there’ll be stalls, food, drink, entertainment and activities. www.rescuewoodenboats.com

BEST FOR… NATURE & THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Old Hunstanton Flower Festival 25 to 27 July

Happy birthday to the Old Hunstanton Flower Festival, which has been a go-to for floral enthusiasts for the past 50 years. 2025’s theme is, of course, ‘golden’, with over 30 arrangers filling St Mary’s Church with flowers. The event has now spilled over into the village hall, where you’ll find stalls, games and refreshments.

For more information contact Mike Tuffs on momtuffs@hotmail.com

Worstead Festival 26 and 27 July

Established in 1966, this is now Norfolk’s biggest village festival, with 10,000 people attending. It takes place on the fields behind the 14th century St Mary’s Church, where you’ll find birds of prey, heavy horses and a dog show, as well as a ferris wheel, vintage tractors, live music, a food marquee and artisan stalls. www.worsteadfestival.org

Gone Wild Festival 7 to 10 August

After its successful debut at Holkham last summer, Gone Wild is back. Expect four days of alfresco familyfriendly activities from

abseiling and quad biking to workshops and talks, including by Bear Grylls. Evenings are as fun, with music from the likes of Clean Bandit and Blue. For extra thrills, why not camp? www.holkham.co.uk

Fakenham Festival of Cycling 24 August

Active Fakenham invites you to the Festival of Cycling. Choose from 15, 25, 36, 66 or 102 mile routes, with the start and end at Fakenham Community Centre, which is hosting an exhibition for the Arts Festival the same day. www.activefakenham.org.uk

Gone Wild Festival, Holkham

North Norfolk Railway © Leigh Cauldwell, 2024

Mannington Book Bash © Eleanor Walpole

THE FAVOURITE

CHILLINGHAM BULL

THE LEVERET

Headlining this season…

What’s on, what’s good and where to go

Take five… events to catch this season

This summer, Holkham is celebrating being open to the public for 75 years. After opening its doors in 1950, Holkham has been welcoming visitors ever since and as a nod to that bygone era, until 29 September there’ll be music, film, ceramics and radio from the 50s throughout the Hall (open select dates) and even Lady Glenconner’s coming out ball gown! Little ones, meanwhile, can pick up a spot the difference sheet and see all the ways the state rooms have evolved over the years. www.holkham.co.uk

The Coastal Dog Show and Family Fun Day returns to Creake Abbey on 27 July (10am to 4pm), raising funds for the Coastal Community Supermarket, an affordable food hub run by Coastal Health & Wellbeing at The Old Cottage Hospital in Wells. Expect 10 dog show classes and fun activities for your four-legged friend, plus a treasure hunt for children, face painting, craft stalls, street food trucks and live music. www.coastalhealthwellbeing.org.uk

Head to Cromer Pier and Promenade on 3 August for RNLI Cromer’s Lifeboat Day, an annual fundraising event offering the chance to visit both stations, see the Tamar and D Class lifeboats, meet RNLI volunteers, and watch launches and rescue demonstrations. There’ll be music from Sheringham Shantymen at 10am, a commemorative service at 2pm, stalls and more. Find them on Facebook

It’s Cley Harbour Day on 10 August (5pm to 10pm), on Cley Quay (next to the windmill). With music from the Sheringham Shantymen and local band Hot Squash, have-a-go canoe racing, Punch and Judy, competitions for best dressed pirate under 12 and best dressed boat, plus a bar and barbecue, it promises fun for all the family. Free entry, park in the village hall car park. www.cleyharbour.co.uk

Tapping House will present a ‘Dragonfly Meadow’ in the gardens at Sandringham from 21 August to 14 September, a commemorative installation of 4000 handcrafted steel dragonflies, part of this local hospice’s 40th anniversary celebrations. Each dragonfly will represent a life, a memory, a story, a way to celebrate or pay tribute to loved ones no longer with us. For £36.50, members of the public can reserve their own limited-edition dragonfly which is yours keep after the installation ends. www.tappinghouse.org.uk

Visit websites for any ticket prices and booking requirements

My North Norfolk Living

This summer, Sally Partyka will be…

Working at… Little Kiss Sally, my online boutique with its growing range of cheerful, coastal-inspired clothing. I started with a Post Office and homeware/ gift shop, I’ve now introduced clothing which is my real passion. I’m currently working on new designs influenced by the Norfolk coast.

Eating at… My absolute favourite, The White Horse at Brancaster Staithe; I love the fresh seafood, and the salt marsh views are stunning. For coffee with friends, it would be Breakfast & Brownies in Heacham - their toasties are the best I’ve ever had.

Cooking… Nothing quite beats a Sunday roast. I like to source my meat and vegetables locally; I tend to use the farm shop at Norfolk Lavender mainly and for a special occasion, the butchers at Briston is amazing. I also love going to the monthly Farmers’ Market at Creake Abbey.

Weekends will be spent…Travelling around the coast in our touring caravan with our cockapoo, Crumble, discovering scenic walks and amazing eateries. It really inspires my Norfolk-themed clothing range.

Exploring… Places on my list to visit are Crumble Crib in Sheringham, the new bakery at The White Horse, Holme, and Flour, a walk-in pizza place on the quayside in Wells-next-the-Sea.

Little Kiss Sally is at Heacham Post Office and www.littlekisssally.com

Sally in one of her designs

Holkham Hall © Fisheye Images

RNLI Cromer’s Tamar Class lifeboat launching © Harry Simpson

Dragonflies for Tapping House’s meadow installation

Lest we forget

As we mark its 80th anniversary this summer, Norwich-based military historian Steve Snelling explains the significance of VJ Day in the region

VJ Day, August 15, holds special significance for many families in Norfolk and across the whole of East Anglia. It represents not just the Second World War’s final triumph, but, as far as many families in this region are concerned, the end of the conflict’s worst tragedy.

The fall of Singapore in February 1942 was not just a national humiliation, a catastrophic defeat for the British Army almost without parallel, but also a disaster with appalling consequences for the people of Eastern England.

Almost every person in the region was impacted in some way as they were either related to, were friends with, worked with or knew somebody who was caught up in the awful events thousands of miles away.

Among the thousands of British, Australian and Indian troops who found themselves in Japanese captivity were around 15,000 men belonging to the 18th (East Anglian) Division.

Comprised of a mixture of territorial army volunteers and conscripts, the 18th Division included three battalions of the Royal Norfolk Regiment and two each of the Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Regiments as well as a number of locally raised units of engineers and medics, and was the only entirely British formation involved in the forlorn defence of Malaya and Singapore.

Trained to fight in the Middle East, they had spent months on coastal defence duties, waiting

‘The fall of Singapore in February 1942 was not just a national humiliation, a catastrophic defeat for the British Army almost without parallel, but also a disaster with appalling consequences for the people of Eastern England.’

Snelling

for an invasion that never came, before being sent overseas in the autumn of 1941.

It was their terrible misfortune to have been at sea when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and triggered the war in the Far East.

As the only available reinforcement, they were diverted to Singapore, with one brigade arriving

Steve Snelling

Images supplied by Steve Snelling, unless specified

Hard graft: an artist’s impression of prisoners working on the Thai-Burma Railway.

Steve

The unluckiest division: Churchill inspects men of the 18th East Anglian Division at Holt during the summer of 1940. Two years later most of them would be prisoners of the Japanese, their war reduced to a grim battle for survival.

in mid-January 1942 and the remainder over the course of several days from the end of January into the first week of February.

Ill-equipped and illprepared for a struggle many considered already lost, they would endure their worst ordeal as prisoners of war.

Where other units waged conventional war on battlefields across the world, they were reduced to an army of slave labourers engaged in a desperate fight for survival. This was most famously seen on the Thai-Burma Railway, where it was said that a man died for every sleeper laid, and also in the wretched mines of Taiwan and the docks and factories of Japan.

Events taking place across Norfolk to mark VJ Day

Compiled by Sarah Hardy

15 August, 11am, Norwich Cathedral: A service to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day is being held by the Dean, the Very Reverend Dr Andrew Braddock. www.cathedral.org.uk

16 August, 2pm and 7pm, Heacham Public Hall: ‘At The Going Down of the Sun’ - Jim Race of Heacham, who looks after North Norfolk Living’s distribution, has put together a production about his father, Captain Jack Race, who was in the Royal Norfolks. Captain Jack, pictured, was captured and spent more than three years as a prisoner of war in the Far East and this show tells his story. It includes photos, archive film footage, and songs. Tickets are £15. Call Jim on 07950 032292 to book a seat. Proceeds to COFEPOW and The Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum.

Overworked, underfed and denied vital medicines, they fell prey to all manner of infections associated with malnutrition and tropical diseases from malaria to beriberi and cholera.

About Steve Snelling

Thousands succumbed and many more were reduced to living skeletons who would face recurring bouts of sickness and trauma for decades afterwards.

VJ Day marked the deliverance from a living hell but it was not the end of the suffering. Men continued to die in the days and weeks after Japan’s surrender and the consequences of their cruel captivity would stay with them and their families forever.

Steve worked as a journalist at Eastern Counties Newspapers (which became Archant) for many years where he wrote countless features about both world wars and has also penned several books including Norwich - A Shattered City (2012) and Gallipoli: VCs of the First World War (1999).

He explains that his love of military history began as a schoolboy when he devoured war comics and enjoyed watching movies such as The Bridge Over The River Kwai.

Over the years he has interviewed hundreds of veterans and says: ‘I was always interested in the human experience of these conflicts and what people went through. It was incredible to hear their stories firsthand.

‘It is well known that many never talked about their experiences, that they really struggled with on-going health problems and were traumatised, so it was hard for their families.’

Steve adds: ‘Sometimes, when I interviewed a survivor, it was the first time that their families had heard their stories - if a wife listened in to our interview, for example. Many say that the younger ones gave up hope and died, and it was the ‘mate-ship’, the camaraderie that kept them going - that they looked out for each other.

‘But really, just to survive was an achievement. Beatings were commonplace and there has been no comparable experience for any other British servicemen.’

17 August, 10am to 4pm, Heacham Public Hall: ‘The Norfolks At War 1939-1945’ - an exhibition tracing the Royal Norfolk Regiment at war, including many local stories. Teas are being served. Admission is £2.50. Proceeds to COFEPOW and The Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum.

Until 21 September, King’s Lynn Town Hall: ‘Surviving the Railway: Memories of Far East Prisoners of War Exhibition’. This uses the stories and objects held by the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum plus a rarely seen archival film. www.storiesoflynn.co.uk

Memorials

There is a Memorial Building at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, plus one on Yarmouth seafront and one in Dereham, and Our Lady and St Thomas of Canterbury Church in Wymondham is a National Memorial Church for FEPOW - the only one of its kind in the country.

Organisations

NFFWRA: the National FEPOW (Far East Prisoners of War) Fellowship Welfare Remembrance Association is a national organisation which provides help to survivors. www.nationalfepowfellowship.org.uk

COFEPOW: the Children and Families of the Far East Prisoners of War is a charity devoted to perpetuating the memories of the prisoners. www.cofepow.org.uk

Captain Jack Race © The Race Family

The Wampo viaduct, built at great cost by prisoners of war is today one of the last remaining stretches of the railway still in operation.

Liberation: prisoners at Changi, one of the main camps on Singapore island, celebrate their release from captivity 80 years ago.

Something for everyone at Norwich Theatre

Whether you’re into sizzling dance, heart-wrenching opera, cosmic adventures, or a good old-fashioned murder mystery, Norwich Theatre has something for everyone.

Trouble in Tahiti and La voix humaine: Opera Double Bill 2 – 3 Sep

Norwich Theatre invites you to experience an opera double bill that delves into the raw complexities of love, loss, and human connection, featuring Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti and Poulenc’s La voix humaine.

Trouble in Tahiti paints a vivid picture of a young couple, Dinah and Sam, who, from the outside, seem to have it all … or do they? La voix humaine is a onewoman opera that unfolds entirely through a final phone call between a woman named Elle and her lover going through a painful breakup.

Matthew Bourne’s

The Midnight Bell | 9 – 13 Sep

Be transported back in time to a 1930s London pub with Matthew Bourne’s The Midnight Bell. The show is based on the great English novelist Patrick Hamilton, whose stories are borne out of years of social interactions with working men and women at his favourite location – the London Pub.

In Bourne’s unique and stunning style, ordinary people emerge from cheap boarding houses nightly to pour out their passions, hopes and dreams in the pubs and fog-bound streets of Soho and Fitzrovia.

THE EXOPLANETS | 6 – 7 Sep

Theatre, classical music and astrophysics collide for a first glimpse at the strange and wild planets beyond our solar system, and the very human story of everyday life. Standing on the shoulders of Gustav Holst, the music of THE EXOPLANETS is a new kind of orchestral suite, created by a super-group of composers from around the world.

This brand new production sees Norwich Theatre collaborate with Norwich-based pioneering theatre company, curious directive, and City of London Sinfonia.

Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts | 18 – 22 Nov

The first ever stage adaptation of the iconic detective series. A chilling mystery unfolds when a young actress suddenly dies on stage during a performance, and Detective Chief Inspector Morse embarks on a gripping investigation.

Starring Tom Chambers (Father Brown, Strictly Come Dancing) as Inspector Morse, this original story written for the stage is a must-see for fans of compelling detective stories and thrilling mysteries.

Forget the pre-show rush and dine in Norwich Theatre’s beautiful Art Decoinspired in-house restaurant Prelude Designed to complement your theatre experience, Prelude offers a fresh, contemporary space where you can relax before the curtain rises.

The summer menu features grilled peach, tomato and burrata with crispy chilli oil or cured smoked salmon, tabbouleh, pickles and harissa dressing to start. For mains, dressed Cromer crab, new potatoes, pickled cucumber salad and herb mayo, chargrilled flank steak with fries, Padron pepper and chimichurri or roasted cauliflower dahl, pickles, riata and coriander.

Sweet tooth fans won’t want to miss the delicious glazed lemon tart with crème fraîche and raspberries or the chocolate mousse with caramelised apricots.

Norwich Theatre is a not-for-profit charity and receives no regular public funding. By eating in Prelude, and supporting the ‘dine and donate’ fundraising as well, customers feed funds directly into Norwich Theatre’s artistic and creative programmes and support its work with the community.

Enjoy two courses for just £27, or treat yourself to three for £32. For an extra touch of luxury, you can return to your table during the interval for dessert or a leisurely drink.

Prelude Head Chef Toby Thomas commented, “It’s really important that we make dining part of the theatre experience where we can, so it’s a bit of a treat, especially for the customer, to know they can return to their table and relax with dessert.”

For more information on the menu or to book, visit: norwichtheatre.org/ your-visit/eatanddrink

For more information or to book, visit norwichtheatre.org or call the

Hip hip hooray!

2025 is quite the anniversary year with a number of North Norfolk brands marking milestone birthdays… It’s celebrations all round, says

10 YEARS…

Coastal Exploration Company

The idea for Coastal Exploration Company came to founder Henry Chamberlain in Somalia, where he was working as a humanitarian. He wanted to return to his home of Norfolk yet still live an adventurous life. In 2015 he founded CEC, which takes people on one-of-a-kind trips from Wells-nextthe-Sea into the hidden creeks and out to sea in restored, traditional wooden sailing boats.

Says Henry: ‘When we launched one crab boat in 2015 we had no idea that 10 years later we would have a fleet of six traditional Norfolk craft, ranging from a mussel flat to a Wash smack. An incredible journey that has only been possible with the wealth of capable and supportive people and businesses based in Norfolk.’ www.coastalexplorationcompany.co.uk

Rocky Bottoms

Richard Matthews has been a fisherman for almost four decades, catching lobsters and crabs off the Weybourne coast from a traditional crab boat. Richard, his wife Alison and their family have been serving this fresh-from-the-sea shellfish at their restaurant Rocky Bottoms, outside West Runton, since 2015. Once a brick kiln, it is set on a cliff, which means you get sublime sunsets.

Says Alison and Richard: ‘We can’t believe how well Rocky Bottoms has taken up since opening 10 years ago as a small seafood canteen. We have such a great team and it wouldn’t be the place it

is without all of our staff. We always take pride in using local produce and cooking everything homemade, that’s what it’s all about!’ www.rockybottoms.net

Eric’s Fish and Chips

Chef Eric Snaith opened his fish and chip restaurant at Drove Orchards, Thornham in 2015. Thanks to its retro-cool decor and tasty menu, which focuses on the best possible produce from line-caught cod to hand-made tartare sauce, the establishment has won many awards.

Says Eric: ‘It has honestly been such a surprise to see Eric’s Fish and Chips grow in the way it has over the past 10 years, with visitors saying they need to ‘go for an Eric’s’ when they visit Norfolk. As a chef, I enjoy creating the recipes and my love of the local area, having grown up here, made me think a nostalgic type of fish and chip restaurant would work.’ www.ericsfishandchips.com

20 YEARS…

BIRDscapes Gallery

Keen to bring contemporary, dynamic and experimental wildlife art to North Norfolk, Liz and Steve Harris opened BIRDscapes in Glandford in 2005. The gallery, which continues to be family run as daughter Emma and son Peter prepare to take over, now works with more than 80 painters, printmakers and sculptors across the UK.

Says Liz and Steve: ‘When the doors of BIRDscapes first opened in 2005, we never could have believed that in 20 years’ time it would be one of the UK’s leading wildlife art galleries… Several customers have told us recently that BIRDscapes is like a wellbeing centre; they come in feeling stressed and go out calm, uplifted and inspired. This makes all the hard work worthwhile.’ www.birdscapes.co.uk

Harriet Cooper

Henry Chamberlain, right, Coastal Exploration Company

Richard Matthews, Rocky Bottoms

Eric Snaith, Eric’s Fish and Chips

Norfolk People

25 YEARS…

Neil Thompson Boats

Neil Thompson set up his own boatyard in 2000, which he runs with his wife, Richenda, and sister Rachel. Based on the outskirts of Wells-next-theSea, alongside boatyard services, the company produces beautiful, handcrafted Norfolk Range sailing boats, which are built to order, and offers a personal and professional boat brokerage service.

30 YEARS…

Carrier Company

The Glandford-based heritage workwear brand started in 1995 when its founder Tina Guillory, a gardener at the time, wanted something to carry her tools and clippings in. She designed a square carrier made from jute and the Classic Carrier was born. Since then, the label has expanded into clothing as well as accessories.

Says Designer Sienna Guillory: ‘30 years ago Carrier Company was way ahead of its time in terms of sustainability and longevity of design. We’ve always been a bit of an insider’s secret, tucked away behind mum [Tina]’s lovely old house; now we have the shop and garden in Glandford, it has become something we can really share… Mum’s motto is, ‘good-looking and made to last’, and that’s what matters to us and our customers equally.’

www.carriercompany.co.uk

Says Neil: ‘With 25 years under our belt, we are excited to build on our strong foundations. Thinking about our legacy and the North Norfolk coast, we want to create skills training and opportunities for youngsters to help support the marine industry. We have invested in a chandlery so that this stretch of coastline continues to be a viable and well-serviced sailing area.’ www.neilthompsonboats.co.uk

Byfords

In 2000, Iain and Clair Wilson bought a pretty Georgian building in the centre of Holt, naming it Byfords. Opened initially as a restaurant, such was its success that it is now also home to a B&B and four self-catering apartments. To mark reaching a quarter of a century, the Byfords team has announced 25 exciting improvements coming in 2025/26 from refurbs to a new entrance and staircase.

Says Managing Directors Tom Oakley and Richard Knights: ‘Celebrating 25 years is a remarkable milestone for Byfords, and one we’re incredibly proud of. Ultimately, it’s the people who make Byfords what it is: our passionate team, loyal customers and the wonderful community of Holt.’ www.byfords.org.uk

50 YEARS…

North Norfolk Railway 2025 is a landmark year for North Norfolk Railway - aka the Poppy Line - as its tag line suggests: ‘50 years on - steaming strong’. Indeed, it’s been five decades since their first passenger train ran between Sheringham and Holt in 1975. There’s a wealth of opportunities to celebrate, including a Golden Years event (two days of steam travel, classic cars and live music) in July.

40 YEARS…

Emma Bridgewater

It all started when Emma Bridgewater was looking for a gift for her mother. Not finding what she wanted, she set up her classic modern pottery brand in 1985, which has since produced around 400 different spongeware patterns (not counting different colourways). Though the pottery is made in Stoke-on-Trent, Emma lives in North Norfolk.

Says Emma: ‘40 years of making pottery in Stoke-on-Trent. How did that happen? It’s certainly been an exciting adventure, a wild ride at times with plenty of scary lows and amazing high points… Pioneering the reintroduction of spongeware decorating on a big scale feels like a lovely piece of serendipity - it has been absolutely the right technique for my skills and my intentions for a relaxed, colourful, mismatched artisan product range.’

www.emmabridgewater.co.uk

Says General Manager Graham Hukins: ‘Since the line was built in 1887 it has been operated by various organisations, but the one that has run the line for the longest period is the North Norfolk Railway! Throughout our golden year we are celebrating the achievements of the past five decades in different ways, including visits from engines that have graced the line during preservation and a specially brewed 50th anniversary beer!’ nnrailway.co.uk

A Norfolk Gypsy in Blakeney Harbour, Neil Thompson Boats

Neil Thompson sailing a Norfolk Smuggler, Neil Thompson Boats

Tina Guillory, founder of Carrier Company, pictured in 1985

Opening day 13 July 1975, Colwyn and Subs at Weybourne Station, North Norfolk Railway

Emma Bridgewater © Heathcliff O’Malley, All Rights Reserved

‘You have the marshes, the sea and this expanse of sky - it’s so peaceful and you get this feeling that all your anxieties are dropping away.’

Rachel Hore

Rachel Hore © Charlotte Murphy

The Elk Room, The Gunton Arms

One of the avenues making up the ‘Victory V’ at Felbrigg Hall © National Trust Images/ David Kirkham

Hindringham Hall

The Shell Museum, Glandford © Rachel Bowles

Rachel Hore’s Guide to North Norfolk

The million-copy best-selling author, who lives in Norwich with her writer husband D.J. Taylor, regularly holidays on the North Norfolk coast. Here she talks to Harriet Cooper about fruit orchards, her favourite bookshops and finding peace in nature

The Folly Tearooms in Hoppers Yard, Holt, has an Alice in Wonderland feel. The tables are set out amidst greenery in the garden or you can sit indoors; it’s delightful for a light lunch or a cup of tea and cake (www.follytearooms.co.uk). We also like The Gunton Arms, which has an eccentric, squireish feel about it. They serve hearty meals and in winter, when there’s a blazing fire, you feel all wrapped up in there (www.theguntonarms.co.uk).

I’m not a gourmet, I just like good food. I love Bakers & Larners in Holt, particularly their ready-made meals, and they have an amazing range of store cupboard stuff (www.bakersandlarners.co.uk). The Tuscan Farm Shop in Burnham Market is another favourite; you can buy delicious cannoncini and they do great coffee. Also Walsingham Farm Shop, which has a good butcher’s counter (walsingham.co).

If you haven’t been to the family-run Leith House Orchards, go. They have five orchards, with rows and rows of trees that literally drip with fruit in the summer. They’ve over 40 varieties of plums, gages, damsons and apples, which you can buy from their stall. It’s like no fruit you’ll ever find in a shop (www.leithorchards.com).

We don’t often go to pubs, but we’ve been to The King’s Arms in Blakeney. The thing about many of the coastal villages is that they’re very quiet when everybody’s gone home. So you can enjoy your drink with just the sound of your voices in the air; it’s both peaceful and restorative (www.kingsarmsblakeney.co.uk).

I have two or three pieces of pottery from Made in Cley in Cley-next-the-Sea. In this era of constant change, it’s a shop that is always consistent (madeincley.co.uk). And I like The School House Gallery in Wighton, which for many years was the home of the artist Alfred Cohen (alfredcohen.org).

are dropping away. I’m not a birder but I like to use Merlin Bird ID, a free app for identifying birdsong. I also enjoy the view from the gazebo at Sheringham Park - you can see the Hall and the rolling parkland and, in May, all the azaleas and rhododendrons (www.nationaltrust.org.uk).

Felbrigg Hall is always a source of inspiration. There’s the house, which was once the home of Robert Wyndham Ketton-Cremer, and a beautiful church. And the Victory V of beech trees, which Robert planted to commemorate VE Day and in honour of his brother who died in the Second World War. And there’s also a restored walled garden, which has inspired my writing (www.nationaltrust.org.uk).

Hindringham Hall is this old, moated house with lovely gardens; they have an old stew pond, which used to produce fish [for previous inhabitants]. The current owners do tours over the summer and they also have a couple of holiday cottages which we like to stay in. It’s always very atmospheric (www.hindringhamhall.org).

When it comes to beaches, Holkham has all this space and airiness

The Holt Bookshop ticks all the boxes. They have an excellent range of books for an independent, they’re very supportive of local authors and they hold regular events (www.holtbookshop.co.uk). The Blickling Estate second-hand bookshop also has an interesting selection (www.nationaltrust.org.uk) and I would recommend The Book Hive in Aylsham (www.thebookhive.co.uk).

One of my favourite walks is along the raised embankment between Blakeney and Cley. You have the marshes, the sea and this expanse of sky - it’s so peaceful and you get this feeling that all your anxieties

It’s got wide arms of pinewood sheltering you and even in high summer it can feel deserted. The soft white sand and the shallows of the sea are great for children (www.holkham.co.uk).

The North Norfolk Railway Poppy Line is joyful for all ages It’s so dinky (nnrailway.co.uk). The Shell Museum in Glandford is another lovely thing to do with children (www.shellmuseum.org. uk), as is Horsey Gap. You cross the dunes and think ‘oh this is hard work’ and then you see all the grey seals (www.horseygap. co.uk). I would also recommend Hickling Broad and Marshes. There’s so much wildlife - we heard bitterns boom last time we visited. At certain times of the year, you might spot swallowtail butterflies, which are very rare (www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk).

For a lasting impression of North Norfolk, walk different parts of the coast path. You’ll have the sea and marshes and, depending on the season, meadows of wildflowers and birdsong. Sometimes you might be by yourself, other times you’ll meet many people and their dogs (www.nationaltrail.co.uk).

If I were to describe North Norfolk in three words… Sea meets sky.

The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge by Rachel Hore is published on 31 July (Simon & Schuster, £16.99); www.rachelhore.co.uk

Holkham beach © Ian Watts

Your quintessential North Norfolk summer sorted

Wondering what to do this season? Here are Sarah Hardy’s 10 must-dos, from crabbing and carnivals to wine tasting and walks

Take to the water

With mile after mile of coastline and all those creeks and marshes to explore, a sailing trip is simply a must. Try an organised boat trip with a company like the Coastal Exploration Company, who are based in Wells, and offer a chance to reconnect with nature; hire a paddleboard from Sup Shack in Sheringham; try your hand at surfing with Glide Surf School in Cromer or just paddle in the gentle waters somewhere like Mundesley. Whatever you do, you’ll love all that freedom but be sure to check the tides, be aware of any local hazards and get reliable local advice.

Go crabbing

Crabbing or gillying is a really popular pastime on the North Norfolk coast, with children loving the challenge. Blakeney is a great spot for crabbing off the quay, as is Wells (near the Harbour Office), and many love having a go off Cromer Pier (don’t miss the World Pier Crabbing Championship there on 31 August). You don’t need much, just a bucket filled with plenty of sea water, some bait and a crabbing line. And patience, of course. A tip for bait is bacon - the crabs round here seem to love it. And remember - practice makes perfect!

Get crabby

A fresh crab sandwich is a must and there are some great places to tuck into one. Birdie’s trailer on Blakeney quay is lovely, Weston’s Fish Shop on Westgate Street in the village is always recommended, Cookies Crab Shop in Salthouse and the Fish Shed at Brancaster Staithe are also good options as is the A&M Frary stall at Wells. If you prefer to dine in, Rocky Bottoms at West Runton always has fresh crab on offer in various dishes while Wells Crab House does what it says on the tin! Their crab platter is a headline act. And the White Horse at Brancaster Staithe always does a very tasty dressed Cromer crab in the main restaurant which has those wonderful views over the marshes.

Walk it

Take in a stretch of the Norfolk Coast Path which is well signposted and easy to follow as well as offering outstanding views over the marshes. You can really do as much or as little as you like, starting at Hunstanton and finishing in Hopton, some 84 miles away. We like the area around Cley, walking from Blakeney to Cley, passing through the Wiveton Hall estate, where you can call into the new look cafe there. Otherwise, walk from Stiffkey to Blakeney, passing through Morston - the little National Trust kiosk there is a perfect place for a coffee and pasty! There’s always plenty of wildlife to spot, plus great seashore plants like samphire, sea lavender and yellow horned poppies. And don’t forget the Coasthopper and Coastliner buses, which will whisk you back to the start of your walk if needed.

Right: Coastal Exploration Co. mussel flat

Glide Surf School, Cromer

Dressed crab salad, Wells Crab House

Sea lavender on Stiffkey Saltmarsh © National Trust Images/ Rob Coleman

Visit a vineyard

The wine scene is buzzing in Norfolk, with the numbers of vineyards on the up, including the newish Walsingham Estate one. Many offer tours and tasting sessions and some go further with supper nights and the like. Burn Valley Vineyard in North Creake always offers an interesting programme of events including a summer jazz party in August, while nearby Cobble Hill, run by the Perowne family, offers regular tasting tours and a yummy lunch platter. Just remember to nominate a designated driver or book a taxi!

Catch the carnival capers

North Norfolk has some great carnival weeks including ones in Cromer, Wells, and Sheringham. The big news is that the Red Arrows, the much-loved aerobatic team of the RAF, are back at Cromer this year after missing last year. Look out for them above the skies on 20 August - but remember to pray for good weather. Carnival weeks usually include a carnival day procession with floats, traditional seaside activities like sandcastle building and children’s races, plus fancy dress competitions and town crier contests. They are always very child friendly events, with plenty of opportunities for ice cream. Wells Carnival Week runs from 1 to 10 August, Sheringham’s from 3 to 7 August and Cromer’s from 16 to 22 August.

Get back to nature

Norfolk has some globally important sites right on the coast, including RPSB Snettisham and Titchwell and Blakeney Point. Another is NWT Cley and Salthouse Marshes, which was named ‘one of the great places in Britain to see wildlife’ by Sir David Attenborough. At more than 300 hectares, this reserve has six hides, plus walks, a really good visitor centre and a packed events programme, too. During July and August, you may well see avocet, redshanks, yellow wagtails, spoonbills, dragonflies such as the keeled skimmer, and more.

Enjoy a garden

Many private gardens open occasionally under the National Garden Scheme which is worth checking out but Mannington Hall near Itteringham opens Wednesdays to Sundays over the summer. The glorious gardens surround the medieval moated hall and the roses have to be seen to be believed. Also look out for an abundance of wildflowers, a sensory garden and a classical temple nestling on the South Lawn. It’s a seriously special place with a good Bread Source run tearoom, too. There are plenty of walks in the wider grounds and dogs on leads are welcome.

Watch a seaside summer show

There are some crackers to choose from, with excellent seaside shows at Cromer Pier’s Pavilion Theatre, Hunstanton’s Princess Theatre and the Hippodrome at Yarmouth. Expect good oldfashioned fun with a real mix of traditional slapstick comedy, singing, dancing, and more. There’s always a host who tries to hold everything together and they are perfect for family outings, especially if you add a fish and chips supper, too.

Take in an alfresco concert

Our outdoor concerts are as much a part of summer as strawberries and cream. Many venues now stage them, from Sandringham to Blickling, and there’s always something new to look for. This year’s Rock N Roll Circus, at Earlham Park in Norwich, runs from 14 to 16 August and promises a real mixed line up from Olly Murs to Sam Ryder plus aerialists, contortionists and acrobats, stilt walkers and more. Add in plenty of foodie options and it’s quite a party.

will host Classic Ibiza, currently celebrating its 10th year, on 2 August

Check with the individual venues, either on their websites or social channels, for timings, prices and any booking requirements

Enjoy a tour and tasting at Cobble Hill vineyard

NWT Cley and Salthouse Marshes © Frederic Landes

Mannington Hall © Ellie Walpole

Blicking

© David Evans, 2023

Annual Summer Mixed Exhibition

studio and sculpture garden, the gallery shows established, artists with regular exhibitions throughout the year.

Fairfax Gallery 54 Market Place Burnham Market Tel: 01328 730001 / 07899 861844 www.fairfaxgallery.com

With space over two floors, outer studio and sculpture garden, the gallery shows established, award-winning and emerging artists with regular exhibitions throughout the year.

FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS: 10 AM TO 4PM

Mention Norfolk Living when you visit to collect your complimentary fine art card

FINE ART INSPIRED BY NATURE, WILDLIFE & COUNTRYSIDE TRADITIONS

Step into the world of Deckled Edge, a Norfolk-based fine art studio where artist Janna Cossettini creates large-scale, hand-drawn artworks that capture the true spirit of rural life. From majestic horses and native deer to gundogs, game birds, and more, each piece is crafted freehand with exquisite detail and deep emotion.

Over 25 cultural activities for summer ’25

Amanda Loose shares more than two dozen ways to get your culture fix this season

IF YOU WANT TO… GO ROUND THE HOUSES

Houghton Hall is hosting the largest ever retrospective of acclaimed British sculptor Stephen Cox. Running until 28 September, ‘Stephen Cox: Myth’ features around 20 sculptures in marble and stone across the landscape and in the house’s Stone Hall, along with smaller works in the State Rooms. Spanning more than 40 years, the exhibition will include work conceived and produced all over the world. Open select dates, Houghton Hall is one of the country’s finest examples of the Palladian style and is renowned for its annual contemporary art exhibitions. It also boasts a permanent world-class outdoor sculpture collection, including the immersive ‘Skyspace: Seldom Seen’ by James Turrell. www.houghtonhall.com

Blickling is playing host to ‘Inspired by Nature: Mary, Maria, Marianne’, an installation by Rebecca Stevenson in the hall’s Upper Ante from 19 July to 22 October, featuring three busts depicting imagined portraits of artists and botanists Mary Delany (1700-1788), Maria Sibylla Merian (16471717) and Marianne North (1830-1890). These three pioneers made important contributions to the world of science, recording plants and insects at a time when it was difficult for women to receive formal training in either art or science. The resin busts, with wax floral details referencing their work, will be on display along with Blickling’s copy of Maria Sibylla Merian’s book ‘Dissertation sur la generation et les transformations des insectes de Surinam’, 1726. www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Stephen Cox Dreadnought: Problems of History, The Search for the Hidden Stone, 2003, and Chrysalis, 1989-91, Imperial Porphyry, the Stone Hall, Houghton Hall. Photo: Pete Huggins © Houghton Hall

Artist Rebecca Stevenson working in her studio on ‘Inspired by Nature: Mary, Maria, Marianne’ © Rebecca Stevenson, photographer Marianne Wie

Summer By Numbers

IF YOU WANT TO… SEE A SHOW

This is the 65th year that Sheringham Little Theatre has hosted a summer season of drama, and it opens with Ding Dong, where two couples get caught up in a web of adultery, mistaken identity and plot twists (8-16 August). Next up is Ladies Day, which sees four fish filleters swap their overalls for posh frocks at the races (2026 August). The programme will be rounded off with Alan Ayckbourn’s bittersweet comedy Absent Friends (28 August to 6 September). www.sheringhamlittletheatre.com

There’s a fine programme at Norwich Theatre this season. Catch comedy musical ‘How to Win Against History’ at Norwich Theatre

Playhouse from 23 to 26 July before it heads off to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Henry Cyril Paget, the 5th Marquis of Anglesey, blew his family’s colossal fortune on diamond frocks and lilac-dyed poodles, causing a very Edwardian scandal. A true story about expectations, masculinity, privilege and failure on an epic scale. Fiddler on the Roof, arguably one of the greatest musicals of all time, is coming to Norwich Theatre Royal from 12 to 16 August, with its score including favourites ‘If I Were A Rich Man’ ‘Tradition’ and ‘Sunrise, Sunset’. And it’s time to book those tickets for Hamilton, which is at Norwich Theatre Royal for a six-week run from 16 September to 25

IF YOU WANT TO… HEAR SOUNDS SOMEWHERE SPECIAL

October. It’s the story of America then, told by America now, with a score blending hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, and takes the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton to create a powerful musical which has had impact across culture, politics and education. www.norwichtheatre.org

’Tis the season for theatre alfresco! Travelling theatre company, The Pantaloons will be back at Dalegate Market, Burnham Deepdale on 7 August with their take on the story of Robin Hood, with the Deepdale Orchard masquerading as Sherwood Forest for the evening! Expect slapstick, anachronisms, music and more. They return with their production of Hamlet on 23 August. Do check their website for shows at other venues.

www.thepantaloons.co.uk

Templewood, a privately owned Palladian-style house near Cromer, is the venue for a charity performance of Pride and Prejudice on 27 July, raising funds for Hospice Ethiopia UK. Actors will perform two 45-minute acts based on key parts of Jane Austen’s much-loved novel (it’s the 250th anniversary of her birth this year) and there’ll be period-appropriate live music, too.

www.hospiceethiopia.org.uk

Hear music alfresco, live by the lake at West Acre Theare this summer, from Move Your Brass (funk, pop, disco and soul delivered with a big-band twist) on 11 July, jazz band DixieMix on 10 August and the Sheringham Shantymen on 24 August.

Pack up a picnic and enjoy the gorgeous surrounds and sounds! Do check out their summer theatre programme, too. www.westacretheatre.com

Cromer Pier’s Sunset Sessions are back every Friday evening from 25 July to 5 September with DJ Roy Kelly providing a soundtrack of Ibiza tunes and greatest hits. New for this summer are Chillout Sunset Sessions on the pier, on Sundays from 27 July to 7 September, with a mix of laid-back tunes. Both are free outdoor events. www.cromerpier.co.uk

Hamilton tour: Marley Fenton (Alexander Hamilton) and Company. Photo by Danny Kaan

The Pantaloons’ Robin Hood

Sunset on Cromer Pier

IF YOU WANT TO… FOLLOW YOUR ART

There’s a major exhibition coming to Adrian Hill Fine Art in Holt this September. ‘Echoes of the Past’ will showcase original paintings by four well-known 20th century landscape artists, who all lived and worked in Norfolk for at least part of their careers. Expect to see a stunning collection of land and seascapes - often featuring local scenes - by Sir Alfred Munnings, Campbell Archibald Mellon, Sir John Alfred Arnesby Brown and Edward Seago, many of which are for sale. The exhibition runs from 6 to 16 September.

www.adrianhillfineart.com

BIRDscapes Gallery in Glandford, currently celebrating its 20th year, has been asked by the family of renowned wildlife artist, the late Robert Gillmor, to host an exhibition of work from Robert’s and the family’s private art collection. They’ve decided to let go of more than 100 original artworks, including by significant wildlife artists, whose work pre-dated

On 17 August, Edinburgh based cult-indie songwriter Dan Willson of Withered Hand will play a matinee performance in the Nissen Hut at The Control Tower of former RAF North Creake Airfield, one of their Control Tower Stand Down micro-gigs which will also see Seori Burnett and Neil Scott perform on 25 October.

www.controltowernorfolk.uk

Enjoy an evening of opera and musical hits from Wild Arts Opera on 9 August, at The Hangar at Barn Drift in Cley; from arias and scenes by Handel, Mozart and Rossini to the songs of Richard Rodgers, all woven into a new narrative, performed by four singers and a string quintet. www.wildarts.org.uk

Robert, artists he knew well in his youth, and by contemporary members of the Society of Wildlife Artists. Opening at noon on 19 July, the exhibition will also feature original linocuts by Robert, being sold on behalf of three private collectors. This will be followed by BIRDscapes’ annual show of paintings by master of light and water, David Cowdry, on 23 August, depicting Norfolk landscapes and marsh scenes. www.birdscapes.co.uk

Alongside its busy events programme, Wells Maltings is also a venue for exhibitions by members of the NR23 Art Group, made up of artists who live or work within the NR23 postcode. First up, are solo shows by NR23’s Linda Gower, featuring her imaginative photographic work (until 14 July) and painter Janice Clements (16 to 23 July). The group’s annual exhibition will run from 4 to 14 September, showing oils, sculpture, textiles and more. www.wellsmaltings.org.uk

The Viewing Room has just opened in King’s Lynn, an appointment only ‘useful space’ rather than a gallery, run by Paul Vater and Paul Barratt, curators at Contemporary and Country. It will focus on capsule collections of new work by East Anglian artists and makers they work with in their pop-up group exhibitions. The first, continuing until 2 August, features work by painter Caroline Mackintosh and ceramic artist Laura Huston. www.contemporaryandcountry.com

Local charity Cromer Artspace’s online Secret Auction is back from 9 to 25 August (closing at 9pm), with an array of art to bid on - but you’ll only see images of the works, not who created them! Raising funds for this volunteer-run arts charity, the auction gives bidders the chance to buy original works of art by both well-known and as yet unknown artists. www.cromer-artspace.uk

Head to the Brick Barn at Deepdale Camping & Rooms at Burnham Deepdale for an evening of original and traditional folk music on 19 July with Norfolk’s The Shackleton Trio and Adam Clark, combining mandolin, fiddle, guitar and banjo. India Electric Co., supported by Norwich folk duo Christina Alden and Alex Patterson, will perform at the venue on 27 September. www.deepdalecamping.co.uk

All Saints Church Wighton is again the venue for the North Norfolk Exhibition Project’s Summer Exhibition of Contemporary Art, which continues until 3 August. ‘Wighton25 Site/Sight’ features new work by more than 40 artists with a connection to Norfolk responding to locations significant to them, including Susan Vaughan-Williams and Anna-Lise Horsley. Also in Wighton, the Alfred Cohen Museum will be showing ‘Cohen’s Creatures’, images of animals in the late artist’s work over five decades (until 31 December). Nearby, Binham Art Group will be holding their summer exhibition in Binham village hall on 16 and 17 August, with more than 100 paintings by artists from Binham and surrounding villages. www.nnepcontemporaryart.com; www.alfredcohen.org

IF YOU WANT TO… JOIN A WORKSHOP

Local clothing brand Troy is collaborating with Kelling Home and Art Feel Good to bring fun-filled two-hour art classes with Louisa Marcq to Creake Abbey on 21 August, suitable for all the family and abilities (ages 5+). Opt for a morning or afternoon session, complete with refreshments and a goody bag, and enjoy a feel good, creative experience. Best of all, a £5 donation from every ticket will go to Norfolk and Waveney MIND. www.troylondon.com; www.creakeabbey.co.uk

September will bring three pastel workshops to Norfolk Creative Arts in Grimston. The first two will be taught by artist Richard Suckling - a one-day session on 12th all about capturing light on seascapes and a weekend workshop on 13th and 14th focusing on combining pastel with mixed media. Then there’s the two-day Autumn Glowing Colours workshop with Robert Dutton on 27 and 28 September. In the meantime, how about a three-day block of sewing classes from 11 to 13 August or learning how to weave a willow stag garden sculpture with Deb Hart on 6 and 7 September?

www.norfolkcreativearts.co.uk

The Shackleton Trio

‘Punch and Judy’ by Campbell Archibald Mellon, Adrian Hill Fine Art

‘Peewit and Son’ by Robert Gillmor, BIRDscapes Gallery

‘Prowler’ by Alfred Cohen, Alfred Cohen Museum

‘Afternoon shadows - Castle Howard Arboretum’ by Norfolk Creative Arts workshop tutor Robert Dutton

Summer By Numbers

IF YOU WANT TO… HEAR MUSIC IN A COUNTRY CHURCH

Binham Priory’s annual summer concert series kicks off on 19 July, with a performance by Norwich Baroque, followed on 9 August by classical guitarist Xuefei Yang, who’ll take the audience on a musical journey across the globe. 30 August brings ‘Airs and Dances - ancient and modern’, a reunion concert by Guildhall Strings and a return to their North Norfolk roots - this classical group formed at Gunthorpe Hall in 1981. The series continues with trombone quartet Bone-afide on 6 September and North Sea Voices and Ely Collegium, conducted by Dr Susannah Self on 13 September, performing Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’ and Self’s composition ‘Stabat Mater’. www.wellsmaltings.org.uk

July brings two Music In Country Churches concerts. La Serenissima, an ensemble specialising in the music of Italian Baroque, will play at St Mary the Virgin in Wiveton on 22 July. A scratch come-and-sing choir made up of MICC Friends, supporters and anyone who

would like to join will perform Josef Haydn’s ‘Nelson’ Mass, at All Saints Burnham Thorpe, on 23 July, alongside local professional musicians. Fittingly, Nelson was baptised in this church and his father was vicar. There’ll be an afternoon workshop and rehearsal.

www.musicincountrychurches.org.uk

Hidden down a bridleway, St Mary’s Church at

IF YOU WANT TO… STEP BACK IN TIME

England’s largest festival of history and culture, Heritage Open Days, is back from 12 to 21 September, offering free access to participating heritage events and activities, including some places which aren’t normally open to the public. Norfolk highlights include a backstage tour of the Pavilion Theatre on Cromer Pier (14 September) and a tour of RNLI Happisburgh Lifeboat Station (14, 15, 18 and 21 September). www.heritageopendays.org.uk

Sheringham 1940s Weekend © Gareth Gabriel, www.garethgabriel.com

With its classic vehicle displays, vintage music and dancing across the town, parades, period reenactments, fashion, and more, Sheringham’s annual 1940s Weekend from 19 to 21 September is one for the diary. Steam back to the 1940s with the North Norfolk Railway, too, with activities including historic displays, 1940s dance classes, and live music at their Sheringham, Holt and Weybourne stations.

www.experiencesheringham.com; www.nnrailway.co.uk

Houghton-on-the-Hill near Swaffham hosts a series of concerts to raise funds for its care and upkeep. High Summer’s programme includes soprano Joanne McGahon performing on 19 July, classical guitarist Estevão Devides on 10 August, cellist Leo Popplewell on 16 August, violist Mathew Lee on 24 August and The Pot of Gold Shanty Crew on 6 September. www.houghtonstmarys.org.uk

IF YOU WANT TO… FLOCK TO A FESTIVAL

It really is the summer of festivals in North Norfolk and we’ve two more to tell you about! New for 2025 is the Morston Music + Words mini festival on 26 July, set in a village garden on the edge of the marshes and raising funds for Friends of Morston Church. Don’t miss Emma Bridgewater discussing ‘Morston, Me and Industry’. The King’s Lynn Literature Festival, meanwhile, is back from 26 to 28 September, with 17 writers and poets taking part, including Sarah Perry, Sophie Hannah, Rachel Hore and DJ Taylor. www.friendsofmorstonchurch.org; www.kllitfests.com

Visit websites for opening dates and times, ticket prices and any booking requirements

Guildhall Strings will perform at Binham Priory

King’s Lynn Town Hall, the venue for King’s Lynn Literature Festival

In the picture

We say it every year, but art lovers really are in for a treat this summer, with local galleries brimming with exhibitions. Amanda Loose reports

LET’S start in Cromer, where congratulations are in order at The Garden House Gallery (www.gardenhousegallery.co.uk) - current owner Kate Gale is celebrating 15 years at the helm. And this season sees a packed programme of solo exhibitions, including Amelia Bowman from 27 July to 3 August, whose limited-edition prints are produced using her own handmade collagraph plates and hand-drawn pattern designs. Next up, from 4 to 10 August, is Rachel Appleby. Originally from North Norfolk, her lino prints and oil paintings are often inspired by our coastline. And this issue’s front cover artist Samuel Thomas will show his colourful and optimistic bold acrylic paintings and prints with the gallery from 11 to 31 August, often featuring local views and landscapes.

The Gallery Norfolk (www.thegallerynorfolk. co.uk) in Cromer is hosting two major exhibitions this summer, featuring new work from gallery favourites Mark Richardson and Sarah McMenemy. Mark’s show, ‘Landfall’, runs from 12 to 31 July, a collection of paintings of the North Norfolk coastline in acrylic and graphite pencil. Then from 16 August for two weeks, Sarah’s paintings made with gouache and paper collage will be on the walls, bringing a fresh look at Norfolk views including Cromer and Cley. In between, the gallery will show a mixed collection focusing on local land- and seascapes - think original prints, oils and acrylics from artists including Andy Lovell and Sam Robbins.

We’re heading inland, to Thorpe Market, where artist Janna Cossettini opens her studio by appointment (0800 7710771; www.decklededge.co.uk), showcasing an extensive collection of original art plus giclée limited-edition fine art prints, as well as art related products like greetings cards. From horses and hares, to deer, wildfowl and snipe, Janna is inspired by the creatures on her doorstep. She tells me: ‘Pencils are my favourite medium, and I enjoy adding many layers of colours. My work is quite detailed, which requires a lot of concentration, patience, and trust in the process. I enjoy challenging myself, working to a very large scale.’

Up in Sheringham, Sanders & Chrisie Gallery (www.sandersandchristie.co.uk) has just doubled its size by expanding into the room next door and this summer, there’s a rolling exhibition programme. Expect to see a new

collection of large-scale seascape paintings and limited-edition Mediterranean prints by Michael Sanders, abstract florals from Amy Christie and sea-themed linocuts by Joanna Padfield. There’ll be work from sculptors Jonathan Sanders, Susan Ashby, Mitchell House and newcomer Perdita Peacock, featuring cold cast figurative and animal pieces, both miniature and large-scale, alongside recent pieces by ceramicists Cat Santos, Philip Wilks and Pippa Burrows.

Let’s head to Cley’s Pinkfoot Gallery (www.pinkfootgallery.co.uk), where the theme, as ever, is the great outdoors. Local artist Suzanne Lawrence has been busy sketching

in the pine woods at Wells and Holkham, capturing the light as it shifts through the trees for her colourful oil paintings. Daniel Cole’s latest collection likewise features coastal pines and lone hardy trees he’s found on his travels, alongside his well-known local beach landscapes. Peter Wileman, ex-president of The Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI), has a new collection of Norfolk-inspired paintings heading to Cley; work is also expected from local artist Richard K Baldes and sculptor Anthony Theakston, who is going back to his first love, ceramics. As ever, the gallery will be showing handmade and giclée prints, including work by the late Robert Gillmor.

‘Sunset Clarity’ by Samuel Thomas, The Garden House Gallery

‘Arabian with Peonies’ by Janna Cossettini

‘Overstrand Cafe’ by Sarah McMenemy, The Gallery Norfolk

‘Bastion 4’ ceramic by Anthony Theakston, Pinkfoot Gallery

‘Al Fresco’ by Michael Sanders, Sanders & Christie Gallery

Karen Adams

At Burnham Overy Boathouse

Open Thurs. 31st July to Sat. 9th August From 10am to 5pm @karen.adamsart www.karenadamsart.co.uk 07785 932340

Arts & Culture

Just a few miles inland, there’s a busy summer ahead on Holt’s thriving gallery scene. The latest addition to the town is the Big Picture Gallery (www.kathawood.com), which opened this spring in Lees Yard. This calm space is home to the studio of fine art photographer Katha Wood, who chose Holt for ‘its creative energy and independent spirit’. This summer, the gallery will highlight Katha’s evolving Moon Collection, including ‘Blue Moon 2024’, pictured, printed on silver aluminium, with moonlight that appears to glow from within. Also on show is ‘Poolside II’, the latest piece from her Pool Series, ‘which quietly explores stillness, symmetry and subtle emotion through water and architecture.’ The gallery opens on Fridays, Saturdays and by appointment.

Lees Yard is also home to the town’s longest running gallery and exhibition space, The Gallery, Holt (www.thegalleryholt.com), and this summer it has a busy programme, including its 17th annual solo exhibition with acclaimed Holt artist, Kieron Williamson, whose journey into the art world began at the age of five. ‘Arcadian’ (12 to 22 July), will feature a new collection of oils, watercolours and pastels inspired by some of Kieron’s favourite places in the UK, all completed over the last 12 months.

‘Dry Lines’ follows, from 26 July to 2 September, an exhibition in pastel, graphite and charcoal, then ‘Opaque’, an ROI members only exhibition (6 September to 14 October), showcasing the work of some of the finest oil painters in the UK today, highlighting the many diverse ways in which this opaque medium can be used.

The Red Dot Gallery (www.thereddotgallery. com) on Holt’s Fish Hill has exhibited the work of Rosalind Lyons for more than two decades, including solo exhibitions in Blickling Hall’s Long Gallery as well as within Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London. Rosalind continues to be inspired by The Bard’s work and the theatrics of it all and Red Dot is currently showing a selection of limited editions including the latest release of ‘The Clownish Fool’, pictured.

Across town, summer is in full swing at Antonia Clare’s Studio Gallery (www. antonia-clare.com); Antonia is exhibiting a new collection of her colourful abstracted still life paintings, together with some large seascapes featuring coastal Norfolk. You’ll also find work by guest artists and ceramics by Rose Brettingham, Mary Wakelin and

Katherine Barney. New workshops and courses in ‘Expressive Painting - how to paint loosely and with freedom’ begin in September (details on the website).

‘Summer Part I’ continues at Bircham Gallery (www.birchamgallery.co.uk) in the town until 16 July, with its special showcase of animal sculptures by Dean Patman. ‘Summer Part II’ follows (19 July to 3 September), with

new work from selected artists in a range of mediums including Vicky Oldfield, Anna Noel and Nina Archer. The gallery will then kick off the new term with ‘Shades of Autumn’, a show centered around colour with paintings by Jane Human, Anna Perlin, Ray Sheldon and Graham Ward alongside ceramics from John Pollex (6 September to 8 October).

‘Blue Moon 2024’ by Katha Wood, Big Picture Gallery

‘Moored Boats, Norfolk Broads’ by Peter Brown, The Gallery, Holt’s ‘Opaque’ exhibition

Above: ‘The Clownish Fool’ by Rosalind Lyons, The Red Dot Gallery Left: ‘Pop Over for Coffee’ by Antonia Clare

Below: ‘Found in the Yard’ by Peter Clayton, Bircham Gallery

Arts & Culture

We’re heading to West Raynham, near Fakenham, where artists Mary Blue, Mari French, Nigel Skinner and Hannah Nelson, along with wood sculptor James Crisp, photographer Andy Sheppard and furniture restorer Simon Woodthorpe will be showing together for the first time in The Old Chapel, on the site of the former West Raynham Airbase. Mari and Simon will open their studios on the same site during the exhibition, which runs from 12 to 14 and 16 and 19 July (https:// jamescrispsculptor.com/mixed-exhibition-atthe-chapel-2025).

Meanwhile, the team at Great Walsingham Barns has had a ‘smasher of a summer rehang’. Botanical artist Sarah Caswell (www.sarahcaswell.co.uk) is now displaying her latest joyful original paintings in the site’s enormous West Barn Gallery. Neighbour Heather Green of Walsingham Gallery & Framing (www.walsinghamgalleryandframing. co.uk) continues to use her decades of experience to ‘winkle out’ lesser-known talented artists to show, including, this summer, Diana Ashdown, whose original prints of natural world subjects feature unusual combinations of linocut and solar printing techniques. Alongside, you’ll see naturalistic wirework sculptures by Nicci Dedman.

TJ Adam Silversmith (www.tjadamsilversmith.co.uk), meanwhile, has been designing and making beautiful new work for summer which she’ll be showing with Coastal Creatives in Thornham (9 and 10 August) and Burnham Market Craft Fair (16 August). Back at her Great Walsingham Barns HQ, you can see work being created and her workshops in progress.

We’re Burnham Market bound, where Fairfax Gallery’s annual ‘Summer Mixed Exhibition’ runs throughout July and August (www.fairfaxgallery.com). This vibrant celebration of the season of colour is showcasing work by gallery favourites including established artists, like Richard Colson, (a regular exhibitor in London’s Cork Street galleries, who takes much inspiration from Norfolk for his evocative impressionist paintings), and emerging talent. Paintings and sculpture by local, national and international artists will be on display across both floors, the sculpture garden and outer studio.

Just round the corner, Pocock’s the artmonger (Instagram @pocockstheartmonger) is showing more Norfolk landscapes by pastel artist Gareth Jones. By contrast, the gallery also exhibits still

life paintings by local artist Mary MacCarthy, which are very much in the tradition of the Bloomsbury Group, from one of whom she is descended.

Now in their fourth year, the Coastal Creatives (Instagram @ where_the_artis) are holding their annual exhibition in Thornham Village Hall on 9 and 10 August. This group of seven artists and makers all live in and are often inspired by Norfolk. Visitors will get to meet the makers: Alice Wilton, who paints in an impressionistic style in

oil and also works on paper using mixed media; TJ Adam Silversmith, who creates jewellery using sterling silver and semi-precious stones; printmaker Sue Welfare; photographer Ian Ward; Sally Bennett of Cushion Cottage who makes cushions and hand-rolled lampshades; Sarah Bowett, who paints mainly in acrylics and ceramic artist Jane Bygrave.

Above: ‘Pinned in Place by Joy’ by Sarah Caswell

Right: ‘Sky on Fire 2021’ by Hannah Nelson, The Old Chapel

‘Bella’, wire sculpture by Nicci Dedman, Walsingham Gallery & Framing

‘Cley Mill Summer’ by Richard Colson, Fairfax Gallery

‘Nerines and Last Cosmos’ by Mary MacCarthy, Pocock’s the artmonger

Above: ‘Distant Trees’ by Sarah Bowett, Coastal Creatives Left: Multi-faceted stone wide sterling silver rings by TJ Adam Silversmith

Vicky Oldfield

It’s Ringstead next, and the Garage Studio Art Gallery (www.thegaragestudionorfolk. co.uk). Hot on the heels of last year’s successful ‘Coastline I’ exhibition, the studio is hosting ‘Coastline II’ (12 July to 24 August), showcasing work from eight well-established artists celebrating our coastline. This year, the group includes award-winning pastel artist Gareth Jones, alongside art by Nicholas Elliott, Liz James and Sarah Burt. You’ll also see Frances Brittain’s delicate inks and watercolours of coastal plants, works by Liz Hadley which make our coast pop with their abstract shapes and vibrant colours, plus oils by Hanneke Robson.

Well-known for her large-scale paintings of our wonderful big skies and ever-changing coastal landscape, Rebecca Lloyd (www.rebeccalloyd.co.uk) opens her studio yearround, by appointment (bex@rebeccalloyd.co.uk, 07977 227708). Reflecting on the Summer Solstice

and working solely with her hands, Rebecca has been creating pieces transporting us to the beauty of the ‘Golden Hour’, dusk and nightfall, celebrating the long, light evenings. Alongside, expect to see smaller framed studies and her collection of limited-edition prints (which are also available from Holkham Hall’s Courtyard Gift Shop).

Over in Bircham, Susan Vaughan-Williams welcomes visitors to her studio by appointment (07774 609357; www.susanvaughanwilliams. co.uk). Chat with the artist and see what is currently evolving. The world around us today, ‘in all its craziness, shape, sorrow, and joy’ inspires her, through oils and canvas, ‘to document, parody, quieten and colour,’ she says.

And for our final stop, take the scenic route over to Dersingham, where Dersingham Pottery & Gallery (www.dersinghampottery. co.uk) is showing June Mullarkey’s collection of hand-thrown stoneware and porcelain including work inspired by our coastline, alongside paintings, prints and cards by Ben Mullarkey.

Check opening hours before making a special journey

Follow your art

Burnham Overy Staithe’s Boathouse is hosting another summer of exhibitions. Now in her 96th year, Pamela Noyes will be showing her trademark big marshes and beaches, and wildflower studies from 12 to 18 July. Fellow local artist Tracey Ross will hold her second solo show at the venue from 20 to 27 July where you’ll see her beautiful expressive seascape paintings which really capture the light of our coastline. Tracey also runs workshops and opens her studio by appointment (www.tracey-rossart.co.uk).

Karen Adams (www.karenadamsart. co.uk) will be back at the Boathouse for her annual exhibition from 31 July to 9 August. Karen paints en plein air in oils in all weathers, on small to very large canvases, and her show will feature scenic views of the beaches, creeks, harbours, and villages of North Norfolk plus a number of paintings from her travels, including The Hebrides, Argentina, Spain, Florida, Malta and Corfu. For more details or to make an appointment to visit Karen’s studio, call 07785 932340.

Next up is an exhibition by local artist Jonathan Yule (www.jonathanyule. com) from 10 to 18 August, featuring a collection of watercolour and oil paintings of the landscape and wildlife of the North Norfolk coast. ‘The wildlife and in particular wildfowl that thrive in this very special environment are subjects very dear to my heart’ Jonathan tells me. Visit www.burnhamoveryboathouse. co.uk for the full programme.

‘Living Water’ by Tracey Ross

‘Overy Windmill with Rapeseed Yellow’ by Karen Adams

‘Wigeon on a blustery morning tide’ by Jonathan Yule

‘Amongst the Whispering Reeds’ by Gareth Jones, Garage Studio Art Gallery

‘Just in time’ by Rebecca Lloyd

‘Prey’ by Susan Vaughan-Williams

Representing exceptional artists from across the UK NR25 7RB A

Coastal Path to the Dunes, Suzanne Lawrence

Journey of Memories, Peter Wileman

The perfect 10

It’s been quite a decade for local author Heidi Swain. She chats to Amanda Loose about publishing 20 books in 10 years, respect for romantic fiction and the importance of finding her tribe

WHENHeidi Swain says ‘It’s been an extraordinarily busy decade’, it’s possibly a bit of an understatement. Over the last 10 years, this writer of commercial romantic fiction has published 20 novels, become a Sunday Times best-selling author and sold more than one million books.

‘I’m still struggling to get my head around it really. I would never have thought I’d be here 10 years down the line. It literally is a dream come true, and it’s made me realise whatever you want to achieve in your life, don’t say you can’t do it, because it’s not that long ago that I was pushing the kids around Tesco in their trolley, thinking I’d love to see my name on the shelves.

‘Looking at the bookcase here in the writing room and looking at those massive stacks of books, I’m thinking how have I done that in a decade? I’m astounded to be honest; I’m astounded but very, very happy and very, very proud to look at those books all stacked up.’

Heidi has three series of novels on the go (two are set in Norfolk, in Norwich and on the coast respectively, the third in Wynbridge, a fictional town in the fens) along with two standalone books under her belt. The celebratory title for her latest novel - Best Summer Everchosen by Heidi, feels appropriate.

But writing has been part of her life, one way or another, for years. ‘I have always written, right from when I was a teenager, making up stories when I should have been doing homework, that sort of thing. I’ve got a friend, Claire Howard, a jeweller in Fakenham, and she can remember me saying at school that I wanted to be a writer, but I didn’t do anything about that until I was actually in my thirties.

‘You get a big birthday looming, don’t you, and you kind of think if I don’t get on with it soon, this isn’t going to happen, and that’s kind of where I was at. So, I did some creative writing courses locally in Norwich and I’d done all sorts of writing for parish magazines and things, and I thought ‘I want to write a novel. I am going to have a go and see if I can do it’. I did it and it hung together, and it was ok, so I thought, right, I am going to see if I can have a go and write another one, improve on what I’ve done and see if I can get that one published and that book was The Cherry Tree Café [her debut novel, published in 2015].

‘It went through the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s New Writers’ Scheme, a phenomenal opportunity for any unpublished author. Then Simon & Schuster Books in the City were having their digital One Day opportunity, where they open their inbox for just 24 hours and unagented, unsolicited manuscripts can go in and if they like the look of what you’ve written, you get the email or phone call and that’s where The Cherry Tree Café got picked up.

‘I found my courage to go for it at the right

time. I think if I’d done it before - because this is another thing a lot of people say, do you wish you’d started your writing seriously 10 years before you did - and you think of yourself 10 years prior to the first publication and I’m not sure I’d have lived enough to be able to write that. So I don’t think I would have done anything differently; it’s all unfolded as it’s been meant to so far.

‘When I started out, I had a checklist of things that I wanted to achieve and didn’t know if one, let alone all of them would be possible, and sort of gradually that list is getting smaller so you’re always looking for the next challenge, you’re always looking for the next thing to tick off. I guess the first highlight was getting offered a deal by an amazing publisher. Being asked to write a Christmas book at the time was really exciting because there weren’t that many Christmas books being published every year - you just saw two or three on the shelf - so that was an exciting opportunity. Then moving forward, going up to writing two books a year and then the Sunday Times bestseller was a huge thing, that was probably right at the top of my list; well, after seeing my books on a supermarket shelf. I used to take the kids shopping and look at all these books on the shelf and try to imagine what it would be like to see one of mine there. And then of course there was winning a RONA [the Popular Romantic Fiction Award at the 2023 Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Romantic Novel Awards]. That was a huge deal as well as it was one of the awards which was voted for by librarians, readers and bloggers and that kind of felt like real validation. And then of course, flying over the million; they’ve all been amazing highlights.’

Next up is Heidi’s 21st novel, All Wrapped Up, set to be published by Simon & Schuster in September. Fittingly, it’s something of a new departure for her. Although part of the Wynbridge series and like her previous novels, featuring an engaging main character with something to learn, ‘who goes on a journey’, it’s set in autumn, not summer or Christmas, and the heroine, Clemmie, is getting over a very real heartbreak.

‘It’s been trickier to write. It’s been a really steep learning curve and I had a lot of sleepless nights until I got my agent’s and editor’s opinions on it. It’s been lovely to write Wynbridge in the autumn because of course the fens offer up untold potential in the autumn, I feel.’

A real community feel is another hallmark of Heidi’s novels, especially of course, in the series novels, whether it’s built around the community garden of the Nightingale Square books, the market town of Wynbridge (with the Wynthorpe Hall gang for good measure)

or up on the North Norfolk coast, in the seaside town of Wynmouth. All are a joy to return to.

Writing, meanwhile, is essentially a solitary occupation, but Heidi has a growing community of readers (the ‘Swainettes’), and a group of writer friends, whose support is invaluable.

‘Writing can be really lonely because you are in your own head, and you’ve got to be in your own head and that’s through every part of the process. It’s not until you get right to the end and you can share the book with the world that you can kind of bring everyone else in.

‘Readers make a massive difference and if you’re having a low day, you’ve got your gang of reader friends behind you. If a comment is really lovely, I’ve printed it out and pinned it up just to remind myself if I’m struggling that these books are really, really loved and that support is wonderful.’

And then there’s the ‘famous five’, a group of romantic novelists from Norfolk and Suffolk - Clare Marchant, Jenni Keer, Rosie Hendry, Ian Wilfred and Heidi - who are in daily contact with one another, making sure everyone is ok. ‘That’s a really important element of the job to have that network around you. You can’t be solitary 24-7. We all struggle at different times, we all have successes at different times, so you blend all that together and you get some balance, and you get some lovely support and people to celebrate with - it’s wonderful.’

The last few years have been important ones for the wider tribe of romantic novelists, with, says Heidi, perceptions changing towards their work: ‘I do think there has been a real change in perception, not completely across the board, there’s still a lot of work to do, but I do think there has been a real shift. And romantic book sales are massive. It’s not readers who need their perceptions changed, it’s the way these numbers and things are recorded, that’s what needs to change. Especially the way the world is at the moment, I think we need this romantic community-based escape more than ever, don’t we.’

So, what would her advice now be to that decade-ago Heidi? ‘I think it would be to just keep going. Be strong. If there’s a door that you have pushed on that hasn’t opened, that’s because it’s not the right door. You’ve got to find the opportunities and be brave enough to go for them. And you have to write the story that’s in your heart, because you’ve got to love it for a very long time.’

Heidi’s latest novelBest Summer Ever - is published by Simon & Schuster, £9.99

‘I used to take the kids shopping and look at all these books on the shelf and try to imagine what it would be like to see one of mine there.’

Heidi Swain

Heidi Swain © Laura AzizBaby Picture This

Book chat

New and recent releases, all with a local connection. Words: Amanda Loose

Harrap’s Wild Flowers: A Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of Britain & Ireland by Simon Harrap Bloomsbury Wildlife, £20

It’s been a busy year for local naturalist, Simon Harrap. The second edition of Harrap’s Wild Flowers was published in February, revised and expanded to cover more than 1225 wild flowers, shrubs and trees. It’s a reader-friendly guide whether you’re a beginner or expert, with range maps, a very good selection of photographs and enough detail so you’re well-informed but not overwhelmed. And just out, is a second, expanded edition of Simon’s Flowers of the Norfolk Coast (Norfolk Nature, £12), formerly out of print, so there’s really no excuse not to know your lax-flowered sea lavender from your matted sea lavender (the latter unique to Norfolk)!

The Boleyns of Blickling: From Plough to Crown in 100 Years by Charles Weigand Bittern Books, £11.95

In 1433, Geoffrey Bullen owned a few acres of farmland in the Norfolk village of Salle; soon, the family became known as Boleyn and purchased the Blickling estate, where, according to the latest research, Anne Boleyn and her siblings were all born. In June 1533, Anne, Geoffrey Bullen’s great-greatgranddaughter, was crowned Queen Consort. This fascinating, highly readable account of the family’s meteoric rise through the ranks of English society is National Trust volunteer Charles’ first book, published at age 78.

Books, £16.99 (published 10 July) Pudding Corner, a fictional Norfolk village; sounds idyllic, doesn’t it. Vintage aficionado Daphne Brewster is thrilled when Lord Darlington returns to the area, and with his fiancée Helena, intends to renovate Darlington Hall. Who better to help, than Daphne? But there’s unease in Pudding Corner, and something is discovered in the estate’s kitchen garden which shocks the village and puts Daphne’s sleuthing skills to the test. This is the second of Paula’s ‘cosy crime’ novels based in Pudding Corner, with its rich cast of characters. It works equally well as a stand-alone readalthough you’ll probably want to read them both!

Three for budding bookworms with a coastal theme

Herbert the Crab: Crab School by Andrew Otterburn and Tim Bennett Otterburn Publishing, £8.99

It’s the first day of crab school, and Herbert the crab of Blakeney is the teacher, ably assisted by his friends Humphrey and Sammy the seals! It’s all going swimmingly, until things go a bit awry during the ‘crabbing’ lesson. Can Herbert and his friends save the day? This is a charming bedtime story for your little nippers after a day at the seaside. Ages 3 to 6 years.

Beneath the Waves by Lauren Fairgrieve and Kate Read Nosy Crow in partnership with the National Trust, £12.99

Did you know that Atlantic mackerel can swim five-anda-half metres in one second, or that the Mediterranean parrotfish’s teeth are stronger than gold? This engaging, colourful book, beautifully illustrated by Norfolk’s Kate Read, is packed with fascinating facts about a variety of European fish, their lifecycles, behaviours and habitats - and it comes with models to press out and slot together, too. Signed copies are available at One Fox Shop, Kate’s shop in Aylsham. Ages 5 to 7 years.

A Joyful Springtime at Rookery House by Rosie Hendry Rookery House Press, £9.99

Ignore the season in the title; this is a lovely read for summer, whether you’re a Rookery House devotee, or new to the series (who doesn’t love a good series, especially at this time of year?) It’s April 1943, and we’re reunited with Thea, Prue, Hettie and the gang in Great Plumstead, as they contribute to the war effort and support one another through life’s trials. This book focuses mainly on the stories of Evie, a VAD nurse, and young mother Marianne, whose husband is a prisoner of war. A heartwarming read celebrating friendship, community spirit and second chances.

Luke and the Lighthouse by Kate Cleaver, illustrated by Jennifer Isaac Book Printing UK, £7.99

Luke’s father is a lighthouse keeper on the east coast. Life changes instantly for the family when war is declared: the light must be turned off and there is important wartime work to do. Adventures ensue for 11-year-old Luke and his dog, Tuesday, in this action-packed tale of life during the second world war. A keen pharologist, Kate went on a lighthouse road trip whilst ill and off work, and Luke’s story is the result. Local stockists include Paper Moon Books in Burnham Market and Thornham Deli. Ages 6 to 11 years.

The Body in the Kitchen Garden by Paula Sutton Renegade

Culture for the kids

From theatre workshops and art and history trails to play in historic surrounds, there’s plenty to keep your little culture vultures busy this summer

The National Trust’s ‘Summer of Play’ is back, bringing a family-friendly festival atmosphere to more than 175 of its places, including Felbrigg, Moston Quay and Oxburgh in Norfolk. Running throughout the school summer holidays, select a venue and see what’s on offer. There will be much to enjoy at Blickling, such as self-led activities, with different ‘zones’ including nature, construction, sports (think hula hoops and parachutes) and art, or put on a show with fancy dress and a stage. Older children can test their skills at tennis, badminton and football. Head into the house for a botany and insects trail, inspired by Rebecca Stevenson’s sculptures which are on display in the Upper Ante. Be an artist and add to the growing installation artwork of flowers and insects extending down the Long Gallery. Summer of Play activities are included in standard admission and are free for National Trust members and under-fives. www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Norwich Theatre is running a new Summer Holiday Club from 18 to 22 August, with five fun-filled days of theatre-making for ages 7 to 10 and 11 to 13 (£170). Kids will have the opportunity to try out new skills in a working theatre, from getting hands-on with lighting to designing sets and taking part in drama activities.

There’s also a programme of free events for families at Norwich Theatre, including a performance of Aesop’s Fables (17 and 23 August, ages 7+, booking required), plus their Imagination Fuel sessions every Friday from 1 to 29 August, aimed at ages 6 to 10 years and their grown-ups. To top it off, there’s the free Open Day on 9 August at Norwich Theatre Royal and Stage Two with fun for all ages. www.norwichtheatre.org

Lynn Museum is running a themed event for families every Thursday from 31 July to 28 August. Discover, for example, what life was like for residents of King’s Lynn during World War Two on 7 August and learn about Victorian Norfolk on 14th. www.lynnmuseum.norfolk. gov.uk

The roar-ingly good GoGoSafari trail runs until 30 August featuring more than 50 magnificent animal sculptures decorated by local and national artists. The event is raising funds for local charity Break, which supports children and young people in, around and leaving care. Much of the action is in Norwich but there’s a small herd of splendid sculptures across our patch - ‘The County Five’ - designed as a day trip, including Reepham, Holkham and Hunstanton. Pick up a trail map (£1) from Safari HQ at The Forum in Norwich, select Break charity shops or Jarrolds’ book department, or download the app for £1.99 and you’re good to gogo!

www.break-charity.org

There’s a free events programme in Hunstanton organised by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, with a jam-packed offering over the summer holidays. You can get creative, for instance, on Thursdays from 31 July to 28 August, with pebble painting with Kate Dunbar and Wild & Crafty with the RSPB and enjoy Rhymes & Stories with Hunstanton Library on Fridays from 1 to 29 August. Do check out the full schedule online. www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/hunstantonevents

Strange Fascination Theatre will present an exciting version of classic sci-fi novel The War of the Worlds alfresco, complete with handmade puppets. Suitable for older children, venues include The Plantation Garden on 2 August and Hoveton Hall Estate on 16 August. www.ticketsource.co.uk/strange-fascinationtheatre

Aylsham Heritage Centre is hosting a free family-friendly exhibition called ‘Tickets Please’ until the end of November, looking at the history of this market town through the events and services which have issued tickets, complete with two puzzles for children to solve. The centre also has leaflets for the five Friendly Invasion Story trails in Broadland and South Norfolk, which remember the many American service personnel who were based in the county during the Second World War and their contribution. The self-guided trail round Aylsham is suitable for older children and adults, and is packed with information and fascinating accounts from visiting personnel. www.aylshamheritage.com; www.southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk

Visit websites for timings, ticket prices and any booking requirements

Looking for insects in the walled garden at Blickling © National Trust Images/ Gerald Peachey

Learn about Victorian Norfolk at Lynn Museum © Norfolk Museums Service

57a The Market Place, Burnham Market, PE31 8HD (Behind The Great Outdoors) (01328) 738273

Saturdays | 9.30am-2.30pm

July 26th | August 30th

St Mary’s Westgate Church, Burnham Market Shop our curated collective of Norfolk creatives! www.theburnhamsmarket.co.uk

@theburnhamsmarket

Norfolk Coastal Home Search

After a fashion

From heritage workwear to rainbow-bright footwear, Norfolk’s independent clothing and accessories brands are both stylish and sustainable. Harriet Cooper celebrates the local labels to know and shop now

Oldfield Outfitters

The story of Oldfield Outfitters begins in 2003 when its founder Joe Oldfield - inspired by his grandfather, who’d worked in textiles all his life and had an innate sense of style - decided to recreate sweaters based on vintage patterns. Fascinated by the timeless, elegant designs of the 1920s, 30s and 40s, Joe wanted to encapsulate the ‘golden era of fashion’. Highwaisted, well-made trousers and jersey cotton shirts soon followed, with the brand expanding into womenswear, too. The core values of the family-run, Hindolveston-based business are a constant: a commitment to making longlasting, nostalgia-inspired pieces using the finest British materials and craftsmanship. www.oldfieldclothing.com

Fairfax & Favor

Childhood friends Marcus Fairfax Fontaine and Felix Favor Parker, who are both from a rural background, had long been searching for the perfect practical boot to wear in the countryside. And so, in 2013, they combined their middle names and started their own footwear brand Fairfax & Favor. What began with the iconic Regina boot has since evolved into a luxury lifestyle company with a multi-million-pound turnover and a team of over 150 people. Though the HQ is in the Norfolk countryside, they have stores around the UK (including one in Holt), and plan to expand into the US. In addition to shoes and boots for women and men, they also offer outerwear, luggage and accessories. www.fairfaxandfavor.com

Sole of Summer

Inspired by the vibrant footwear in Europe, Sarah Whiteley found herself exploring the art of traditional espadrille making. She wanted to create a capsule of eye-catching footwear celebrating sunshine destinations, from the bright beach huts in Wells to the hues of Mediterranean villages. All the shoes are designed in North Norfolk and made sustainably in Spain, but it’s the colours that will have your heart. From fiesta pinks and cornflower blues to metallics, they’re the perfect seasonal shoe. ‘I like to think of them as being less vanilla and more raspberry ripple with a cherry on top, to reflect our inner summer personalities,’ says Sarah. soleofsummer.com

spotted-seal

It was during a family walk on Beeston Bump that the idea of spotted-seal came about. ‘We wanted to create a line of fun, functional coastal wear that harnesses the joy of the region. What better symbol than Norfolk’s famous seals?’ says founder January Carmalt, whose husband and two teenage boys also contribute to the business. With a commitment to manufacturing in the UK, the hoodies are pigment-dyed which gives them a unique, weathered look - they’re also thick and soft, perfect for throwing on after a swim in the North Sea. The collection includes t-shirts and accessories, designed to be ‘timeless, classic, born in Norfolk and worn everywhere for the good times, together’. spotted-seal.co.uk

From Fairfax & Favor’s current collection

By Oldfield Outfitters

Espadrilles by Sole of Summer

Close to home

Other Norfolk brands to have on your fashion radar

Hollyblocks

Living on a farm in the North Norfolk countryside, surrounded by flora and fauna, Andrea Maufe was inspired to start her clothing brand Hollyblocks. Dresses, blouses and tops come in pretty fabrics that are either block printed or embroidered with florals.

www.hollyblocks.co.uk

Maven Fargo

This female-owned Norfolk independent is the brainchild of ‘Sewist’ Melinda, who hand makes hair scrunchies in statement fabrics - including their proprietary Maven Ruffle Scrunchie with its joyful frills - accessories and limited-run dresses. www.mavenfargo.com

Whale of a Time

Spotting a market for fun-meets-functional clothing that’s kind to the planet, Ellie Wales - who grew up in Norfolk - started Whale of a Time in 2016 with three sweatshirt styles. Nine years on and it incorporates menswear, womenswear and accessories. www.whaleofatimeclothing.com

Blakely

Since Gareth Newman started Blakely in 2012, running it from a garden shed at his childhood home in Briston, the lifestyle fashion brand, which is only available online, has been phenomenally successful, last year becoming Norwich City’s shirt sponsor. www.blakelyclothing.com

Troy London

Established by sisters Rosie and Lucia Ruck Keene, Troy London is a luxury clothing brand that aims to make city-to-country dressing effortless with its practical yet elegant coats, jumpers, shirts, separates and accessories. The Princess of Wales is a fan. www.troylondon.com

Creek Lifestyle

Creek Lifestyle owners Richard King and Sam Webb met as teenagers, spending as much time as possible picnicking on the beach, walking in the woods, windsurfing and camping. Forty years on and their love of the great outdoors and the UK’s beautiful coastline has in no way diminished; so much so, they bought a shop in Blakeney where they sell coastal-inspired homeware and clothing. Their own clothing collection followed, including the ever-popular Shipping Forecast capsule of soft organic cotton hoodies, t-shirts and sweatshirts for men and women, adorned with phrases such as ‘Veering’, ‘Moderate’ and ‘Smooth’ for days when your mood matches the forecast. www.creeklifestyle.co.uk

Carrier Company

Carrier Company celebrates its 30th anniversary this year (turn to page 17 for more North Norfolk businesses marking milestone birthdays in 2025). The sustainable heritage workwear and accessories brand was founded by Tina Guillory in 1995; a gardener at the time, she designed a carrier - a square of jute with four handles - to hang on her bicycle handlebars for her tools and clippings. After moving to Norfolk, she started making these classic carriers, as well as bags and smocks. Though the collection has since expanded into womenswear, menswear and accessories, it’s still very much a family business, now based in Glandford, with everything sourced and made in the UK.

www.carriercompany.co.uk

Clothing and accessories by the Carrier Company

Creek Lifestyle’s Shipping Forecast capsule and beanies

Hollyblocks’ Peach Poplin dress

From Whale of a Time’s summer collection © Emma Chapman

HOLD THE LINE Style

Is this the summer of stripes? We think so…

Compiled by Amanda Loose

CLAUDIA NAVY STRIPE JERSEY TANK £29.50, FatFace Burnham Deepdale

PINK CITY PRINTS

NEON GREEN STRIPE

AVA DRESS £190, Bombay Sprout

BLACK COLOUR

JANNIE RIBBON

BLACK STRIPE HAT £30, Nelle-dk

CROISSANT TOTE BAG £20, Tatty Tides

ALICE COLLINS

ROCHELLE STRIPED SHIRT £49.50, Allez Chic

PRIMROSE PARK WAVY SUN FLEUR TOP £125, Anna

SLENDERELLA STRIPE PYJAMAS £41, Pollard & Read

ORANGE ALMA TONUTTI WOVEN TOTE 6595/1 £119, The Tannery

WHITE STUFF SOPHIA STRIPE DRESS £69, Coes

ANITA CARE CARINI SWIMSUIT £80, Pollard & Read

£89, Creek

MYWALIT VIOLA MEDIUM ZIP WALLET £69, The Tannery

STOCKISTS

VILAGALLO EMBROIDERED RAYA BLANCA SHIRT £149, Bakers & Larners

STRIPED SUNGLASSES £9.99, Relish

ESTELLA BARTLETT MINT

WIGGLE PRINT MINI JEWELLERY BOX £29, Barefoot Living

LEFT: SAINT TROPEZ MILA JUMPER £34.99, Allez Chic

LEFT: SUGARHILL CHRISSY RELAXED TANK T-SHIRT £38, Nomad & the bowerbird

RIGHT: CULTURE BEHA DRESS £69.99, Thornham Deli

Allez Chic, Castle Rising www.allezchic.co.uk; Anna, Burnham Market and Holt www.shopatanna.com; Bakers & Larners, Holt www.bakersandlarners.co.uk; Barefoot Living, Burnham Market www.barefoot-living.co.uk; Bombay Sprout, Burnham Market www.bombaysprout.com; Coes, King’s Lynn www.coes.co.uk; Creek, Blakeney www.creeklifestyle.co.uk; FatFace, Dalegate Market, Burnham Deepdale www.fatface.com; Nelle-dk, Drove Orchards, Thornham www.nelle-dk.co.uk; Nomad & the bowerbird, Holt and Wells-next-the-Sea www.nomadandthebowerbird.co.uk; Pollard & Read, Holt www.pollardandread.com; Relish, Dalegate Market, Burnham Deepdale www.relishonline.com; The Tannery, Holt www.thetannery.co.uk; Tatty Tides, www.tattytides.co.uk; Thornham Deli, Thornham www.thornhamdeli.co.uk

CREW CLOTHING ELEANOR SHIRT DRESS

Beauty & Wellbeing

All well & good

Wellbeing and beauty news and notes with

Harriet Cooper

This summer I am…

Reading the newly published Gutsy Travels by Norwich-based author Joanna O’Donoghue (£10.99, The Book Guild). Joanna was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in the 1980s; determined to live her best life, she has travelled to all corners of the globe over the past four decades, from Transylvania to Thailand. This inspiring book chronicles her adventures in the hope that it will inspire others to take on new challenges however insurmountable they might seem. bookguild.co.uk/bookshop/travel/gutsytravels

… Giving my locks some TLC thanks to Q+A. The Wymondham based skincare brand has turned its attention to our hair and scalp health, spending three years working on a new 11-product haircare collection. Formulated with smart, science-backed actives and natural extracts, the shampoos, conditioners, mask, oil and spray can tackle anything from dryness and irritation to flat roots or oily strands. Plus, it’s a great price point, too. www.hollandandbarrett.com; www.qandaskin.com

… Perfecting my breaststroke with Hunstanton Private Pool Hire. The heated 8m by 4m swimming pool - located on the ground floor of a family home in the seaside town - is available to book exclusively by the hour. This summer they have launched Sarah’s Swim School, offering tailored 1:1 and 2:1 swimming lessons. With its welcoming atmosphere and

Ease of mind

friendly, experienced instructors, the aim is to create a positive and encouraging environment that nurtures a lifelong love of swimming. www.hunstantonpoolhire.co.uk

… Introducing nature into my bathroom thanks to Bringing the outside in, in Wellsnext-the-Sea, who are stocking botanicalthemed home fragrance and bodycare products this summer. I’m particularly coveting Aery Living, a feel-good beauty brand designed to enhance wellbeing and tranquility, including the Green Bamboo Hand & Body Wash (£27) and Hand Cream (£14).

www.nomadandthebowerbird.co.uk

Hamilton George, a care agency specialising in 24-hour live-in care, was founded in 2019 in London by Fred Lloyd George and Alex Hamilton. The company has since opened a branch in Norfolk, which is run by Robbie Thompson. There are three tiers on offer starting with household support, for those who can’t quite manage on their own but do not need active nursing. Then there’s clinical care for those that might need personal care or their meds overseen, for example; and finally, they offer a complex care package, which includes focused nursing. In each case, a live-in carer is chosen whose talents, expertise and personality matches the needs of the client; carers are hand-picked, given both clinical and Debrett’s lifestyle training, and come with a full roster of checks and rechecks. www.hamiltongeorgecare.com

… Putting padel on my agenda. The purposebuilt, sustainably designed Norfolk Padel club, just outside Fakenham, has two indoor courts, changing rooms, a bar/cafe and a brand new outdoor court. There’s a full coaching, competition, leagues and ladder programme in place over the summer, with four coaches available for lessons and training sessions. And the big news is that the LTA has chosen Norfolk Padel to host the semi-finals and final of the Norfolk Padel Championships in the autumn. With new padel courts set to open at Holt Sports Centre this season, it’s game, set and match to North Norfolk.

www.norfolkpadel.co.uk

A Hamilton George carer at work

© Vicki Couchman Photographer

It’s a (wellbeing) date!

Looking to revive mind, body and soul this summer? Here are a few local wellness events to help you unwind from the hustle and bustle of daily life

BE LIMITLESS

When: 8 - 10 August

Where: Chaucer Barn, Gresham

What: This promises to be a transformational weekend for women who are ready to connect with themselves. Over three days, the programme incorporates workshops and mindfulness practices, walking meditation, voice work with Anna Mudeka and a full moon gratitude ceremony, not to mention nutritional vegetarian meals, elegant accommodation and a chance to explore the area’s natural beauty. The sky’s the limit…

Book: www.judeline.co.uk/LIMITLESS

WELLNESS AT HOLKHAM

When: 6 and 20 August, 17 September

Where: Walled Garden and the woods

What: If you’re looking for calm and connection, Holkham has a trio of mindful experiences led by Nicky from Sound and Ground. Choose from a Sound Bathing session in the Walled Garden (7pm to 8pm; 6 August, 17 September) or reconnect with nature through Forest Bathing in the parkland (6.30pm to 8pm; 20 August). Or why not experience the two with lunch in between on Nicky’s Autumn Wellness Day (10am to 4.30pm; 17 September)?

Book: www.holkham.co.uk

ROOTED AND RISING YOGA

When: Tuesdays, plus Fridays and Saturdays in the summer

Where: Creake Abbey, near Burnham Market What: Join Jessica Craske at her Rooted and Rising yoga classes, which are designed to gently build strength, ease tension and support overall wellbeing. The sessions combine movement with breath to help you feel grounded, calm and uplifted whether you’re new to yoga or returning to your mat. They take place on Tuesday evenings (6.30pm to 7.30pm) with additional Friday and Saturday morning sessions throughout the summer (9am to 10am).

Book: Instagram @rootedyoganorfolk

About face

If you’re looking for a little extra help to reinvigorate your skin, a natural-looking ‘tweakment’ might be an option. Rachael Pennington is an NMC-registered adult nurse, based at The Wellness Centre at Heacham Manor. She offers a range of facials and injectables that target wrinkles, dryness, pigmentation and acne, and treatments that rejuvenate the skin. Her clinic is discreet and friendly, with patient safety always a top priority. www.coastalaestheticnurse.com

Coming up roses

Here are the three flower-scented candles that I’m waxing lyrical about this summer

£29.50

www.norfolknaturalliving.com

the-scented-barn. square.site

THIRNS AROMATHERAPY CANDLE WITH ROSE AND GERANIUM

with the finest rose, geranium, lavender and helichrysum oils.

£30 (170g), thirns.co.uk

Be Limitless organiser Judeline Nicholas

Nicky from Sound and Ground © Davina Holmes

Infused

NORFOLK NATURAL LIVING ROSE GARDEN SIGNATURE CANDLE Natural soy wax delicately layered with rose, jasmine and citrusy notes.

(8oz),

THE SCENTED BARN WOOD WICK VELVET ROSE AND OUD CANDLE Striking to look at and with a wooden wick for improved scent throw. £26.50 (200g),

Beauty & Wellbeing

Seeing red

Redness, flushing, sensitive skin?

Rosacea could be the culprit. Harriet Cooper, who has it herself, looks into this inflammatory skin condition and the products that can help

THEtight, burning feeling across the cheeks, the pimples, the flushing… Anyone who has rosacea will know what I am talking about. Actually, there’s a lot of us - around 5% of people are affected by the inflammatory skin condition, which usually appears across the nose and cheeks. It’s worth noting that there are four main subtypes - but papulopustular rosacea is the most common, especially in women. For many, me included, it doesn’t manifest itself all the time. Instead, we’ll get flare-ups, which are sore and can make us feel self-conscious. As a result of the intermittent flushing, we are often left with tiny broken blood vessels on the skin that don’t go away.

So what to do? The exact cause of rosacea is undetermined - it could be genetics or down to your immune system. But what we do know is that it is often triggered by environmental factors. These could be hot curries to hot baths to hot weather (or exposure to freezing temps). For me, a glass of wine and my face feels like it’s on fire. Another culprit is aerobic exercise and stress is no help. ‘Stress is the main trigger of my rosacea but also heat / sun exposure and alcohol consumption,’ says Paul Wilkins, who runs Beauty by Paul Wilkins Creative in Holt. ‘It appears as a red rash under the skin on the cheeks and forehead, which can be quite sore.’

Although there is no cure for rosacea per se, it can be minimised and treated - there are great products for boosting the skin barrier (a weak barrier is more vulnerable to triggers), as well as soothing uncomfortable symptoms and toning down the redness. Paul uses Blue Velvet Ceramide Serum by Evolve daily to keep the rosacea under control – ‘the oat ceramides help to replenish the skin barrier and the olive squalane and blue tansy soothe irritation’ - and if he has a breakout he recommends Ere Perez Arnica All-Cover Pot as a concealer because ‘it offers virtually invisible non-creasing coverage.’

As with any sensitive skin concerns, opt for a minimised, consistent skincare routine, focusing on cleansing, moisturising and an SPF (a serum can boost hydration and be calming to skin). Use natural, gentle, noncomedogenic products and avoid strong acids or exfoliants and artificial fragrances which can irritate your complexion. And remember, if your skin becomes too problematic, seek expert advice. Hopefully, this way, the future may start to look a little less rosy.

ELEMIS PRO-COLLAGEN NAKED CLEANSING BALM

This balm quite literally melts away makeup, SPF and daily grime, leaving my skin soft as anything. The unscented version is great if you’ve a sensitive complexion.

£49, www.retreat-spa.co.uk

Feeling flush? Harriet Cooper and Amanda Loose road-test a few products that can help

EVOLVE BLUE VELVET CERAMIDE SERUM

After five days of using this easily absorbed serum, my reactive skin felt soothed, less irritated (and irritable) despite a day out in the wind, and appeared firmer, too.

£36, @paulwilkinscreative

AGE DEFY+ ANTI-REDNESS BOOSTER DROPS

A couple of drops applied to my flushed cheeks and the hot feeling is immediately soothed, the redness beating a retreat within minutes. It also feels super nourishing.

£32, www.greenpeople.co.uk

CLARINS CALM-ESSENTIEL REDNESS CORRECTIVE GEL

Instant relief in a bottle. It feels cooling on application and the clary sage is wonderfully soothing. It also contains green pigments which knock back my high colour.

£36, www.bakersandlarners.co.uk

ERE PEREZ ARNICA ALL-COVER POT

This concealer comes in eight shades, its satiny texture easy to blend in. It covers up my redness really well but has a natural-looking finish rather than being ‘obvious’.

£31, @paulwilkinscreative

MAKE UP SKIN CARE HAIR CARE BATH AND BODY FRAGRANCE

MEET JENNI RETOURNE, FOUNDER OF WILLOWBERRY SKINCARE

FRIDAY

AUGUST 1ST, 10AM – FOLLY TEAROOMS

Ever wondered what it takes to create your very own beauty brand? Join us for an inspiring morning, as Jenni Retourne, founder of her own successful British skincare brand, shares her journey from beauty editor to entrepreneur. In conversation with freelance journalist Harriet Cooper, Jenni will discuss the challenges and triumphs of building a brand rooted in naturally derived ingredients and designed specifically for grown-up skin. The talk, which lasts about one hour, includes refreshments and a chance to ask Jenni your own questions. Afterwards, there is the opportunity to meet Jenni in person in the Beauty by Paul Wilkins studio and explore her thoughtfully crafted skincare range.

Tickets: £25 Includes drinks, morning canapés, and a fabulous goody bag. Booking essential – Limited spaces

EXPERIENCE SOME OF OUR AMAZING TREATMENTS IN OUR BEAUTY STUDIO

WILLOWBERRY NOURISH AND PROTECT FACIALS

£60 1 hour, August 7th

THERAPEUTIC DEEP TISSUE

RAYNOR MASSAGE WITH COUCH MASSAGE

£30 ½ hour, £60 1 hour, July 11th, 18th, 25th, August 2nd, 15th

THIRNS FACIAL SCULPTING MASSAGE

£100 1 hour 15 mins, July 29th, 30th, 31st

Discover our edited selection of beauty and fragrance products with an emphasis on natural and organic formulations at

Beauty & Wellbeing

Attention all areas

While we’re religious about applying facial sunscreen and keeping our hair conditioned in hot weather, we often neglect other parts of our body. If you’re guilty of overlooking your elbows or heels, knees or neck, team NNL has road-tested products that can help

HANDS ABAHNA MANDARIN & SICILIAN BERGAMOT HAND CREAM

The skin on my hands was parched. This gorgeous summery scent was just the incentive I needed to give them some consistent tlc; packed with natural extracts and essential oils, light, cooling and oh-so hydrating, my skin loved it - and Abahna is a local brand.

£12, www. joyfulliving.co.uk

ARMPITS AKT THE DEODORANT BALM

This natural deodorant is a balm; a pea-size amount applied to clean underarms keeps me odour-free and dry all day. It contains no nasties (e.g. aluminium) and though I tried the fragrance-free version, it comes in delicioussounding blends such as Petitgrain, Mandarin and Neroli. I am a convert.

£21, juniandco.com

UNDER EYES Q+A VITAMIN C EYE CREAM

Lately, the skin under my eyes has been looking tired and drawn. This clever, wellpriced cream’s blend of a hydration hit and antioxidants (think vitamin C, cherry extract and glycogen) moisturised, brightened and tightened my skin, with fine lines appearing reduced. Another Norfolk brand! £8.50, www.jarrolds.co.uk; www.qandaskin.com

KNEES SAMADHI SKINCARE HIMALAYAN SALT BODY SCRUB

Shorts, fake tan… knees. Luckily this hand-blended, pretty pinkyorange scrub offers a quick fix. Massage a small amount into damp skin and let the salt and organic oils do their from-rough-to-smooth work. Rinse off thoroughly in the shower or soak away in the bath. It really is the bee’s knees.

£35, @paulwilkinscreative

THIGHS & BUTTOCKS ENVIRON BODY

ESSENTIA CONTOURING CREAM

If ever there was a skincare challenge… It was easy to incorporate this quick drying, cooling cream into my daily routine. After a few days, I do think my skin tone has improved, plus the intense hydration means it’s softer to the touch and feels more taut. Will I keep going? You bet! £46, www.retreat-spa.co.uk

HEELS NEAL’S YARD REMEDIES COMFREY & MALLOW FOOT BALM

Not a balm, more of a thick nongreasy cream. I apply it before bed and not only does it feel incredibly nurturing (I’m sure it helps me sleep better) but the organic oils work wonders on my dry heels. My feet aren’t yet baby soft, but I am getting there. £18, www.bakersandlarners.co.uk; www.nealsyardremedies.com

NECK

AND DÉCOLLETAGE THIRNS OVERNIGHT RECOVERY CREAM

My skin here had dry, rough patches and can be reactive. Specifically formulated for the face, neck and décolletage, this cream is packed with antioxidants and plant-based ingredients like sea buckthorn and white rose. It smells divine and my temperamental skin is smoother, softer and happier.

£120, @paulwilkinscreative

LIPS ÒIR LUXURIOUS LIP BALM

My lips were dry, but this nourishing lip balm put paid to that as it contains plenty of natural butters and oils. There are six different scents - the orange has a hint of cacao (and reminds me of a Terry’s Chocolate Orange - win win!). Plus its dinky size makes it a handbag hit. £8.50, www.barefootretreats.co.uk/ barefoot-living

ELBOWS WELEDA SKIN FOOD

The dry, rough skin on my elbows was a bit of a sore point come t-shirt weather. This rich, easily absorbed cream lived up to its cult status as a deep nourisher, and the botanical ingredients like organic rosemary and chamomile extracts are gentle to skin. It has a lovely fresh herby scent, too. £15.95, www. hollandandbarrett. com

Beauty & Wellbeing

Hot pursuit

Norfolk’s wild sauna movement is heating up. Here’s where to embrace the benefits of hot-cold therapy, says Harriet Cooper, whether in a converted horsebox on a beach or a Nordic-inspired number deep in the woods

Sauna Box, Sheringham

Sauna Box was founded by Tom Sutton in 2021. His mission? To change the world one sauna at a time. What started as a one-man band with a wood-fired sauna in a converted horsebox is now a thriving business with ‘sauna boxes’ along the east coast. There’s one on the promenade at Sheringham, which seats up to eight. Choose between the community session or private hire; either way, spend an hour alternating between the heat and the sea - it’s near the slipway, making it easier to take the plunge.

www.saunabox.co.uk

Sauna-Next-The-Sea, Wells

This wood-fired horsebox sauna is a hidden gem, tucked away in the fishing quarter at East End, Wells-next-the-Sea. Available for a communal or a private session, it’s only steps from the quayside for that all-important dip (tide dependent). They’ve got a few collabs planned for the summer potentially involving

yoga, sound bathing and massage - keep an eye on their social media for updates. Afterwards pop next door to cute cafe Flo & Joe for a cup of coffee and views of the harbour. www.saunanextthesea.co.uk

Sauna in the Woods, Rackheath

For a bucolic sauna, it has to be Sauna in the Woods. The exact location of this wooden hut is a secret until you book - but what we can tell you is that it’s set in private woodland in Rackheath. After getting changed in their 1960s bus, head for the six-seater sauna, where they’ll leave you extra logs if you need them. Cool off in either the cold shower, plunge tub or the picturesque natural swimming pool. You’re welcome to bring your own snacks - there’s a fridge in the bus and a picnic area. www.saunainthewoods.co.uk

Woodland Spa, Little Massingham

If you go down to the woods today… you’ll likely come across the Woodland Spa at Little Massingham. This sun-dappled spot has a traditional Scandinavian wood-fired barrel sauna and hot tub, both designed to fit up to six people. There’s also an oval ice bath to keep you on your toes, as well as a hot/cold shower, changing room and chill-out space. You can book the Spa for exclusive use for a minimum of three hours. Robes, flip flops and towels are provided at an extra cost. www.norfolkbound.co.uk

The Pink Sauna, Sea Palling

If you’re in Sea Palling, you’ll likely spy a pink horsebox on the beach. Your eyes aren’t deceiving you, it’s The Pink Sauna. The woodfired sauna is open every weekend and is available for community sessions for up to seven people from 9am to midday and private sessions for up to eight people from midday until 4pm. And do check their socials for full moon sessions. The views out to the North Sea through the window will certainly entice you for an invigorating post-sauna swim.

www.hotahq.co.uk

The Lion’s Den, Norwich

Indulge in a little city-centre wild sauna-ing at The Lion’s Den, a pretty spot on the banks of the River Wensum. Once you’re in one of their two wood-fired barrel saunas, you’ll never guess you’re in the heart of Norwich as you watch the river-life out the window. There are whisky barrel dunk tanks for an icy plunge, as well as a cold shower and changing cubicles. The cafe next door is delightful, whether for a chilled glass of rosé or a wholesome mug of soup. www.thelionsdennorwich.com

• Some of these experiences may not be suitable for everyone so do check current guidance.

For all prices, check individual websites

Sauna in the Woods, Rackheath © Dan Kennedy

Sauna Box, Sheringham

Exclusive Norfolk Retreats At Little Massingham Manor

The ultimatesummerescapes

Ready to book onlineat www.norfolkbound.co.uk now!’

at www.norfolkbound.co.uk now!’

TheSizzle&Soak - your new favourite way to relax, reconnect, and soak up the sunshine! Delicious BBQ’s with friends, a hot tub gently bubbling nearby, laughter echoing through the trees, glasses clinking, and the warm summer sun streaming through the canopy of our beautiful woodland setting. Pure relaxation!

The Stable Sauna Experience -

TheStableSaunaExperience - introducing our brand-new 4-person infrared sauna, offering a deeply restorative wellness experience. Tucked away in a charming converted stable, lovingly styled with original features and rustic touches like saddles and wooden beams, The Stable Sauna brings together the warmth of countryside heritage and modern wellbeing. With its own private changing area, toilet, and shower facilities, you’ll enjoy total comfort and seclusion during your visit. Bookonlinenow!

Osteopathy ~ Clinical Psychology ~ Echo Ear Care ~ Integrated Massage Physiotherapy ~ Acupuncture ~ Heal Your Life Coaching Nutritional Therapy ~ Myofascial Release ~ Hypnotherapy Homeopathy ~ Counselling ~ Permanent Makeup

*Treatments subject to change

For further details and for more of our upcoming workshops and events, please visit our website or contact us on: Tel 07914 620903 Email info@norfolkbound.co.uk Web norfolkbound.co.uk

COASTAL & RURAL HOLIDAY HOMES

Book your escape today with Simply Norfolk Stays

From the cosy and quaint cottages, to the big and the bold country homes and everything in-between, we showcase privately-owned self-catering Norfolk holiday homes and cottages. Nestled in stunning landscapes, from picture postcard coastal towns to rural rolling vistas, in a county steeped in rich history. Our charming holiday homes provide the perfect blend of comfort and convenience for your all-year-round getaway.

Let your Norfolk holiday home with us

Award winning Barefoot Retreats is delighted to bring you Simply Norfolk Stays...

A simple, fuss free and cost-effective way to market your Norfolk holiday home, whilst having the flexibility to manage your own properties maintenance and housekeeping.

Low commission rate | Multiple agency listings allowed | Risk free | No joining or hidden fees | Comprehensive marketing strategy | Professional photography & videography | No homeowner restrictions for using your own property | Your property will be listed on multiple platforms.

Image courtesy of Emma Cullen Photography

Rewilding 10 ways to get back to nature this summer

As the season reaches its golden peak, here’s your guide to unforgettable family adventures in North Norfolk’s wild and wonderful spaces

Words: Natalie Douglas

Claw-some encounters

Perched on Wells Quay, the Lobster Hatchery offers a fascinating peek into life beneath the waves. Your little nippers can spy tiny lobsters growing in their tanks, learning how these creatures are nurtured before heading out to sea. Volunteers bring the story to life, making it an easy, hands-on way to connect with Norfolk’s marine world. Plus, there’s plenty of harbourside action to watch afterwards - crabbing lines, fishing boats and ice creams at the ready.

Into the wild

Pensthorpe is a paradise for families, with adventure at every turn. Kids will love WildRootz, a giant playground with zip wires, tunnels and a freshwater stream perfect for splashing. Trails wind through wetlands and woodlands, with daily flamingo talks and pond dipping for hands-on fun. New for this summer is the ‘Migration Maize Maze’ - will you be able to successfully migrate through the maze, or will you hit some of the challenges birds face on their epic journeys around the globe? A brilliant blend of wild play, nature spotting and relaxed family time.

Berry nice

Sharrington Strawberries are a Norfolk summer staple, and picking your own is the best part. Kids will love running up and down the rows, hunting for the juiciest, reddest berries to fill their punnets. The fields are just off the A148 near Holt, with an open-air shop full of fresh fruit and goodies. No one minds if little hands get a bit sticky! Keep an eye out for the giant strawberry by the road, it’s your cue to stop.

Join the crew

Nature’s playground

Holkham is where big skies meet big adventures. Head to the park, where children can climb, swing and zip through the huge woodland play area, take on the ropes course, or hop aboard a tractortrailer for a deer safari. Pick up a free summer spotter sheet, go pond dipping (select dates) or book onto the ‘Bat Chat and Trek’ event, where, accompanied by an expert, you’ll see these fascinating creatures in flight in the woodland (select dates). Keep your eyes peeled, too, for a colourful GoGoSafari sculpture waiting to be found somewhere on the estate.

Norfolk’s beaches are beautiful but knowing how to stay safe is key. This summer, kids can get a real taste of lifeboat life with Storm Force sessions at Hunstanton RNLI. Running on Sundays 27 July and 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 August at 10.30am, these fun, interactive workshops let young adventurers explore the lifeboat station, meet the crew, and learn essential sea safety skills through games and hands-on activities. It’s a brilliant way to build confidence by the coast. For year-round fun, kids can also join the RNLI’s Storm Force club and receive magazines packed with stories, puzzles and water safety tips.

Pond dipping at Holkham © Holkham Estate

Setting sail

For a real family expedition, hop aboard Selkie, a Stiffkey Cockle sailing boat, with Sail North Norfolk. Based at Blakeney Quay, skipper Zoe Dunford takes families on gentle two- to three-hour trips through the beautiful creeks and salt marshes. Spot seals, watch birdlife up close, and even have a go at helping with the sails! There’s room for four, plus plenty of homemade cake and hot drinks to keep little sailors happy. A peaceful, memorable way to see Norfolk from the water.

Curious creatures

Nature comes alive for little adventurers at the Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s summer workshops. Across reserves like Cley, Sweet Briar Marshes and Hickling, kids can join bug hunts, pond dipping, minibeast safaris, and nature crafts. Expert guides bring Norfolk’s wild side to life, helping families spot everything from dragonflies to marsh harriers. It’s hands-on, exciting, and a brilliant way to nurture a love of the outdoors, all while having plenty of fun along the way.

Little artists in action

For those quieter moments or rainy days, get crafty with the kids at Doodle Pots in Holt, Honeypots Studio in Hunstanton or Sticky Earth Café in Cromer. All are brilliant paint-your-own pottery studios, offering everything from mugs and plates to quirky figurines. Children can let their imaginations run wild while grown-ups enjoy a breather. Best of all, you’ll have a unique, handmade keepsake - a lovely way to remember your summer, whatever the weather’s doing.

The joy of car-booting

There’s nothing like a car boot sale for a bit of treasure hunting and North Norfolk is full of them. Cherry Tree Car Boot on Sundays near Fakenham is a local favourite (find them on Facebook), packed with stalls selling everything from toys and books to plants and vintage finds. It’s a great way for kids to learn about recycling, budgeting and even a bit of pocket-money negotiating! Armed with a few coins, they can search for bargains while grownups browse for hidden gems. Keep it casual, grab a bacon butty and enjoy the thrill of the hunt.

Happy campers

Castle Wild Camp is set in wildflower meadows just outside Holt; it’s proper back-to-nature stuff with compost loos, fire pits, and endless space for kids to roam. For something really special, book a stay in Hilda, a converted American school bus complete with beds, a kitchen, and bags of quirky charm. Toast marshmallows under starry skies and wake up to birdsong, it’s an off-grid adventure with all the magic of the outdoors.

Check with venues for timings, ticket prices and any booking requirements

WildRootz, Pensthorpe © Steve Adams

Wild arts and crafts at NWT Sweet Briar Marshes © Denzil Dean

Sunset aboard Selkie with Sail North Norfolk © Amelia Le Brun

Hilda the school bus © @alexandernomad.co

WILD AT HEART

Natalie Douglas shines a spotlight on some of North Norfolk’s conservation projects and heroes

Wild reading

Language of the Land is a beautiful new book celebrating the nature and landscapes of North Norfolk through original poems, essays and reflections by 24 writers. Created by alumni of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s ‘Creative Writing Outside’ course at Cley Marshes and introduced by author Patrick Barkham, it’s a joyful, thoughtful collection that captures the deep connection between people and place. Each piece invites readers to slow down, notice more, and cherish this remarkable corner of the world. Priced at £12, all profits from sales will benefit the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. The book is available at NWT visitor centres across the county.

Charting a steady course

If you want to understand a place, talk to someone who’s given their life to it. For over 25 years, Robert Smith MBE has done just that, quietly guiding Wells-next-the-Sea’s harbour through tides of change, while keeping its spirit anchored in the past

Born and raised in Wells, Robert grew up with salty air in his lungs and boats beneath his feet. ‘I was always on the water, it’s in my blood,’ he says.

When he took the helm as harbour master in 2000, the port had been centred on cargo for generations, a way of life he’d already seen shifting during earlier years on the team. ‘It had served its purpose well,’ he reflects, ‘but ships were getting too big, and Wells couldn’t keep up.’ Rather than let it decline, he helped chart a new course: welcoming leisure boats, improving facilities, and turning Wells harbour into a thriving destination without losing its character.

Tourism now sustains the town, with the population swelling each summer. But Robert is clear: ‘We have to look after what makes this place special.’ That care runs through everything from managing footfall to leading conservation efforts like the Wells Lobster Hatchery, where local fishermen rear and release baby lobsters to protect the harbour’s fishing future. Another project close to his heart is the floating tern pontoon, created to stop rising sea levels from washing away nests. ‘They’re coming back in bigger numbers every year,’ he says with quiet pride.

Robert’s respect for the harbour’s past runs deep. ‘Nelson sat on this quay in the 1700s. I like to think if he came back today, he’d still recognise the place.’

Later this year, Robert will launch the Port of Wells podcast. But his focus remains on the waterline. With sea levels rising, regulations tightening, and visitor numbers growing, the future of Wells harbour depends on decisions made today. Robert knows better than most: if we continue to respect the harbour, protect what we’ve inherited, and work with the environment then there’s every chance it will continue to thrive, without losing what makes it so special.

Green shoots for the future

North Norfolk District Council has launched the Green Futures Youth Project, a new programme offering free, year-round outdoor activities for ages 11 to 19 (up to 25 with additional needs). Held in Green Flag sites like Holt Country Park and Sadlers Wood, the sessions blend handson conservation, creative workshops, and nature-based learning. From bat walks to learning about birds and butterflies, to orienteering, the project aims to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards away from screens and into the wild. www.north-norfolk.gov.uk

Robert Smith MBE

Wells harbour

GO WILD with Robin Chittenden

As we wing into high summer, our columnist shares some of the glorious sights and sounds of the season

Buzz words

There has been a lot of media interest concerning Asian hornets, which are establishing themselves in southern England. But what about the native European hornet? Have you seen one of them? They are fabulous, robust looking beasts, with a gorgeous orangey back, that zoom about inspecting vegetation for insects to eat. Like wasps, they are basically predators.

They particularly like woods and larger gardens. Don’t panic; they are, unless extremely provoked, usually very relaxed and will just go about their business ignoring you. In other words, don’t poke them with a stick. If you get a chance, have a look at them through binoculars, they are particularly smart. I’ve seen them fly onto the back of a butterfly, nip off the butterfly’s wings with their fine cutting jaws, and make off with what’s left, that is the head, thorax and abdomen, to their nest.

Their reputation in the insect world is such that just looking a bit like one will give you some sort of immunity from attention by other insects and predators, such as say the spotted flycatcher, below. You may find that what you thought was a European hornet turns out to be a completely innocuous large hoverfly. One of the most well known is the hornet hoverfly and as the name suggests, it is a hornet mimic.

The sweet spot

Spotted flycatchers used to be a common garden bird but nowadays are much more localised. With luck you still may find them in some gardens. The liberal use of insecticides and herbicides on farms and gardens etc has severely reduced the number of insects, hence any insect eating animal will find it harder to survive. If you don’t have access to a garden, you could always try looking for them at any local cemeteries; those with wilder, less mown areas should have a more diverse insect population which the spotted flycatcher would love, the flying ones, at least. You may not have been aware there was one there until it has shown itself by flicking out into the air from an unseen perch to nab a passing insect, before often returning to the very same perch from where it had sprung. If you are lucky enough to find one, you may have a breeding pair. I’ve seen nests on a cavity within the soft tree bark of a redwood tree and on a church wall, nestled behind a downpipe. If you have time, it’s worth checking out their progress, especially when the young leave the nest. They are super cute spotty.

Hidden gems

The willow emerald damselfly (also called western willow spreadwing) is a damselfly that has spread northwards from Europe with climate change and can now be found in North Norfolk. It is large for a damselfly but still small. They are about the length of one of those larger matches. It can often be encountered by freshwater dykes and ditches but can also be found away from water. They spend a lot of time just hanging about, often at the tips of branches and can be quite hard to find. Spotting them can be made easier when one takes to the air to catch a passing insect (in a similar ‘reveal’ to that of the spotted flycatcher mentioned earlier). You can find then by scanning the tips of branches on which they sit waiting. The females lay eggs in grooves cut into the bark of trees that overhang say a ditch. You could search for these track-like scars. The larvae after hatching then simply nosedive into the water to continue the next stage of their lifecycle underwater.

Spotted flycatcher

European hornet

Willow emerald damselfly

In reserve: RSPB Snettisham

This is one of those reserves that the time of the visit can be crucial to enhancing your wildlife experience

RSPB Snettisham is famous for great views of vast numbers of roosting waders, such as knot, oystercatchers etc, that have to vacate The Wash on the highest tides of the year. To find out the dates have a look at the RSPB website. There are four dates in August 2025, the times of which vary between 5.45am and 7.30am. So an early start, but note these are the recommended times given for commencing the walk from the RSPB car park.

From the car park you first walk west past the fishing lakes to a path that heads south alongside one of the pits. Carry on south with The Wash on your right and another pit on your left. Apart from waders, look out for turtle doves that often feed above the shoreline, where they find the seeds from many of the coastal plants to their liking. In winter there is often a small flock of snow buntings in the area.

The first hide you come to is the Rotary Hide which overlooks the top end of the southernmost pit. Often there is not a lot to see that is close. It may be worth checking behind you for the waders on The Wash. A telescope would be handy. Continuing south, you come to the Shore Hide where you should get closer views of some of the waders. Look out for spoonbills that often roost at the south end of this pit.

People often gather outside here nearer to The Wash, as the waders can often pass right overhead, as they fly from The Wash into the pit. On the south-west side of the pit is a screen that gives another view, and a little further round is a new hide. Here there is a gallery ‘seating’ arrangement with views though large glass windows. You may witness photographers sprawled out on the floor in front of you, poking their lenses through brush cover openings. The waders in August can look particularly fabulous as many will still be in summer plumage, so lots of appealing brick red and orange hues. The main species are knot, bar-tailed godwit, black-tailed godwit, oystercatchers, sanderlings and dunlins, but often with a thorough scanning and a heap of luck, other species could be located such as the scarce white-rumped sandpiper.

Need to know

Address: RSPB Snettisham, Beach Road, Snettisham, PE31 7RA

What3Words: unfounded.domain.pianists Grid ref: TF65133293

Visitors with special access needs can contact titchwell@rspb.org.uk for a permit to allow you to park closer to the hides. www.rspb.org.uk/snettisham

Cheers!

If you are lucky while exploring NWT Holme Dunes or Burnham Overy Dunes, you may come across a tall, robust flowering plant called a broad-leaved helleborine. This is a type of orchid. At first sight, this may seem a bit confusing as they do not conform to the usual orchid flower spike. They tend to be taller with the flowers more widely spaced than your average orchid. Broadleaved helleborine tends to flower in high summer. The nectar in its flowers attracts bee species, which will result in the cross pollination of the flowers. The attraction is apparently greatly enhanced by a fungus that grows in the nectar turning it mildly alcoholic. For some reason, the bees find they have to keep going back for more…

Broad-leaved helleborine

White-rumped sandpiper, photographed at RSPB Titchwell, August 2024

Knot - whose Latin name is Calidris canutus - at Snettisham

Bar-tailed godwit

We specialise in creating high-end bathrooms that combine functionality and design. Modern minimalism to classic opulence.

NEW OUTDOOR LIVING AREA OPEN

Outdoor Living CUTTINGS

Green-fingered news and seasonal finds

Over the wall

Earlier this year, Houghton Hall’s awardwinning five-acre walled garden was featured in Monty Don’s BBC series, British Gardens, and it’s easy to see why. With its spectacular long herbaceous borders, rose parterre with fountain, tranquil Mediterranean garden, classical and contemporary sculptures, glasshouse and potager, it’s a joy to wander round, with plenty of surprises along the way. High summer highlights include, of course, the rose garden, the herbaceous borders at their peak, plus hydrangeas, sweet peas and soft fruits, with dahlias and asters coming on, too.

The Walled Garden is open select days until 28 September and there’s also a chance to see it at dusk on 25 July, when you can enjoy a glass of wine and a stroll or join an optional tour with one of the estate’s senior horticulturalists, who’ll also answer questions. Pre-booking is essential for this event. www.houghtonhall.com

Two to do

• Enjoy an evening with Adam Frost at King’s Lynn Corn Exchange on 30 September, part of a nationwide tour by this award-winning garden designer and BBC Gardeners’ World presenter. He’ll discuss the plants which have shaped his life, reflect on what’s brought him to where he is now, the inspiration he’s found in the garden and people he’s met along the way. www.kingslynncornexchange.co.uk

• Head to Holkham’s Walled Garden on 27 September for their autumn Garden and Outdoor Living Fair, with plants, crafts, decorative items and plenty of gardening inspiration. Fancy learning more about this six-

Making a splash

As temperatures rise, thoughts often turn to a cooling dip, maybe in a swimming pool or hot tub… Well, over in South Raynham, near Fakenham, is Wensum Pools which happens to have the largest swimming pool, hot tub, swimspa, sauna and steam showroom in the county.

acre walled garden? Join one of the ‘walk and talk’ tours at 11.30am and 2pm including a tour of the Grade II listed Samuel Wyatt Vinery. www.holkham.co.uk

Visit websites for timings and ticket prices.

A family-run business, set up in 1977, Wensum Pools has a team of experts on hand to help, whether you want to take the plunge and install a swimming pool (which they can design and build), or go for the latest in hot tubs or ice baths. Fancy improving your fitness? How about a swim-spa or the compact endless pools, both with swim currents so you can train in them.

There’s a maintenance service and the showroom has outdoor furniture, inflatables and accessories, too, plus a range of jacuzzi hot tubs to try before you buy. Don’t forget your swimsuit! www.wensumpools.co.uk

The three Rs…

RELAX in the new Bramblecrest Chedworth Single Tulip Cocoon Chair with cushions in season-proof fabric. £449, Norwich Camping & Leisure, instore only; www.norwichcamping.co.uk

READ all about how to grow, harvest and arrange seasonal blooms in Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden book, packed with inspiring tips and gorgeous photography. £21.99, Bringing the outside in; www. nomadandthebowerbird.co.uk

The Mediterranean Garden, Houghton Walled Garden

RETREAT under this pretty Pink Carnation Parasol made from hand-blocked fabric, and with a durable wooden pole. £275, Kelling Home; www.kellinghome.com

Swimming pool by Wensum Pools

Adam Frost, photographed by Jason Ingram

PHOTO:

Living Floral fancies

From strolling round a lavender garden or gathering armfuls of sunflowers, to learning the art of flower farming, Rachel Bowles picks three Norfolk destinations offering memorable ways to celebrate summer in full bloom

Norfolk Lavender

Just a short drive from Hunstanton, Norfolk Lavender in Heacham was established in 1932 and spans nearly 100 acres. The site is home to the National Collection of Lavenders, and summer is, of course, an ideal time to wander round their lavender gardens, with flowers at their peak through to around mid-August, weather dependent.

During this period, the landscape is awash with soft purple hues and the soothing scent of lavender - a truly sensory experience. Strolling beside the fragrant rows was a personal summer highlight for me last year. While you’re there, be sure to browse the gift and farm shops for a wide range of lavender based products. There’s also a cafe, The Mill Kitchen, which serves everything from hearty breakfasts and light bites to afternoon teas, Sunday roasts, main meals, lavender cake and scones!

New for this summer is Yard Pizza - think wood-fired pizza, a bar and ice cream (do try the lavender ice cream, created in collaboration with Norfolk-based Lakenham Creamery). A newly installed giant jump pillow adds extra fun for younger visitors! Find them on Facebook

Forever Green Flower Company

For a more immersive floral experience, head to Forever Green Flower Company in Aylmerton. With more than two decades in horticulture and years dedicated to growing British cut flowers, founder Cel Robertson brings a wealth of experience to her work - and she’s deeply committed to sharing that knowledge, so much so, that she has written Cut Flowers, a handbook for creating a cutting garden.

At her one-acre sustainable flower farm, Cel runs regular ‘Floral Field’ sessions which combine practical flower arranging with insights into eco-conscious growing. Guests spend a morning cutting blooms by hand with Cel sharing her expertise about each variety. NNL writer Harriet Cooper calls these sessions one of the highlights of her year. She says: ‘It’s the most wonderful back-tonature experience, where not only can you tap into Cel’s huge depth and breadth of knowledge but also leave with armfuls of the most beautiful, locally grown blooms.’ www.forevergreenflowerco.co.uk

Westgate Farm

Nestled in the heart of Great Walsingham, Westgate Farm transforms into a sunflower spectacle each summer. Covering more than 12 acres and planted with around 600,000 sunflower seeds, the farm opens the field to visitors, offering a breathtaking display which invites you to lose yourself in a sea of golden blooms.

I’ve visited with my children for the past three years, and it’s become one of our favourite summer traditions.

Armed with secateurs (bring your own), we love wandering through the field, carefully choosing our stems. These pick-your-own sunflower days are a holiday highspot especially for families, and there’s always the chance to snap the ultimate shot against the picture-perfect backdrop.

To make the most of golden hour, Westgate Farm also hosts evening openings, with sunset light perfect for photography, plus occasional live music sessions and seasonal events. The sunflower fields typically bloom from early to mid-August but for the latest updates, keep an eye on Westgate Farm’s social media pages. www.westgate-farm.co.uk

Norfolk Lavender © Lloyd Birch Photography

Rachel at Westgate Farm, 2023 © Rachel Bowles

Cel Robertson

Drove Orchards, Thornham Road, Thornham PE36 6LS

Tel: 01485 500 550 www.hortico.uk

hortico-nursery & garden emporium

hortico_garden_emporium

Celebrating the very best of British and international design and craftsmanship, Kelling Home is delighted to share its vibrant space at Creake Abbey with a handpicked selection of local lifestyle brands –Kelling Home & Friends.

From fashion and beauty to art, jewellery, home, and lifestyle, our Friends represent a curated collection of premium brands, each chosen for their exceptional quality, creativity, and distinctive style.

VISIT US TUESDAY TO SUNDAY, FROM 9:30AM TO 4:00PM

KELLING HOME, CREAKE ABBEY, CREAKE ROAD, NORFOLK, NR21 9LF

WWW.KELLINGHOME.COM

SHOP@KELLINGHOME.COM 01328 830 449 & Friends

The Insider

News and notes from the home front

Design masterclass

Interior designer Rebecca Clark shares her tips and tricks for adding a touch of texture to your home

‘In Norfolk, we are blessed with the most incredible natural daylight and light-filled rooms brimming with natural textures and finds from the beach (or at least that look like they are) really make you feel at home here.

‘Using textured surfaces anywhere possible stops your home from feeling too obvious or unconsidered. Carefully curated materials on every surface can really elevate your design in a modern, stylish way and is the simplest trick to getting that ‘boutique hotel’ feeling.

‘Choose linen fabric wrapped coffee table books in neutral colours, seriously good quality faux foliage stems for year-round textural interest which can be added to seasonally, and textural flooring such as a faux sisal or heavily grained or patinaed wood. These will all form a perfect backdrop and starting point to layer up with linens, woods and terracotta stones to create interest. Use textured glass and metals wherever possible and opt for nibbled edge furniture in a bronze finish for a modern elevated look.’

www.rebeccaclarkinteriors.com

Flower power

Building her Georgian-style home from scratch back in 2020 inspired Grace Bright to launch Peony Designs, an interiors business complete with a design studio, sourcing service and online shop.

‘Peony Designs grew naturally from my work in interiors - what began as a personal passion during the construction of Peony Manor evolved into a business and has since become my main focus,’ says Grace. ‘I formally launched the studio earlier this year, after some time of working in design, with a desire to offer something less off-the-shelf and something more personal. My aim is to reflect the character and individuality of each client in their home. While I specialise in historical architecture and period properties, I also enjoy working closely with developers and small-scale self-builders to help bring their vision of a dream home to life.’

The online shop, meanwhile, is stocked with kilim and jute scalloped rugs created in collaboration with artisans in Jaipur (ikat ruffled lampshades and bespoke kilim ottomans will follow in July), alongside one-off pieces sourced by Grace. www.peonydesigns.co.uk

The perfect fit

From biophilic design that blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces to floor-to-ceiling window walls and internal partitions, using glass in your home is a clear way to make a design statement.

‘Glass is a material which can be used imaginatively to enhance any home,’ says Geoff Parker, managing director of second-generation family-run West Norfolk Glass, which offers custom glazing solutions including bespoke balconies, balustrades and staircases. He continues: ‘Whether your property has a traditional style or a contemporary aesthetic, we can help to create unique glazing solutions which enhance your living space using high quality products that simultaneously improve your home’s energy efficiency.’

A founding member of the Glass and Glazing Federation and a Which? Trusted Trader for six years, King’s Lynn-based West Norfolk Glass offers a complete service from the initial design consultation to expert installation. www.westnorfolkglass.co.uk

All set

As the tablescaping trend continues apace, tablecloths are definitely having a moment!

1 ROZABLUE LITTLE CROWN GREEN TABLECLOTH 160 x 270cm £95.99, Norfolk Living; www.norfolkliving.co.uk

2 PERIDOT ALOTABLOT SIX-SEATER

TABLECLOTH WITH PINK BORDER AND SIX NAPKINS 177.8 x 228.6cm £115, Kelling Home (other sizes available); www.kellinghome.com

3 WALTON & CO HAND-BLOCK PRINT

TABLECLOTH 180 x 270cm £70, Jarrolds; www.jarrolds.co.uk

4 WALTON & CO WIDE STRIPE OLIVE

TABLECLOTH 150 X 240cm £57, Norfolk Living

Designed by Rebecca Clark Interiors

Grace Bright, founder of Peony Designs

Conservatory by West Norfolk Glass

KAEMINGK DOLOMITE SHINY ORANGE JUICER £15.99, Aldiss

DESIGNWORKS INK SET OF TWO DOTTY CITRUS WEDGE ICE TRAYS £15, Ocotillo

WALTON & CO LEMON TABLE RUNNER £22, Jarrolds

BEARING FRUIT Living

Amanda Loose whips up a cocktail of fruity homewares for summer

ORANGES SALT AND PEPPER POT SET £12.50, Thornham Deli

MINI STRAWBERRY JUG £10, Tatty Tides

PADDYWAX ADOPO SNAKE CERAMIC CANDLE IN WILD LEMONGRASS £26, Nomad & the bowerbird

PINEAPPLE JAR £34.95, HortiCo Nursery & Garden Emporium

LARGE STRAWBERRY FIELD BOWL £7.99, Holt Garden Centre

BON APPETIT TIN TRAY £15, Tatty Tides

LARGE RED, CHERRY AND GREEN POMEGRANATE SUZANI 270 X 33cm £275, Kelling Home

LITTLE FRUIT DISH £15, Joyful Living

EMMA BRIDGEWATER STRAWBERRIES RICE HUSK PLATE £8.25, Pocock’s the artmonger at HortiCo Nursery & Garden Emporium

COMPAÑIA FANTASTICA GRAPEFRUIT PRINT MIDI DRESS £78, Nomad & the bowerbird

HANDMADE CERAMIC POMEGRANATES £19 each, Cape Vanilla

STRAWBERRY KEYRING £12, The Tannery

CERAMIC WILLIAM AND CONFERENCE PEARS FROM A SELECTION OF FRUITS, NUTS AND BERRIES FROM AROUND £125 TO £350, The Red Dot Gallery

LARGE STRAWBERRY VASE £70, Hive Norfolk

GRAHAM LONDON LEMON HAND PAINTED STONEWARE MUG £10.95, HortiCo Nursery & Garden Emporium

STOCKISTS

Aldiss, Fakenham www.aldiss.com; Cape Vanilla, Creake Abbey, North Creake www.capevanilla.co.uk; Holt Garden Centre, near Holt www.holtgardencentre.co.uk; Hive Norfolk, Creake Abbey, North Creake @hivenorfolk; HortiCo Nursery & Garden Emporium, Drove Orchards, Thornham www.hortico.uk; Jarrolds, Norwich www.jarrolds.co.uk; Joyful Living, Drove Orchards, Thornham www.joyfulliving.co.uk; Kelling Home, Creake Abbey, North Creake www.kellinghome.com; Nomad & the bowerbird, Holt and Wells-next-the-Sea www.nomadandthebowerbird.co.uk; Ocotillo, Holt and Wells-next-the-Sea www.nomadandthebowerbird.co.uk; Pocock’s the artmonger at HortiCo, Drove Orchards, Thornham @pocockstheartmonger; The Red Dot Gallery, Holt www.thereddotgallery.com; The Tannery, Holt www.thetannery.co.uk; Tatty Tides, www.tattytides.co.uk; Thornham Deli, Thornham www.thornhamdeli.co.uk

GISELA

LEMON

The heart of the home

What makes the perfect kitchen? asks Sarah Hardy

THEkitchen remains the very hub of your home - where all the action happens! Whether you’re entertaining, cooking the kids their tea or simply relaxing with a mug of coffee, the kitchen is at the centre of family life.

Trends do exist in how kitchens look - just as with fashion and interiors - and recent times have seen a love for islands - those free-standing units usually in the centre of the room - and also some very impressive storage units, whether it’s a full-on pantry, boot room or utility, or just those wonderful storage units - breakfast cupboard, anyone?

There’s also a move towards a bit more colour, with blues and greens especially popular in Norfolk coastal areas, and all manner of work surfaces, from traditional wooden ones to granite, natural stone or hightech manmade options which can offer increased hygiene alongside great durability. And as for all those appliances, well, it starts with self-cleaning ovens (yes, really) and also includes those wonderful taps that deliver everything from boiling water to cool sparkling water as if by magic!

But our designers are clear about one thing - your kitchen must suit your personality and needs. There’s little point having a kitchen that looks great but you can’t open the fridge because there’s a cupboard in the way and are those high gloss units really sensible with toddlers and dogs?

Olga Jaszewska and Anthony Taylor run Fox & Bear Kitchens in Fakenham (www.foxandbearkitchens.co.uk), with Olga saying: ‘It’s all about you, really - your likes and dislikes. People get lots of inspiration from social media but they need to think about what is their favourite colour, what do they want to include - what matters to them? Sometimes it can just be a handkerchief that sets everything off!’

Olga is also a fan of reusing and repurposing items, say Victorian dining chairs or popping some vintage, colourful wallpaper behind a dresser’s glass doors. ‘This gives a personal touch,’ she says.

Richard Brown of Anglia Kitchens & Bedrooms (www. angliakb.co.uk), a family-run company based in Norfolk, believes opting for a personal service is the key to a stress-free experience. Richard says: ‘All our design and manufacturing is done in our Norwich showroom and workshop, and we create truly bespoke solutions which can be tailored to any needs. We often work with new homes but also enjoy working with period features such as oak beams and oddly shaped rooms in more period properties. We

Kitchen refresh

If you want to give your existing kitchen a makeover, Matthew Tipple of Tipple & Co Decorators (www.tippleandco.co.uk) in King’s Lynn says: ‘A new colour and some different hardware like handles and hinges can make a huge difference, giving that new kitchen feel without the new kitchen price tag. We always use a specialist product to ensure a longlasting finish. How we work is that we remove the doors and drawer pulls, complete any necessary filling and then we spray the doors and drawer pulls. Once completed, we will come and spray the rest of the kitchen units to match and then rehang all the doors and drawers. We can even re-finish your wooden worktops by sanding and re-staining.’

In vogue…

Appliance garages - where you can tuck away your toaster, microwave and more Statement splashbacks

Curved counter edges

Banquette seating

Open shelving and no upper cabinets

Concealed/secret storage

recently created a bespoke hide and slide dog gate for a customer who wanted to separate their dogs from the guests at dinner parties.’

Richard also explains that technology is changing the way they design their kitchens with appliances such as downdraft extractors removing the need for exterior venting and everyone’s favourite, the Bora self-cleaning oven - which they currently have on display in their Norwich showroom. Tips… Be sure to visit a fully functioning showroom - both Fox & Bear and Anglia Kitchens & Bedrooms have well equipped ones where you can try out appliances. Ask about the installation of a temporary kitchen so you can still live at home. Ensure you have one point of contact, so the process remains stress free. And do think about how you live and make sure you futureproof your kitchen.

NORTH

A classic look by Fox & Bear Kitchens

Contemporary shaker kitchen by Anglia Kitchens & Bedrooms

It’s in the bag!

Greening up her act

Niobe Wray-Shaw explores the world of sustainable living, meeting planet-friendly local businesses and sharing fantastic Norfolk finds

Markets and fairs are great places to find new businesses and their creations. I recently discovered Reworked Canvas at Holt Sunday Market and loved owner Matthew Caley’s colourful bags made from old tents

How did Reworked Canvas start?

I fell into it by accident a couple of years ago. I heard that a local scout group were throwing out their old canvas tents, which I thought was a waste. I decided I should do something with it! I bought a domestic machine and taught myself to sew by watching YouTube videos. Eventually, I started making bags, which I gave to family, and my wife suggested I take some to a market. They went down a storm - I was so surprised!

What makes old tent canvas ideal for bags?

It’s very durable and hardwearing, and it’s surprising how light and soft it is, too. They’re very long lasting - a real ‘bag for life’! They can be thrown around and washed at a low temperature.

How much of an old tent are you able to use?

I use about 98% of it, including the old zips

Independents’ day

and toggles. Some old tents have plastic windows or skirts which wasn’t UV protected in the 60s, so that’s usually quite degraded. I cut that off but use the canvas in the bags. Any off cuts are saved and used within my patchwork bags.

Now people know what I’m doing, they’ll offer me a tent, and I make them a couple of bags in return. I’ve started using some other sources of canvas, too. I got hold of some fantastic Japanese mail sacks that were going to landfill, which I’ve turned into bags and people love.

Find Reworked Canvas at Holt Sunday Market on 3 August, Burnham Market Craft Fair on 16 August, Aylsham Country Show on 25 August and at Wells Maltings on 30 August.

www.reworkedcanvas.co.uk

Shop local and small this summer

Shopping with local makers and producers is a great way to make your purchases more sustainable. One of my favourite ways to discover small businesses is at craft fairs and markets, especially when I’m browsing for presents! Here are a few North Norfolk events in my diary this summer:

The Burnhams Market, St. Mary’s Westgate Church, Burnham Market - 26 July, 30 August

Holt Sunday Market - 3 August, 7 September

Creake Abbey Summer Gift Fair - 23 August

Aylsham Country Show - 25 August Folk & Bespoke Craft Fair, Wells Maltings30 August

North Norfolk Food & Drink Festival, Holkham - 30 and 31 August

I try to choose independent shops. One of my favourites is Cobble Yard Store which opened in Aylsham in 2024. Joanna Scott’s carefully curated collection of homeware, pottery, and ecofriendly alternatives perfectly balances utility with aesthetics. Much of it is sourced from local makers, and there’s no plastic to be seen! Whenever I’m in the town, I pop into Make Holt - it’s the perfect place for gifts, though much of it I’d prefer to keep for myself! Located in Holt’s old courthouse, The Shirehall, this gorgeous building is full of equally beautiful displays of crafts and handmade homeware curated by Leanne McColm and Chris Taylor.

Matthew Caley

Reworked Canvas bag

North Norfolk Food & Drink Festival © Steve Adams, 2023

Cobble Yard Store

Make Holt

Fordecades,we’vebeentrustedbyhomeowners acrossNorfolkandbeyondtobringtheirvisionstolife. Whenyoustepintoourshowroom,wetakethetimeto trulylisten,understandingnotjusthowyouwantyour kitchentolook,buthowyouwantittomakeyoufeel.

Ourshowroomandworkshopsitsidebyside,soyour projectisquiteliterallyborn,builtandmanagedunder oneroofbyoneteam.Comeandseewhereitallbegins, andoneofourpassionatedesignerswillbeonhandto walkyouthrough,answeryourquestions,anddiscuss yourvision.

MAKING TAX DIGITAL

What You Need to Do in 2025 and 2026 (And How We’re Here to Help)

The UK’s tax system is going digital—and if you’re self-employed, a landlord, or run a small business, now’s the time to get ready. Making Tax Digital (MTD) is rolling out in phases, and the next big wave is coming in 2026. But don’t worry—we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

What Is Making Tax Digital?

MTD is HMRC’s plan to modernise the tax system. Instead of filing one big tax return each year, you’ll keep digital records and send quarterly updates to HMRC using approved software. It’s designed to reduce errors, save time, and give you a clearer picture of your finances.

Who Needs to Pay Attention in 2025?

If you’re a sole trader or landlord and your total income from self-employment or property is over £50,000, you’ll need to start using MTD for Income Tax Self-Assessment (ITSA) from 6 April 2026. That makes 2025 your preparation year— and the perfect time to get ahead of the curve.

What You Should Do Now

Here’s how to get ready:

Check your income for the tax year ending 5 April 2025. If it’s over £50,000, MTD applies to you from April 2026.

Choose MTD-compatible software—we can help you find the right fit for your business. Start keeping digital records of your income and expenses.

How We Can

Support You

As your accountants, we’re not just here to crunch numbers—we’re your partners in making this transition smooth and stress-free. Here’s how we’ll help:

Personalised MTD Readiness Reviews:

We’ll assess whether and when MTD applies to you, and help you plan accordingly.

Software Setup & Training: We’ll recommend the best MTD-compatible software for your needs, help you set it up, and show you how to use it confidently.

Quarterly Update Support: Whether you want to handle updates yourself or prefer us to manage them, we’ll make sure your submissions are accurate and on time.

Digital Recordkeeping Guidance: We’ll help you move from paper or spreadsheets to digital systems that are efficient and HMRC-compliant. Ongoing Advice & Troubleshooting: Got a question? Hit a snag? We’re just a phone call or email away.

What Happens in 2026?

From 6 April 2026, if you’re in the over-£50,000 income group, you’ll need to: Keep digital records

Submit quarterly updates to HMRC File a final declaration at year-end

This replaces the traditional Self-Assessment tax return for those affected.

What About Everyone Else?

Income over £30,000? You’ll join MTD in April 2027. Income over £20,000? Expected to join in April 2028. Under £20,000? You’re currently exempt—but we’ll keep you updated if that changes.

Final Thoughts

Making Tax Digital is a big change, but it doesn’t have to be a big headache. With the right tools and the right support, it can actually make managing your finances easier and more transparent.

And remember—you’re not doing this alone. We’re here to guide you through every step, from choosing software to submitting your first digital return. So, let’s make 2025 the year you get MTD-ready—with confidence.

Contact us at Stephenson Smart for more information or to discuss how we can assist. 10 Oak Street, Fakenham, NR21 9DY Tel: 01328 863318

22-26 King Street, King’s Lynn, PE30 1HJ Tel: 01553 774104 enquiries@stephenson-smart.com www.stephenson-smart.com

STAIN REMOVAL We move the furniture and replace on protective pads.

• Fully insured and guaranteed • Stainshield treatment availableprotects against dirt and spills • Anti-allergy treatments

Talk of the town

Affectionately known as ‘Sunny Hunny’, Hunstanton, with its dramatic striped cliffs, is one of the best spots on the Norfolk coast to view a sunset and has traditional seaside charm in spades. Join Rachel Bowles for a sun-soaked day of adventure in this Victorian town

Start your day at the Old Town Beach Cafe. Tucked away opposite the RNLI Station in neighbouring Old Hunstanton, this dogfriendly cafe is a great place to kick things off. With views of the dunes and plenty of outside seating, it’s easy to see why locals and visitors love it. The menu is a celebration of home cooked food - think hearty breakfasts, generously filled rolls, and fresh cakes straight from the oven. There’s a relaxed, laid-back feel

that makes it perfect whether you’re arriving from a coastal walk or just easing into the day. Find them on Facebook

Stroll along Cliff Parade and the Victorian esplanade, built in the late 1800s, with crazy golf, a play area and well-maintained gardens - on a clear day, you might even spot Boston Stump (St Botolph’s Church tower) across The Wash, in Lincolnshire. At the north end of Cliff Parade, you’ll see the ruins of St Edmund’s Chapel, marking the spot where England’s first patron saint is said to have landed. Nearby stands Hunstanton Lighthouse, now decommissioned but still an iconic landmark. The Norfolk Coast Path begins in the Esplanade Gardens and stretches 84 miles to Hopton-on-Sea.

and no experience needed as staff are on hand to help. Booking ahead is advised during school holidays. Pieces are glazed and ready in around 12 days or can be posted. Don’t miss the adultsonly Paint & Sip evenings.

www.honeypotsstudio.co.uk

Discover Sea Life Hunstanton, a firm family favourite. From playful rescue seals to vibrant reef fish and jellyfish, it’s compact yet full of interactive displays and close-up views. Don’t miss Ernie, the giant sea turtle, gliding through the tropical ocean tunnel. Book special experiences like feeding sessions or magical after-hours events including mermaid visits. www.visitsealife.com/hunstanton

Create something unique at Honeypots Studio, a vibrant pottery painting space in the town centre. Choose from mugs, plates, and figurines - perfect for all ages

Step inside the Heritage Centre and learn about the town’s rich history. From its days as a Victorian seaside resort to tales of shipwrecks, royal visits, and classic postcards, the centre offers a compact but compelling snapshot. Highlights include historic maps, fossils, and models, plus the story of Edmund, a 15-yearold Saxon boy who arrived here in 855AD and later became king, martyr, and England’s first patron saint. Run by volunteers, the centre is currently open Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays from 2pm to 4pm. Admission is free, but donations are welcomed. hunstantonsociety.wixsite.com/hunsoc

Treat yourself to a picnic from The Norfolk Deli. Renowned for its focus on locally sourced produce, this popular deli offers a tasty range of picnic hampers. Choose a classic hamper or build your own, but we’re especially tempted by the ‘Sunny Hunny Picnic’: generous sausage rolls, quiche of the day, vibrant deli salads, and a homemade chocolate brownie with fresh strawberries. Add a bottle of wine, and you’ve got a luxury lunch on the sand. Prefer to graze? Try one of their beautifully presented grazing boxes or fresh seafood platters. Pre-order online via www.norfolk-deli.co.uk and collect on the day.

The Esplanade Gardens

St Edmund’s Chapel © Rachel Bowles

Ernie, the giant sea turtle at Sea Life Hunstanton © Rachel Bowles

Make a splash with a range of water-based activities. Hunstanton Watersports offers paddleboarding and kitesurfing from the beach. Lessons are available to help you get started or build your confidence - book at www. hunstantonwatersports.com. To get in the swim, head to Alive Oasis, the town’s leisure centre, with its 25-metre swimming pool with aqua slide, and shallow toddler pool. With lane swimming, family fun sessions, general swim times and plenty to do out of the water, there’s something for everyone. For a really tranquil experience, book a slot at Hunstanton Private Pool Hire for exclusive use of their pool. Take a dip, unwind, complete with music, and perhaps treat yourself to one of their cream teas, too. www.alivewestnorfolk.co.uk; www.hunstantonpoolhire.co.uk

Embrace traditional seaside pursuits with a stroll along the promenade, a spin on the fairground rides, and tuck into a generous portion of fish and chips with a sea view. For a true local favourite, visit Fishers of Hunstanton, a long-established chippy just a stone’s throw

from the beach. Whether it’s the nostalgia of penny slot machines, the bright lights of the carousel, or the simple pleasure of salty chips eaten straight from the paper, this is the British seaside at its best.

Enjoy live entertainment at the Princess Theatre, where The Great British Seaside Special Variety Show will light up the stage every Wednesday afternoon in August (and the evening of 27th). This lively, family-friendly production blends music, comedy, stunts, magic and more. For something different, check the theatre’s wider summer programme, which includes exciting tribute acts like A Vision of Elvis, The Jersey Beats, and a double bill celebrating Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo. www.princesshunstanton.co.uk

Experience one of the coast’s treatswatching the sun set over the sea with a drink in hand at The Golden Lion. Hunstanton is one of the few places on the east coast where the sun sets over the water, and the hotel’s

terrace offers a perfect view. Watch as the sky transforms over The Wash, an unforgettable end to the day. If you prefer to stay indoors, the bar and conservatory are just as welcoming (and dog friendly).

www.thegoldenlionhunstanton.co.uk

Stay a little longer at No.33, a boutique room-only property just a short walk from the seafront. Brought to you by the team behind Thornham Deli, it offers five king-size en suite rooms designed in calming coastal tones. Enjoy walk-in showers, Egyptian cotton sheets, and Nespresso machines. If you’re travelling as a family, their sister property, No.5, is a stylish, three-bedroom self-catering house in Hunstanton. It shares the same attention to detail, with more space to relax. Both are dog friendly.

www.33boutiqueaccommodation.co.uk Visit

For

Paddleboarding with Hunstanton Watersports

Princess Theatre

Hunstanton cliffs

Views from The Golden Lion

Here’s Sarah Hardy’s round up of foodie news and events

Seasonal, local and fresh

Carron and James Noon’s pretty cafe, The Glaven Bistro, continues to impress with the launch of a new Breakfast Club, with special deals on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. The bistro, coming up for its second anniversary, forms part of The Barns offering at Glandford, a very pleasing collection of galleries, a clothing shop, and more.

The couple are keen to ‘do different’ with jazz nights, lunchtime piano concerts (the baby grand has pride of place in the cafe), local art on the walls, books to browse through and a takeaway counter, packed with cakes and pastries.

The menu, which changes every couple of months, is hyper local, with much use made of Staithe Smokehouse fish, salad leaves from Blakeney Leaf, cheese from Fielding Cottage at the Goat Shed near Norwich, and meat from HV Graves in Briston. Summer dishes are very attractive, with locally grown broad beans, beetroot, samphire and everyone’s favourite, Cromer crab! The cafe, which seats around 40 inside and the same number outside, is dog friendly and opens every day for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea from 9am to 3pm. www.theglavenbistro.com

Shucks away

The White Horse at Brancaster Staithe is staging its biggest event of the year with their annual Oyster Festival which runs from 13 to 17 August. Goodness knows how many of those slippery little things people will consume - but it’s a lot! It’s all happening at Marshside, their cool alfresco bar and foodie area, and live music makes it all that bit more trendy!

www.whitehorsebrancaster.co.uk

Taking flight

It’s always great to see a new opening and one of the latest is The Swan at Ringland. It had been shut for around three years before the Colchester Inns group took it over and opened it at the end of May. It’s in a great position, with the River Wensum very near, and has had a decent revamp so it’s looking all smart and ready for a busy summer. Colchester Inns has, amongst others, The Recruiting Sergeant at Horstead and the Buck at Blickling which are much loved.

www.swanatringland.co.uk

Brunch and more

The Old Store, a fab bakery and coffee shop based in Snettisham, is opening a new venue at Drove Orchards at Thornham. You can expect the same great breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes, great coffee, freshly squeezed juices plus all your bakery needs! It’s set to open in August.

www.theoldstorenorfolk.co.uk

Hall for all

The Norfolk Food Hall, run by the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association at the Norfolk Showground on the edge of Norwich, has opened and is highly impressive. Around £3m has been spent on creating a food hall, complete with deli and butchery (run by Tony Perkins) counters, and a cafe, with Daniel Freear as head chef. There’s a mixture

of new and well-established local producers from Mrs Temple’s Cheeses to English Whisky, Leigh’s Bees honey and Dann’s Ice Cream. And the 220-seater cafe (with seating inside and out) serves up everything from a full English to a Caesar salad, sandwiches, sausage rolls, burgers, soups, plus a dedicated children’s menu. There’s a children’s play area and a 5K trail is scheduled to open in September.

norfolkfoodhall.co.uk

Holt happenings

Folks Coffee Shop has opened in Holt, on Fish Hill, serving up great coffee, fresh pastries, bakes, cakes and sandwiches in the day and in the evening, it’s all about cheese boards, charcuterie, and a finely curated choice of wine. Look out for branches in Heydon and Blakeney, too.

www.folkscoffeeco.com

Carron and James Noon

Marshside, The White Horse Brancaster Staithe

Diary date

Norfolk Restaurant Week returns from 3 to 14 November. Restaurants will offer either two courses for £20 or three courses for £25, or two courses for £27 or three courses for £33, depending on the venue. Heacham Manor Hotel, Congham Hall and The Victoria at Holkham will be taking part, with the full list of participating restaurants to be announced over the coming weeks. Please note that the event does not include weekends. www.norfolkrestaurantweek.co.uk

Having your cake

Now don’t you just love these cute little beach hut cakes from Holt-based online cake store, Sponge? Available in pistachio and raspberry, berry bliss, lemon meringue, blackcurrant and lemon, they sum up exactly what summer is all about. Called Beach Hut Baby Sponges, a pack of four costs £15.50. www.sponge.co.uk

Stable mates

The ever-expanding Chestnut group has acquired the former coaching inn, The White Horse at Blakeney. The dog friendly hotel has a conservatory, a large bar and an inner courtyard plus several bedrooms and is just off the quay. Food plays an important part of their offering and the menu, which changes frequently, features plenty of favourites and lots of local produce. We reckon this is the company’s ninth Norfolk property, so they are really becoming a key player in the county’s hospitality sector. www.whitehorseblakeney.co.uk

Kerb appeal

There’s a new street food restaurant called Kerbside Kitchen in Cromer, serving smash burgers, loaded fries, chicken tenders and wings and more. Wildcraft Brewery of Smallburgh has teamed up with owner Shaun Moore to create a micropub inside the restaurant where you can expect the brewery’s great ales and a few cocktails. It’s situated in Garden Street. Find them on Facebook

Titbits

We’re holding our breath for the opening of the Workshop Cafe at the Fring Estate; look out for lamb boxes from The Little Sheep Co run by Aylsham butcher Jason Gibbons and his wife, Kate; many congratulations to Lodge Farm Shop in Northrepps on their successful opening and well done to The Gunton Arms on being named the East of England Pub and Bar of the Year at the National Pub and Bar Awards 2025. And we look forward to inspecting the six new look bedrooms at Byfords in Holt - it is all go there as they make improvements to celebrate their 25th anniversary.

The colour purple

Nelson’s Journey, the Norfolk-based childhood bereavement support charity, holds its annual fundraising campaign, Purple Picnic, from 14 to 20 July. It’s the opportunity to stage a picnic, tucking into all that delicious food in the fresh air and hopefully sunshine, whilst supporting this very worthwhile organisation. Since the event’s inception in 2015, it has raised over £50,000 for the charity. More details about how to join in are available online. www.nelsonsjourney.org.uk

Elk Room, The Gunton Arms

One of Byfords’ new-look bedrooms © christaylorphoto.co.uk

Nelson’s Journey Young Volunteers enjoying their Purple Picnic © Nelson’s Journey

The Victoria, Holkham © Holkham Estate

Peak District Luxury Cottage

Close walking distance to Chatsworth

hello@baslowbolthole.co.uk www.baslowbolthole.co.uk

CRAFTBEER-STREETFOOD-BREWERYTOURS

BARSHAMBREWERY.CO.UK@BARSHAMBREWERY

On tap

Raise your glass to Sarah Hardy’s guide to the best taprooms and breweries for a pint in the sunshine!

In Norfolk we’re blessed with many great microbreweries, several of which have their own taprooms and beer gardens. Here are just a few to sample…

Barsham Brewery, Taproom and Shop, West Barsham

Beer is produced from the barley grown in the surrounding farmland, so the beer miles are virtually non-existent! There are some great ales on offer, from Bitter Old Bustard to Stout Robin and Norfolk Topper, and brewery tours are available. The taproom opens regularly (Thursdays from 5pm to 8pm, Fridays and Saturdays noon to 10pm, and Sundays noon to 6pm; check website for additional dates), as does their shop, and there are special events too, but the monthly Street Food Fridays are perhaps the most fun with the beer flowing, live music and plenty of pop-up foodie concessions. The shenanigans, on the last Friday of the month from April to August, start at 4pm. www.barshambrewery.co.uk

The Fur & Feather, Woodforde’s Brewery, Woodbastwick

A bit more than a microbrewery, Woodforde’s produces some of our best known beers, from Wherry to Nelson’s Revenge. Their pub, the thatched Fur & Feather, is the perfect spot to sample the goods as it’s attached to the actual brewery. The pub serves a wide range of food - with several dishes featuring the beer, with Wherry battered fish and chips catching the eye. There’s also a large garden with plenty of picnic tables for the warm weather. Brewery tours are available and there’s also a fully stocked shop.

www.woodfordes.com

Duration Brewing, West Acre

Based at Abbey Farm in the historic ruins of an old priory, Miranda Hudson and Derek Bates create farm fresh beers, with a really modern twist, and, as Derek is from North Carolina, you can expect an American influence, too. Not only are there regular tours and a shop, but a taproom opens at weekends from noon to 8pm on Saturdays and noon to 6pm on Sundays, with live music and local street food vendors. The rural setting is gorgeous, there are delightful walks in the surrounding countryside and what a place to just kick back and sip a pint or two, especially their new summer brew, Magnolia.

www.durationbeer.com

All Day Brewing Company, Salle Moor Farm, Salle

Based in a 500-year-old barn with hops grown just metres away from the brewery, the small range of beers (think Let’s Cask and First & Last) and a couple of ciders are produced using water from the farm’s own borehole, too. The taproom is magnificent, all laid back rustic chic and there’s a pretty courtyard garden around a wildlife pond. Friday night pizza nights are popular, with food served from 5pm, and other events such as beer festivals are held throughout the year. It’s a very bucolic spot and we love it!

Find them on Facebook

Malt Coast Brewery, near Wells

Two brothers, Bruin and Max Maufe, produce five core beers including Amber Ale, Black IPA and Pale Ale, with barley grown on the family farm, Branthill. From now until mid-September, wood-fired pizzas are served from noon on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays so you can enjoy the beer garden, set among apple trees, where there’s also a children’s play area. There’s an indoor seating area, a Sundowner meadow, a shop (www.norfolkbottleshop. co.uk), and brewery tours are also available. You can even glamp!

www.maltcoast.com

Pick up the perfect summer picnic

Sarah Hardy suggests what to put in your hamper to cater for the whole family - even the dog!

For the wine lover… Pop in a bottle of easy drinking Charmat Rosé from Flint Vineyard in the Waveney Valley. It’s their flagship fizz and simply shouts out party time. www.flintvineyard.com

For the beer drinker? Panther Brewery at Reepham produces a ginger wheat beer with a fresh ginger kick that is wonderful on hot days. The microbrewery’s Ginger Panther Wheat Beer also contains lemongrass and chilli, so it packs a punch!

www.pantherbrewery.co.uk

Say cheese… Nortons Soft Cheese with Lavender is a must for any Norfolk picnic. The Norton family farm just outside Norwich, with their herd of Brown Swiss cows producing milk used to create a delicious soft cheese. There are several flavours to choose from, but this one is a bit different - and has rosemary and chervil in it too which gives an extra bite. www.nortonsdairy.co.uk

Don’t forget the chutney… Have you tried Norwich chef Richard Bainbridge’s small range of goodies yet? His R Bainbridge Norfolk Chutney oozes with tomato, apple and cider vinegar to produce something that is great as a dip or spread. It is also vegan and gluten free. www.rbainbridge.co.uk

The essential sausage roll… Two Magpies do a very good straightforward sausage roll plus a Moroccan roll which is a lovely vegetarian alternative. Both are delicately spiced with that famous buttery Two Magpies pastry. And yes, they are very moreish! www.twomagpiesbakery.co.uk

Get crunchy… What’s your flavour? Sea salt and balsamic vinegar? Asian chilli beef? Sour cream and chives? We all love crisps and Norwich-based Kettle Chips continue to produce a mixture of favourite classics and new ideas. And what a crunch they have! www.kettlechips.co.uk

Hunks of bread to tear and share are just right for picnics… Bread Source does a very good seeded sourdough with linseed, sesame, poppy, pumpkin and sunflower seeds. There’s also a very good white loaf, and a wholemeal one, too.

www.bread-source.co.uk

Charcuterie? Sunday Charcuterie from Oulton Broad, Lowestoft, is becoming a firm favourite with many who love their small batch, rare breed goods. Their garlic and black pepper salami is excellent but don’t miss their fennel salami.

www. sundaycharcuterie. co.uk

With your cuppa… Norfolk Cookies are perfect to dunk as they don’t give way too easily and have plenty of

Flint Vineyard’s Charmat Rosé

crunch. These gourmet cookies, produced by The Norfolk Cookie Company (Mike Fish and Samantha Tate), come in several varieties but the chocolate chip is always a winning choice with all ages.

Find them on Facebook

Feeling fishy? Gurneys at Drove Orchards, Thornham, and Burnham Market has plenty to pop in a hamper, from a very good kiln roast salmon with dill pate to smoked Morston mackerel and local oysters. For a picnic treat, we’d recommend their homemade taramasalata and a few fresh brown shrimps (peeled).

www.gurneysfishshop.co.uk

Fresh crab? This needs no introduction in the summer months. The family-run Weston’s Fish Shop in Blakeney is as good as anywhere for finding superlative dressed Cromer crab which simply requires a squeeze of lemon to make it irresistible. The crab meat is almost sweet, with a light texture that is just yummy, and many people love it with a little local samphire.

Find them on Facebook

If you see any Blakeney Leaf salad anywhere - grab it… Produced by Cubitt and Son of New Barn Farm (a regenerative farm) on the edge of the village, it’s made up of 10 different varieties of baby salad leaves and is super fresh. It’s quite punchy, so it goes well with the dressed crab mentioned above! It comes unwashed - just so you know. Look out for it in local delis.

Fruit? Yes, you have to have a little bit of the healthy stuff. Always look out for Sharrington’s berries, stocked in places like Bakers & Larners of Holt, as not only are they local, they simply zing with flavour. www.sharringtonstrawberries.co.uk

For the dog… Poochs’ dog treats are much loved by the hound in our family. Made in Flitcham, they have no nasty additives and the cheese bones are particularly recommended! www.poochs.co.uk

Great hunting grounds

Farm shops and delis are packed with seasonal produce and goodies from local suppliers. Here are seven of our favourites for picnicking provisions

Algy’s Farm Shop & Café, Bintree

Recently expanded into a one-stop shopping experience, a cafe is opening any day now. Apart from a huge range of local produce, there’s plenty from the family farm too - so literally straight from the surrounding fields to your shopping basket! www.algys.co.uk

The Goat Shed, Honingham

Another great success story, expanding from a little shed with an honesty box into a large shop, with in-house deli counter and butchery, plus a very popular cafe. Look out for their own goats’ milk cheese which is delicious.

www.goat-shed.co.uk

Drove Orchards Farm Shop, Thornham

The farm shop at the site has had a facelift in recent times and now stocks a more comprehensive range of produce including local cheeses, fresh breads and locally reared meat - even their own gin, too! But the range of fruit juices remains as great as ever - all produced with the apples, pears and more grown in Drove’s own orchards. We love the Norfolk Royal Russet apple juice and the sparkling cider is very moreish. www.droveorchardsfarmshop.co.uk

Eves Hill Farm Shop, near Reepham

Run by Jeremy and Kathryn Buxton, the farm has its own herd of Hereford cattle, plus saddleback pigs and a glamping site. The couple have been slowly but steadily building up the farm shop which stocks Bread Source loaves, eggs from the farm

and a range of preserves, honey, local cheeses, fresh local milk, biscuits - and their own grass-fed beef. www.eveshill.uk

Walsingham Farm Shop, Little Walsingham

This well-stocked shop brims with local produce plus goodies made in house including a selection of ready meals and various deli products such as sausage rolls, Scotch eggs, quiches, fish cakes and more. Look out for the Estate wine, too. walsingham.co

Picnic Fayre, Cley

A very well established deli, in the village’s old forge, which welcomed new owners a couple of years ago who have reinvigorated the stock on offer. There’s always a good selection of local and more far-flung producers here, with a little counter serving up sandwiches, cakes and pastries, too. Find them on Facebook

Bakers & Larners of Holt

The food hall here is a paradise for foodies - don’t miss the deli counter and extensive cheese selection. There are ready made salads, plenty of picnic favourites like sausage rolls and a great bakery selection. www.bakersandlarners.co.uk

Don’t forget farmers’ markets including regular ones in Aylsham, Creake Abbey, Reepham Station, Black Barn Farm in Salhouse, and more.

Sharrington Strawberries

Algy’s Farm Shop & Café © Sarah Darnell Photography

Picnic ideas from The Goat Shed

Picnic Fayre

FROM FIELD TO FORK

We find out more about one of the area’s brightest farm shops, Algy’s

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Annabel de Capell Brooke, and I am the general manager at Algy’s Farm Shop & Café at Bintree. It’s a new role for me, but one I’ve embraced wholeheartedly and I’m loving it! I’m passionate about supporting our local producers and certainly haven’t just ordered items from a wholesale catalogue. Rather I’ve visited them all, sampled what they do and really got to know them. I do think direct contact is so important - and I love it when they pop in to see their products on sale! I’m also really proud of our attention to detail that we’ve brought to the shop – from what’s on the shelves to the plants that brighten up our lovely outdoor space.

Where is the farm shop situated?

The farm shop is right on the family farm, Manor Farm, just off the main A1067 Norwich to Fakenham Road.

What’s your basic ethos?

Our mission is to stock as much local produce as possible and our amazing map in the shop shows exactly where all our producers are based. We don’t do lots of Algy’s own brand goods, because we want to shout out loud about the producers who are creating all these wonderful products.

Who is the family behind it?

The family behind the farm is the Garrod

family which includes Algy, Catherine and their daughters, Annabel and Amy. They are the third generation here at the farm and are very much involved - Algy’s out picking the crops we need every morning!

What do you grow on the farm that customers can buy in the shop?

We grow a lot! This morning we were out harvesting lettuces, so you really can’t get much fresher. It is picked in the fields and then put on the shelves. We’ve had asparagus, spring greens, and rhubarb and now we’re moving on to our summer offerings, with lots of salad leaves, strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes and courgettes. Later in the year, we’ll have our pumpkins and then our Christmas trees.

We hear a cafe is opening soonwhat can you tell us about it?

We hope to open Algy’s Café this summer and we plan to serve high-quality, locally sourced dishes with a twist! We can’t wait to welcome everyone in.

And what about tastings and ‘meet the producer’ sessions?

These are proving really popular with our customers who enjoy hearing from the producers themselves. We’ve had Candi from Candi’s Chutney and Matt from Burn Valley Vineyard and Steve from Dereham Honey.

They are so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their products - customers really enjoy hearing from them directly. It creates a real buzz and a great atmosphere in the shop.

Any new suppliers you want to give a shout out to?

Cobble Hill wines from near Burnham Market have just joined us, and Chilli Willy, who produces amazing chilli oil just outside Norwich. And I’m always keen to hear from local producers who are interested in being stocked.

What about any future plans?

My vision is to stage a series of open days when producers can come along, offer samples, showcase their full range of goods and just chat to our customers. I’m also keen to talk to holiday cottage companies to see about offering a way for visitors to pre order their shopping from us – making their holidays that bit easier and tastier!

Algy’s Farm Shop opens daily. From Mondays to Saturdays, it is from 8.30am to 5.30pm and on Sundays and bank holidays, it is 10am to 4pm.  www.algys.co.uk

Food & Drink Table talk

All aboard for sausage and mash, says Sarah Hardy as she travels on the North Norfolk Railway

THE North Norfolk Railway is one of the county’s top attractions with all the right ingredients for a happy and successful trip out - a fantastic journey through gorgeous countryside under steam, with stunning views out to sea, a chance to relax and to just chat away with your companions as you gently trundle along.

The NNR, or Poppy Line as many nickname it, runs from Sheringham to Holt, a mere five or so miles which takes about half an hour, and there are a couple of stops you can get on or

Second helpings

Amanda Loose tries the new summer lunch menu at The Victoria, Holkham

SITTING

pretty between Holkham Park and the beach, The Victoria has oodles of character, a stylish restaurant and orangery for dining with cracking views, and attentive staff. But what about the food?

I went for lunch with NNL’s Sarah Hardy. It was lovely to arrive and find two doggy biscuits at our table (well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome in all areas of this 2 AA Rosette restaurant), and a vase of fresh flowers.

This eye for detail is very much part of the food offering, too, with a really varied summer menu from head chef Michael Chamberlain and his team, with a focus on local, seasonal produce, including from the hall’s walled garden and the wider estate. We could have gone for the plat du jour, or one of the main dishes, but the small plates menu had our names on it!

off at. There are both diesel and steam engines and you sit in lovingly restored carriages from the 1930s to the 1960s so there’s a real feeling of nostalgia.

It’s operated mainly by volunteers, and they now offer several dining options on selected dates, including a gin train, a fine dining lunch and evening service and the one I opted for - a good old sausage and mash express!

The concept is simple; you sit in the 1950s dining carriage and tuck into a large plateful of sausages (from Papworth butchers) and mash

with cabbage, peas and plenty of gravy. The food is cooked onboard and served to you at your table by the friendly staff who are very smart in their uniforms. It’s followed by a tub of Ronaldo’s ice cream to round off a very pleasant and different foodie experience. Add in a well-stocked bar so you can enjoy a beer or wine with your food and it’s great fun. You have about 20 minutes in Holt so you can get off and stretch your legs and examine the magnificent engines which represent all that’s great about British engineering and that golden age of steam travel.

The whole experience was around two hours, travelling to Holt and back, and was much enjoyed by all hauled by Hercules, a steam locomotive which used to pull heavy coal trains in the Welsh valleys!

The sausage and mash train costs £37.50 per person and the next one is 7 August; www.nnrailway.co.uk

We shared four (their advice to have two each for a light lunch was spot on); the roast peach and halloumi salad (£7.25) was a particular hit, so fresh and flavourful with its pomegranate dressing. We balanced this out by trying the melt-in-your-mouth pea, mint and vegan feta fritters (£8.25), smoked brisket and cheddar croquettes (£7.75), and crispy fruits de mer with saffron aioli (£10.75). Varied, delicious choices, generous portions with thoughtful touches. The sharing continued with the lightest strawberry pannacotta (£9.50). What else? Well, there’s a great wine menu and nice outdoor terrace. Pre-booking is advisable. As for me, I might try roasting peaches at home! www.holkham.co.uk

Above: Hercules © Steve Allen Left: Passenger aboard a North Norfolk Railway dining train © Leigh Caudwell

Above: Dishes from the small plates menu © Holkham Estate

Right: The orangery © Patricia Tobin

Serving brunch, lunch, coffee and cake using the freshest, local ingredients. Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty breakfast, a light lunch, or a scrumptious afternoon treat, our menu has something to satisfy every palate.

We believe great food starts with great ingredients! We stock local honey, jams and chutneys and source our produce, meats and other essentials from local suppliers, including G F White Butchers of Aylsham, Easters of Norwich fruit & vegetables and the South East Coffee Company, ensuring freshness and supporting our local economy.

Open 7 days a week 8:30 am – 4:30pm

(hot food served between 9am – 2:30pm)

3 Penfold Street, Aylsham, NR11 6ET Tel: 01263 663660 www.madeleinesofaylsham.co.uk

Book at holkham.co.uk/victoria

Enjoy our new summer menu showcasing the very best locally sourced ingredients. And our ‘roast on the coast’ is a perfect treat every Sunday.

Let’s do lunch

Sarah Hardy picks her favourite summertime lunch spots. Just add sunshine!

White Horse Bakery, Holme-next-the-Sea

This is a welcome and popular addition to the coastal eating out scene. Set in a very tastefully renovated barn, there are plenty of delicious treats that are, quite frankly, dangerous to the waistline. Head baker Toby Doy is offering dishes such as smashed avocado on toast and filled croissants until noon, then a selection of sandwiches and, of course, some pastries - and proper coffee! Dogs are welcome and there’s some lovely outdoor seating options. The bakery opens every day, from 8am to 4pm. www.whitehorseholme.co.uk

Jarrolds Letheringsett

The prestigious Norwich department store is now running the old Back to the Garden spot - and continuing in the same vein with a farm shop and cafe. The cafe, in that glorious 200-year-old barn, serves a variety of dishes from breakfast/brunch classics to a soup of the day to pastries, bread and cakes from the on-site Aish Bakery. Look out for dishes involving the new Jarrolds butchery range, too. It’s dog friendly and you can sit outside in the very attractive gardens. The cafe is open from 8.15am to 4pm Monday to Saturday and from 9am to 3pm on Sundays and bank holidays. www.jarrolds.co.uk

The Barn Café, Creake Abbey

Set within Kelling Home & Friends, the stylish cafe offers breakfasts and lunches - and all things in-between with plenty of sweet treats. Think toasted sandwiches and paninis, soups, seasonal salads, sandwiches, and a daily hot special. A lavish-looking afternoon tea is available if you pre-book it, and the cafe also has a licence so you can enjoy a cool beer or glass of vino. There’s plenty of seating outside - with lovely views over the water meadows. It opens 9.30am to 4pm from Tuesday to Sunday. www.creakeabbey.co.uk

The Ship, Brancaster

The Maltings, Weybourne

Set in a vaulted two-storey flint barn, The Grain Store is a lovely lunch place, with a great cocktail list, too! There are small plates, sharing dishes and larger plates - with plenty of local favourites on offer such as Staithe Smokehouse salmon, Blakeney leaves and Binham Blue cheese. How about Norfolk tomato gazpacho, grilled sardine with panzanella salad or Caesar salad? The steak frites with Bearnaise sauce sound good, too, plus the Basque cheesecake for pud! There’s lots of bistro tables set up in the courtyard and dogs are welcome throughout. Lunch is served from noon onwards. www.themaltings weybourne.com

Now under the management of the highly successful team from Sculthorpe Mill, The Ship has had a facelift and is looking very trendy and smart! There are two outside seating areas, plus a bar and restaurant, each with their own menu. Chef Elliot Ketley is in charge of the kitchen and you can expect plenty of local produce and lots of fresh, exciting dishes. The risotto was a big hit when the magazine team visited recently, and the cava was much enjoyed, too. It’s dog friendly, and bar food is served every day from noon to 8pm. Restaurant hours are noon to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 8.30pm www.theshipbrancaster.uk

Left: From The Grain Store’s menu at The Maltings

The gardens at Jarrolds Letheringsett © Brittany Woodman

White Horse Holme-next-the-Sea’s Pub Courtyard and Bakery

Our spring green risotto at The Ship

Thornham Deli, Thornham

One of the original lunch spots along the coast and still offering exciting and innovative dishes thanks to head chef Gemma Arnold. The menu is extensive and includes pretty much everything people could fancy from your classic fish pie to curries, frittata, buttermilk pancakes, burgers, boards, sandwiches and the ever-popular Ploughman’s. Add in brunch options and plenty of desserts and coffee and cake options (yes please to the cheese scones) and it’s always a buzzy place. Look out for local artwork on the walls and enjoy the eclectic feel. It’s dog friendly, with plenty of outdoor seating. The cafe opens from 8am to 5pm daily. www.thornhamdeli.co.uk

Fino, Cromer

Right in the heart of this seaside favourite on Garden Street, Fino opened last autumn and is already attracting national attention with Good Food Guide mentions. It’s run by Dan Goff and Ruth Butler, formerly of the Dun Cow at Salthouse, and has a short, seasonal modern British menu. There’s a terrific lunch offering which sees a main dish served with a glass of wine, beer or a soft drink for £15. Fino opens from Wednesday to Saturday, with lunch served from noon to 2.30pm. Dogs are not allowed. www.finocromer.co.uk

The Golden Lion, Hunstanton

Standing proud at the top of The Green, with views across The Wash, this handsome hotel, run by the same team as Briarfields in Titchwell, offers a couple of lunch options with a light bites menu and a more hearty offering. Light bites might include a Ploughman’s plate, baked ham, egg and chips, various sandwiches and a selection of cakes and scones while the more comprehensive main menu sees dishes such as risotto, rump steak, fish and chips and the signature Lion burger. The separate dessert menu includes a great sounding cheese board plus the ever-popular Golden Lion chocolate bar. There’s a children’s menu and plenty of places to eat and drink outside and enjoy all that sea air! Lunch is served from noon to 5pm and dogs are welcome.

www.thegoldenlionhunstanton.co.uk

The Parlour, Binham

This has fast become a real hotspot for foodies who enjoy the splendid surroundings of this 17th century, Grade II listed barn, and the tempting menu put together by head chef Lewis Peck. The accent is on local produce, with much use made of the farm’s own milk. The lunch menu might include offerings such as spiced roast cauliflower, freshly made sandwiches, salmon gravadlax, and Norfolk crab rarebit, plus the Parlour Platter, a delicious sounding smorgasbord of goodies including local cheeses from Catherine Temple. It’s dog friendly and there’s some outside seating, too, with great views of neighbouring Binham Priory. The Parlour opens Tuesday to Friday (and bank holidays) from 10am to 4pm and weekends from 9am to 4pm. www.theparlourbinham. co.uk

Madeleines of Aylsham

This light and airy cafe is run by chef Chris Dunningham who many of us know as he’s worked in several local well-known kitchens. His suppliers include GF White Butchers in the town, the South East Coffee Company and fruit and veg wholesalers, Easters, both based in Norwich. Lunch offerings include loaded hash browns and waffles - or what about mushrooms on sourdough toast? And don’t miss a slice of cake as they sit on the counter and call your name! The cafe opens every day, from 8.30am to 4.30pm, and is dog friendly. www.madeleinesofaylsham.co.uk

Details correct at the time of going to press, but may be subject to change

Lunch at Thornham Deli

Left: The Parlour is right next door to Binham Priory

The wine bar at Fino, Cromer

The Golden Lion’s conservatory with views over The Wash

Brunch at Madeleines of Aylsham

Friends and fundraisers

LILAC, a Norfolk fundraising group which aims to combat cancer, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Sarah Hardy meets its dynamic founders

What LILAC has achieved

• Supported the Big C Cancer Support Centres across the county, including the new Dereham Road one in Norwich.

• Raised cash for projection equipment at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals (NNUH) Oncology department and a camera for the UEA School of Biological Studies.

• Funded an annual bursary at the Norwich Research Park.

• Backed a four-year PhD programme in collaboration with the UEA Science Faculty supporting the Big C’s Nourish and Nurture programme.

• Helped to create a Big C Family Support Programme in collaboration with the Jenny Lind Department at the NNUH.

• Supported the NNUH Boudicca Appeal.

Diary dates

The Annual Summer Garden Party takes place at Salle Park near Reepham on 22 July. Expect retail opportunities, delicious food and drink and the chance to visit the Walled Garden, the Pleasure Garden and the Orangery. Tickets are £10.

An Anniversary Lunch is being held on 18 September at Caistor Hall Hotel from noon to 4pm. Tickets are £48 which includes a three-course meal, live entertainment with Dale Bullimore and a welcome drink.

‘LILAC

IT’S women like Gaye Youngman and Theresa Cossey MBE that simply put the great into Great Britain. Friends for longer than they can actually remember (at least 50 years, probably 60), they met when they both had caravans at Happisburgh and the rest is, well, history.

Clearly both possessing a can-do attitude and the desire to help, they decided to raise money for the Big C Cancer Charity, a Norfolk-centric charity which supports people affected by cancer.

‘It was the early 90s,’ recalls Gaye, who is now aged 80. ‘And we managed to rent a shop on Castle Meadow in Norwich and sold clothes, books - anything we could get our hands on.’

The shop was a roaring success, more shops followed and there are now 11 across the county, with one on Timberhill in Norwich a particular favourite, and they form one of the charity’s best revenue streams and are a great way of making people aware of the charity and what it does.

Both the women became Trustees of the Big C Cancer Charity before deciding to form LILAC - Ladies in League Against Cancer - in 2005 which was designed to raise cash in a fun way. ‘We held lunches and just asked our friends to give a little,’ says Gaye. ‘Many of our members have lost their partners or a friend and it gives them something to look forward to and somewhere to just enjoy themselves,’ says Theresa, who is now aged almost 90.

Now LILAC has around 250 members and stages regular events (around 10) throughout the year from fashion shows to quizzes, golf days, shopping trips and talks. It costs £10 a year to be a member and there are monthly newsletters to keep everyone informed. ‘We have raised around £650,000 for the Big C since we started,’ says Gaye.

Jo Leah, head of fundraising, marketing and communications at the Big C Cancer Charity, says: ‘LILAC are not just fundraisers; they are a source of joy, strength, and inspiration. Their stylish, fun, and determined nature makes it impossible not to be moved by their charm and dedication. They embody the spirit of volunteerism, and their impact is immeasurable.’

If you would like to find out more about LILAC, visit their Facebook page, or www.big-c.co.uk

are not just fundraisers; they are a source of joy, strength, and inspiration… They embody the spirit of volunteerism, and their impact is immeasurable.’

Jo

Leah, Big C Cancer Charity

Theresa Cossey MBE, left, and Gaye Youngman

A LILAC lunch