Area guides

Roads less travelled
18th July 2024
Sarah Hardy picks some of her favourite lesser-known places, activities and events for the summer
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✨Christmas past, present and at the palace ✨

✨Christmas past, present and at the palace
✨To mark the publication of her new book Manners & Mischief, Lady Anne Glenconner talked to Harriet Cooper in our winter issue about all things festive. Here’s a little taster…
✨On Holkham Christmases as a child
It was always cold weather and we’d skate on the lake. My favourite carol is In the Bleak Midwinter, as it reminds me of everything being frozen and skating in a Father Christmas hat.
✨On festive parties at Buckingham Palace
There was a table in the hall covered in presents and before we left, we were allowed to choose something… I saw a doll I wanted, but just as I got my hands on it, a terrifying voice from above said, ‘Anne’. I looked up and it was Queen Mary. She said to me, ‘I’m going to give you a piece of advice. Quite often better things come in little boxes.’ And she pushed a little box towards me, which contained a necklace of coral and pearl. Queen Mary was right because it’s something that I’ve still got to this day.
✨On Princess Margaret’s present-giving
When Margaret lived at Kensington Palace, she would give a Christmas tea for her ladies-in-waiting. She had a wonderful tree but her presents varied rather - sometimes they were clearly things she’d been given, but they were still lovely.
✨On Christmas in Mustique
After lunch everyone, including Mick Jagger, David Bowie and all the people who had children, would wait at the bar to see Basil arriving by boat dressed as Father Christmas and the children would line up for a present from his sack.
✨On Christmas decorations
I get my crackers at This & That in Wells, it’s my favourite shop that sells everything. They actually crack when you pull them and they’re cheap.
✨On what I’ll be wrapping this year
Everyone will be getting a signed copy of my new book Manners & Mischief. I’ll definitely send Christmas cards and I love receiving them. I always look forward to getting one from the King and Queen.
✨Follow the link in our bio to read the full interview 📷 Photos
Lady Glenconner © Harry Cory Wright
Holkham Hall © Pete Naylor @anneglenconnerofficial
@bedfordsq.publishers
@holkhamestate

✨Let the festivities (or at least planning them)

✨Let the festivities (or at least planning them) begin! ✨From merry markets and popups, spectacular shows and pantos, carols and concerts to festive trails and trains, Christmas tree festivals, twinkling lights, bedecked halls and the man in the red suit arriving by boat (well this is North Norfolk), our winter issue and website are packed with a sparkling array of events and activities for the season, with something for everyone, including the dog! ✨Pick up a copy of the magazine locally or check out our website (where you can also read the magazine online) #linkinbio 📷 Photos:
Wells Christmas lights (from 22 November, Christmastide weekend)
Holkham Hall by Candlelight (28 November to 30 December)
Fakenham Christmas Tree Festival (27 November to 4 December)
St Mary’s Church, Snettisham (13 to 31 December)
Thursford Enchanted Journey of Light (3 to 24 December) @holkhamestate
@thursford_ #christmas #christmasinnorthnorfolk #northnorfolk #lifeonthecoast #northnorfolkliving

✨Thursford has pulled out all the stops again wi

✨Thursford has pulled out all the stops again with a Christmas show that’s packed full of creativity, talent and some serious sparkle, says NNL’s Harriet Cooper✨
#pressvisit ✨This Christmas extravaganza, now in its 48th year, is unadulterated escapism, from the moment the audience is encouraged to ‘sit back, uncross your arms and enjoy the show’ to the end, when we’re singing Auld Lang Syne at the top of our voices as glittery ticker tape rains down.

✨As compère Lloyd Hollett reminds us, it’s no mean feat to put on this three-hour spectacle: 23 dancers; over 40 singers; a 32-piece orchestra; a 130ft stage; 240 front of house staff… Not to mention the state-of-the-art sound and lighting system and a creative team led by Director and Producer John Cushing OBE. This is West End spec and then some.

✨The tempo of this year’s Spectacular is considered - each act flows seamlessly into the next - and the tone is light, though there are some more poignant moments, including a tribute to the 80th anniversary of VE Day, albeit a joyous, jive-filled commemoration. Other highlights for me include the choir who take to the stage and the aisles bearing candles, singing a breadth of classic and contemporary numbers from carols to gospel. Their rendition of Nessun dorma gives me goosebumps. The orchestra, conducted by Musical Director Benjamin Ellin, is brilliant. So, of course, is Phil Kelsall MBE, whose hands and feet fly across the Wurlitzer.

✨The dancers’ synchronicity and spirit is on point, whether they’re performing the poker-straight Toy Soldier Routine, Irish jigging or tap dancing dressed as Father Christmas. The speciality acts are the best I’ve seen yet.

✨It feels apt that one of the biggest numbers this year is There’s No Business Like Show Business. Never a truer word said. A sign at the entrance to the Spectacular declares this to be ‘The Largest Christmas Extravaganza in England’. Aren’t we lucky it’s in Norfolk. ✨Thursford Christmas Spectacular continues until 23 December. Read the full review over on our website #linkinbio

@thursfordchristmasspectacular
@girlnextthesea

✨✨It’s giveaway time!✨✨ ✨We’ve te

✨✨It’s giveaway time!✨✨ ✨We’ve teamed up with Holkham to offer one lucky entrant the chance to win two tickets to enjoy a self-guided tour of the magical Holkham Hall by Candlelight event this Christmas, plus a glass of prosecco each, mince pies, and free parking. ✨From 28 November until the end of December, the Hall’s State Rooms and Old Kitchen are transformed into a dazzling festive wonderland lit by flickering candlelight. Decorated by a team of truly talented creatives, each room has a different theme, from a starlit Night Before Christmas Suite to the world of Hansel and Gretel. ✨Just complete all the steps below to enter: ✨Like this post ✨Follow @holkhamestate
✨Follow @girlaroundnorthnorfolk
✨Follow @northnorfolkliving ✨Tag your family and friends in the comments (every tag is an entry) ✨Share this post to your stories (remember to tag @northnorfolkliving so we can see or DM @northnorfolkliving a screenshot if you have a private account) ✨This competition closes on 24 November 2025 at 6pm - good luck! Terms & conditions
There will only be one winner. The prize is two tickets to enjoy one of Holkham’s 2025 Holkham Hall by Candlelight self-guided tours on a date of the winner’s choosing (subject to availability). This competition closes on 24 November 2025 at 6pm and is open to UK residents only. By entering, you confirm you are aged 18 or over, agree to Instagram’s terms of use and release Instagram of any responsibility. No purchase necessary, just follow ALL the steps above. The prize detailed above has no monetary value and cannot be exchanged. All associated travel and accommodation costs, additional expenses and purchases are the responsibility of the entrant. This giveaway is in no way endorsed, administered or sponsored by Instagram. The winner will be contacted direct and announced on our stories. We will never contact and ask you to click on a link or ask for bank details. Only contact us on the links to our pages, listed above.

Talk of the town: St Nicholas, Wells-next-the-Sea

Talk of the town: St Nicholas, Wells-next-the-Sea A six-year, around £560,000 restoration project, partly funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, was recently completed at St Nicholas parish church in Wells-next-the-Sea. Rachel Bowles, aka @girlaroundnorthnorfolk, visited to find out more in her latest ‘talk of the town’ column for the new issue of North Norfolk Living magazine. St Nicholas’ lantern tower was once a guide for sailors and a defining feature of the town’s skyline. The medieval church was almost entirely destroyed by fire after a lightning strike in 1879 but was rebuilt on the same site. Its most recent restoration included the repair of the tower roof, buttresses and south porch, securing the building’s future for generations to come. Step inside to admire the soaring arches, stained glass, and quiet chapels, telling a story of resilience and community. Read the recently installed heritage boards and pick up one of the new ‘Detective Trail’ sheets and test your sleuthing skills, hunting for unique artefacts and details around the church and grounds. Look out for the fire symbol on the leaflet to discover what survived the blaze, including the magnificent brass eagle lectern dating back to the 1500s. #wellsnextthesea #church #localhistory #architecture #northnorfolk #lifeonthecoast #northnorfolkliving

✨Delighted to say our winter issue of North Norf

✨Delighted to say our winter issue of North Norfolk Living is out now in print and online! ✨In this edition, we’re celebrating the season with our round-up of sparkling festive and wintry events and activities in North Norfolk.
✨Harriet Cooper talks to Lady Anne Glenconner about Christmas past, present and at the palace; local author Caroline McGhie travels back in time to share the inspiration behind her debut novel The Sitter; we’ve the latest from the local arts and foodie scenes; Sarah Hardy’s round-up of perfect puds; Rachel Bowles explores Wells in her latest talk of the town column; go wild with Robin Chittenden’s seasonal nature notes, and Natalie Douglas shares 10 ways to revel in winter - think wildlife spectacles and more.
✨I’ve been busy ‘hitting the shops’, as my mum would have said, for our shop local gift guide, packed with ideas you can buy right here on our patch. ✨Our front cover has more than a bit of seasonal sparkle, too; ‘Charming’ is an original painting in oil on gold leaf by East Anglian artist Becky Munting. The trio of goldfinches is part of the artist’s ‘Icons of British Wildlife’ collection being shown at The Red Dot Gallery in Holt during December. ✨I hope you enjoy this issue.
@girlnextthesea
@girlaroundnorthnorfolk
@sarahhardymedia21
natnatters
@beckymunting
@thereddotgallery
@mcghie_caroline
#winter #christmas #localmagazine #northnorfolk #northnorfolkliving #goldfinch #goldleaf #art #linkinbio

✨It’s giveaway time ✨ ✨AD/ We’ve teame

✨It’s giveaway time ✨
✨AD/ We’ve teamed up with the folk at award-winning Norfolk-based Godwick Turkeys to offer one lucky entrant the chance to win a Godwick Bundle Deal for their Christmas dinner✨
✨The prize includes:
✨A 5kg Godwick free-range turkey
✨1 pack of 8 delicious Godwick pork sausages
✨1 pack of 12 perfect Godwick chipolatas
✨1 pack of 12 must-have Godwick pigs-in-blankets
✨1 pack of high-quality Godwick pork sausage meat
✨A 2kg green gammon (ie. unsmoked)
✅ Complete ALL four steps below to enter ✅
1️⃣ Follow @godwick_turkeys
2️⃣ Follow @northnorfolkliving
3️⃣ Tag your festive tribe in the comments
4️⃣ Share this post to your stories (remember to tag @northnorfolkliving so we can see or DM @northnorfolkliving a screenshot if you have a private account)
✨The lucky winner can either collect their prize from Godwick Turkeys’ farm gate at Tittleshall, Norfolk (PE32 2RJ) on 23 December 2025 (8am to 6pm), or the prize can be delivered to a mainland UK address on that date.
✨This competition closes on 30 November 2025 at 6pm. Good luck and get tagging!
Terms & conditions
There will only be one winner. This promotion closes on 30 November 2025 at 6pm and is open to mainland UK residents only. By entering, you confirm you are aged 18 or over, agree to Instagram’s terms of use and release Instagram of any responsibility. No purchase necessary, just follow ALL the steps above. The prize detailed above has no monetary value, cannot be exchanged and must either be collected at Godwick Turkeys’ farm gate (PE32 2RJ) on 23 December 2025 between 8am and 6pm, or delivered to a mainland UK address on 23 December 2025, where it must be signed for. All associated travel and accommodation costs and additional expenses and purchases are the responsibility of the entrant. This giveaway is in no way endorsed, administered or sponsored by Instagram. The winner will be contacted direct and announced on our stories.
Note, we will never contact and ask you to click on a link or ask for bank details. Only contact us on the links to our pages, listed above.

📍Talk of the town… Join Rachel Bowles for a d

📍Talk of the town… Join Rachel Bowles for a day in North Walsham, following in some famous footsteps
☕️Start your day @shamblescafenorfolk, its 17th century building full of character. The menu features brunch favourites including full English, shakshuka, a good range of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free alternatives, fresh pastries and locally roasted coffee.
👣Take a stroll along the North Walsham and Dilham Canal. Opened in 1826, it’s Norfolk’s only locked sailing canal. Once busy with wherries, its flat towpath is easy walking. Detour into Pigneys Wood, with its meandering paths and 450-year-old oak tree.
📍Step inside St Nicholas’, Norfolk’s largest wool church, its tower said to have been the second tallest in the county until partially collapsing in 1724. Nearby, a plaque @pastoncollege honours Admiral Lord Nelson, who studied here from 1768 to 1771.
👑Wander through the Thursday Market, dating back to 1275, when the town was granted the right to hold a weekly market by Royal Charter. Stalls fill the Market Place with its early 17th century Market Cross, which replaced an earlier building destroyed by the Great Fire of North Walsham in 1600.
🐑 Discover more of the town’s story at the Heritage Centre, a fascinating museum run by volunteers, tracing North Walsham’s medieval wool trade, role in the 1381 Peasants’ Revolt and rise as a busy market hub.
🏅Stay active @ea_victoryswimandfitness, with its spacious pool, fully equipped gym and studio hosting a wide range of classes. North Walsham also celebrates sporting success as the hometown of England women’s footballer Lauren Hemp.
🏍️ Detour to the Norfolk Motorcycle Museum. Run by passionate volunteers, it offers an intimate look at British motorcycling history, with well-preserved machines and fascinating stories behind the makers.
🎭 Catch a show @blackswanpubtheatre, a friendly community pub and theatre venue, with a calendar of live performances, from comedy nights and music gigs to plays.
📚End your day at the award-winning @beechwoodhotel_northwalsham, with its Agatha Christie memorabilia. The crime writer stayedhere in the 1930s, when it was a private house.

As we mark Remembrance Sunday today, the Lifeboat

As we mark Remembrance Sunday today, the Lifeboat Horse at Wells-next-the-Sea is adorned with woollen poppies representing the 109 names on the town’s war memorial. Standing on the pontoons, it’s an incredibly moving sight, and causes pause for reflection, whether you spot it on a bright, busy day or illuminated in the still of a November evening.