Arts & Book Chat

Shelf help: recent reads
15th November 2020
The NNL team share some of their top picks
Read more
Shelf help: local authors
13th November 2020
Amanda Loose on four of the latest page-turners by Norfolk novelists
Read more
Well read
13th October 2020
Bestselling local author Rachel Hore shares five of her recent reads
Read more

Instagram

Click here to join North Norfolk Living on Instagram

🐾 An unexpected break in this week’s wet weat

🐾 An unexpected break in this week’s wet weather saw NNL writer Sarah Hardy and Bella the border collie walk from Holme to Old Hunstanton, out alongside the River Hun and the golf course, and back on the Coast Path and beach which was about four miles in all. 🐾 It’s an easy stroll and all the nicer with a stop at the bakery @whitehorseholme for coffee and cake followed by lunch @thornhamdeli. A typically great Norfolk day - with food, fresh coastal air and those huge beaches! #northnorfolkliving #hunstanton #hunstantonbeach #beach #holmenextthesea #thornham #norfolkcoast #walk #coast #coastal #coastalpath #dogsofinstagram #dogfriendly #bordercollie #dogwalking #freshair #seaside #coastalwalks #vitaminsea #summer2025 #walking #summerholidays #westnorfolk #norfolk #exploremore

Join Rachel Bowles in ‘Sunny Hunny’ - aka Huns

Join Rachel Bowles in ‘Sunny Hunny’ - aka Hunstanton - one of the best spots around for a sunset, striped cliffs and seaside fun! Start the day @oldtown_beachcafe, with views of the dunes and plenty of outside seating. Think hearty breakfasts, filled rolls and more. Stroll along Cliff Parade and the Victorian esplanade, with its crazy golf, play area and gardens. Near Hunstanton Lighthouse (now decommissioned), you’ll see the ruins of St Edmund’s Chapel, marking where England’s first patron saint is said to have landed. Discover @sealifehunstanton. With playful rescue seals, reef fish and jellyfish, it’s compact yet full of interactive displays and close-up views. Spot Ernie the giant sea turtle gliding through the tropical ocean tunnel. Get creative @honeypots_studio, a pottery painting space. Choose from mugs, plates and figurines, perfect for all ages, no experience needed. Booking advisable. Learn about the town’s history at the Heritage Centre, from its days as a Victorian seaside resort to tales of shipwrecks, royal visits and more. Treat yourself to a picnic from @norfolkdeli, renowned for its locally sourced produce. Choose a classic hamper or build your own. Pre-order online. Make a splash! @hunstantonwatersports offers paddleboarding and kitesurfing, with lessons available. Get in the swim at Alive Oasis with its 25-metre pool with aqua slide, and toddler pool. Alternatively, book @hunstantonpoolhire’s private pool. Embrace traditional seaside pursuits with a stroll along the promenade, a spin on the fairground rides, and @fishersofhunstanton fish and chips with a sea view! Enjoy live entertainment @princess_hunstanton, including its family-friendly Great British Seaside Special Variety Show every Wednesday afternoon in August (plus evening on 27th). Watch the sun set over the sea. Hunstanton is one of the few places on the east coast where the sun sets over the water, and @thegoldenlionhotelhunstanton’s terrace offers a perfect view. Stay a little longer @no33_norfolk. With five king-size en suite rooms in calming coastal tones, it’s also dog friendly. Visit socials for times and prices

I really enjoyed popping to award-winning Algy’s

I really enjoyed popping to award-winning Algy’s Farm Shop in Bintree last week, delivering copies of our new issue there, meeting the team and having a good look round!

Winner of the Best Rural Business Award at this year’s Norfolk Rural Business Awards, @algysfarmshop moved into a new purpose-built space - almost four times the size of the original shop - back in April, with a café to come. And alongside seasonal produce grown on the farm and Algy’s trademark popcorn, the shelves are packed with goodies from local producers -from wines and beers, to oils, chutneys, ice cream, berries, plus regular new additions and pop-up tasting sessions, too.

The map at the till shows the impressive range of brands stocked here from across Norfolk, including @yarevalleyoils, @stgilesgin, @brancasterdrinks, @candischutney and @sandringhamapplejuice. And there are gift ideas from local businesses, too.

It really is a celebration of Norfolk produce and supporting local - the ‘I’d rather be in Norfolk’ slogan mugs sum it all up beautifully!

#shoplocal #localproduce #farmshop #onthemap #local #producers #norfolk #northnorfolkliving #magazine #magazinelife

It’s a gorgeous July day and I’m delighted to

It’s a gorgeous July day and I’m delighted to say that our high summer issue is out now, complete with this super sunny cover by local artist Samuel Thomas - @samuelthomasart We’ve a jam-packed, bumper issue for you, with plenty of inspiration for your North Norfolk summer, whether that means family-friendly 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! Alongside, we’ve interviews with local novelists @rachel.hore (do check out Rachel’s wonderful guide to North Norfolk in the issue) and @heidi_swain; a day out in Hunstanton; share the local fashion brands to know; celebrate local businesses marking a landmark year; and on another note, discover the significance of VJ Day in our region in a very moving piece. Finally, special thanks to the whole NNL team for all your support and fantastic features over the last few issues - you’ve all been brilliant! Pick up a copy locally or read it online #linkinbio #northnorfolk #westnorfolk #magazine #summer #highsummer #northnorfolkliving #lifeonthecoast #coastalliving #cromerbeach #fishermen #tractor #fishingboat

🎭 Cromer Pier Show 🎭 This summer’s Cromer

🎭 Cromer Pier Show 🎭 This summer’s Cromer Pier Show, now in its 48th year, certainly makes a splash, says Harriet Cooper - the high-energy production is a whirlwind of dancing, singing, magic, comedy and everything in between. It features Britain’s Got Talent finalist Ben Nickless, alongside leading vocalist Kristel Herrera and Joshua Mumby, magician Mike Stuart and a revolving guest line-up, as well as Musical Director Mike Hogg, who returns to the variety show for his 21st year. From a glittering hoedown and a Wicked/Wizard of Oz mash-up to the glam rock finale, prepare to be enthralled from start to end. The Cromer Pier Show 2025 runs at the Pavilion Theatre on the seaside town’s historic Grade II-listed pier until 20 September.

Read our review of the new show - link in bio #presspreview
@thecromerpier #cromer #cromerpier #endofthepiershow #livetheatre #varietyshow #summer #pier #piershow #wizardofoz #wicked #summeronthecoast #lifeonthecoast #northnorfolk #northnorfolkliving #review

Hello July! Although my pictures never do it just

Hello July! Although my pictures never do it justice, the sea lavender looks stunning, always a joy to see it as I’m getting our summer magazine to press! #sealavender #coastal #wildflowers #marshes #brancasterstaithe #northnorfolk #lifeinthecoast #northnorfolkliving #coast #july #summer

🦒Get set, Go-Go! 🐘🦏🦁🦍 🦒Have y

🦒Get set, Go-Go! 🐘🦏🦁🦍

🦒Have you spotted a brightly coloured elephant in Norwich, or maybe a giraffe adorned with animals and birds at Holkham? 🦁Your eyes haven’t deceived you - it’s time to go on safari in Norfolk and follow the roar-ingly good GoGoSafari art trail, comprising more than 50 magnificent animal sculptures thoughtfully 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. There are rhinos, lions, giraffes, gorillas and elephants, each animal representing a different aspect of Break’s work.

🦁Much of the action is in Norwich (there are more than 60 mini giraffes to find too), but there’s a herd of five splendid sculptures on our patch - ‘The County Five’. 🐘We won’t give all the fun away but it’s designed as a day trip, taking you to Reepham and Whitwell Station, Reepham (with Prince the lion by artist Mik Richardson, channelling Purple Rain), Jarrolds Letheringsett, Holkham Hall (we love Woody the Giraffe, decorated by Jina Gelder to celebrate British wildlife) and Sunny Honey the gorilla in Hunstanton by Hilary Sanderson, posing midframe of sunsets over the sea.

🦏Need to know
🦍The trail runs until 30 August.
🦁Pick up a trail map (£1) at Safari HQ at The Forum in Norwich, from select Break shops or Jarrolds book department or download the app for £1.99, complete with competitions and more, you’re good to go-go. 🦒Head to @gogotrails to find out more including ways to raise funds for @breakcharity

@hilarysanderson
@jina_gelder_illustration 📷 @northnorfolkliving @girlaroundnorthnorfolk @holkhamestate

#arttrail #sculpture #GoGoSafari #breakcharity #norfolk #norwich #animals #art

Just breathtaking: yesterday evening’s sunset ov

Just breathtaking: yesterday evening’s sunset over Brancaster Staithe harbour #sunset #eveningsky #brancasterstaithe #harbour #reflections #inspiredbynature #northnorfolk #coast #eastcoast #lifeonthecoast #northnorfolkliving

A sea of roses, glorious long borders in full bloo

A sea of roses, glorious long borders in full bloom, quiet corners in the Mediterranean garden and the last of the wisteria hysteria; foxgloves and lupins standing to attention; irises and perfect peonies; miles of clipped hedging; antique sculptures and a flaming fountain - the five-acre walled garden at Houghton was at its early summer best when I visited last week… and before you know it, it will be dahlia season! 🌺Open until 28 September, select days. Check www.houghtonhall.com for times and prices. @houghton_hall @houghton_walled_garden #houghton #houghtonhall #walledgarden #earlysummer #june #norfolk #garden #wisteriahysteria #sculpture #modernart #norfolk #northnorfolkiving