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| There is always something going on in Norfolk and in this section you can find out all the latest news. You can also register to receive regular updates from VisitNorfolk via email. This is also the area of the site where you will find regular competitions with lots of great prizes to be won. |
Enjoy Norfolk's Christmas Spectaculars Norfolk has a fabulous selection of Christmas shows this year. Great Yarmouths Hippodromes Xmas Spectacular opens on Friday, December 14 and runs until Sunday, January 6 see www.hippodromecircus.co.uk.(12 December 2007) The Norfolk Christmas Family Festival, new at at HM The Queens Sandringham Estate opens on Saturday, December 15 and runs until Sunday, January 6 (closed Christmas Day) see www.norfolkchristmasfestival.co.uk. Santa continues on his Magical Journey, a new childrens attraction at Thursford, until Sunday, December 23 and reopens from Thursday, December 27 to Sunday, January 6, www.thursford.com. Returns only available for the main Thursford Christmas Spectacular which runs until Sunday, December 23. The Cromer Pavilion Theatres Christmas Seaside Special continues until Saturday, December 29, www.cromer-pier.com. In Norwich there is a Historic Christmas Fayre at Norwich Cathedral from Thursday, December 13 to Saturday, December 15 and an Ice Sculpture Trail in the city centre on Sunday, December 16, see www.visitnorwich.co.uk. |
EDP Tourism in Norfolk Awards - The Winners The third EDP Tourism in Norfolk Awards, staged in partnership with Norfolk Tourism and VisitNorwich, was held at the Ramada Norwich Hotel on Thursday, November 22.(3 December 2007) David Marsh, Director of Greater Yarmouth Tourism Authority, won the outstanding contribution to tourism award and Braeburn Barn picked up the self-catering award for the third time. Other winners included Banham Zoo, best visitor attraction, De Vere Dunston Hall, best hotel and Norfolk Heritage Fleet Trust, best water-based tourism experience. Michael Timewell, Norfolk Tourism Chairman said: The Tourism in Norfolk awards are a celebration of the countys vibrant tourism industry and the hard work of all our businesses. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to the Eastern Daily Press and all the sponsors for making it such a successful evening. For the full list of winner see: http://www.edp24.co.uk/TourismAwards/2007/ |
Tourism Business Survey Published The second Larking Gowen tourism and business survey was published on November 12. Key findings show that despite the wet summer, the majority of businesses grew turnover, with 59% predicting a sales increase in 2008 and 20% increasing their workforce. Norfolk businesses are firmly involved in emedia, with 92% of the 400 respondents equipped with a website. Some 38% listed the web as their most effective marketing tool. However, on the downside, owners are working longer hours, taking fewer holidays and are being tied up in red tape.(14 November 2007) Norfolk Tourism, Norfolk Tourist Attractions Association and VisitNorwich support the Larking Gowen tourism and business survey. For more information see www.larking-gowen.co.uk |
EDP Tourism in Norfolk Awards Finalists Announced The finalists have been announced for the EDP Tourism in Norfolk Awards.(5 November 2007) For full details see http://www.edp24.co.uk/TourismAwards/2007. More than 300 guests are expected to attend the EDP Tourism in Norfolk Awards Dinner at The Ramada Norwich Hotel on Thursday, November 22. Carol Bundock from BBC Look East is hosting the event. For more information or to reserve tickets, contact Julie Brown tel 01603 772156 or julie.brown@archant.co.uk |
Close Encounters at Pensthorpe Pensthorpe Nature Reserve, near Fakenham has opened a new family bug walk, featuring 18 giant insect sculptures. The colourful bug walk, which is aimed at children of primary school age, brings families face to face with large-scale versions of the insects beneath their feet. (5 November 2007) Children learn about bees, beetles, butterflies, creepy crawlies, dragonflies, flies, moths spiders, worms, and a wide range of pond life like greater and lesser boatmen, the rams horn snail and the caddis fly larva. |
Take the ChurchRail Trail one railway and The Bittern Line & Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnerships have published a ChurchRail brochure promoting access to more than 20 medieval churches close to the railway lines. Visitors can win prizes by accumulating stamps each time they visit a church on the trail, winning Anglia Plus and London rail tickets. See www.bitternline.com or www.wherrylines.org.uk for a pdf of the brochure.(5 November 2007) |
Talk Tourism - Norfolk Tourism Annual Review Meeting Norfolk Tourism is inviting all tourism businesses to talk tourism at its Annual Review Meeting at Barnham Broom Hotel on Thursday, November 15, 9.30am to 1.15pm. (19 October 2007) The theme of the meeting is New Markets & Marketing to Maximise Sales. Guest speaker is Stephan Phillips, Development Director of Archant Regional whose talk 1701 and BeyondHow to Survive will will give an insight into the business development issues that Archant has faced, look at changing consumer behaviour and the future of the World Wide Web. Delegate places at the meeting are free, with an optional lunch at 15 plus VAT. To book, click on the News section of visitnorfolk.co.uk or contact Annette Bowler, Norfolk Tourism Team, tel. 01603 222846, email abowler@visit.norfolk.gov.uk. Talk Tourism - Michael Timewell, Norfolk Tourism Chairman, will hold an open session during the meeting encouraging delegates to comment on any issues relevant to Norfolk Tourism, its future plans and the industry in general. A presentation will bring delegates up to date with Norfolk Tourisms projects and plans to develop marketing projects and business support. There is also an opportunity to take part in one of three workshops. 1. ''Media Marketing'' - how to boost tourism in Norfolk using opportunities presented by TV series like Kingdom Screen East 2. ''The Potential Of New Markets'' - Explore the opportunities to attract new business through new markets Eastport, Great Yarmouth, Norwich International Airport 3. ''Responsible Tourism, more than sustainable'' - how Norfolk can benefit from environmental sustainability going mainstream - Earthy Ideas Norfolk Tourism Chairman, Michael Timewell said: ''Norfolk Tourisms Annual Review meeting is a good way to catch up on industry news and network with colleagues. I am delighted that Stephan Phillips is able to joins to give an inside track on the changing business landscape for newspaper publishers. Our workshops will be equally stimulating helping us look forward and seize the opportunities presented by new markets and new projects.'' The Annual Review Meeting is supported by NatWest Commercial Banking. Norfolk Tourism is the county's established public and private industry partnership. Funded by its 45 partner organisations and EEDA, the partnership is designed to act as a forum for all Norfolk's tourism businesses and local authorities, www.visitnorfolk.co.uk, tel. 01603 222846. See our free to use image library at www.visitnorfolk.co.uk/norfolk/image-library.aspx. Norfolk Tourism media contact: Paul Dickson - Tel. 01603 666011 |
Norwich & Norfolk Food Festival October 12 to 21 Now in its third year and bigger than ever before, Norwich & Norfolk Food Festival features nearly 500 events, involving around 130 businesses and organisations across Norwich and the wider county. The Festival is a celebration of local produce and our local chefs. (3 October 2007) New this year is the Lunch Hour Food Festival showcasing lunchtime eateries and delis, as well as a series of food talks by the Institute of Food Research. Other new highlights include The World Art Dinner at the Sainsbury Centre, a murder mystery evening, One Chef Too Many, at the Assembly House, the new Norfolk Hospitality Industry Awards at the Marriott Sprowston Manor and an evening with Keith Floyd at The Playhouse. |
Cinema City Norwich Re-opens October 19 The country's oldest independent arthouse cinema reopens as one of the biggest with three screens, 350 comfortable seats, and a new caf-bar, following its 4.5milion refurbishment. (3 October 2007) Please visit the website for more details: www.cinemacity.co.uk. |
Norfolk History Fair October 20-21 Norfolk History Fair, a celebration of 2,000 years of the countys history is being staged in the grounds of Mannington Hall, near Aylsham on October 20 and 21. There will be living history displays through the ages, along with stalls featuring heritage attarctions, Local History Societies, a traditional market, beer tent, hog roast and entertainers.(3 October 2007) |
Norwich Beer Festival October 22-27 The 30th Norwich Beer Festival opens at St Andrews Hall on Monday, October 22. More than 200 real ales from Britains independent Breweries plus 25 varieties of cider and perry from East Anglia and the West Country, along with draught and bottled European beers are on offer. (3 October 2007) Please visit the website for more details: www.norwichcamra.org.uk/festival/fest2007.htm |
Norfolk Community Railways Win National Awards Norfolks Bittern and Wherry Lines won three prizes at this years National Community Rail Awards, announced at a Gala Dinner in Bexhill on Sea on Friday, September 28. (3 October 2007) First prize was awarded jointly to the Bittern and Wherry Lines in the best website category, www.bitternline.com and www.wherrylines.org.uk, and Acle Station (Wherry Lines) was second in the best station category and the Bittern Line won third prize for the best Community Rail Image. |
Produced in Norfolk on Norwich Market Produced in Norfolk has established a permanent presence on Norwich Market. Products currently on sale include honey from Orchard Apiaries, free-range venison and organic beef from Houghton Hall and beer from Iceni Brewery(3 October 2007) |
Santas Magical Journey New for Christmas at Thursford Thursford, home of the Christmas Spectacular, the largest Christmas show in the UK, is opening a special family attraction on November 17. (3 October 2007) Santas Magical Journey into Christmas features a journey through a wonderful fantasy land and a visit to see Father Christmas in his own special home. Santas Magical Journey into Christmas is open from November 17 to December 23 and from December 27 to January 6. |
Sandringham Norfolk Christmas Family Festival The Sandringham Estate, HM The Queens Norfolk home is staging its first Christmas Family Festival from December 15 to January 6 (closed Christmas Day). (3 October 2007) The festival features an undercover synthetic ice rink, a pantomime Cinderella Goes to the Circus, husky sleigh rides, an Animal Farm and Circus Workshop, a Childrens Funfair and Christmas Trade Fair. |
National Gardens Scheme Norfolk Celebrates 80th Season with 'Rig a Jig Jig' The National Gardens Scheme (NGS) in Norfolk is celebrating the end of its 80th Birthday season with a Rig a Jig Jig Garden Party at East Ruston Old Vicarage on Saturday, October 6, 2007, by kind permission of Alan Gray and Graham Robeson.(13 September 2007) Private garden owners, commercial gardens and nurseries that open their garden gates in aid of the NGS, have been invited to the event to thank them for their support. But the public is welcome to join in the fun on the day and enjoy the Rig a Jig Jig bands blend of folk and country music, along with storytelling provided by BeWILDerwood, the countys newest visitor attraction. The Old Vicarage is open from 2pm to 5.30pm and admission is 5 for adults, children free, light refreshments available. |
'one' railway Wins 'Putting Passengers First' Award one railway won the Putting Passengers First award at the National Rail Awards 2007. (13 September 2007) The award recognised the companys initiative to introduce part-time staff at rural Norfolk stations after a gap of more than 40 years. The stations involved in the scheme are currently, Attleborough, Brundall, North Walsham, Hoveton & Wroxham and Wymondham. |
Norwich International Festival of Puppet Theatre The programme for the 2nd Norwich International Festival of Puppet Theatre hosted by Norwich Puppet Theatre from October 19 to October 27 has been announced. Visiting artists from Cuba, Slovenia, Spain, England, Sweden, Argentina, Hungary and Portugal will present contemporary dance and puppet and visual theatre. There will also be clowns and cabaret artists who use the animation of objects and puppet techniques.(13 September 2007) For more information, see www.puppettheatre.co.uk |
Yarmouths Pleasure Beach Third Most Visited Attraction VisitBritain has released figures for the UKs top paid-for attractions, placing Great Yarmouths Pleasure Beach in third spot, with 1.4 million visits. The Tower of London and St Pauls Cathedral are the two attractions above the Pleasure Beach(31 August 2007) |
Norfolk Tourism 'Learn Today Use Tomorrow' Training Norfolk Tourism has announced a packed autumn programme of eleven Learn Today Use Tomorrow (LTUT) workshops for the countys tourism businesses.(31 August 2007) LTUT is a training initiative from Norfolk Tourism, supported by EEDA through the Towards 2010 Programme. The need for these practical workshops has been identified to help businesses maintain a competitive edge. All the trainers have hands-on experience in their particular subject. The cost for tourism businesses is from 25+VAT and includes lunch. For a full list of workshops go to www.ltut.co.uk or contact David Wood, tel. 0208 123 9229, email: david@learntodayusetomorrow.co.uk. |
Discover Secret Norwich, 6 September to 9 September Norwich is offering the UKs largest city based Heritage Open Days programme from Thursday, 6 September to Sunday, 9 September. More than 168 events are on offer featuring a mix of the familiar and the unexpected. Shops, houses and offices are included in the programme, along with Norwichs two Cathedrals, Norwich Castle and The Forum(31 August 2007) |
Green Buildings Open Days, 6 September to 9 September CPRE Norfolk is running a series of guided tours of green buildings in the county as part of the Heritage Open Days weekend, Thursday, 6 September to Sunday, 9 September. Buildings include the Roman Catholic Church of the Annunciation, Little Walsingham, Deepdale Farm, Burnham Deepdale and the ZICER and Elizabeth Fry Buildings at the University of East Anglia(31 August 2007) |
Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival, 8 and 9 September An action packed programme of Shanty songs, bands, entertainers, tall ships, traditional seafood, craft stalls and demonstrations, not forgetting Horatio Herring and much, much more are the fantastic ingredients for Great Yarmouths 8th annual Maritime Festival. This is a spectacular weekend for the family, to celebrate Great Yarmouths rich maritime heritage. The festival runs on Saturday, 8 September,10am to 6pm and Sunday, 9 September, 10am to 4.30pm on Great Yarmouths South Quay.(31 August 2007) |
Holkham Bay in Top Ten Must-See UK Sights Holkham Bay, on the North Norfolk Coast, has been voted into a Top Ten of Must-See sights in a survey conducted by Virgin Travel Insurance.(30 August 2007) |
Beach Volleyball Championship Great Yarmouth - August Bank Holiday Volleyball Englands Beach Tour Grand Slam is at Great Yarmouth on Saturday, August 25 and Sunday, August 26. The event takes place alongside the Britannia Pier. For more information see http://greatyarmouthbeachclassic.bravehost.com(24 August 2007) |
Norfolk Largest Historical Event - August Bank Holiday Weekend Pensthorpe Nature Reserve, near Fakenham, is staging Norfolks largest historical re-enactment event. The third annual Mediaeval Spectacular, from Saturday August 25 to Monday August 27, 10am to 5pm daily. (23 August 2007) More than 150 performers will be recreating the sights, sounds and smells of mediaeval England between the years 1066 to 1485. This year, the event features a unique house-building project by local charity The Mediaeval Trust, using appropriate materials and techniques from the era. |
Visit Norfolks Whisky Distillery The English Whisky Company at Roudham, just off the A11 to the north of Thetford, is open to visitors. (23 August 2007) St Georges Distillery is the first English whisky distillery in more than 100 years. Tours are on offer including a talk about the local area and its compatibility to whisky production and the history of whisky, as well as a look round the distillery and a chance to taste the spirit before it is put into the casks to mature. Tour times are Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm every hour, and cost 4.75 per person with tea or coffee. |
Sprowston Manor Hotel Restaurant Rosettes Awarded Marriott Sprowston Manor Hotel and Country Clubs Manor Restaurant has been awarded two AA Rosettes.(23 August 2007) |
Norfolk Tourism Promoting Britains Premier Birdwatching Destination Norfolk Tourism, in partnership with Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council Tourism and The Broads Authority, is heading to this years British Birdwatching Fair at Rutland Water, from August 17 to 19. More than 18,000 wildlife enthusiasts are expected to descend on the three-day fair, which is now in its 19th year, and is known as the birdwatchers Glastonbury.(10 August 2007) Norfolk is Britains premier birdwatching destination, said Crispian Emberson, Norfolk Tourism Director. The birdfair gives us a fantastic opportunity to showcase what the county has to offer. Our birdwatching leaflet highlights 20 of the countys key sites, including Cley Marshes, Titchwell, Snettisham , Strumpshaw Fen, Foxley Wood, and East Wretham Heath. We will also be promoting our website, which has a special birdwatching section, that includes links to RSPB, Wildlife Trust and other useful Birdwatching websites, tide tables, and a search facility for accommodation in the county. |
Independent Newspapers Best of Britain Simon Calder, Travel Editor of The Independent rated the North Norfolk coast as one the UKs Best Wildlife Locations in a Best of Britain feature on Saturday. (7 August 2007) "The north Norfolk coast has the biggest skies in the kingdom, often filled with squadrons of migratory birds", explained Mr Calder. |
Norfolk Open Churches Week, August 5 to 12 Up to 135 churches in Norfolks Broads and Rivers areas to the east of the county are staging special openings and events during Open Churches Week, Sunday, August 5 to Sunday, August 12. This is a great opportunity for visitors to discover Norfolks oldest and most fascinating buildings find the dragon with a monkey face at Stokesby, discover what is on Ranworths misericords, look out for the lion at Ashmanhaugh and see the Sacristans Garden at South Walsham.(27 July 2007) The county has the largest concentration of historic churches (659) than anywhere else on the planet, including 140 ancient round tower churches. The Norfolk Broads and Rivers Open Churches Project was set up in 2005 to promote access and events in the area through 10 Gateway Churches that are open daily all year Acle, Diss, Ludham, Ranworth, Loddon, Wroxham, Pulham Market, South Walsham, Stalham, and Martham. Full details of Open Churches Week are available from the Gateway Churches and Open Churches website.. |
Celebrate National Parks Week in the Broads July 30 to August 5 Monday July 30 to Sunday August 5 is National Parks Week. A wide range of events are being staged in The Broads to celebrate Norfolks National Park.(27 July 2007) Wherry trips (August 1,2 and 3), a canoe trail (July 31), a bat and moth evening (August 3) and Hoveton Riverside Park Open Day (August 5) are just some of the events on offer. |
Pleasurewood Hills New Thrill Ride Opens The most exciting roller coaster built in the East of England has opened at Pleasurewood Hills, near Lowestoft. The ride called Wipeout is the tallest, fastest and most extreme rollercoaster in the region. The rollercoaster stands at over 116ft tall and can carry 760 passengers per hour along the 900ft of twisted steel at speeds touching almost 50mph(27 July 2007) |
Coast Magazine '10 Best Child-Friendly Holidays' Coast Magazine's '10 Best Child-Friendly Holidays' featured in the August edition and includes two North Norfolk Coast destinations - hiring a teepee at Deepdale Farm, Burnham Deepdale, and a family residential week at The National Trusts Brancaster Millennium Activity Centre.(20 July 2007) |
Woman & Home 'The Best Romantic Breaks' Jane Howard in August's edition of Woman & Home rates the 18th century Triumphal Arch on the Holkham Estate as a perfect private hideaway.(20 July 2007) |
Olive Magazine 15 'foodie' reasons to visit Norfolk Kate Patrick, in August's edition of Olive Magazine, plumps for North Norfolk as a weekend break destination 'that doesnt chalk up the air miles.' (20 July 2007) Fish at Titchwell Manor, PYO blueberries at Fairgreen Farm and gastro pubs The Neptune Inn and Restaurant, Old Hunstanton and The Orange Tree and The Lifeboat Inn (both Thornham), The White Horse (Brancaster), The Victoria (Holkham) and Crown (Wells) are recommended. Kates best cheese is Mrs Temples Binham Blue or Walsingham and best chef is Galton Blackiston, Morston Hall. Her best meat pies are from The Old Coach House Thornham, with best fish and chips at Plattens, Wells and Daves Fish Bar and Daves2 both in Sheringham. Fakenham Farmers Market is the best market and Bakers and Larners and Byfords (both Holt) are the best delis. The best restaurant with rooms is Fishes, Burnham Market. Cley Smokehouse is the best smokery and Norfolk Lavender celebrating its 75th anniversary is also praised. |
Hippodrome Summer Season Great Yarmouths Hippodrome Circus summer season opened on July 18. (19 July 2007) This years show features comedy duo Clive Webb and Danny Adams, Excape - The Legend of Houdini Lives On and The Wall of Death. The shows' climax is the fantastic Water Spectacle - one of only three in the world. The 103-year-old ring descends into a massive 70,000-gallon pool with giant fountains, synchronised swimmers, and 75,000 floating ping-pong balls and special effects. The summer season ends on September 9. |
Aftershock Contemporary Art Norwich Belfast based artist, Ian Charlesworth has completed a new commission inspired by public toilet graffiti in his home city for AfterShock, Conflict Violence and Resolution in Contemporary Art, which opened at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Norwich on Saturday, July 14 and runs until Sunday, September 2. The exhibition forms part of Contemporary Art Norwich 2007, a multi-venue biennial that celebrates the depth and breadth of Norwichs expanding cultural scene.(17 July 2007) Ian Charlesworth's particular inspiration is the UVF scrawl. This direct reference to the Ulster Volunteer Force, a proscribed loyalist group in Northern Ireland, was often burned onto the ceilings of pub toilet cubicles in Belfast by cheap cigarette lighters. Mr Charlesworth worked on scaffolding using a candle to gradually burn an abstract design, on the ceiling of a specially constructed five metre by four metre space in the Aftershock exhibition. Photo caption: Ian Charlesworth at work in the Sainsbury Centre |
Pensthorpe Nature Reserve Broody Bantam Raise Sandhill Crane Chick A broody bantam hen has been the perfect foster mum for a Sandhill crane born at Pensthorpe Nature Reserve near Fakenham. (17 July 2007) The Sandhills mum, a juvenile aged two, laid two eggs in May as building work for her new home - the Pensthorpe Conservation Centre - was nearing completion. Cranes do not normally reach sexual maturity until age four or five, so a fertile egg was not expected (the male bird is three). Cranes are very protective of their nests and would have been disturbed by the construction activity, so just in case the eggs were fertile, they were placed under a bantam hen. Miraculously one of the eggs was fertile. The bantam incubated it for 28 days and continued as foster mum once the chick hatched. Both foster mum and chick are both doing very well. Photo: Mike Powley |
Dinky Dunstoners Grow Your Own Childrens Healthy Eating Club De Vere Dunston Hall near Norwich is launching Dinky Dunstoners a new club for children aged 12 and under, promoting the message that healthy eating is fun. Families are invited to visit the hotel on Saturday, July 21, from 3pm to 5pm, for the clubs official launch.(17 July 2007) Each child who joins the club will be invited to plant their own lettuce, radish, runner beans, parsley, cress, rocket and strawberries in the Dunston Hall garden. They will be able to pick their vegetables once they have grown and eat them with a meal in the hotels Brasserie Bar & Grill. Children will be given a cuddly toy Billy Broccoli, Colin Carrot, Casper Cabbage or Sally Swede and a tomato plant to grow at home. Photo caption: Dinky Dunstoners with hotel staff |
Get Snapping and Win on the Norfolk Coast this Summer! Norfolk Coast Partnership is promoting a photography competition this summer, with three categories, child, youth and adult. (17 July 2007) The competition has five themes based on the work of the Norfolk Coast Partnership. These include caring for the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, its fragile future and ways that it is being kept special; along with celebrating public enjoyment and the passion that it inspires. Deadline for entries is October 10. Full details at: http://www.norfolkcoastaonb.org.uk... |
Barnham Broom Dream Setting for Shakespeare Barnham Broom Hotel and Golf Resort near Norwich is staging open air Shakespeare for the first time on Friday, August 3 at 7.30pm. Chapterhouse Theatre is bringing its production of A Midsummer Nights Dream.(17 July 2007) |
Potters Leisure Resort Five Stars for Sixth Year Potters Leisure Resort at Hopton on Sea has been awarded five-star status for the sixth year running by VisitBritain. The resort has also won best all-inclusive group holiday venue in Group Travel magazines 2007 awards. www.pottersholidays.com(9 July 2007) |
One Railway Wins Customer Service Award 'One Railway has won the Customer Service Award at this years national Rail Innovation Awards, for the on-board catering on its mainline intercity service between London and Norwich. www.onerailway.com (9 July 2007) |
Bishop of Norwich Launches New Norfolk Rural Tourism Leaflets The Right Reverend Graham James, Lord Bishop of Norwich launched four new leaflets promoting rural tourism at the Royal Norfolk Show on Wednesday, June 27. The new leaflets focus on Church Tourism, Food and Drink, Rural Crafts and Horse Riding. (6 July 2007) The Bishop of Norwich said: "Norfolk is unique with more medieval churches per hectare than anywhere else in the world. Without churches you would lose a key element of the Norfolk countryside. They are also wonderful places to visit and enjoy quiet reflection. These new leaflets are part of Norfolk Tourism's strategy to encourage visitors to explore the countryside, leave the car behind and walk, cycle and where possible use public transport. I am very keen for people to visit our rural churches and our Broads and Rivers Area Open Churches Week in August offers a perfect opportunity." The project was supported by the East of England Development Agency The Bishop of Norwich is pictured with Norfolk Show President Sir Nicholas Bacon and Norfolk Tourism Chairman Michael Timewell. |
Kingdom Returns to Swaffham Filming for the next series of Stephen Fry's Kingdom begins at the beginning of July in Swaffham. The ITV drama will return to our television screens in 2008.(21 June 2007) |
Bittern Line Tenth Birthday Party The Bittern Line Community Rail Partnership is celebrating its 10th birthday with a free event at West Runton Station on Saturday, June 30, from 10am to 2pm. The Bittern Line runs from Norwich to, Wroxham, Cromer and Sheringham. (20 June 2007) Live music, face painting, exhibitions, refreshments and an appearance by Honey and her tiny foal Arabella farabella horses from the nearby Norfolk Shire Horse Centre will be on offer. |
Horse around at Free Open Weekend Redwings Horse Sanctuary summer open weekend at Hapton near Norwich is July 14 and 15, 10am to 4pm, free admission. The weekend offers visitors the chance to look behind the scenes at Redwings' 350-acre HQ, home to the Horse Hospital, Parklands Re-homing Centre and admin offices, as well as more than 300 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules.(18 June 2007) |
Just Norfolk at New Wroxham Barns Gallery A new art gallery, specialising exclusively in images of Norfolk, has opened at Wroxham Barns. The Norfolk Gallery is run in conjunction with Chris Hutchins, resident artist at Wroxham Barns, who himself specialises in black and white sketches of Norfolk scenes. Ian Russell, Wroxham Barns, said, "The gallery will feature a changing exhibition of photographs, paintings and illustrations, both traditional and modern work, framed and unframed, and in a wide price range, so there should be something to appeal to all tastes. The featured artists will also change on a regular basis, so visitors will always have something new to see."(18 June 2007) |
VisitNorwich Shortlisted in UK Group Travel Awards VisitNorwich has been shortlisted in the UK Group Travel Awards. Norwich has been nominated as one of seven finalists in the Most Group-Friendly UK Destination category. The awards ceremony takes place on Friday, June 22 at the Radisson SAS Hotel, Portman Square. These awards are decided by the readers of Group Travel Organiser magazine and reflect a highly valued endorsement from customers in this most important market sector.(18 June 2007) |
King's Lynn Celebrates Vancouver - June 20 to 24 King's Lynn will be buzzing from June 20 to 24 with a packed programme of events and activities to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth in the town of the great explorer Captain George Vancouver. The Canadian city of Vancouver is named after Captain Vancouver who mapped much of the country's west coast. Centrepiece of the celebration is the Earl Pembroke sailing vessel, which will be alongside Boal Quay. There is plenty of live music, celebratory meals, historic entertainers and a Playford Ball. For full details see www.vancouver250.com.(14 June 2007) |
Meet Norfolk Tourism at the Royal Norfolk Show, June 27 and 28, Stand 256: Shaping Norfolk's Future Rural Showcase Norfolk Tourism is launching four new leaflets promoting rural tourism at this years Royal Norfolk Show, Wednesday, June 27 and Thursday, June 28. Visitors can pick up new leaflets focussed on Church Tourism, Food and Drink, Rural Crafts and Horseriding.(13 June 2007) Norfolk Tourism is taking part in Shaping Norfolk's Futures Rural Showcase in Stand 256 and will be joined by North Norfolk Hotel & Guest Houses Association, The Griffon Partnership (North Walsham Area), National Trails (Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path), The Broads Authority, Norwich & Norfolk Conference Bureau, Norfolk Arts Partnership (distributing new arts postcards) and the Broads and Rivers Open Churches project. For more information on The Royal Norfolk Show see www.royalnorfolkshow.co.uk. |
National Gardens Scheme in Norfolk Celebrates Eightieth Birthday More than 1,500 was raised for the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) at the NGS in Norfolk 80th birthday celebrations, staged at two new NGS gardens, 57 Damgate, Wymondham and the Old Sun House, Damgate, Wymondham on Sunday, June 10. (12 June 2007) Pictured cutting the birthday cake at the Old Sun House are Anthea Foster ( NGS County Organiser), Leonie Woolhouse (Old Sun House) Peter Beales (Peter Beales Roses) and Fiona Black (NGS County Organiser). www.norfolkgardens.org |
EDP Tourism in Norfolk Awards Enter now for the EDP Tourism in Norfolk Awards 2007, in association with NatWest. Fourteen categories are up for grabs this year, including Best Visitor Attraction, The Sustainable Tourism Award and Best Marketing Initiative. Deadline for entries is July 29.(8 June 2007) |
Corpus Christi & Heritage Crafts Festival The Pilgrim Benefice in South Norfolk featuring the parishes churches of Aslacton, Bunwell, Carleton Rode, Great Moulton and Tibenham is staging a Corpus Christ & Heritage Crafts Festival until June 17. The festival is also marking the 700th anniversary of All Saints' Church Carleton Rode. One of the highlights is a performance of 'Cargo', a new composition by Paul Field, at Tibenham Community Hall on June 15. The piece celebrates the work of slave abolitionists and raises issues about slavery today.(8 June 2007) |
NGS Eighty Not Out The National Gardens Scheme in Norfolk celebrates its 80th birthday on Sunday, June 10, with the opening of two new gardens in Wymondham, '57 Damgate' and 'Old Sun House'.(8 June 2007) |
Yesterday's World Opens Yesterday's World, Great Yarmouth's newest attraction opens today, May 25. Located on Yarmouth's Golden Mile, it celebrates the best of British tradition from the reign of Queen Victoria through to the 1960s. With more than 100,000 nostalgic artefacts and a range of interactive exhibits, Yesterday's World features An Audience with Queen Victoria, a Coronation Pub Scene and a walk down Carnaby Street in the Swinging Sixties.(25 May 2007) |
Hourly Sunday Service on The Bittern Line one Railway has introduced an hourly Sunday service on The Bittern Line between Norwich, Wroxham, Cromer and Sheringham. This improvement increases the number of trains on the line on Sundays from seven in each direction to thirteen.(25 May 2007) |
Heacham Celebrates John Rolfe and Pocahontas The West Norfolk village of Heacham is staging a programme of events in 2007 celebrating John Rolfe, one of its most famous sons. Rolfe (born 1585) left Heacham to seek his fortune in Jamestown and fell in love with the native American Princess, Pocahontas. Rolfe famously wrote to Jamestown Governor Sir Thomas Dale, that he had never...'bin so entangled and enthralled.' Their marriage ensured peace between the native Americans and settlers for several years. Heacham's celebrations tie in with this years 400th anniversary of Jamestowns foundation. Click here for a full events programme.(25 May 2007) |
Ivon Hitchens Retrospective Opens at Narborough Hall Narborough Hall launches its fifth season on Sunday, May 27, with a major Ivon Hitchens Retrospective. More than 24 canvases by Ivon Hitchens (1893-1979), one of the most significant British painters of the 20th century, will be on display in the house. This is the first large-scale Hitchens retrospective for two decades and features paintings from private collections that have never been seen before in public. The exhibition runs until Bank Holiday Monday, August 27; open Wednesday, Sunday and August Bank Holiday Monday, 12noon to 5pm, free admission.(25 May 2007) |
Little and Large at Norfolk Shire Horse Centre The first farabella cross foal has been born at Norfolk Shire Horse Centre. Just 21inches high (five hands), the tiny filly, named Arabella is taking part in the regular mare and foal parades, working alongside the giants of the centre, the six-feet tall (18 hands) Shire horses.(25 May 2007) |
Cley Marshes New Visitor Centre Open Norfolk Wildlife Trust has opened its new Visitor Centre at Cley Marshes on the North Norfolk Coast. The building tucks neatly into the landscape with its curved green roof and is fronted by a ribbon of glass to provide stunning views over the marshes. It is a showcase of what can be done to be energy efficient and reduce carbon emissions by generating heat and power through its own wind turbine, solar panel and ground source heat pump. It has a living green roof covered with sedum moss and rainwater is collected and recycled for use in flushing the loos. It is believed that with all this technology, the so called "carbon footprint" of the building is reduced by 80% compared to a building relying on non-renewable energy sources.(25 May 2007) |
Blickling Tower Opens as Holiday Cottage Built in the 1770s, Blickling Tower represents the ultimate in sporting entertainment; it was the 2nd Earl of Buckinghamshires race stand, erected to watch horse racing from an exceptional vantage point, yet also doubling up as a banqueting house. The National Trust has restored the building on the Blickling Estate near Aylsham, and it is now available for hire as a holiday cottage. www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk.(25 May 2007) |
Pensthorpe Opens Conservation Centre The Pensthorpe Conservation Trust has owned a new Conservation Centre at Pensthorpe Nature Reserve, near Fakenham. The Conservation Centre is the first of its kind in the United Kingdom, focused specifically on giving the public access to conservation programmes based on the re-establishment of native species, such as the European Crane and the Corncrake. The centre features a purpose built 'Cranery', housing the largest collection of Cranes in the country, including eight of the worlds fifteen species.(25 May 2007) |
BeWILDerwood Opens BeWILDerwood the new woodland adventure park in the heart of the Norfolk Broads opened on Monday, May 21. Magical tree houses and strange characters like Thornyclod, Marsh Boggle and the Crocklebog bring this family attraction alive. Owner Tom Blofeld has written an accompanying children's book, "A Boggle at Bewilderwood", creating the weird and wonderful characters that populate the woods. Children follow in the footsteps of lead character, Swampy, a marsh boggle with a taste for adventure and his friend the vegetarian Crocklebog, Mildred.(21 May 2007) |
Norfolk Postcard Art Online Norfolk Arts Partnership and Norfolk Tourism are promoting four postcards featuring new work by local artists. Digital versions can be sent from www.visitnorfolk.co.uk/arts. Great Yarmouth Beach and Britannia Pier, Norwich City Centre, Salthouse Church on the North Norfolk Coast and Wymondham Abbey are the places that have inspired artists Anne Christie, Lys Flowerday, Clare Johnson and Esther Morgan.(21 May 2007) |
Michael Timewell Re-elected Norfolk Tourism Chairman Michael Timewell, Director of Blue Sky Leisure, has been elected to serve a further two years as Chairman of Norfolk Tourism, the countys public and private tourism industry partnership.(2 May 2007) "I was delighted to be asked to stand again as Chairman and would like to thank my Norfolk Tourism colleagues for their confidence in me. This is an exciting time for tourism in Norfolk, new attractions, BeWILDerwood in the Norfolk Broads and Yesterday's World at great Yarmouth, are both opening in May. Norfolk Whisky is gearing itself up to welcome its first visitors this summer and we are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of the great explorer, Captain George Vancouver at Kings Lynn, along with our historic links with Jamestown USA, which is marking its 400th anniversary this year." "Tourism is the county's largest industry worth more than £2 billion to the economy. I am looking forward to working with our partners as we continue our drive to improve the quality of our businesses and develop the marketing and promotion of the county, especially our outstanding food and drink, magnificent coast and countryside and business tourism." |
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