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Words and pictures: Robin Stanbridge
On a recent visit, we toured the north Norfolk coast, spending four nights on campsites and three nights wild camping. Read on to find out our highlights…
Much of the iconic BBC comedy series Dad’s Army was filmed at Thetford, which was the actual edition of the fictional city series of Walmington-on-Sea. Coastal scenes were filmed elsewhere, adding Brighton, Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth, while Thetford is miles from the sea.
At Dad’s Army Museum in Thetford, you can pose for photos in Captain Mainwaring’s (and vicar’s) “office” and a slice of homemade cake (a little dry but nice) in Marigold’s tearooms. The museum has a multitude of memories. There are uniforms, actor information, scripts and images.
Our dog, Murphy, was welcome (except in the café). When the receptionist bent down to stroke him and said, “What’s your name?” I replied, “Don’t tell him, Murphy!” “Ah, Murphy”, he laughed. For non-aficionados, this is a reference to a very famous line in the BBC TV comedy series involving a U-boat captain and Private Pike.
We may have only spent centuries in this museum, but we are looking to see more themed exhibits around the city, adding a bronze statue of Captain Mainwaring, Walmington-on-Sea Town Hall (the Guildhall), the Eastgate Cinema (bingo hall) and the Cape Van/Butcher.
Please note that Tuesdays and Saturdays are market days in Thetford and the stalls are difficult to understand in Guildhall. Guided tours (surcharge) of The Father’s Army Museum exhibits or guided tours for trainers from some out-of-town filming locations are available, but you will need to make an e-book in advance
dadsarmythetford.org.uk
Sandringham House is 1.5 km from the campsite and the nearest caravan club. The space was purchased for Edward VII in 1862 with 7,000 acres of land (now extended to 20,000 acres). With pristine lawn, the space was lovely under the September sun, a third is covered with scaffolding.
I was fascinated by the good appearance of the exhibitions, especially the tapestries. While we may only see 4 rooms, the museum seemed to have more exhibits than the space itself, adding chimney trucks and gifts from other countries.
There’s a miniature electric version of the Aston Martin DB5 with 007 number plates (from the Goldfinger and Thunderball films) that was given to Prince Andrew!
Dogs are allowed in the French Gardens or in the house, but Murphy laughed running in the surrounding rural park. We also saw a life-size statue of Estimate, one of the Queen’s favorite racehorses, proudly opposite Sandringham House (Estimate won the Women’s Day Gold Cup at Ascot in 2013).
Sandringham PE35 6EN
sandringhamestate.co.uk
Norfolk Lavender is at Heacham, seven miles from the campsite; the flowers were out of season, but the lavender products in the shop smelled wonderful. This scent is supposed to help you to relax and get a good night’s sleep. It seemed to work for us.
A Norfolk Wildlife Trust on the coast north of Hunstanton is the best for an afternoon getaway. While my wife, Bridget and Murphy, laughed on the beach and in the water, I laughed when I photographed a small and young ringed plover and other waders, adding avocetas, in the swamp.
norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife-in-norfolk/nature-reserves/reserves/holme-dunes
The amazing Felbrigg Hall (National Trust) is set in a 520-acre park with forests and signposted trails. Some rooms of the lobthrough are dark enough to protect the paintings. The Cabinet Hall comprises many impressive Italian paintings, acquired through William Windham II on his wonderful holiday in Europe in the 18th century.
Felbrigg, Norwich, Norfolk, NR11 8PP. Two miles from Cromer; B1436, A148 and A140
nationaltrust.org.uk/felbrigg-hall-gardens-and-estate
This old airfield has a dome-shaped building that used to house a simulator used by the RAF to practise shooting down planes during WWII. Information boards tell some of the history of the airfield and its use during WWII and the Cold War. One board had a button; one press resulted in the sounds of a Wellington bomber. When pressed twice the sound was of a Browning anti-aircraft gun. It makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up!
Langham was opened in 1940, closed in 1958 and sold to Bernard Matthews (Turkish renown) in 1961. A surprising fact is that, the last 3 years of the war, an airfield was built in this country every 3 days.
The Shell Museum in Glandford is very interesting, with shells of fantastic shapes and all colors imaginable. This collection from around the world was created over a 60-year era through the (deceased) Sir Alfred Jodrell of Nearby Bayfield Hall. The construction of the early twentieth century in which it is located, next to the church of San Martín, is in fact impressive with its Dutch pediments. Across the street, at the Birdscapes Gallery, we were tempted by an exhibition of animal paintings and sculptures.
The Muckleburgh Army collection is located in the former Royal Artillery anti-aircraft education camp in Weybourne. Historical articles (uniforms, firearms, tanks and other cars) make up this massive exhibition, accumulated over 30 years worldwide. You can even stop by the camp in one of the tanks.
An impressive spectacle, where the wonderful sea meets the wonderful sky. It’s a special place. When the tide is low, it takes about half a mile of walks to succeed at sea. If you arrive early, there are few people, some ride horses and others walk the dogs, but because of its size, you may feel that you have the beach, one of the most unspoilt expanses of sand in the country, for you.
Another National Trust property, plus inland with 4,600 acres of green areas. There’s so much to take away: a space with many attractive rooms, an enclosed lawn with vegetables galore, an art gallery and a very giant second-hand bookstore. The RAF Oulton Museum, which told the story of life on the estate during World War II, is also above the store.
To make a stop at Cromer, you can park on Runton Road next to the Blue Sky Café in the car parking lot on the cliff, overlooking the sea (this car park can accommodate any length of motorhome). On the way to the city, there is a shelter with drawings on the 4 corners, some of them painted through the TV presenter, Julia Bradbury.
Later, it deserves to walk through beautifully manicured gardens; Take the time to sit and enjoy the atmosphere and smell of seasonal flowers. On the other side of the road are the cliffs and this is where you can see a bagot. No, it’s not a scarecrow, the shape-shifter of Harry Potter’s fame, but a bagot goat, which grazes on steep slopes every summer to help prevent erosion and transparent vegetation. These animals are a fun sight.
Camping and caravans West Runton, Holgate Lane, West Runton, Norfolk NR27 9NW
Wild camping on the A148 between Sharrington Strawberries and Back to the Garden Farm Shop, southwest of Letheringsett. It was a little noisy!
For more campsites in Norfolk, Campsite Finder.
About the author: Robin Stanbridge loves to mix animal photography with a motorhome holiday with his wife, Bridget, and his paralyzed dog, Murphy.
AUTOCRUISE STARLIGHT MOTORHOME CAMPERVAN PEUGEOT BOXER 2.0 DIESEL 100
Dethleffs Pulse I 7051 DBL
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Camping Bailey AUTOGRAPHY 730
Leisure Crusade
Free sale of motorhomes and motorhomes, with local and national dealers exhibiting new and used models, as well as thousands of recreational accessory stands.
Free sale of motorhomes and motorhomes, with a local and national dealership with new and used models, as well as thousands of recreational accessories carriers
End the season in style at our season finale! Camping, ‘Best of British’ entertainment, shop the sales, themed displays, historic Lincoln nearby and more.
Examine the configuration