Winner
of the VisitBritain Small Hotel of the Year 2003
The Beechwood makes
an ideal touring base for the North Norfolk coast, Norwich and the Broads.
The coast, is perhaps the jewel in Norfolk's crown. Expansive sandy beaches,
salt marshes, pine woods edging the sand dunes and historic harbour villages
- with houses of red brick and flint construction - are waiting to be
explored. The R.S.P.B and National Trust have reserves with important
bird species resident, and visits by rare migratory birds cause great
excitement amongst the bird watching fraternity. The seal population at
Blakeney Point can be visited by boat from Morston and Blakeney. This
part of the coast is also popular with small boat sailors.
In any season, the Heritage coast is a wonderful place. In winter, a
walk along the edge of the marshes, with bracing sea air is invigorating.
In summer, a stroll amid drifts of sea-blue lavender glowing in warm sunshine,
stunning sandy beaches and big skies - is both relaxing and uplifting.
A visit to Holt, Burnham Market or one of the coastal towns, Wells, Cromer
or Sheringham, with their art galleries, museums and variety of shops,
makes for an interesting day. If you like a livelier seaside resort then
Great Yarmouth caters for those who seek traditional seaside entertainment.
Sandringham House, the country retreat of the Royal family is well worth
a visit and is only a short drive away. A tour of the house is particularly
interesting and there is also a museum, visitor centre and acres of beautiful
grounds to explore.
Norwich boasts some of the finest medieval architecture in Britain, with
its cathedral, Norman castle, city walls, half-timbered houses and intricate
network of winding medieval streets. The impressive cathedral spire dominates
a city with an abundance of things to do. Inside the castle is a fascinating
museum, the stunning modern architecture of The Forum is home to the Origins
attraction and the American Memorial library. The Castle Mall and Chapelfield
shopping centres, together with the traditional shopping streets and the
extensive street market make Norwich one of the premier shopping centres
in the UK.
A short drive from the Beechwood lies the Norfolk Broads, Britain's finest
wetland. An extensive network of rivers and shallow lakes with small waterside
villages, can be visited by car but is best discovered by boat. Day boats
can be hired from one of the many boatyards.
Close by are the renowned gardens at East Ruston Old Vicarage, 20 acres
of coastal garden just waiting to be explored.
Norfolk Wildlife Trust
Three nature reserves close by at Cley Marshes and Hickling and Ranworth Broads.
Ranger guided boat trips at Hickling to island bird hides. www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk
The Norfolk Churches Trust
Norfolk has 659 medieval churches, the greatest concentration in the world. www.norfolkchurchestrust.org.uk
St George's Distillery
England's first malt Whisky Distillery near East Harling. 5 minutes off the A11 in south Norfolk. Café, whisky shop and tour, a great place to break a journey. A selection of their whisky is available from our bar. www.englishwhisky.co.uk/home.html
Try Sailing
Is a Norfolk Broads training centre with an RYA qualified skipper on board. www.trysailing.com
Holkham Hall
Grand Palladium mansion and 25,000 acre estate owned by the Earl and
Countess of Leicester. Bygones museum. www.holkham.co.uk
Houghton Hall and Gardens
Impressive Palladian mansion built in the 1720s by Britain's first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole owned by the Marquess of Cholmondeley www.houghtonhall.com
Sandringham Estate
Country retreat of the Royal Family. House and grounds open to the public when
HM The Queen is not in residence, a jewel in the crown of Norfolk tourism. www.sandringhamestate.co.uk
Gardens
East Ruston Old Vicarage Gardens
Thirty acre exotic coastal garden, home of the unstoppable gardeners Alan Gray and Graham Robeson. www.e-ruston-oldvicaragegardens.co.uk
