Norfolk Coast GU ARDIAN FREE guide to an area of outstanding natural beauty 2011 PLAY YOUR PART How you can help Top tips and some advice from a dog

LAND & SEA Enjoy your trip From foot to flipper, pedal to sail

EVENTS Discover So much to more see and do Walks, talks, Norfolk Coast fairs and uncovered shows NORFOLK COAST GUARDIAN 2011

NORFOLK COAST PARTNERS IN YOUR NORFOLK COAST GUARDIAN... Natural England Country Land & Business Association Norfolk County Council National Farmers Union 3 PLAY YOUR PART 12-13 TRAVEL MAP North Norfolk District Council Norfolk Farming and Follow our five top tips to enjoy this Including bus routes, heritage railways Wildlife Advisory Group special place and help others to enjoy it. and cycle hire. Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Parishes Representatives 4-5 WALK THE TRAIL 14 COMPETITION Get out and about on the Norfolk Coast Fancy winning a free holiday in a great Great Yarmouth Borough Council AONB Common Rights Holders Path in its 25th birthday year with our National Trust converted barn? Broads Authority Wells Harbour Commissioners handy walk-time calculator and day walks Send your entry in now! Environment Agency The Wash and North Norfolk Coast with the Coasthopper bus. 15-17 TASTE THE PLACE English Heritage European Marine Site Management 6-7 GO DEEPER Delicious recipes from lobster cocktail to Scheme Norfolk Wildlife Trust Have you ever wondered what's under summer pudding - all from a local chef Wash Estuary Strategy Group the waves? Local diver Dawn Watson and based on local ingredients. Find out National Trust Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast explains how to snorkel. where to buy them in our local guide. RSPB Path National Trail 8-9 ENJOY NATURE 18 PEDAL AWAY The Norfolk Coast is a refuge for a rich The Quiet Lanes are the ideal spot for THE NORFOLK COAST PARTNERSHIP range of creatures and plants. Get close discovering what's so special about the The Old Courthouse, Baron’s Close, Fakenham, Norfolk NR21 8BE to them with our discovery walk at coast. Norfolk Coast Cycleway Guide T: 01328 850530 F: 01328 850546 Holkham, birdwatching for beginners, coordinator Steve Tutt leads the way. E: [email protected] W: www.norfolkcoastaonb.org.uk web based spotting system - and more! 19-23 EVENTS Manager: Tim Venes Funding Partners 10-11 TAKE A RIDE There's something for everyone on the Policy and partnership officer: Estelle Hook Leave the car at home. It's much more coast. From chamber music in Holkham Natural England Communications officer: Lucy Galvin fun on the bus, train, or by boat! See our to exploring at West Runton. Take your Norfolk County Council Community and external funding officer: guide for some great days out. pick from our partners' excellent events! North Norfolk District Council Kate Dougan (maternity leave); Borough Council of King’s Lynn Haidee Bishop (maternity cover) & West Norfolk Education officer: Great Yarmouth Borough The Norfolk Coast Guardian is published by BC Publications on behalf of the Norfolk Coast Wendy Bradnam (maternity cover) Council Partnership. Editor: Lucy Galvin. Designed and produced by: BC Publications 01986 834250 Printed Technical assistant: Steve Tutt by Mortons Print Ltd on 100% recycled newsprint. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication. However, the publishers can accept no Articles available in large print: please contact responsibility for any effects arising there from. Views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Norfolk Coast Partnership member organisations. All material copyright Norfolk Coast Partnership 2011. NCP 03/11 – 80K 01328 850530 or via website www.norfolkcoastaonb.org.uk NORFOLK COAST GUARDIAN 2011 PLAY YOUR PART 3

Walking is an adventure at Brancaster. National Trust/Fisheye Images How to get the most from the coast s

he Norfolk coast is famous e g for its open landscapes with a Tips on how to enjoy the coast from Dave Wood , National Trust m I

vast untouched salt e y warden; and below from our canine correspondent. e h

marshes, windswept sand s i F /

T t dunes and large sandy beaches. Glo - s 1. Leave the car the tides and a safe route is essential, for a vast range of leisure u r

rious countryside and endless views T behind as most of the land is covered in activities, from walking and l a encourage exploration. Protected by n Enjoy discovering the water twice a day. Even at low tide, wildlife watching to kite surfing o i t being an area of outstanding natural a reserves aboard the areas of soft mud or sand can be a or flying micro lights. It’s vital beauty, it’s recognised in law as being N Coasthopper, which danger. to strike a balance between as important as a national park. passes close to many along the coast. access, activities and conservation, This designation is important, but One such is RSPB Titchwell Marsh, five 3. Wander alone, so certain activities have special it’s also how we all use and value the miles east of Hunstanton. The bus but be prepared zoned areas, to minimise stop is right outside the entrance, Heading away from disturbance, such as the kite coast that makes the difference. This Discover more – but take a map. edition of the Norfolk Coast from where it is just a short walk to the car parks and surfing area at Brancaster. Guardian is all about how to get close on pages six and seven. the visitor centre, shop and café. busy areas, it’s possible Restricted access areas are fenced to this beautiful landscape, and enjoy Back to back nature reserves are There are three nature trails to walk, to get the feeling you are alone with off for terns along the coast each it without damaging it. testimony to the incredible wildlife four bird hides overlooking the just the birds and the view to keep you year to give these important You can’t go wrong if you start value of the area. Species seen on this marshes and a sandy beach for a spot company. Make sure to take suitable populations the space they need with the Norfolk Coast Path Na - coast everyday are rare throughout of beachcombing, paddling or outdoor clothing, a map and mobile to breed. tional Trail, celebrating its 25th year the rest of the United Kingdom and sunbathing. phone as the weather can change and awarded ‘Best Coastal Path’ by even the world. On pages eight and quickly and the flat landscape can 5. Take your 2. Plan ahead and be strangely disorientating at times. litter home Coast magazine. On page four and nine there are ideas for how to get know the tides Even at the height of the summer We’ve all got a five there’s a distance planner, and set close to nature. Wandering away season, heading out to the more role to play in of short walks if you can’t face the Make the journey part of your day from the coast path remote places on the coast, such as keeping the coast whole 47 miles in one go. out by using local transport and is possible but requires Blakeney Point, can offer a sense of clean. Dispose of everything you If you fancy a change of element, you’ll discover a whole new part of planning. Even the busy beaches solitude, and some fabulous views and bring with you safely at home – discover the incredible range of life the area. Bus, boat and train – pages of Holkham and Brancaster can wildlife. then it can’t get blown around, or underwater with a local diver as your 10 and 11 offer some tailored options be dangerous places with people end up causing danger to a bird or guide – and get involved with help - for visits. Or jump on a bicycle – regularly being cut off by fast 4. Share the coast animal. ing to protect the sea for the future – there’s lots of fun to be had pedalling moving tides, or caught out by Find out about any the coasts’s quiet lanes, see page 18. strong currents. The National Trust’s restrictions before Whatever you do, enjoy it – and Blakeney National Nature Reserve your visit and follow David Wood is National Trust take care of it for others to enjoy as and Brancaster Estate offer large any on-site guidance. head warden, North Norfolk well. areas of open access but knowing Visitors and locals alike use the coast Coast.

I love the Norfolk Coast. And most of all, I love eggs or chicks vulnerable to herring gulls and crows. their view, so my human doesn’t let me spoil their running off my lead on its big, beautiful beaches. At other times of year, it’s fun to chase the birds visit to the beach. Unless my human tells me otherwise, I just do what on the beach and see them all fly up. But unlike me, If you make sure your human knows about comes naturally. But lots of other people and wild they don’t go home to their dinner. They have to important wildlife areas on the beach and keeps an birds use the beaches as well, so I need my find what food they can, sometimes in very cold eye on you, and you understand and come back human’s help to make sure we can all share them. weather. So the energy they get from food is very when they tell you, and they only let you off your I really like running around and sniffing all the precious to them and they can’t afford to waste it. lead when they’re sure it’s OK, you won’t cause any interesting smells on the beaches while he has Some of my friends think that chasing grazing worries to others, or to the birds. relaxing walk (don’t they know how great all these animals on the nearby marshes is good fun, too. But And please ask your human to clean up after Happy smells are?). But in spring, lots of birds nest on the it’s not fair on the animals, and they can get injured you. It’s not nice for other people to come across ground, and some of them nest on beaches near if we get carried away with the chasing. And if they mess, and it can cause diseases, especially in the high water mark. They’re very difficult to see, get out in their panic, someone has to find and children. Ask them to take the trouble to find a but I can find them! The birds have a tough time as collect them up, which is much harder than proper bin or take it home. If they just leave it in a coastal it is, with variable weather and tides, and predators. scattering them! bag, it looks awful and someone else has to clear it I can snaffle a tasty egg or chick without anyone People are funny animals. For some strange up, which isn’t nice for them. Grrreat – so can we go even seeing sometimes (well, they can’t expect me reason, some other people are worried when I come to the beach now?! walkies to know any better). Even if I don’t do this, up to them to make friends, or bark if I’m excited, Timmy the terrier is Norfolk Coast Partnership’s disturbing the adult bird on the nest makes the or jump up. But I suppose everyone’s entitled to own canine correspondent 4 WALK THE TRAIL NORFOLK COAST GUARDIAN 2011

25 years ago under a cloudless sky Bus stops are already signed from HRH Prince Charles officially the Norfolk Coast Path and this year opened East Anglia’s new national we will be signing the Norfolk Coast trail, the Peddars Way and Norfolk Path from the bus stops. We even Coast Path. sign the pubs for your lunch! Going Since then an estimated 20 mil - Visitors can get from London to lion walks have been taken on the the Norfolk Coast Path in two and a long-distance route, and over £36 half hours and have a good day on million spent by walkers. the path before returning home: no The national trail team, with the car needed. support of Natural England and Likewise bus and train services the Norfolk County Council, has built from Norwich to the coast are now an information package for users that so good there is absolutely no need includes accommodation, public to get the car out of the garage. transport and walk guides, with a web In fact more and more businesses site that is packed full of information are positioning themselves to respond to help you plan your walk; whether to the demand for greener holidays. for an hour or several days. There will be several walks on the distance In recent years a close working path this year to celebrate our 25 partnership with Norfolk Green, years from the Rambler’s series to Tim Lidstone-Scott on how the operators of the award winning walks aimed at the family run by Coasthopper bus service, has ensured national trail staff and volunteers. National Trail is more popular a growing number of walkers not www.nationaltrail.co.uk only use the bus as part of their walk than ever after 25 years but also plan their whole holiday in Tim Lidstone-Scott is the Norfolk Norfolk because of the great service Coast Path and Peddars Way and brilliant walking. National Trail manager

1 Hunstanton to Thornham 2 Thornham to Burnham Deepdale 3 Burnham Deepdale to Holkham

Distance: 6.0 miles / 9.7 km Distance: 6.3 miles /10.1 km Distance: 8.3 miles/13.4 km between bus stops between bus stops between bus stops Time: 2 hours 22 mins Time: 2hr 31 mins Time: 3hr 19mins Bustling activity at A diverse walk with a quiet Experience the Hunstanton, beautiful views at inland section. The boardwalk at elements as you walk Holme and plenty of opportunities Brancaster is an adventure in along floodbanks into for distraction along the way. itself. the lovely Burnham The path begins in Hunstanton at Start from the bus stop in the Overy Staithe harbour Want to walk the Information Centre. Head right centre of Thornham and follow the and onwards to one of through the gardens past the Salad Bowl black and white national trail acorns Norfolk’s most beautiful the Norfolk café. Walk past the light house towards the going eastward from here. Follow the A149 beaches, Holkham bay. A walk to blow the beach. The path goes through the dunes behind through the village until you come to the sign for cobwebs away! Coast Path but the beach huts. At the lifeboat station go Choseley. Follow the acorn up the hill towards Start at the north end of The Drove in don’t have time straight ahead, behind the dunes and alongside Choseley. Burnham Deepdale and follow the black and the golf course. Just before the final beach hut, At the finger-post turn off the road through a white national trail acorns from here going to do it all at waymark signs direct you onto the dunes where copse. The route now takes you along the high eastward. Follow the floodbank out and round once? Then there are fantastic views of Holme beach and ground parallel to the coast. The path eventually towards Tower Mill at Burnham Overy Staithe, Hunstanton cliffs. At Holme you meet the end descends to Brancaster. taking the cross field path up to the road then follow our handy of the Peddars Way. Follow the waymarked path Once in Brancaster, cross the A149 and head towards the village of Burnham Overy Staithe. through Holme Dunes National Nature Reserve. towards the beach turning right off the road as it From the harbour take the flood defence guide to do it in At Thornham harbour do not follow the path enters the marsh and take the boardwalk through bank out to the sea. Follow the beach right to seven stages! over the sluice but keep to the sea defence bank the reeds. At Brancaster Staithe harbour look out Holkham and the access point leading up off the until the trail leaves the bank to cross the road for the waymarker where the path leads through beach and onto the boardwalk leading to Lady Follow the to run between reed beds and grazing marsh. the fishermen’s huts. Anne’s Drive. The Coasthopper picks up from the acorns... On reaching Church Street turn right and Leave the path at Burnham Deepdale where stop to the left of the southern end of Lady follow the acorns to the bus stop. the sign points to the shop and café. Anne’s Drive. NORFOLK COAST GUARDIAN 2011 WALK THE TRAIL 5

Hunstanton (Bus Station) 3.4 Holme next the Sea (Peddars Way/A149) STEP OUT TO 1:21 Walk time 6.0 4.0 Thornham (Village centre - Orange Tree) CELEBRATE 2:22 1:36 Walk time 10.1 8.2 4.1 Brancaster (A149/London St) Join in the fun and wish the 4:01 3:15 1:38 Walk time Norfolk Coast Path happy birthday 12.3 10.4 6.3 2.4 Burnham Deepdale (Church) in the best way possible – come 4:54 4:08 2:31 0:58 Walk time and walk it. Listed below are some 16.1 14.2 10.2 6.3 4.1 Burnham Overy Staithe (Hero) of the special opportunities this 6:27 5:41 4:04 2:31 1:38 Walk time year: for more information or to 20.4 18.4 14.4 10.5 8.3 4.4 Holkham (Victoria) book these events visit www 8:08 7:22 5:45 4:12 3:19 1:45 Walk time national trail.co.uk or telephone 22.7 20.8 16.7 12.9 10.7 6.7 3.3 Wells next the Sea (Freeman St) 01328 850530. 9:04 8:18 6:41 5:08 4:15 2:41 1:20 Walk time Distance in miles 26.2 24.2 20.2 16.3 14.1 10.2 6.8 3.5 Stiffkey (A149/Greenway) Walk time in hours and minutes FAMILY FUN Join short guided 10:27 9:41 8:04 6:31 5:39 4:04 2:43 1:25 Walk time walks designed for families on 28.9 27.0 22.9 19.0 16.8 12.9 9.5 6.3 3.3 Morston (village) 7, 9, 16 or 21 August – all around 11:32 10:46 9:10 7:36 6:44 5:09 3:48 2:30 1:19 Walk time three miles. The walks are free, 30.3 28.4 24.4 20.5 18.3 14.3 11.0 7.7 4.8 1.9 Blakeney (Westgate/A149) but there will be a charge for 12:07 11:21 9:44 8:11 7:18 5:44 4:23 3:05 1:54 0:45 Walk time using the Coasthopper bus to 32.6 30.6 26.6 22.7 20.5 16.6 13.2 9.9 7.0 4.1 2.6 Cley next the Sea (Delicatessen) return. Book at least 48hrs in 13:01 12:15 10:38 9:05 8:12 6:37 5:16 3:58 2:48 1:38 1:01 Walk time advance. 38.6 36.7 32.7 28.8 26.6 22.6 19.3 16.0 13.1 10.2 8.6 6.1 Weybourne (Ship) t

t 15:27 14:41 13:04 11:31 10:38 9:03 7:42 6:24 5:13 4:04 3:27 2:25 Walk time o c RAMBLING CHALLENGE Five 41.6 39.7 35.6 31.8 29.6 25.6 22.3 19.0 16.1 13.2 11.6 9.0 3.9 Sheringham (Information Centre) S - e

n guided walks each between 9 and 16:38 15:52 14:15 12:42 11:49 10:14 8:54 7:35 6:25 5:15 4:38 3:37 1:34 Walk time o t

s 10.5 miles, completing the trail 44.7 42.8 38.8 34.9 32.7 28.8 25.4 22.1 19.2 16.3 14.7 12.2 7.0 3.8 Roman Camp (West Runton village) d i L between Hunstanton and Cromer, 17:53 17:07 15:30 13:57 13:04 11:30 10:09 8:50 7:40 6:31 5:53 4:52 2:49 1:31 Walk time m i

T are planned from April- August by 46.9 45.0 40.9 37.1 34.8 30.9 27.5 24.3 21.3 18.4 16.9 14.3 9.2 6.0 3.9 Cromer (Cadogen Rd) Norfolk Ramblers. There is also a 18:45 17:59 16:22 14:49 13:56 12:21 11:00 9:42 8:32 7:22 6:45 5:43 3:40 2:23 1:22 Walk time choice of shorter five to six mile walks. Transport from Great Yarmouth and Norwich provided, A step-by-step guide to using the bus or join the walks at start. HIDE AND SEEK Geocacheing is a to tailor-make your own circular walk fun way of getting out and about to find things that others have You also want to walk onto Wells after hidden. A new geocache trail is Combine the Norfolk Coast Path National Trail lunch and the journey planner gives a distance planned between Morston and with the Coasthopper bus service for a circular of 3.5 miles and a time of one and a half Wells – more details on the above walk to remember. We have made it even easier hours. website in July. for you with a journey calculator that tells you how long the walk will take. So, how do you put 3. Calculate your distance SONGLINE PODCAST The together a day out on the coast? With the mileage chart (above) multimedia Norfolk Songline book and CD is being reissued in MP3 1. Choose your destination 4. Walk plan format. The 1 hour 45 minute Select your favourite bit of the coast or your So the walk plan could look something like this: minute podcast is an entertaining favourite pub and base your trip around this Catch Coasthopper to Blakeney. combination of story and music. and get hold of the current Coasthopper Follow the signs to the Norfolk Coast Path timetables. 10am follow the Norfolk Coast Path west TOO MUCH BIRTHDAY CAKE? to Stiffkey. Use the trail to find out how many 2. Using the chart The Red Lion exit from the Norfolk Coast Path calories you burn when you walk – Say you fancy exploring the coast between is marked so you will not miss the turning. time yourself between the marked Blakeney and Wells with a stop at the Stiffkey 12 noon arrive Red Lion.

t Red Lion for lunch. Referring to the journey

t fingerposts on Wells flood bank

o 1.30pm leave pub and continue your walk to c calculator you will see that the 4.8 miles between

S behind the Harbour Master’s office - e Blakeney and Stiffkey will take you just about 2 Wells arriving around 3. Time to have tea and n and at the beach – then go to o

t scones at one of the cafes in Wells before s website and calculate your hours between the two bus stops; the Red Lion is d i

L catching your bus home. calories! just a five minute walk down the hill from the m i

T Stiffkey Green Way bus stop. 5. Enjoy your day!

4 Holkham to Stiffkey 5 Stiffkey to Cley 6 Cley to Weybourne 7 Weybourne to Cromer

Distance: 6.8 miles Distance: 7 miles /11.3 km between bus stops Distance: 6.1 miles/9.8 km Distance: 9.2 miles /14.8 km /10.9 km between Time: 2hr 48 mins between bus stops between bus stops bus stops Amazing views over internationally Time: 2hr 25 mins Time: 3hr 40 mins Time: 2hr 24 mins important stretches of saltmarsh. Binoculars a The shingle on this section Great cliff-top walk with views Experience the must as there are plenty of birds. may be hard on your legs but back to Blakeney and beyond. north Norfolk coast From the bus stop at Greenway Lane head to this walk gives you the space to From Weybourne beach take at its finest! A walk the coast and the National Trust car park. Follow breathe. With big seas crashing on the cliff top path to Sheringham. with something for the path and the black and white national trail shingle this walk will stimulate all Follow the acorns onto the sea front everyone. acorns to the right. the senses. Plenty of birds and and remain on the esplanade through Start at the seaward You eventually cross the River Stiffkey on a wildlife. the town until acorns lead you up steps. end of Lady Anne’s drive, Holkham then follow flood defence bank. Continue on the path by Get off the bus at the Picnic Fayre At the top of the ramp turn left and follow the the black and white national trail acorns from turning off the bank following the track seaward delicatessen. Walk down the road into the village, path over Beeston Bump. Turn inland, cross the here going eastward. before turning right through some stored boats. the signed route dives off the road to run behind railway and coast road before passing Beeston Once on the floodbank at Wells turn right After a short diversion to get you round a the old Town Hall emerging at the windmill. The Hall school. The track starts to climb turning left and head for the town. muddy inlet take the seaward grassy track. This signs will then take you onto the flood defence at a crossroad before bearing right into Keep walking along the quay to the end will lead you to a barrier, easily bypassed and bank and away from the village to the sea. woodland. of East Quay passing the Chandlers on your back onto the vehicle track.Take the steps over Once at the beach find the best walking route Cross over the next road and turn left down right. the floodbank then across the grass area strewn you can. At low tide the beach may be the best the hill. Pass a campsite keeping straight ahead Turn slightly left and take the waymarked with boats and the tinkling of halyard on mast bet, at other times firmer shingle can be found over a cross roads of paths and eventually track between the sheds and up onto the bank. towards the National Trust visitor centre at towards the back of the ridge. Your target is through a gate on to Abbs Common. Follow the This bank top path leads eventually down Morston. The path then takes the floodbank Weybourne. If you are on the beach and pass a signs to a sunken path, cross over the next road, through vegetation and onto a wide grass apron eastward towards Blakeney. whole WWII pill box turn to the rear of the under a railway bridge, over the hill and down at the edge of the salt marsh. At Blakeney, cross the quay and up on to the beach where a somewhat firmer path will be into Cromer. The path is signed all the way to Follow the acorns to a National Trust car floodbank towards Cley next the Sea. Following found. This is actually the waymarked route. the pier. Even if you have not walked all the park before heading inland to catch the bus the acorns will eventually bring you down onto Once on Weybourne beach, you can walk into way on the National Trail, relish the location. home. the A149 where you will find the bus stop. the village and catch the Coasthopper home. The end of 93 miles of outstanding walking! 6 GO DEEPER NORFOLK COAST GUARDIAN 2011

Beautiful chalk gullies off Sheringham. Rob Spray There’s a whole new world waiting to be discovered just offshore. Follow local diver Dawn Watson’s handy five-step guide to What lies beneath Offshore at Sheringham. Below from left: Plumose anemones on the wreck of the Rosalie. Plumose anemones and edible

Getting started down a lot, you might want to wear between the groynes at Sheringham, All you need is to be able to float in a thicker suit with a lightweight belt but it’s best to adopt safe practice: al - shallow water and a mask and to compensate. If you are considering Stay safe ways snorkel in at least a pair, with snorkel. If you have no intention of this it would be best to undertake • Never snorkel alone . The minimum safe group is a pair to look out for one person on the surface looking diving down, you can get away with some training as you are starting to each other in the water plus a lookout on shore. If snorkelling at around at all times. Having a a cheap set, if it fits. To go deeper you take it seriously. Sheringham, the lifeguards will be happy to act as your shore cover, let brightly-coloured buoy with you will need a good mask (with tempered them know what you’ll be doing and stick to it. Dive alternately, one make you even easier to see. glass) and a pair of fins to help you When to go staying on the surface in case the diver has problems and to keep boats Even in a wetsuit the water tem - get down. Your mask must make a The sea off Norfolk often doesn’t or jetskis at bay. perature and exercise will tire you, so good seal around your face to stop clear until June. July, August and Sep - • Check the tides . The safest time to snorkel is at slack water. don’t let yourself drift too far from the water getting in – it should stay tember are the best snorkelling • Weather and sea state . Check the forecast before setting off. shore and check that other • Don’t hyperventilate . It can lead to black outs by suppressing the trigger in place if you breathe in gently months, although a storm or high snorkellers are safe and able to swim to breathe. through your nose without the strap winds can still cloud the water for a back in too. • Don’t dive with a cold. It can upset your Eustachian tubes causing over your head. The snorkel should couple of days. If breaking waves at ear infection. Marine wildlife rarely causes attach to the strap – this keeps the top the shore are more than one metre • Consider training . Learn to snorkel deeper and safer to see more. injury, although some can cause pain out of the water and stops you losing high, sand will be stirred into the if you unwittingly come into contact it. These are best found in a diving water and the sea will be too bumpy with them: shop. to enjoy. If you stay within the tough. Onshore winds will make the should be safely within the start of • Weever fish may be present in the If you are happy to swim in the groynes, Sheringham can be enjoyed waves grow faster! Forecasts of 3-4 slack water. You now have at least an sand, they’ll normally get out of the sea in summer, then a wetsuit isn’t at any state of the tide, but slack water (12mph+) are usually enough to can - hour of safe snorkelling time before way but hurt horribly if you tread on vital, although it will keep you warm is best if you want to concentrate on cel. Remember you will be more the tide starts to pick up again. The their venomous spines. Wearing a pair for longer and make you more buoy - what you can see rather than tired when you come back to shore tide runs east before high tide and of wetsuit boots will protect you. ant – which makes floating easy! A keeping still. so play safe. west afterwards. cheap one that fits snugly will be fine Strong winds To calculate slack water, – many seaside shops sell them. A can build up look up the time of high Watch out for thicker suit will be warmer but it will waves which or low tide at Cromer The only serious hazards to be harder to duck-dive down. will make (GMT) and add on snorkellers here are boat traffic and If you want to stay warm and dive snorkelling 2½ hours. This jetskis. You should be perfectly safe

Where to go Sheringham – chalk reefs If you’ve lobsters, Cley – The wreck of covered, so mark the wreck at low never snorkelled before, the safe beadlet the Vera If you have tide and tie on a buoy (please remove swimming beach just below the anemones snorkelling experience it later). A five litre plastic container esplanade offers the chance to meet and plaice. and are a strong on four metres of rope is ideal.The marine animals without getting out The groynes swimmer, this Vera is almost 100 years old of your depth or having to dive down. themselves are provides an even and the metal structure is The water at the end of the surrounded by big more rewarding coated with plumose groynes is rarely more than granite boulders which provide selection of wildlife in anemones, dead mens 2m (6ft) deep, but holds shelter for common prawns, return for a longer swim. fingers (a coral), sponges a fascinating selection limpets and shoals of baby Located 50m from the and sea squirts. It is y a r

of animals and fish. You can snorkel out to beach to the east of the home to shoals of bib p S

plants. They make a the chalk from any part of NWT car park on Beach and is often visited by a b o R

home on chalk the Sheringham seafront, Road where part of it breaks big shoal of sea bass. Those . n

bedrock covered in some of the nicest rock the surface between slack tide with keen eyesight might be o s t

large flints and sand communities are out from and low tide. Snorkel here at slack able to spot tiny nudibranches and a W patches. Look out for the beach under the Cliff water. The water is often clearest on well disguised sea scorpions (fish) n

shore crabs, squat Road car park. a high slack when the wreck is amongst the other growth. w a D NORFOLK COAST GUARDIAN 2011 GO DEEPER 7

How do we protect our seas?

David North of the Norfolk include sites off the Norfolk coast. Whether you live inland or on the coast our seas are our life support Wildlife Trust asks the question system, absorbing vast quantities of greenhouse gases, releasing oxygen for us to breathe and providing us with The coastal towns and villages all around the Norfolk resources vital to our economy, health and wellbeing. coast have always depended on the marine environment. There is a real chance now to begin to reverse decades of Wells, Sheringham and Cromer were originally fishing damage and your help is vital. settlements, and their rapid growth in Victorian times was as resorts for sea-bathing. Even today their How can I help? economic prosperity in large part depends on tourists Keep up the pressure for new legislation to be fully who come to enjoy the sea views, coastal landscape and implemented – write to your MP asking what he or she is wildlife. But just how sustainable are the demands we doing to support setting up marine protected areas. make on the seas around us? Does the marine Visit the Marine Conservation Society website – you environment and its wildlife have the protection it can vote for sites to be protected including several off deserves? the Norfolk coast – visit www.yourseasyourvoice.com The sad story of human greed for fish leading to Learn more about the Wildlife Trust’s campaign to unsustainable exploitation is a global problem well protect North Sea wildlife and how you can play a part – illustrated here in Norfolk. Great Yarmouth was once the visit www.wildlifetrusts.org/livingseas most important port in the UK for landing the ‘silver www.northseawildlife.org.uk darlings’ – a whole economy and way of life built around Take care not to leave litter on Norfolk’s beaches – the abundance of North Sea herring. On a single day in plastic can be a killer for marine wildlife, so why not make 1907 90 million herring were caught by boats working the effort to help by removing any plastic you find, out of Great Yarmouth, 60 million were landed and the especially nylon and plastic twine or netting which rest had to be diverted to Grimsby. By 1913 one in every wildlife can get tangled in. two fish caught in British waters was a herring. Take care not to disturb breeding seals or seabirds – Today this industry is dead from over-fishing, and the watch only from a distance and be alert to any distress loser is not only the herring but also both human calls from birds if you are picnicking or sunbathing where livelihoods and the marine environment. birds may be nesting. So have we learnt lessons from the silver darling Eat only sustainable sea food – some species of story? Is our current use of the marine environment truly commercial fish are now endangered and some fishing sustainable? When you look at the way fishing quota techniques are very damaging to the marine systems operate so that more than 25% of all fish environment – you can download a guide to sustainable crabs on the wreck of the Rosalie. Shoal of bass at Vera. All Rob Spray caught in the North Sea are thrown back dead or dying sea food at www.fishonline.org. as ‘bycatch’, or as fish that can’t be landed because that Attend one of many events this summer to learn • Sea scorpions (a fish) are not ven - Background species quota has already been exceeded, you may well about the wildlife that lives around Norfolk’s shores – omous, but their protective spines Dawn Watson and Rob Spray wonder. visit www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org. uk/getinvolved or see will cut you if you startle them. are the East Anglian coordinators As long ago as 2002 the Convention on Biological pages 19-23 for details. • A wetsuit is excellent protection for Seasearch, a project run by Diversity, an international agreement recognised by from jellyfish, rough rocks and sharp the MCS for a range of bodies many countries including the UK, made a commitment Marine factfile structures. including The Wildlife Trusts, to protect 10% of the world’s oceans by 2012: the England’s coasts and seas support over 10,000 species of BSAC, and Natural England. The shocking fact is that after nearly a decade, and with less marine plants and animals: the diversity and beauty of More information aim is to survey and map the than a year remaining, only around 1% of the world’s marine wildlife is as great as that on the land and Training and clubs species and habitats to be found seas and oceans have any form of protection, and a equally in need of protection. • BSAC – The British Sub Aqua Club's off Britain's coasts. The data mere 0.08% is highly protected as ‘no-take zones’. Beyond the low tide line the undersea landscapes along the Norfolk coast are amazing – sand and training will help you build the skills produced can be accessed by Most visitors to the Norfolk coast might be shocked gravel flats supporting plaice, sole and herring; living needed to enjoy the sea safely. anyone and is used by educators, by just how poorly the amazing life in our seas is reefs formed from the hard tubes of ross worms; Training enquiries 0151 350 6203 marine planners, councils and protected. For example 98% of the fulmars, birds which fabulously varied rocky chalk reefs home to crabs and [email protected] conservationists. feed over the North Sea, are carrying plastic in their stomachs picked up at sea. On land we have wonderful lobsters; and mysterious sunken wrecks now colonised by www.bsac.com can be used to find Their work mapping the chalk nature reserves, including many well-known Norfolk ones, marine life. local dive clubs reefs off the Norfolk coast has been but in the North Sea we lack a single highly protected The world’s longest chalk reef has recently been Dive shops – for training and greatly supported by grants from marine reserve. discovered off the coast of Norfolk. This 20 mile chalk equipment NBIS, NBP, NCP and the wildlife Norfolk Wildlife Trust, along with the other 46 wildlife reef runs between Cley next the Sea and Trimingham • Christal Seas Norwich 6 Cromer trusts. trusts nationally, has long been seeking better protection and is incredibly rich in wildlife, supporting sponges, sea Road Norwich Norfolk NR6 6ND As Norfolk's marine animal for marine wildlife. Now, thanks to new laws, there is a slugs, fish, crabs and lobsters. 01603 485000 recorders they are keen to hear once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help our seas recover • Learn Scuba 45 London Road about interesting finds and to help their health. This year, sites for marine protected areas David North is education manager, Norfolk Wildlife South Lowestoft Suffolk NR33 0AS identify the things you see. will be identified, and we are hoping that these will Trust 01502 562135 www.seasearcheast.org.uk 8 ENJOY NATURE NORFOLK COAST GUARDIAN 2011

look out for the sharp marram grass that helps to build up the sand dunes Voyage of discovery by trapping sand. This grass is very hardy and is specially adapted to live It’s amazing what you can see on a walk in a national nature reserve. in the harsh, dry and salty conditions. Catherine Foreman outlines a Holkham voyage of discovery especially for 4. After about a mile you will youngsters. reach Holkham Bay, either through Where Explore the fantastic dunes, beach and pinewoods on this 4.5 mile walk. the woods or along the beach. The There are a couple of short cut options, returning to your start point by bay has areas of new developing salt - Coasthopper bus. The shorter walk is 3 miles, covers fairly gentle terrain, marsh which is an important habitat and could be suitable for a robust pushchair, if you keep to the pine woods for rare plants and animals, Listen for rather than dunes or beach. Start at the Wells-next-the-sea entrance to the the song of a skylark hovering over National Nature Reserve (NNR). This is at the north-west corner of Wells the purple flowered sea lavender, Beach car park, at the end of Beach Road. Grid reference TF912454, shoots of fleshy green sapphire and Postcode NR23 1DR. bushes of shrubby sea-blite. Help us the The Holkham Estate car park has a pay and display charge. The protect them and make sure you Coasthopper bus makes regular, frequent stops at Wells-next-the-sea, and don’t tread on any! you could take the little train from the playing field along Beach Road to the 5. If you are tired or short of time, car park. find the board walk at the gap in the trees. (Look for a wooden fenced area 1. Enter the reserve through the which is a strange shape. What does it that helps to protect the dunes from wooden kissing gate. The pond to look like? the action of the sea). Go to number your left is called Abraham’s Bosom. You might like to go out onto the 12 to complete your walk. wild You may see large black cormorants beach and dunes to explore. Continue 6. If you are still having fun ex - here, as well as ducks. Follow the path walking west, following the line of ploring carry on around Holkham to the signpost ahead of you and take the pine trees. Look out for the spiky Bay to the western side. Follow the the path to the right. Some of the sea buckthorn bushes on the way. In edge of the bay, along the line of the pine trees on your left are called mar - autumn and winter the bushes pro - fence for a while, keeping the pine itime pines which have really big duce clusters of bright orange berries, trees on your left. Continue straight cones – can you find one that has which bird visitors such as thrushes on where a horse rider’s way marker fallen to the ground? and fieldfares like to feed on. Also post points to the right. things 2. Continue past the brick toilet block (open in summer months) and

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along the top of the ridge. This ridge d was formed as a sand dune many are years ago, before the pine trees were planted. Watch out for tree roots that might try and trip you up! Get close to nature: keep your 3. This path continues along the edge of the pinewoods all the way to eyes and ears open as you walk, Holkham Bay. There is a lot to see on the way! Try to find: a pine cone that a learn to birdwatch, and see how squirrel has nibbled; yellow and black striped caterpillars of the red cinnabar many species you can spot! moth on a ragwort plant; a pine tree

Fun at Brancaster Millennium Activity Centre. NT/Fisheye Images

OF THE BEST: WAYS TO GET CLOSE Sea lavender at Holkham. TO 5 NATURE GET ACTIVE AT BRANCASTER Everything we do makes a 1 difference to the environment. That’s the message guests at the National Trust’s Brancaster Millennium Activity Centre take home. Surrounded by sea, sand-dunes and salt marsh, the ex-pub hosts schoolchildren and adults on a range of courses. Kayaking, sailing, exploring the marshes and dunes, cycling and map reading are all part of the fun. The centre also offers family fun weeks, activity drop-in sessions and adult courses in painting, bird watching, cookery, yoga and photography. Brancaster Millennium Activity Centre: 01485 210719 or email [email protected]. NORFOLK COAST GUARDIAN 2011 ENJOY NATURE 9

In the distance beyond the large habitat for them. Remember to whis - on along the way. This path forms part sand dune ridge is a fenced off area. per in the hide so you don’t disturb of the Norfolk Coast Path National Shore nesting birds such as terns, anyone! When you are ready, leave the Trail. ringed plovers and oystercatchers nest hide and go down the boardwalk 12. Walk to the far end of the long World here on the raised shingle. The fenced slope to the bottom. Turn left along car park (watch out for cars and area is beyond this circular walk but the path. sometimes horses!) to the road, which you can do a short trip to it to spot 10. This path will lead you to the is the A149 coast road. Look out for wild the birds. They are very sensitive to Lady Anne’s Drive entrance to the re - lapwing and cattle on the marshes disturbance so tiptoe past! serve. along Lady Anne’s Drive. The cows 7. Keep a good look out for a On the way can you find a pool help to keep the grass short for the wooden platform viewing area on called Salts Hole? Is anything swim - breeding wading birds. web your left, towards the pine trees – be ming on it? Does it smell? Read the Turn left at the main road to find careful not to walk past it. sign to find out why. the Norfolk Green Coasthopper bus A five-year-old boy discovered one of 8. Follow the path along the 11. At the Lady Anne’s Drive en - stop. The Coasthopper will take you the rarest insects in Britain on the coast last year, with a little help Only seen 3 times in UK: Cimbex boardwalk. This is a great place to see trance you have a choice. Carry on back to Wells-next-the-Sea. from a new website. Rob Coleman caterpillar. Robert Coleman/RSPB butterflies and dragonflies in the sum - straight ahead for about a mile, along If you parked at the Wells Beach explains how. mer. How many different kinds can the track behind the pine trees, which car park you could take the little train for Norfolk. The adult sawfly is an The great thing about the impressive beast that could easily you spot? will take you back to where you from the playing field area back to the natural world is that it always be mistaken for a Hornet (this 9. Take the boardwalk path to the started in Wells. On the way to Wells car park. surprises. Even the most experienced mimicry is thought to help the right for a sit down in the bird hide. listen for high-pitched calls of tiny naturalist finds things they’ve never insect avoid predation). If you are lucky you might see a bird goldcrests, which can often be seen Catherine Foreman is Natural seen before, or sees things in places Another interesting observation of prey called a marsh harrier from flitting around at the end of pine England outreach adviser, they never expected. For a beginner, was made near the National Trust’s here. The Norfolk coast is a great branches. There are benches to rest Holkham national nature reserve this diversity can confuse – you can Horsey Mere reserve. A large black find many unfamiliar species on a caterpillar ‘inching’ its way across a short coastal walk. Wouldn’t it be path gave out an audible squeak great if an expert could help put a when moved on a blade of grass! name to something you’ve spotted? A photo on iSpot was quickly Bird’s eye view Now they can with the help of a identified as a great silver water new wildlife website called iSpot. beetle (Hydrophilus piceus) – a Red Got an itch to twitch? If you can’t tell flocks of wading birds and wildfowl Created by the Open University as Data Book species and the biggest a bearded tit from a spoonbill, you’ve that are attracted to this part of part of the Open Air Laboratories water beetle found in the UK. come to the right place, says Ed the coast. All you need is a project, iSpot provides a forum to Records from iSpot such as this, and Parnell pair of binoculars (these can help each other and learn about rare sightings of the cliff comber With a variety of habitats and also be hired from the visitor nature. You can post pictures or beetle (Nebria livida) at Sidestrand diversity of species, the coast is one of centre for a small charge), or a descriptions of wildlife you’ve cliffs and the red spotted the UK’s premier birding areas. You camera with a good zoom. You’ll spotted and others can respond – groundbug (Aphanus rolandri) at don’t have to be an expert to enjoy soon be picking out striking avocet suggesting identifications or Sheringham Park provide what’s on offer – it’s a great place to with their black and white plumage providing information. Albums of conservationists with important get an introduction to the hobby. and upturned bills, various ducks (tiny observations can be created, tagged information to help them monitor One place to start is Norfolk teal with their green and chestnut and searched and sightings are efforts to protect the biodiversity of Wildlife Trust’s Cley Marshes nature heads, comical-looking shoveler with linked with locations provided by the Norfolk coast. reserve. Situated between Sheringham their weird-shaped beaks), or perhaps Google Maps. The online But it’s not just the rare or and Wells, the marshes were hear the distinct boom of a bittern community now has over 8,000 unusual that feature on iSpot. The purchased in 1926, making them the from the middle of the reedbeds. registered users, with expert internet provides a great way of oldest Wildlife Trust reserve in the Ed Parnell is Norfolk Wildlife representatives from more than 40 sharing your experiences of nature, country. The shingle beach and saline Trust communications manager societies and organisations, from and there is always much to learn, lagoons, grazing marsh and reedbed local groups to national bodies. whatever your age or ability, the support large numbers of wintering BASICS: BEGIN TO ‘BIRD’ As well as being a great learning coast provides so much to explore. and migrating wildfowl and waders, as tool, iSpot is also providing some So go on – pick up your camera and well as a number of iconic species Learn how to spot and identify a host of birds on a two-hour important records of rare species. head for the seaside, then go to including bittern, marsh harrier and Birds for Beginners walk on Tuesday or Thursday mornings. Remarkably, one of the most www.ispot.co.uk and share what you bearded tit. Or join Bernard Bishop, Cley’s warden of nearly forty unusual Norfolk sightings last year find. The eco-friendly visitor centre has a years for a Walk With the Warden. Bernard is also the third came from a 5-year-old boy! Rob Coleman is iSpot biodiversity café, shop, viewing areas (including generation of his family to work at Cley, and full of stories Michael Knight found a large, bright mentor, East of England remote viewing from a camera on the about its history. Walks take place on Wednesday yellow caterpillar whilst on a visit to Images of all the wildlife observations reserve), exhibition area, mornings throughout the season and last for around two the RSPB’s Titchwell Marsh reserve mentioned are on www.ispot.org.uk. interpretation and toilets. The view hours Bearded Tit shortly after his fifth birthday. from the visitor centre across the Both walks have limited places, so please book in at NWT Cley Pictures posted on iSpot caused If you’d like to record wildlife to marsh to the sea is breathtaking; a advance on 01263 740008. Adults cost £5, with NWT Marshes. much excitement amongst experts, help with local monitoring, you can great place to enjoy a cappuccino and members and children £3. For further details see: Steve Bond and the identity of the caterpillar also find out more from: cake while watching the abundant www.norfolkwild lifetrust.org.uk was confirmed as the sawfly cimbex Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s service birdlife. Before too long a marsh Cley Marshes is located just east of the village of luteus by entomologists at Liverpool for volunteers: harrier will drift by, or perhaps a group Cley next the Sea on the A149 coast road. The Museum. Cimbex luteus is one of Norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/ of long-legged spoonbills will drop Coasthopper stops just outside the centre. Visitors who the rarest insects in Britain, and this naturalconnections onto the scrape… show their bus ticket are entitled to a reduced is only the third record of the species Norfolk Biodiversity information From the reserve’s five spacious entrance rate. Standard adult entry for non-NWT in modern times – and a county first Service: NBIS.org.uk hides enjoy the spectacle of large members is £4.50, with children free.

START A SPECIES COUNT BATTLE THE INVADERS REPORT DEAD OWLS TAKE A STROLL Take up the challenge to beat If you would like to get more The Hawk and Owl Trust is A short, regular walk is one of the 2 Titchwell Marsh RSPB volunteer 3 “hands on” then why not help 4 starting a new research project 5 best ways to keep in touch with Ray Kimber, who is on a quest to Norfolk Non-native Species Initiative to help reduce the number of nature, and a series of over 30 see 800 species on the reserve in battle the invasive rhododendron at owls, particularly barn owls, killed by circular walks in the Fakenham, Wells, twelve months. Ray explains: “Last year we Sheringham Park? The park is famed for its vehicles. You can help by reporting any owl or Cromer and Sheringham areas have been closed the beach path for essential work. I knew colourful rhododendrons, but in parts of the other bird of prey casualties on roadsides. “We’ve developed by the Coast Alive! Project to help this meant it would not be as easy to find our estate one variety, rhododendron ponticum, is started by looking for blackspots where people do just that. Health Walks project officer regular birds but thought it was an opportunity causing problems. The plant can spread to casualties occur,” explained Nigel Middleton, the Kirsty Webber-Walton said: “The Norfolk Coast is to concentrate more on the wildlife in other dominate an area once it is established in the Trust’s conservation officer. “Then we plan to an area rich in heritage and biodiversity, and areas. I gave myself a target of 300 species to wild. It also makes the soil toxic for native plant install deflectors that, when activated by these walks are real eye-openers to things that find. I have been involved at the reserve since species, which prevents re-growth of native headlights, release sounds to alert the birds that you may not have noticed. Not only that, but 1973 and thought I knew its wildlife pretty species for years following removal. If you would could be at risk from traffic.” If you see a with a variety of walks, there is something for well…. I was proved very wrong! I kept on like to help remove the plant from vulnerable casualty please report your sightings to the trust. everyone. The user-friendly maps and clear walk finding species – I’m now on 576… why don’t areas then come to a volunteer day on 10 July. Do not cause a danger by stopping whilst driving instructions mean you can be reassured as you you see if you can beat my Titchwell total?” To register as a volunteer, or for more details and please do not send the carcases to the trust. begin your adventure.” To find out how Ray is getting on in his quest visit www.norfolkbiodiversity.org/nonnative www.hawkandowl.org or write to Sculthorpe Contact Carrie Kerry on 01603 228923; email visit the Titchwell Marsh RSPB blog at species or e-mail co-ordinator Moor Community Nature Reserve, Turf Moor [email protected] or download the www.rspb.org.uk/ titchwell [email protected] Rd, Sculthorpe, Fakenham, Norfolk, NR21 9GN booklet: www.countrysideaccess.norfolk.gov.uk 10 TAKE A RIDE NORFOLK COAST GUARDIAN 2011 Get more from your King’s Lynn and Queen’s home! Tim Humphreys lists historic delights

King’s Lynn was one of England’s most important ports from as early as the 12th century, and this maritime GET THERE BY: BUS past is still very much in evidence. The award-winning Coasthopper service was set up in 1996 by west Norfolk- Fine old merchants’ houses stretch based Norfolk Green, with the input of the Norfolk Coast Partnership, and is down to the river between cobbled now one of the fastest-growing bus routes in the UK. Other bus routes serve the coast too. lanes and the elegant Custom House The Coasthopper and its connecting service run all the way along the overlooks the original medieval har - coast from King’s Lynn to Cromer taking in amongst others, Old Hunstanton, bour. Titchwell, Brancaster, the Burnhams, Holkham, Wells, Stiffkey, Cley, the Make the Customs House your Runtons and Cromer. first port of call which is also home The through link to London from King’s Lynn by rail means you can now to the Tourist Information Centre. buy a ticket on the bus to take you right to the capital. Pick up a Discover King’s Lynn coasthopper.co.uk, Norfolkgreen.co.uk 01553 776980 leaflet, and check if there’s a guided To get to Sandringham, take the 41 from King’s Lynn or Hunstanton. walking tour (Tuesday, Friday, Satur - Firstgroup.com 08456 020121 day, May-October). It’s a fine historic building, with elegant rooms housing displays on the merchants, customs town's highwaymen, murderers and men and smugglers of Lynn. Enjoy robbers. views of the river and explore hands- Walking down to the waterfront on computer displays to discover along the River Great Ouse, check King’s Lynn’s Hanseatic history as out The Green Quay. Here you can well as learning about the town’s discover the secrets of the Wash and famous mariners including Vancouver its wildlife with exhibitions, com - and Nelson. puter workstations, bird watching If you are interested in maritime galley, reference library and fun com - matters, make a visit to True’s Yard petitions for all the family. During Fisherfolk Museum. This friendly your visit you can relax in the museum features two restored fisher - licensed café and browse the shop. man’s cottages, which are all that re - Admission is free. mains of Lynn’s North End fishing Sandringham House has been the Ship ahoy! Enjoying a bird’s-eye view of a lifeboat at The Mo. community. There is also an exten - private home to four generations of sion that showcases Lynn’s last sur - British monarchs since 1862 and is viving smokehouse and the fully set in 24 hectares of magnificent gar - restored and rigged 1904 Lynn fish - dens, part of the 8,000 hectare estate. ALSO BY BUS… Mill and ing smack ’Activity’. The new exten - The statue of Captain Vancouver The Country Park takes up 240 with the Custom House in the NORFOLK LAVENDER was sion also holds Lynn’s first sound hectares and is open free of charge background in King's Lynn, Norfolk. founded in 1932 and has nearly archive. The museum is mainly Britainonview/Rod Edwards every day of the year. For the day 100 acres of lavender fields and mere staffed by volunteers who also run a visitor though it is the house, mu - beautiful gardens as well as guided cosy tearoom. where smugglers caught by the rev - seum and gardens that you may want walks, an animal centre, and farm Stephen Prowse , Go back in time at the Lynn Mu - enue men of the Custom House to make your priority. shop. For further information and seum, home of Seahenge, a 4,000 would be thrown. You can meet a Tim Humphreys is tourism manager, entrance fees phone 01485 National Trust year-old timber circle. Stand in the drunken teddy boy locked up for the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and 570384 or norfolk-lavender.co.uk full size replica and learn about the night, and hear the true stories of the West Norfolk Coasthopper stop: Heacham warden on how to Bronze Age people who created Sea - WEST NORFOLK FACTFILE LE STRANGE OLD BARNS henge. Explore the West Norfolk enjoy Horsey Kings Lynn Tourist Information ANTIQUE, ART AND CRAFT Story, featuring a fantastic hoard of Centre 01553 763044 CENTRE at Old Hunstanton is an Iceni gold coins; colourful Vic - visitwestnorfolk.com art gallery, antique barns and The Horsey Estate and its famous torian fairground gallopers and True’s Yard pottery with gift rooms and craft Mere are special on two counts. They displays about Lynn’s rich 01553 770479 truesyard.co.uk workshops. Open seven days a are part of the Broads national park maritime heritage. Lynn Museum 01553 775001 week, telephone 01485 533402, and the Norfolk Coast Area of Out - At Tales of the Old museums.norfolk.gov.uk lestrangeoldbarns.com standing Natural Beauty. Gaol House, your per - Tales of the Old Gaol House Coasthopper stop: The National Trust acquired the sonal stereo guide takes 01553 774297 visitwestnorfolk.com Old Hunstanton estate from the Buxton family in you through King's The Green Quay SALTHOUSE SCULPTURE TRAIL 1948. The family still manage the es - Lynn's 1930s police 01553 818500 thegreenquay.co.uk will feature guided walks while the tate and work in partnership with the station and into the Sandringham 01485 545 408 exhibition of contemporary Norfolk Trust. Nature conservation has always old cells beyond, sandringhamestate.co.uk art runs at Salthouse Church (7 been a priority for the Buxtons and Jul - 7 Aug). The first will be on it is thanks to their endeavours over Saturday 9 July, starting at 1.30pm the past 80 years that Horsey remains at the Dun Cow pub in Salthouse such a special place for wildlife. and ending at the Old Reading At Horsey, the Broads are close to Room Cafe, Kelling, taking in a visit the sea which has flooded this low- to the exhibition. Launched in lying place on many occasions, most 2008 as a new route to experience recently in 1938. You can see the thin the natural beauty of North ribbon of sand dunes on the horizon Norfolk with open air art, the Trail and if you walk out towards the coast is open all year and sponsored by on footpaths from the mill, it's clear Norfolk Country Cottages. that the Broads environment is a Coasthopper stop: Salthouse The head gardener cuts a bunch of lavender in the 50 acre field, Sandringham Estate, Norfolk. Britainonview/Rod Edwards fragile place. NORFOLK COAST GUARDIAN 2011 TAKE A RIDE 11

Make travelling part of the fun and you’ll experience more. Jump on a bus, take the day out train, pick up your paddle or hoist the sail

ums, The Mo is at the heart of its community, with links to artists, On show at The Mo wildlife and heritage organisations and its army (navy!) of volunteers. Helen Mitchell profiles a museum with a view This growing band of enthusiasts manages and staffs the museum, looks after the boats, collections and The Mo is named after a girl called archives, undertakes research, helps Morag, who lived in a house on the GET THERE BY: TRAIN host visits from groups and schools same site over a hundred years ago. Sheringham has two kinds of rail link – classic steam and modern, and you and works to raise more vital funds. Sheringham is full of such interesting can make a full day out by using both: Climb the spiral staircase to the monikers, from Shannocks – as the The North Norfolk Railway or Poppy Line steam train runs between museum’s viewing tower and you get people of the town are known, to the Sheringham, Weybourne, Kelling Heath and Holt, offering a 10.5 mile round- a unique view of Sheringham that nicknames of the local fishermen – trip. 01263 820800 nnrailway.co.uk takes in the beach, the cliffs, the hig - The Bittern Line is a regular rail service between Norwich, Cromer and Squinter, Joyful, Teapot, Old Down - gledy piggledy town and the hills be - Sheringham. 01603 224248. bitternline.com tide and countless others. yond. Out at sea work has started on … OR ON FOOT, BY BUS OR BIKE The Norfolk Coasthopper bus route and This super town museum was set the Norfolk Coast Cycle Way and Path also arrive in Sheringham. If you plan Sheringham Shoal offshore windfarm up by a group of local enthusiasts in to visit the museum on foot or by bike, you can take inspiration from the and Scira, the company behind the 1988. As their collections grew and Sheringham fishermen who would often row up to 26 miles in a day, as well new windfarm, has opened a new they took on three lifeboats and three as man-handling their own boats and catch from sea to shore! visitor centre about sustainable en - fishing boats, the search for a new ergy at The Mo, created by a team home began. A Heritage Lottery that have also made displays for the Fund grant and the group’s own museum’s majestic boats and eclec - It is easy to imagine the sense of Science Museum. fundraising paid for the tic collections of fishing, sea - pride a boat builder must have felt in Helen Mitchell is an arts and

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that it’s one of the broads to have N Nicholas Crane is a regular at the tea - • Parking: Pay and display (free to better water quality. In winter it’s an room, where he especially enjoys the NT members). internationally important wildfowl teacakes and hot chocolate, and says • Boat users: Mooring charge. Please refuge, home to thousands of ducks the quiz is good family fun too! avoid Horsey Mere Wildfowl Refuge including teal, wigeon, pochard, mal - Stephen Prowse is National Trust 1 November - 1 March so as not to lard and gadwall. Warden at Horsey disturb wildfowl. The present four-storey mill was • Fishing: By ticket from bailiff built in 1912, but a mill has stood on HORSEY FACTFILE at Old Farm House, Horsey. the site for over 200 years. At one • Walks Circular walk (about 3 miles). • Tearoom/shop/NT toilets open time there were five drainage mills at Permissive footpaths link village, pub March to October. Horsey, built to keep the land dry and beach. You can walk out to the Contact enough for keeping cattle and grow - coast (about 1½ miles) Easy access National Trust Horsey, 01493 393904 ing crops. Water was pumped off the path to viewpoint over Horsey Mere [email protected] land and back into the rivers. Now 300m from mill. Benches along path www.nationaltrust.org.uk electric pumps are used. The Internal Drainage Board still has a pumping GET THERE BY: BOAT station beside the old mill. Arrive at Horsey in true Broads style, across the magnificent mere by boat. The wildlife here is special. Reed- Hire an eco-friendly canoe, sailing boat or electric day boat from a Broads beds are home to bittern, bearded tit boat yard. Some within a short cruise of Horsey are: and marsh harrier. In summer the air is full of dragonflies and insects - • Whispering Reeds, Hickling 01692 598314 Britain's largest butterfly the swallow - traditional Broads half-decker sailing boats and Canadian canoes tail is best seen in May and June. • Phoenix Fleet, Potter Heigham 01692 670460 Then there are the large numbers of electric day boats pink-footed geese that visit in au - • Martham Boats, Martham 01493 740249 tumn and winter, arriving from their canoes, electric boats and sailing boats breeding grounds in Iceland. There numbers in England are increasing, • Herbert Woods, Potter Heigham 01692 670711 probably due to better protection at electric picnic boats with hob, sink and toilet. winter roosts. A place to unwind: Enter the competition on p14 to win a holiday at Horsey. NORFOLK COAST GUARDIAN 2011 TASTE THE PLACE 15 As fresh as it gets Chef Chris Coubrough explains why excellent local produce means the See o ver page f coast is no longer a culinary outpost – or our new improve d directory of whe and shares some recipes re to shop for fant astic local in hen I moved to Nor - and working with local farmers. In - gredients folk it was not a desti - spiration for the menus in my hotels nation most knew of, and inns is created for me by passion - W regarded by many in ate farming individuals. As someone my line of work as behind the times once said: ‘This is farming land - and a no-go zone for food lovers. you’ll soon notice the benefits when Although still one of the most you’re sampling its food and drink.’ undiscovered counties in the UK this It is easy to help solve the problem is now what makes it so special, that of food miles and strengthen our local and the fact that it provides chefs like economy when we have so much on me with such a wonderful array of our doorstep. I love that my wife can seasonal produce. Norfolk is now a now produce one of my most popular hotspot for food lovers who want beers from wheat grown five miles variation in the menus they try whilst from where I live, that I can pull over it is exceptional and offers such vari - I am proud that Norfolk is now Chris Coubrough runs the Flying Kiwi at the same time appreciating locally- to the side of the road and grab a ety: from the tasty Cromer crabs and blessed with dozens of excellent chefs Inns: Kings Head, Letheringsett; grown produce. punnet of sweet juicy strawberries or fabulous mussels, to orgasmic oysters who choose to create everything Ship Hotel, Brancaster; White Hart, As someone who prides himself call into a farmer’s yard and pick up a and succulent little Lynn shrimps; from sophisticated menus to tradi - Hingham; Crown Inn, Rudham and on only using the best I now know bundle of tender asparagus. your taste buds are guaranteed to have tional home-cooked dishes with pro - Crown Hotel, Wells-next-the-Sea. that I can get what I want by talking And let’s not forget the seafood – an enjoyable time! duce grown on their very doorstep. Flyingkiwiinns.co.uk

Tried and tested Chris Coubrough recipes using local delicacies (ALL RECIPES ARE PICTURED ABOVE AND SERVE FOUR) ASPARAGUS, PARMESAN NORTH NORFOLK LOBSTER COCKTAIL Place all the ingredients into a mixing bowl and Remove from oven and place on plate. In a AND SOFT-BOILED EGG SALAD WITH BATTERED CLAW add the soda water and ale until you have the separate bowl dress rocket leaves with the 2 bundles of Norfolk asparagus 2 1lb lobsters cooked and de-shelled, including consistency of double cream. Cover the meat lemon juice and olive oil. Serve the tart warm 4 soft-boiled free-range eggs (shelled) the claw from the lobster claw in the batter and fry in with a ball of salad on top. 1 small block of Parmesan 1 iceberg lettuce hot oil until golden brown. Salad leaves 2 vine-ripened tomatoes SUMMER PUDDING 20 ml white truffle oil ½ cucumber BINHAM BLUE & RED ONION TART 2 tbsp water Blanch the asparagus in salted boiling water 100 ml mayonnaise Puff pastry discs 5oz / 150g sugar until tender and refresh in iced 50 ml Heinz tomato ketchup 1 red onion 1lb/450g mixed summer fruits. Fruits used for water. Quarter the eggs and 1 lemon 2 free-range eggs summer pudding must have a rich, strong, colour season with salt and pepper. 4 pinches of paprika ½ pint double dream and flavour like raspberries, strawberries, red and Using a potato peeler, slice Make Marie-Rose sauce by mixing the 250g Binham Blue cheese blackcurrants, damsons and blackberries. the parmesan into flakes. mayonnaise and ketchup with the juice of half Small bag rocket leaves 100 -150g thin sliced white bread, crusts Mix together all the the lemon in a bowl. Quarter and season the ½ lemon removed ingredients including the tomatoes and slice the cucumber thinly. Mix the Splash of olive oil Whipped cream or custard sauce, to serve salad leaves. Serve on a tomatoes, cucumber and iceberg lettuce Salt and pepper Stir the water and sugar together and bring to a plate, drizzled with together and place in four bowls. Divide the Pre-heat oven to Gas Mark 8 / 230°C. Whisk the gentle boil. Add the berries and fruits and stew the white lobster between the four bowls and top eggs and cream together and season with salt very gently until softened but still retaining their truffle oil. with the Marie-Rose sauce, a lemon and pepper. Lay the puff pastry discs on a pre- shape. Line a 1½ pint pudding basin with the wedge and one pinch of paprika each. heated baking tray, then roll the edges up and bread slices ensuring there are no gaps. Fill with For the battered claw prick all over with a fork. Break the cheese into the stewed fruits and cover the top with more ¼ pint ale nuggets, slice the red onion into rings and bread slices. Place a saucer with a weight on top ¼ pint soda water divide between the pastry discs. Spoon 2-3 (a can of tomatoes or beans is ideal) and leave 1 tsp tumeric tablespoons of the egg mixture over the cheese overnight in a cool place. The next day, before 100g self-raising flour and onion. Place in the oven and bake for 10- serving, turn the pudding out onto a plate. Salt and pepper to taste 15 minutes until golden and cooked through. Serve with the whipped cream or custard sauce. 18 PEDAL AWAY NORFOLK COAST GUARDIAN 2011 P P C C N N / / t t t t u u T T

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ycling in Norfolk had a high profile last year, culminating in crowds gathering to Cwatch elite riders fly by in the Tour of Britain stage. Interest in information on the Norfolk Coast Cycleway peaked, with record re - quests for the printed map and use of our website cycling pages. We regularly update our cycle guide, and whilst researching the latest Ideal for cycling – a quiet lane. reprint of the Explorer 8, I took the opportunity to add even more infor - mation on the communities in the area. The idea is that users can take the trail as a starter and develop all sorts of rides from it. See more Whatever your interests or ability, wherever your starting point, there’s plenty to enjoy. For me, a days’ explo - ration totalled a mere 35 miles. Here are some of the highlights… from the Leaving Overstrand I took the ‘Quiet Lane to Northrepps’, and crossed the former railway line before reaching the hilltop. The Quiet Lanes was a national pilot implemented in 2000 to make minor rural links better saddle for road users, including walkers and cyclists and horse riders. They en - courage motorists to use the most Cycling is more popular than ever, says at Mundesley along regional route 30. mill pond at picturesque Gimingham suitable routes, ask all users to be con - This popular seaside village was and on to the outskirts of Sidestrand siderate towards each other when Steve Tutt as he pedals off on another known as Muleslai in the Domesday back to via quiet lanes and back roads travelling and provide links to the book and its clifftop Maritime mu - to Overstrand. public footpath and bridleway net - fact-finding mission for our handy guide seum has to be one of the smallest. The diverse variety of lanes and works. Following the sails of Stow Mill on a scenery I travelled through confirms I enjoyed the panoramic views gentle climb out towards Paston and to me this area of Norfolk is a real back over the coastline. Here, like with eight bells, two from the 17th where passengers alighting are greeted Bacton involves using one of the few gem, surely best enjoyed at a leisurely elsewhere, the village sign provides century. by a gateway sign to the cycleway. At sections of busier roads but a rest on pace and from the higher vantage an insight into history: this is the seat Through Southrepps, a village of Southrepps Common there’s a local the seat looking over Paston’s restored point of the saddle. of the Gurney family (founders of two halves, I rode out along an nature reserve of 12 hectares of village pond returns me to tranquil - Go to www.norfolkcoastaonb. what became Barclays Bank). The emerging line of roadside trees woodland, reeds, grass and rare wild lity. Nearby the magnificent flint and org.uk/cycling for the full Quiet Gallas Plough developed here can be known as the Avenue of Remem - flowers. Diverting from route 30, I ex - brick thatched Paston Barn is desig - Lanes Explorer and other routes seen in the Church of St.Mary the brance, to Gunton station on the plored Bradfield’s farm walks, church nated a site of special scientific interest and reviews. Virgin, whose tower is 90 feet high Norwich to Sheringham Bittern Line and ponds before heading to the coast for its bat colony. Steve Tutt is Norfolk Coast From here the cycleway skirts in - Partnership technical assistant Explore a national park too! land past Bacton’s Interconnector site and on to Great Yarmouth although I The Norfolk Coast Cycleway was only went as far as Riddington. My launched in 1998 using Sustran’s The eastern part of the Norfolk Coast Area of Attractions to experience include the restored return journey included a visit to Ed - National Route 1 (King’s Lynn to Outstanding Natural Beauty includes an area between Waxham Barn, National Trust’s Horsey Mere and Mill ingthorpe’s beautiful isolated All Wighton) with a new regional route Sea Palling and Winterton, some of which is uniquely also (offering wonderful views), Winterton Dunes nature Saints Church with thatched roof and 30 to follow quiet roads and lanes a national park – the Broads. reserve, along with varied scenery, villages and buildings through the Norfolk countryside on round tower, enjoying the wide To explore it, from Witton Bridge take route 30 of the to savour. to Cromer and later extended to Great panoramic views as far as Happis - cycleway, waymarked to take you through lanes and The alternative route offers an equally diverse Yarmouth. Visit www.norfolkcoast hamlets towards Happisburgh where an optional experience through inland lanes and villages burgh lighthouse from the end of aonb.org.uk/cycling to find out more. route will take you into the village. Further along including Ingham, Sutton, Hickling (with option Witton churchyard. The full route map guide also before entering Lessingham an alternative to take in the broad and nature reserve) and the After reluctantly passing up the has 10 ‘explorer’ loops, links, optional route option can be chosen to avoid the main bustling broadland village of Potter Heigham opportunity to explore Bacton Woods and alternative routes marked and coast road. Route 30 takes you into Sea Palling with its medieval bridge. Here there is a walking which is open to walkers, cyclists and described. Published and supplied with a chance to enjoy the section beside the River horse riders, it’s on to Trunch whose by the Norfolk Coast Partnership, dunes and beach before Thurne through to St Botolph Church is famous for its they are available from some shops joining the busier coast Martham before returning carved and painted wood canopy and and most tourist information centres road. to route 30 at Somerton. a hammerbeam roof with carved an - along the route, or direct from gels. I then cycled down alongside the Sustrans Trading.