In the know: North Norfolk

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If you’re anything like us, there’ll be plenty of things that you won’t have time to wonder about while you’re walking. But that won’t make you any less curious. So here are a few details about areas of interest that you might appreciate reading up on before you set out or when you get home.

On these pages:


Seahenge

A major archaeological controversy, this. In 1998 an incredible wooden Bronze Age monument emerged out of the sea near Holme thanks to the action of shifting sands. Given its age, its construction and its location archaeologists thought it was unique and vulnerable and should be recorded and moved to safety. Local people and pagans objected with some finding the professional arguments less than convincing and arguing digging up the timbers was tantamount to destruction. The archaeologists won and, just to really put the tin hat on things, Time Team (somewhat controversial in the archaeological community themselves) got involved. Read more here:

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The Saxon Shore Forts

The Saxon Shore Forts are, confusingly enough, Roman. They are a chain of fortifications built during the third century that stretch from Portchester on the south coast right round to Brancaster in north Norfolk (Branodunum). The county boasts a second, spectacular, ruined fort at Burgh Castle (Gariannorum). They have certain similarities in construction and historians are still undecided about their purpose – was it to combat piracy? See off Viking invaders? Or act as supply bases for the Roman navy? Whatever their purpose, they’re a fascinating topic that you can read plenty more about:

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Norfolk Dialect

Forget singing postmen – this is a deadly serious business and has been the downfall of many a television producer who hasn’t bothered to do his or her homework properly. Sounding nothing whatsoever like either Westcountry or rural Berkshire, the Norfolk accent and dialect is central to the county’s identity. Quite unlike any other regional accent, Norfolk is described as more than just a way of speaking – rather it’s an outlook, a sense of humour and a way of looking at life.

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The East Coast floods of 1953

One past event has had a huge influence in shaping the present-day North Norfolk coast – the East Coast flooding disaster of 1953. In the UK 307 people were killed and around 24,000 homes flooded after a storm surge from the North Sea sent millions of gallons of seawater inland to cover approximately 100,000 hectares of land. It affected an area from Yorkshire to the East End of London. According to the Met Office: “Fifteen died in King’s Lynn and another 65 between there and Hunstanton. At Wells-next-the-Sea, a 160-ton vessel was left high and dry on the quay.” For more information on this event see the links below:

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Norfolk’s heritage and narrow-gauge railways

Norfolk seems to have suffered heavily under Beeching. As a result the county is criss-crossed with disused railway lines – and increasingly full of people seeking to reinstate services and open the lines for pleasure and as tourist attractions. As a result there’s a wealth of interest for the rail enthusiast in the county and many train journeys can be combined with footpaths to make pleasant circular journeys.

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The Rector of Stiffkey

Harold Davidson, the eponymous clergyman in the early years of the 20th century, is remembered fairly or not as a man of the cloth with slightly too well-developed an interest in coming to the aid of fallen women. When his chickens came home to roost he ran away with the fair and was killed after being mauled by a performing lion. One of those tales that prove truth is often stranger than fiction:

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Posted by WalkWalkWalk at 1:13 PM

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