Ber Street Gate, part of the old town walls
Novic meets Norwich, part of the Go Elephants trail
Old norwich buildings, are dotted around the cityJust a few miles west and southwest of Norwich is stunning Norfolk countryside and top attractions near Norwich like the Norfolk Showground which hosts The Royal Norfolk Show, Britains largest two-day agricultural show, held annually in late June. Historic market town Wymondham just 9 miles south west of Norwich is home to the spectacular Wymondham Abbey, an award winning station with train links to Norwich and Cambridge and the Wymondham Heritage Museum. The scenic heritage Mid-Norfolk Railway runs through the heart of the Norfolk countryside west of Norwich between Wymondham and Dereham, offering many themed events through the year including Santa Specials.
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Find an outstanding choice of character quality hotels in Attleborough and charming holiday cottages and caravan parks near Norwich in surrounding market towns and villages including Hingham with its beautiful Georgian market square. Holiday accommodation near Norwich in Attleborough, Wymondham and Hingham is perfectly placed for touring both Norwich and Thetford Forest.
The Mid-Norfolk Railway runs between historic market towns Wymondham just southwest of Norwich to Dereham passing through spectacular central Norfolk countryside. At Wymondham heritage diesel and steam trains arrive and depart from Wymondham Abbey Station situated about half a mile outside Wymondham town centre. Station stops between Wymondham and Dereham include mid-way point Thuxton and pretty Yaxham Station.
Special events on the Mid-Norfolk Railway feature regularly including 'Steam-Hauled Fish 'n' Chip Specials', 'Classic Transport Days' and 'Cream Tea Steam Specials'. Santa Specials run over the Christmas period.
Historic Norfolk market town Wymondham situated just southwest of Norwich (9 miles) along the A11 contains a host of historic attractions including spectacular Wymondham Abbey and the Wymondham Heritage Museum. The museum digs deep into the local history of this popular market town near Norwich with displays and collections detailing medieval pilgrimages to Wymondham Abbey, local industries like brush making at the Briton Brush Factory plus Victorian games and Wymondham in World War Two. Exhibits are also on the Great Fire of Wymondham started in 1615 by arsonists which destroyed much of the town with the Abbey one of the few buildings to survive the fire.
As well as the heritage Mid-Norfolk Railway running to Wymondham Abbey Station, Wymondham has its own beautiful award winning Wymondham Station first opened in 1845. A regular small station award winner, Wymondham Station has the 'Brief Encounter' Refreshment Rooms and Restaurant on-site with walls adorned with railway memorabilia. A character Nailway Beauty Salon can also be found at Wymondham historic station which sits on the main Norwich to Cambridge railway line (National Express East Anglia) and offers hourly trains to both Norwich and Cambridge.
Founded by Benedictine monks in 1107 as Wymondham Priory, little of the mighty Norman priory church for which stone was shipped across from Caen in Normandy survives today. Spectacular Wymondham Abbey with its two great towers dates mostly from the 13th to 15th centuries. Highlights within on a tour included the magnificent hammer-beam roof built in the mid-15th century and restored in the 20th century. The wide North Aisle dates from around 1300. The 20th century restoration of Wymondham Abbey saw the introduction of many spectacular features including the breathtaking golden Altar Scree, Rood and Tester and behind the Altar the Triptych of the Arts and Craft Movement designed by E P Warren.
Events in Wymondham include the popular annual Wymondham Music Festival (late June) featuring a packed fortnight of jazz, classical and folk music performances alongside numerous other events and family activiites. Find Wymondham Tourist Information Centre in Market Place within the beautiful Market Cross building.
Popular holiday bases near Norwich such as Wymondham and Attleborough have fast train links to Norwich city centre (National Express East Anglia). Historic market town Wymondham is a mere 9 miles southwest of Norwich. Find beautiful historic Wymondham hotels and B&B guesthouses listed here on iknow East Anglia plus stunning country holiday cottages near Wymondham in the surrounding Norfolk villages near Norwich including Suton and Hethersett.
Attleborough also located on the A11 affording fast easy access to Norwich, Thetford and Thetford Forest contains an outstanding choice of character inn hotels near Norwich. Find premier Attleborough conference hotels near Norwich listed here on iknow East Anglia. Many Attleborough hotels feature premier in-house restaurants and you will find a great choice of real ale Attleborough pubs. The Attleborough tourist information centre (Queens Square) contains numerous leaflets and guides on nearby Thetford Forest and Norwich.
Around beautiful villages and market towns situated in the countryside west of Norwich like Hingham are conservation areas, classic village greens, ancient woodland and many historic buildings. Hingham, just 17 miles from Norwich features a wonderful Georgian market place, independent specialist shops and atmospheric traditional real ale B&B inns. Caravan parks and touring parks can also be found in the Norfolk countryside west of Norwich, listed here on iknow East Anglia. The Royal Norfolk Showground, host to the annual Royal Norfolk Show, the largest two-day agricultural show in the country, is located a mere 5 miles west of Norwich off the A47.
Ber Street Gate image contributed by Graham Hardy. Historic Building image contributed by Graham Hardy. Go Elephants image contributed by Keith Evans. All images are copyrighted but licensed for further reuse under the Creative Commons License.
