About Sheringham

TWIXT SEA AND PINE

Sheringham is a traditional seaside town, located on the beautiful North Norfolk coast.  Originally a small fishing village, the arrival of the railway in the late 19th Century turned Sheringham into a popular destination.  Over the years it has expanded into a thriving town with a diversity of shops, places to eat and drink, and places to visit.  Harking back to its origins, there are still a few boats bringing in the daily catch.

Sheringham and the local area has a huge range of different places to visit, catering for most tastes.  Here are a few suggestions:

It is home of the North Norfolk Railway (The Poppy Line), which offers a 10.5 mile round trip to Holt by steam train (vintage diesel trains on some journeys) through a delightful area of North Norfolk designated as being an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Sheringham Beach has again been awarded Blue Flag  accreditation.  This is a prestigious international award which acts as a guarantee to visitors that the beach, water, facilities and safety standards are of the highest quality.  Sheringham Beach is a fascinating mix of glorious sand at low tide and pebbles at high tide.

Situated in the centre of Sheringham, the Sheringham Little Theatre offers a wide variety of plays, music and films throughout the year.  The Summer Rep season and Christmas panto are always especially popular.

Sheringham Museum tells the story of Sheringham and its people, through beautiful displays packed with interesting things to see, hear and do.  Step inside stunning new galleries and walk among Sheringham’s historic fleet of lifeboats and fishing boats.  The viewing tower offers stunning views over Sheringham and the sea.  The museum includes a visitor centre for the Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farm.

A mile or so inland, situated in Upper Sheringham, lies Sheringham Park.  Run by the National Trust, it consists of landscaped park and gardens, designed by Humphry Repton.  Especially well known for its fabulous displays of rhododendrons and azaleas in May and June and also its mature woodlands.  Gazebo and viewing towers offer fantastic coastal views.  Miles of scenic countryside paths.  Great for bike rides, walking and picnics.

Sheringham Golf Club, set on the cliffs ovelooking Sheringham, in an area of Outstanding Beauty, is a challenging course for all golfers at all times of the year.  The course is one of the most picturesqueue in the region – the view from the 5th tee is one of the most memorable in golf!

For the less serious golfer, Beeston Hills Putting Green is situated directly opposite the entrance to Camberley House!

The Norfolk Coast Path passes our front door, offering beautiful clifftop walks.  A short walk from Camberley House to the top of Beeston ‘Bump’ (the hill overlooking Sheringham from the east) takes only 5-10 minutes and provides spectacular views over Sheringham and to Cromer and Blakeney.

The Sheringham Lifeboat Station is situated at the westen end of the Promenade.  See the current lifeboat ‘The Oddfellows’ – a rigid inflatable Atlantic 85, the launch tractor  and learn about the history of Sheringham’s lifeboats.

The Sheringham Society operates the Fisherman’s Heritage Centre (including the Henry Ramer Upcher lifeboat dating from 1894) and the Peter Coke Shell Gallery (containing fascinating art created from seashells), both of which are located at the top of the fisherman’s slope/Westcliff).

There is a popular twice weekly market in Sheringham on Wednesdays and Saturdays, which attracts many to the town.

Days out

Festivals

Sheringham has many festivals throughout the year, including the following:

Sheringham Carnival provides a week of fun and entertainment, usually during the first week of August; the highlight being the carnival procession through Sheringham.

The North Norfolk Railway 1940s weekend is a hugely popular event, which usually takes place on the 3rd weekend in September, with themed events, entertainment, military vehicles, and an amazing array of 1940s dress, both military and civilian.  Come dressed for the occasion!

The Lobster Potty Festival is a weekend festival of Morris dancing in Sheringham, usually during the first week of July, with sides from across the UK taking part.

The North Norfolk Railway Beer Festival in July also brings many people to Sheringham and the Poppy Line, to sample a fine range of local and regional ales.

The Cromer & Sheringham Crab & Lobster Festival takes place in late May and incorporates Art Trails, Cookery Demonstrations, Classic Car Rally, Live Music etc.

Sheringham

The North Norfolk Railway (The Poppy Line) – 01263 820801

The North Norfolk Railway offers a 10.5 mile round trip by steam train (vintage diesel trains on some journeys) through a delightful area of North Norfolk designated as being an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Sheringham Little Theatre – 01263 822347

Situated in the centre of Sheringham, the Little Theatre offers a wide variety of plays, music and films throughout the year. The Summer Rep season and Christmas panto are always especially popular.

Sheringham Museum – 01263 824482

Sheringham Museum tells the story of Sheringham and its people, through beautiful displays packed with interesting things to see, hear and do. Step inside stunning new galleries and walk among Sheringham’s historic fleet of lifeboats and fishing boats. The viewing tower offers stunning views over Sheringham and the sea. The museum includes a visitor centre for the Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farm.

Sheringham Beach

Sheringham Beach has again been awarded Blue Flag accreditation. This is a prestigious international award which acts as a guarantee to visitors that the beach, water, facilities and safety standards are of the highest quality. Sheringham Beach is a fascinating mix of glorious sand at low tide and pebbles at high tide.

The Reef Swimming and Fitness Leisure Centre – 01263 825675

The Reef, Sheringham’s brand new state-of-the-art swimming and fitness leisure centre has recently opened.

Sheringham Golf Club – 01263 823488

Sheringham Golf Club, set on the cliffs overlooking Sheringham, in an area of Outstanding Beauty, is a challenging course for all golfers at all times of the year. The course is one of the most picturesqueue in the region – the view from the 5th tee is one of the most memorable in golf!

For the less serious golfer, Beeston Hills Putting Green is situated directly opposite the entrance to Camberley House!

Sheringham Market

There is a popular twice weekly market in Sheringham on Wednesdays and Saturdays, which attracts many to the town.

Local Area

Priory Maze and Gardens – 01263 822986

Only half a mile out of Sheringham, Priory Maze and Gardens offers one of the most enchanting gardens in Norfolk, where you can relax in natural gardens of woodland, water and meadow, close to the dramatic ruins of Beeston Regis Priory. The traditional hedge maze, with copper beach and hornbeam hedges, has been designed on the layout of the adjacent priory ruins.

The Muckleburgh Military Collection – 01263 588210

The UKs largest privately owned military museum, based on the site of the World War II Anti Aircraft training site at Weybourne, only a couple of miles west of Sheringham. The museum has an unrivalled collection of tanks, armoured cars, artillery and missiles. Highlights are the tank demonstrations and rides.

Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary – 01603 736200

Located on West Runton common, only a couple of miles east of Sheringham, the Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary has many Shire and heavy horses, other rescued animals and a farming bygones museum.

Cromer

The coastal town of Cromer is situated four miles east of Sheringham.

Cromer Pier, built in 1902, extends 450 feet out to sea and houses both the Pavilion Theatre (home to the famous Seaside Special show) and the Cromer Lifeboat Station.

The RNLI Henry Blogg Museum celebrates the life of Henry Blogg, the RNLIs most decorated lifeboatman.

Cromer parish church in the centre of town has the highest church tower in Norfolk, at 160 feet. For those with a head for heights, the tower can be climbed, offering spectacular views over the town.

Amazona Zoo, a South American themed zoo park is located on the outskirts of Cromer.

Further Afield

Thursford Collection – 01328 878477

Home of the famous Christmas Spectacular, the largest Christmas show in the UK. The Thursford Collection itself comprises the largest collection of steam engines and organs in the world. Located approximately 12 miles from Sheringham, just off the A148 close to Fakenham.

Pensthorpe – 01328 851465

Located close to Fakenham, Pensthorpe Wetlands and Nature Reserve is set is 500 acres of beautiful countryside with miles of nature trails through fen meadows, woodland and a series of lakes. Home to a fine collection of waterfowl including endangered exotic waterfowl from around the world and dozens of migratory birds, which can be viewed from specially created hides.

Letheringsett Watermill – 01263 713153

Dating from 1802 and the last remaining watermill in Norfolk to produce flour, Letheringsett Watermill holds regular working demonstrations and tours of the mill.  Located just west of Holt, eight miles from Sheringham.

Railways

The North Norfolk Railway – The Poppy line – 01263 820801

The North Norfolk Railway offers a 10.5 mile round trip by steam train (vintage diesel trains on some journeys) through a delightful area of North Norfolk designated as being of outstanding natural beauty. The five and a half mile Poppy Line is a full-size heritage railway, with mainline steam engines.

Wells to Walsingham Light Railway – 01328 711630

The longest 10.25” narrow gauge steam railway in the world.

Bure Valley Railway – 01263 733858

Norfolk’s longest 15” gauge line runs along the nine mile picturesque Bure valley between Aylsham and Wroxham.

Birdwatching

The North Norfolk coast is well known for offering high quality bird watching at all times of the year.

Cley and Salthouse Marshes

The Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s visitor centre and hides give views across the famous Cley Marshes only 7 miles from Sheringham.

Titchwell Marsh

Titchwell Marsh is a popular RSPB reserve on the North Norfolk coast, about 25 miles west of Sheringham.

The Bird I.D. Company – 01263 861892

The Bird ID company offers a variety of birdwatching tours throughout the year to well known reserves in Norfolk, catering for beginners to experienced birdwatchers.

Walking

The Norfolk Coast Path passes our front door, providing beautiful cliff-top walking.  We can lend you maps of the local area, so you don’t get lost!

National Trust properties and other stately homes

Sheringham Park (National Trust)

Landscaped park and woodland garden, a fine example of Humphry Repton’s garden design. Especially well known for its fabulous displays of rhododendrons and azaleas in May and June. Mature woodlands, with rare trees and shrubs. Gazebo and viewing towers with fantastic coastal views. Miles of scenic countryside paths. Great for bike rides, walking and picnics.

Felbrigg Hall (National Trust)

A 17th Century country house, located close to Cromer. Fine Jacobean architecture and Georgian interiors. The Felbrigg estate includes a gorgeous walled garden, orangery, woodlands and lake.

Blickling Hall (National Trust)

A magnificent Jacobean stately home located close to Aylsham, about 12 miles south of Sheringham. Famed for its long gallery, fine tapestries and paintings, and its wonderful gardens. Reputedly home to the headless ghost of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII.

Sandringham

The country retreat of Her Majesty the Queen, located north of King’s Lynn. The estate comprises not only the magnificent house and gardens, but acres of woodland and heath.

Holkham Hall

Holkham Hall is the ancestral home of the Coke family, the Earl of Leicester. The hall was built in Palladian style in the 18th century. The estate includes the hall, bygones museum, walled gardens, deer park, local shops and cafes. Holkham Beach is one of the most unspoilt and beautiful stretches of sand in the country.

Baconsthorpe Castle (English Heritage)

Extensive ruins of a 15th Century moated and fortified manor house, located about six miles south of Sheringham.

Beeston Regis Priory ruins

Ruins of the 13th Century Priory of St Mary in the Meadow, Beeston Regis.

Seal Trips

Take a boat trip to see the seals in their natural environment basking on Blakeney Point. Boats depart from Morston Quay, just west of Blakeney, and last from 1 to 2 hours. Temples (01263 740791), Beans (01263 740505 or 740038) and Bishops (01263 740753) all operate boats. Booking advised.