The Leas Beach Park

The Local Area - Page 2

Cat Pottery

1 Grammar School Road, North Walsham. Cat Pottery web site

Also in North Walsham is a pottery specialising in cats and dogs and also glass sculptures. It is housed in a centuries old tinsmith's workshop and is run by Jenny Winstanley and her family. You can walk throughout the buildings and see all the pottery processes going on including making the glass eyes. The pottery is available at little more than the wholesale price.

 

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Alby Crafts and Gardens

Cromer Road, Erpingham. Tel. 01263 761702 Alby Crafts web site

A working craft centre set in beautifully restored Norfolk farm buildings. Includes a Furniture Showroom, Bottle Museum, Wood turning, Ceramics, Canework, Batik, Sculptor, a tea room. The gardens cover four acres and contain four ponds, collections of unusual shrubs, plants and bulbs and an observation hive during summer. Large free car park, some admission charges.

 

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Stalham and The Broads Experience - The Museum of the Broads

The Broads Experience Museum, The Staithe, Stalham. Tel 01692 581681
The Stalham Web Site (includes a section on the museum)

Stalham is a small market town with a long history including an entry in the Domesday Book. It is often called the 'Gateway to the Norfolk Broads'. Tuesday is market day and includes an auction as well as the usual selection of market stalls. The town also has an interesting selection of shops to browse through.

Discover the history of the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, one of England's unique landscapes, formed by medieval peat diggings which became shallow lakes joined by cuts and dykes to the rivers of the area. Discover how the mystery of the origin of the Broads was solved and see tools from the traditional Broads industries, a River Commissioner's launch, children's hands-on activity corner, the steam launch 'Falcon', a concrete dinghy, gun punts complete with guns, an ice yacht, the biggest rudder you're likely to see on the Broads and also Videos and slide shows.

 

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Boat Hire on the Broads

There are several boat hire and boat tour companies within easy reach of the site. Day boats of all kinds, from luxury cruisers to sailing dinghies can be hired.

• You can take a trip on one of the large Mississippi riverboats from the Swan Hotel, Horning, ring for details on 01692 630262.
   
• George Smith & Sons are based at Wroxham and offer Day Cruiser hire. Hire by the day or half day and by the hour when available. The boats can carry up to 12 people including children and have a toilet, heating and full galley. Buoyancy aids are provided for children under 14 and they are happy to suggest routes with a map to suit your length of hire. They can be reached on 01603 782527.
   
• Stalham Yacht Services and Rivercraft have an all weather self drive launch available for hire by the day, half-day or hour and they can be reached on 01692 580288.
   
• John Williams Boats at The Staithe, Stalham, provides electric day boats for hire from between one to eight hours and can be contacted on 01692 580953.
   
• Stalham Water Tours run from Richardson's Boatyard, Stalham and include a commentary throughout. Tickets obtainable on-board. Telephone 01692 670530 for seat reservations.
   
• See also our entry for Hickling Broads for their guided boat trail.
   
• Alternatively you could combine a cruise on the broads with a trip on the Bure Valley Railway narrow guage steam train.
   
• It's also possible to combine a sea boat trip with viewing seals at Blakeney Point.
   

 

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Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach

South Beach Parade, Great Yarmouth. Tel. 01493 844585 Pleasure Beach web site

Over 70 rides and attractions. Free entry to park then ride all day with a wristband (£9 for 2001 - does not include the Ejector Seat, Supa Karts and all coin operated or 'pay' rides.) or buy 50p tokens to ride-as-you-go. Plus - Pleasure Beach Gardens, licensed Inn and Wharf Diner.

 

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Norfolk Wildlife Trust - Hickling Broad
National Nature Reserve

Tel. Norfolk Wildlife Trust 01603 625540 Hickling Broad web site

Hickling Broad National Nature Reserve is a wonderful example of the various Broadland habitats that are unique to Norfolk. Vast expanse of open water, orchid rich grazing marches, sedge beds, acres of Norfolk reed and mixed woodland can all be seen at this important reserve.

Explore the nature trails or visit the hidden and secret parts of the Broads on an exciting wildlife boat trip. Hickling is the largest and wildest of the Norfolk Broads and a wonderful place to enjoy the traditional Broadland scenery of golden reed beds, grazing marshes, and wide open skies. See marsh harriers hunting over the reed beds for pray and many other rare and beautiful birds, insects and plants. Facilities include: visitor centre board walk trail through reed beds to open water, bird watching hides, wildlife gift shop, refreshments, toilets, car park, picnic site, disabled access to Broad, board walk, hides and toilets. Guided boat trail most days June - September leaving from pleasure Boat Inn at Hickling Staithe (additional charge - booking essential).

How to get there: NWT Hickling Broad is approximately four miles south east of the market town of Stalham which is just off the A149 Yarmouth Road. From Hickling village, follow the brown 'duck' tourist signs, turn into Stubb Road at the Greyhound Inn, and take the first turning left to follow Stubb Road for another mile. Turn right at the sign for the nature reserve, the car park is ahead of you.

 

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Swimming

Victory Swim & Fitness Centre, Station Road, North Walsham. Tel. 01692 409370
Facilities include: 25 metre pool and gym.
 
The Splash Leisure Centre, Weybourne Road, Sheringham. Tel. 01263 825675
Facilities include: tropical leisure pool, children's paddling area, wave machine, 150ft giant waterslide, ladies and gent's saunas, poolside cafe, sun terrace, and fitness studio.
 
Marina Leisure & Fitness Centre, Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR30 2ER. Tel. 01493 851521
Facilities include: a 6 lane wide main pool area with a deep area and beach area leading off of it, baby pool, wave machine and aqua slide.
 
 

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Dinosaur Adventure Park

Nine miles from Norwich off the A1067 at Lenwade. Tel. 01603 870245 The Dinosaur Adventure Park web site

The Dinosaur Adventure Park includes a dinosaur trail, adventure play area and Assault-o-saurus, Climb-a-saurus, woodland maze, Raptor Races*, Deer Safari*, Tiny Pterosaurs (for under 5's), Crazy Golf*, new secret animal garden, education centre, picnic area an gas fired barbecues*, Dinostore and Dippy's Diner (*additional charge).

 

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Inspire Hands-on Science Centre

St Michaels Church, Coslany Street, Norwich. Tel. 01603 612612 Inspire web site

Be inspired by hands-on exhibits, shows and special events. Shop and light refreshments also available.

 

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Cromer and the End-of-Pier Show

Cromer is a typical seaside town with sandy beaches, pier and shops. The pier is great for crab fishing (squid seems to work well as bait). There's also the End-of-Pier Show, Seaside Special, Cromer's world famous show. Coffee Shop and Bar, facilities for the disabled, air-conditioned theatre. Contact the box office on 01263 512495

The Little Gems Rockshop is also well worth a visit if you like crystals, fossils and minerals. 2a Mount Street, Cromer, Tel. 01263 519519, opening hours Mon to Sat, 10am to 5pm and Sunday afternoons.

 

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Sea and Coarse fishing in the area

Beach Casting. The beach next to the site provides some excellent sport for the beach angler. Mostly Dabs, Bass and Dogfish through the summer and September sees the start of Whiting and Cod. The favoured baits are lugworms and squid. It is a popular beach for club matches and this can be a source of tips on how to fish the beach as the contestants all seem very approachable and talkative. The Dabs are absolutely delicious.

Boat Fishing for dogfish and Skate is available at Great Yarmouth and is reasonably priced at about £14 for adults and £10 for children. This includes tackle and bait for about five hours at sea, great fun.

Coarse Fishing. There are numerous venues for the serious angler or the keen youngster all within easy driving distance. Most spots are day ticket and many allow you to drive your car right next to your peg. Excellent for the less mobile or down right lazy amongst us. There are also some really good tackle shops nearby.

 

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The Royal Air Force Air Defence Radar Museum

Royal Air Force Neatishead, Norwich, Norfolk NR12 8YB Telephone Number 01692 633309 Royal Air Force Air Defence Radar Museum web site

The museum (within the Royal Air Force Neatishead base) traces the history and development of Air Defence Radar since its invention in 1935. Some of it's many features include the original Cold War Operations Room used until 1993, Battle of Britain Filter Room of 1940, 1942 Night Blitz Operations Room, original radar vehicles, space defence, nuclear warning bunker and Bloodhound Missile Systems.