Oxburgh Hall is a place that shouldn't be missed when visiting the area. It sits within a moat and…read moreis a great example of English brick gatehouses of the 15th century. It was originally built circa 1482 by Sir Edmund Bedingfeld and has been continuously occupied by the family ever since. There have been several upgrades as well over the years...centuries. There are Victorian additions that were added later in the 1800's like the terracotta chimneys and windows along with amazing gardens to name a few. It has always been used as a home, and not a fortress. The home has seen the War of the Roses, survived a fire and near demolition prospects and still stands. It is truly an amazing place to visit and I'm happy it's under the care of the National Trust. The hall is known for its "Priest hole". In the event of a raid a priest could hide in the wall and couldn't be found. This is open to the public, whereas most like it are closed. That makes this is a fantastic historical opportunity alone. I must say, it is a little unsettling to go into the hole and you definitely get the idea of how the priest must have felt. The home is also known for the needlework on display by Mary, Queen of Scots while imprisoned in England and Bess of Hardwick. You can also tour the Kings Room where King Henri VIII stayed when visiting. Photos are not allowed inside...darn it, but you are welcome to take pictures of the grounds and such. You can obtain books and postcards in the gift shop. This review was overdue and I simply can't believe that I didn't finish it. But I'm even more surprised that no one else has reviewed this place when it is so extraordinary. It shouldn't be missed if you are in the area. If you are a history buff like us, then you'll truly enjoy it. Gee Whiz info...the name is pronounced: "OX bru" Note: I also recommend becoming a member of the National Trust. They do great things and keep history alive. Whether you are from or live in the UK or just visiting from outside the country...it's well worth it and goes to a great cause...it's a win/win for all!

I atended a wedding here in October and what a stunning place. Along with a spacious hall, with…read morebeams and original dragon features, it also contains lots of interesting information and history of the place. As a venue for events, it has a lovely outside courtyard, perfect for warm evenings and photos opportunities. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly, and the layout of the facilities were excellent. One major memory that has to be mentioned are the super strength hand driers in the toilets!!

I really enjoyed a Birthday Party here in 2007, amongst the ancient beams and history. A really…read moremellow place to eat drink and be merry and to soak up 1,000 years of Norwich life.

Absolutely lovey visit to this stunningly architecturally exquisite cathedral, made extra special…read moreby Shirley, our tour guide, who shared her love of this special place by sharing her secrets with us and bringing an old empty stone building alive with history and characters. Stained glass was stunning. The defaced saints etc shows how the cathedral managed to survive religious upheavals through the years and still stay a focus for the local population's faith. Nice gift shop to peruse and take a gift or memory home with you. Definitely put this majestic historical building on your Ely itinerary.

Today, 21 November 2025 was Ely Cathedral's annual Christmas Market…read more First, the exterior architecture was stunningly amazing. To think that a building of this size and historic nature is being preserved is commendable. Inside, the numerous stained glass is breathtakingly beautiful. But the reason for today's visit was the annual Christmas Market, a ticketed event featuring high quality artists. The aroma of dried orange wreaths fill the church. I can't begin to name all the artwork being sold, and included the church gift shop. A truly memorable experience!

Trinity Bridge, Crowland, England was built 1360. This is an unusual 3-way bridge that now sits…read morehigh & dry in the center of Crowland. Sure enough, the River Welland now flows on a dead straight course to the west of the town along what is termed the Deeping High Bank. The Trinity or Triangular Bridge is said to be unique. Certainly, it is unusual and rather special. It stands in the middle of the town, at the junction of North, South, East and West Streets. Before the town was bypassed by the A1073 leading south to Peterborough, it was a familiar landmark for through traffic. It holds at least one mystery the identity of its mysterious carved stone figure, which people still argue about. The story of the bridge goes back to the 7th century when this part of the country was very different a time when England was divided into many kingdoms and when lonely saints found their way to remote islands. Some say it is King Ethelbald, complete with royal orb. Far more likely is that the statue is a representation of God or Jesus holding the world in His hands. If so, it bears a striking resemblance to statues on the surviving west front of the abbey and it is more than likely taken from there and placed in a more lowly position on the bridge. The current bridge dates to the 14th century (built between 1360 and 1390) and replaced previous wooden bridges but the earliest known mention of the bridge is by Ethelbald of Mercia in 716. The early bridge was probably made of timber, and not a trace survives. What we see today has an odd triangular design it has three arches but is one structure hence its name 'Trinity' or three in one. This came about because in those days it stood at the point where the River Welland divided into two streams. One led past the abbey at the water gate on the south side of the abbey site and the townspeople used it for sanitary and sewerage purposes. It drained into the River Nene. The main branch of the Welland meanwhile carried on northwards towards Spalding. These waterways were eventually covered over by the current street pattern. Arched over, they now serve as sewers. The bridge at one time had a large cross at its apex. It may have been used as a platform by preaching monks and as a centre of devotion for pilgrims approaching the abbey. During the Middle Ages it had gentle slopes leading upwards in more recent times steep steps have been substituted. If you are close by it is well worth taking time out to see the bridge and the abbey.

The Manor is an area although there is a real Manor House I don't know if it the same one. It is…read morehowever historically fascinating as this is where the Kings Champions came from. Queen's Champion - Origins: The office was originally granted to Robert Marmyon, along with the castle and manor of Tamworth and the Manor of Scrivelsby in 1066. From then until the nineteenth century the officer's role was to act as champion for the King at his coronation, in the unlikely event that someone gainsaid the new King's title to the throne. The Champion was required to ride in full armor into Westminster Hall during the coronation banquet, escorted by the Earl Marshal and the Lord High Constable, all in full dress, robes and coronets, and await the challenge to all comers. The King himself could not fight in single combat against anyone except an equal. This trial by combat remained purely ceremonial and had a central place in the coronation banquet. By 1377 the male line of the Marmyons had died out, and in that year the office of King's Champion at the coronation of King Richard II was fulfilled by Sir John Dymoke, who had married Margaret Marmyon, the heiress of the Marmyon family, and so held the Manor of Scrivelsby.later years, the Garter King of Arms read out the challenge, and the Champion threw down the gauntlet at the entrance to Westminster Hall, then again in the middle of the Hall, and lastly at the foot of the Throne, each time repeating the challenge. Each time the gauntlet was recovered by Garter. The Champion was rewarded with a gilt, covered cup, the King or Queen Regnant having first drunk to the Champion from it. It is alleged that the challenge was actually accepted in 1689 by an old woman, supposedly a noted Jacobite swordsman in disguise, who challenged the Dymoke of the day to combat next day in Hyde Park. There is no evidence to support this claim. Equally, rumour reported that in 1764 a white lady's kid glove fluttered down into the Hall, supposedly from a Jacobite. If the Champion fought, and won, he got as his fee the armour he wore, and the horse he rode (the second best in the Royal Mews), both of which were on loan. Charlie Dymoke (gardener)claims to be a decendant. From Wikipedia: Dymoke, the name of an English family holding the office of king's champion. The functions of the champion were to ride into Westminster Hall at the coronation banquet, and challenge all comers to impugn the kings title (see Champion). The earliest record of the ceremony at the coronation of an English king dates from the accession of Richard II. On this occasion the champion was Sir John Dymoke (d. 1381), who held the manor of Scrivelsby, Lincolnshire, in right of his wife Margaret, granddaughter of Joan Ludlow, who was the daughter and co-heiress of Philip Marmion, last Baron Marmion. The Marmions claimed descent from the lords of Fontenay, hereditary champions of the dukes of Normandy, and held the castle of Tamworth, Leicestershire, and the manor of Scrivelsby. The right to the championship was disputed with the Dymoke family by Sir Baldwin de Freville, lord of Tamworth, who was descended from an elder daughter of Philip Marmion. The court of claims eventually decided in favor of the owners of Scrivelsby on the ground that Scrivelsby was held in grand serjeanty, that is, that its tenure was dependent on, rendering a special service, in this case the championship.

This is a strange place; contrasts from tacky quay front, slightly run down & cheap looking, a…read morecouple of penny arcades chucked in for good measure, to a beach of outstanding natural beauty (and that's official, it's an AONB!). A real surprise when you climb the steps up from the car park at the end of the mile long sea wall (you can catch a diddy train there too, the Wells Harbour Railway, choo choo!). Glorious view of the salt marshes and the lifeboat station and then up over the path to the beach, wow! Miles of sand and sea and channels and dunes AND beach huts! Old fashioned ones on stilts, all different colours and states of repair. Very photogenic. There are also posher bits of Wells round the back. This is definitely a place worth exploring more; I'll give it a 10! (Oh, sorry, can't, OK a 5 then.) Need to go back and see it for longer.

I was enjoying it before every time we we were here. But first sunny weekend this year and beach…read morecar park closed, really?! Absolutely disgusting. Out of order.

Elm Hill is a great place to wander around wasting time. A…read morefew years ago I had been in the church crypt here, with friends, having coffee and wandered off to look in the fantasy bookshop. The area is medieval, pretty and quaint with little courtyards off it. Antique shops, craft and book shops etc. I wandered down a coutyard and there was a taxidermists shop. The door was open so I went in and looked around..no-one came and I left. Back with my friends we got a taxi back to the uni and they told me there was no taxidermists???? Some time later I saw a book in a shop in Lincoln called Shadows in the Watchgate by Mike Jeffries. It was a spooky scary fantasy set in Elm Hill and with an evil taxidermist who lived there. I had a bit of a panic..my friends said there was no taxidermist soanyway eventually my cousin told me there was and she knew him. PHEW! Elm Hill was also converted into the village of Wall and the bookshop became the pub in Neil Gaimans film Stardust. Enchanting place and on a warm summer day explore..sit under the trees and dream. (read the book and see the film too) :0)))

Somewhere you will find in all the guide books, take yourself off the beaten track and visit old…read moreNorwich. The cobbles of Elm hill with their range of antique shops, galleries, and specialist shops are legendary. At the top you will find the Britons Arms, one of the oldest coffee shops in the city, and you may not know that the street was used in the film Stardust. Take time to browse, and investigate the little courtyards that lead off - including a lovely quaint tea shop tucked away - Elm Hill's fab secret! Elm Hill was named after the beautiful Elm Trees, sadly they suffered from Dutch Elm disease in the 1970s but Elm Hill lives on and no visit to Norwich should be complete without it.

Stuck out in the middle of nowhere on the A11 between Newmarket and Thetford is a massive spire, a…read more30 meter (110 feet) tall memorial dedicated to those from the vicinity that lost their lives during The Great War (i.e., World War One).