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Five Popular Places to Move to in Norfolk
Norfolk is one of England’s largest counties, and it is also one of the most popular. Its population is forecast to hit the 1million mark within the next five years. As one of the top Norfolk removal companies, at Hamiltons we know all about the county – and here we spotlight five of the most popular places to move to.
Norwich
‘A Fine City’, according to the signs which welcome you on the way in, Norfolk’s county town is consistently ranked highly in the Sunday Times’ annual Best Places to Live list. It boasts two cathedrals (one Anglican, one Catholic), a Norman castle with a famous museum, and a host of narrow city centre streets which are rich in historical interest.
There are plenty of more modern attractions, too – a huge outdoor market and the biggest city centre Marks & Spencer outside London, plus new shopping and public exhibition hubs in Chapelfield and The Forum. Food-lovers visit the city’s Tombland area for a spot of alfresco dining, while beer-lovers should find one of the city’s many microbreweries has something to their taste.
Wymondham
This south Norfolk market town might not seem an obvious candidate as one of the most popular places in the county to move to, but it has plenty going for it. ‘Windham’, as it’s pronounced, benefits from good transport links – Norwich, around 10 miles to the north, is a short drive up the A11, while the town is also on the Cambridge-Norwich rail line. Wymondham station featured in the classic BBC TV comedy series ‘Dad’s Army’.
The town also has a 900-year-old abbey and a 15th century pub (The Green Dragon). Much of central Wymondham dates back to the 17th century, following a huge fire which destroyed large parts of the town. Shoppers come from far and wide for the weekly market, and Wymondham was one of the first towns in England to hold a regular farmers’ market as well.
Aylsham
This small town is just under 10 miles to the north of Norwich, meaning the north Norfolk coast is less than half an hour’s drive away. Aylsham boasts a good mix of independent shops and big-name stores, and the market operates every Monday and Friday. There isn’t a mainline railway station, but visitors can enjoy a trip on the Bure Valley Railway, a narrow-gauge steam railway which runs through to the Norfolk Broads.
The town’s marketplace is owned by the National Trust, and forms part of the Blickling Hall estate. This fine Jacobean home and its gardens are less than two miles from the town and are regularly open to the public. Aylsham is also one of five Cittaslow towns in the UK, which means it is internationally recognised for its high quality of life and community spirit.
Blakeney
When it put Blakeney on its list of popular places to move to, the Sunday Times pointed to its busy village hall as a good indicator of a thriving community. But this north Norfolk resort has plenty more going for it too. It’s in the heart of a national nature reserve and makes an ideal base from which to explore the rest of the county’s coastline. You can take a boat trip out to see the nearby seal colonies, or just enjoy a brisk walk along the seafront.
The village itself has lots of picture-postcard flint cottages, and there are plenty of pubs, gift shops and art galleries to visit.
Wells-next-the-Sea
This is just under 10 miles west of Blakeney, and it is also a great place for wildlife-spotters as bitterns, avocets, winter geese and marsh harriers can all be seen here. Its award-winning beach stretches for miles and miles, and the town is big enough to sustain its own fishing industry, with crabbing and commercial angling vessels operating out of the Quay and Harbour. You can always have a go at catching your own crabs, too.
The town has plenty of independent and traditional shops, most of which are located in Staithe Street. And every summer there’s a carnival, with a poetry festival in the autumn, while the North Norfolk triathlon also starts and finishes on in the town.
Moving to Norfolk with Hamiltons Removals
If you are thinking of moving to Norfolk, Hamiltons Removals can help. We are based in Harleston, and we have helped businesses as well as people relocate to all parts of the county, including Norwich, Diss, Wells-next-the-Sea, Blakeney, Aylsham and Wymondham. If you prefer, we can pack and unpack all your items for you. Also, if you need to transport any pets, horses, and large items such as vehicles, tractors and machinery, then we can come up with a competitively-priced removals package which will include them.
For more information about one of the leading Norfolk removal companies, follow this link and fill in the online form, or call us on 01379 855203.
(Photos: PIXABAY/TIM DRURY/AGENDUM/SUMMONEDBY FELLS/CHRIS WOOD)
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