Swaffham and the surrounding area
Historic market town
A great location, Swaffham has everything you need to enjoy a great break, and within easy reach of all that Norfolk has to offer.
Situated in West Norfolk, with easy access to the A47, and within easy driving distance of the North Norfolk coast, Swaffham is 15 miles to the East of Kings Lynn and 27 miles to the West of the Cathedral City of Norwich.
Swaffham is a well-served market town, with a wide range of shops, pubs and restaurants. There is a post office, a building society and several cashpoints located around the town.
There are a number of independent shops, including two butchers, florists and fruiterers, and a bakery, alongside larger chain stores including Tesco, Waitrose, Asda, Morrisons and Iceland.
Swaffham has a traditional Saturday market, with several stalls selling a wide range of produce, including fruit and veg, fish, cheese and baked goods. There is also an indoor market on Fridays and Saturdays with a variety of local cottage industry products, and there is a street auction held every Saturday outside the Greyhound Inn.
There are numerous walks around Swaffham and the surrounding countryside. Some right outside the property, and many more around town and the surrounding countryside.
This link has a great list of walks in the local area https://www.walkinginengland.co.uk/norfolk/swaffham.php
There are many places to visit in and around Swaffham, and with the North Norfolk coast only 30 minutes away it is a great base for exploring all that Norfolk has to offer.
Swaffham has a small museum exploring its agricultural history and its connection to Sir Howard Carter, the famous Egyptologist.
The nearby village of Castle Acre, with its English Heritage priory and castle, the royal estate at Sandringham, the National Trust Oxborough Hall, and Gooderstone Water Gardens, are a few of the great places to visit.
For days out with the family there is the Dinosaur Park at Lenwade, and the Watatunga Wildlife Reserve with its buggy safaris. There are also a couple of good petting farms. Church Farm Stow Bardolph, and Melsop Farm Park, are both within easy reach, and a little further is Banham Zoo. There is also Thetford Forest offering plenty of activities for the family and live music events too.
The North Norfolk coast with its beautiful villages and some of the best beaches in Britain, most of which are dog-friendly. Holkham Hall, is a grand country estate with activities and events, nearby is Wells-next-the-Sea with its small harbour, and two award-winning fish and chip shops. Cromer is a great seaside town and for rail enthusiasts the Poppy Line steam train, which runs from nearby Sheringham to Holt.
Norfolk has some great places to get close to nature. There are boat trips from Blakeney, to see the seals, alternatively, you can watch the seals on the beach at Horsey Gap, one of the largest seal colonies in Britain. There are several nature reserves in Norfolk. Including; RSPB at Snettisham, Holme Dunes at Holme-next-the-Sea, Holkham National Nature Reserve at Holkham, and Sculthorpe Moor near Fakenham. A short drive South to Mundford is Lynford Arboretum and Lynford Water.
The Norfolk coast is a great place to catch the setting sun from Snettisham beach to Blakeney and beyond. Several pubs and eateries have good views or you can just sit on the beach and unwind as the sun goes down on another great day.
Attractions and events
From great beaches and quaint villages, to activities for everyone, Norfolk has a huge array of things to see and do.
Wow, what a fabulous house! Had everything we could have asked for.
Wonderful attention to detail, and great hosts. Hot tub was an added bonus and we enjoyed every minute.
Mandy
★★★★★