I HAD a dream. It was a dream of the kind of old-fashioned summer beach holiday I'd had when I was a kid, writes Keris Stainton.
I wanted sandcastles and fish and chips. Seagulls and funfairs. I'd always fancied Norfolk and had never been. David had been as a child and had fond memories. So, last July, we packed our buckets and spades and set off.
We took a leisurely drive down, stopping overnight at a (vaguely) halfway point (Lincoln) and then on to our West Beckham holiday cottage, which I'll review separately. Once we were settled in and we'd scraped most of the travel grime off, we headed straight to the seaside. At Sheringham, we had fish and chips looking out to sea (and avoiding the seagulls), while Harry nagged us about going down on the beach with his bucket and spade … which we duly did.
The next day, we headed to Cromer (where David had spent his childhood holidays) and the beach. It was hot and it was busy, but we managed to find a shady spot where Harry and David could build sandcastles. Later, we went to the boating lake, where he had the time of his life splashing about in a kayak with his dad. And the fair, which was small, but had plenty to divert a four-year-old.
We took a picnic so we didn't have to shift until early afternoon where, back in the car, Harry fell asleep and we went to a farm shop (the best in Norfolk, according to The Times) for teatime provisions and then to Burnham Market, which was very sweet, but didn't have much to detain us, except for a cup of coffee and more shopping in a deli.
The following day, we'd booked to go on a seal boat (booking is always recommended). We'd picked one that guaranteed seals, but they don't seem the most dynamic of creatures so I imagine you'd always find them in the same place you last saw them. It was very well organised and Harry loved it, although he was actually a bit more excited about getting splashed by the waves.
From there we went to Holt to get the steam train. Harry and I had a go on a miniature train and then the steamy arrived and off we went to Sheringham… where there was a problem with the return train and we had about an hour's wait… before returning to Holt. Luckily it was a beautiful day, but the lack of information and organisation at the station was infuriating.
The next day's trip was one I'd been looking forward to since reading about it in The Observer: BeWILDerwood, which, because it was so fantastic, will also get its own review.
The next day we went to Norwich. I'd been quite excited since I'd heard it was a lovely place but we didn't find it at its best. The parts we saw seemed run down and a bit seedy. It was also a bit disorientating, since all the roads seemed to be set out in circles from the castle at the centre. It made me feel like we were constantly walking around without actually getting anywhere. And I also felt like we never found an actual centre. It was most peculiar. I've since had loads of people tell me it's a great city, though, so we must have been doing something wrong. They were also having a Go Elephants! public art event, so Harry was kept occupied searching for brightly-painted elephants.
We'd promised Harry we'd have another day at the beach so, after heading for a relatively deserted beach that, it turned out, was deserted because it was all pebbles, we went back to Sheringham. Before too long, Harry was naked and running in and out of the sea like a loon. It's such a basic holiday pleasure and one that Harry still remembers almost a year later.
The next day, we realised that we couldn't really spend a week in Norfolk without seeing a Broad, so we headed off to Wroxham and hopped on a boat. It was all very beautiful and relaxing (although Harry was a bit bored). I can't imagine living there, it must be glorious. Except I don't know how they get buildings insurance… After a nap back at the cottage, we drove to The Kings Head in Leatheringsett for a pub tea. They had a fantastic beer garden, complete with play castle, where Harry ran around like a loon until it started to rain and we had to run inside.
The next day we were up early to tidy up and head home from one of the loveliest holidays I've ever had and one I hope Harry will look back on fondly. I wanted an Enid Blyton holiday and I got one. Norfolk was the perfect balance of relaxing for the adults and (mostly) old-fashioned fun for Harry. We'll definitely be going back.
No related posts.
-ani.png)
