What's it really like to live in North Norfolk?

[Yummers]

We're quite keen on relocating from London, and I'd like to get an idea of what to expect in terms of:

Stuff to do with young children

Managing temporarily without a car (with bikes, public transport etc...)

Good schools

family days out/ nice family pubs etc..

thanks

I am doing the opposite. Moving from Norwich to London. I will miss the big skies and the beaches. Not much else. Public transport is ridiculously dear. You will need a car!
Good Luck

My parents live on the North Norfolk coast. I love North Norfolk, love going there for holidays etc, and enjoying the landscape.

But I think to live there would be quite confronting unless you emjoy being outdoors throughout the year in all weathers, because, apart from the fabulous beaches, there isn't a lot else in terms of days out and activities. Plenty for holiday-makers - lots of day-trip attractions, but closed in winter, and too expensive to form the backbone of your social life etc. There are 'village events' and the occasional playgroup etc, but getting around on public tansport is tricky - infrequent buses - and I don't like cycling on many of the roads because they are narrow, winding, often covered in mud or skiddy sand leached out of the hedgerow, have no verges, and I fear I would be flattened by a speeding 4x4.

Schools - variable. In my Mum's area I know people try to get into Langham school rather than Blakeney, and Fakenham or Aylsham high rather than Wells or North Walsham! Privately, Gresham's has a brilliant reputation.

Shopping means a trip to one of the small towns - many villages don't have shops or post offices. You can't get internet supermarket shopping delivered in lost of places. Some villages don't have mains gas - my Mum has calor gas hooked up to her hob, and has oil central heating - v expensive. Some mobile networks don't work on the coast (virgin, for e.g).

I love it. If I could work there, and get a network of people I had professional contact with, I might consider it....well, would I? From the coast it is an hour's drive to the Norfolk and Norwich hospital, and DS needs to see an orthopaedic paesiatric consultant twice a year and various other appointments..also, although things are changing and there are many lovely friendly people, i wouldn't move there personally because we are a multi-racial family and it gives rise to a level of comment which I find tiresome.

Over the last 25 years, i have spent an average of 6-8 weeks a year there, lived there for a 6 month stretch - but do not live there now.

thanks Blu, very insightful comments! I hadn't really considered how much of the 'stuff to do' there is seasonal and dependent on holiday makers. Hmmm... you've given me a lot to mull over.

Hey if ure stll there.... We have done it!! There r many things I miss, variety of things to do being the main and variety of people being the other. However.......... Being part of a small community (as a SE Londener) is quite amazing!! I would say my DS (1), DD (3) and DSS (11) all love it 4 varying reason. My DSS is mixed race and undoubtedly it is harder 4 him as he is in the majority where we were and so very very much the minority here. No bad stuff, just not many non whites!!! Harder and I have to say that my fav thing bout where we were was the mix of people. Schools not great unless u pick your place well. Having said all that, I sound quite negative, but actually I'm not!! xx

thanks claire, sounds like you've found it kind of a mixed blessing going from London to North norfolk. I agree that's one of the things which strikes me whenever we've been there in the past -not many ethnic minorities, although i think it might be slowly changing. that's one of the things i'd miss, definitely.

even so, i do hope we'll be able to do this. all depends on dp gettinga new job and us selling this place. (unlikely in the current housing crisis, perhaps). I think it's the peaceful atmosphere and the possibility of joining a smallish community which appeals, and the beautiful countryside and fresh air of course! we're thinking maybe Cromer and surrounding areas might be a good bet.

We're in North Walsham, so quite close to Cromer I would like to be out of the town in the future to one of the villages, but we're 4 miles from the coast, in the middle of rolling countryside and and very close to the Broads. The good thing about N Walsham is that it is on the train line so Norwich is in easy reach as the kids grow up. And its 30 mins by car. Good to have dreams!

Claire - I have family in N walsham - and agree it is a different kettle of fish from being right up on the N Norfolk coast, for e.g - especially for thnigs like the railway and proximity of Norwich.

Cromer is considered socially deprived (just so you know). Great shops, galleries and antique shops there, though. Sheringham is a little more upmarket. Beautiful houses going for a pittance (relative to SE) in either town, though.

Holt-way is considered the "Posh" end of North Norfolk. There is a big snobbery element about how close in NNorfolk you live to Holt, with many who would declare (for instance) that NWalsham is a rock-solid "chav-town", "I would never send my child to any state school there", etc. Real lack of public transport, but wonderful shopping in Holt.

We managed ok in NWalsham w/out car for a while, but must admit it has been nice to have one for stuff like spontaneous trips to the beach. It's only 5 miles to cycle up to Mundesley beach (which is nice), but it can be an effort,having to figure out how to tow beach stuff there using a tandem and a bike trailer. Ditto hauling stuff to Sheringham and back if we go on the train on a Sunday (service goes from hourly to every 2 hrs part of the year).

One thing that annoys me is people who move here expecting to travel 1-2 hours/day each way for work -- and I've met quite a few. Maybe that's normal in London, but it's lunacy in my book. And after a while you really see the harm done to family life. South Norfolk (and many other areas) have many equally nice places to live, too, but more variety of job opportunies in reasonable travel distance.

This is the back of beyond... it takes a long time for people to travel here from other parts of the country. It takes a while just to get from Norwich to somewhere like Holt or Wells or Hunstanton.

Schools: village primaries usually rated nicer (by parents and Ofsted) than any in a town (except Gresham/private ones). Can give you more gossip on some specific schools if you want. NWalsham and Cromer HS at the bottom of the pecking order, along with anything close to Kings Lynn. Broadland and Sheringham HSchools more approved of. Paston college in NWalsham generally well-liked.

Family days out & Stuff to do with young children: beaches, woods, birdwatching, lots of indoor play centres, Bewilderwood, some playbarn type places, Weaver's way, Fellbrigg (grounds+cafe), Sheringham Country Park, Holkam Hall (grounds+cafe) and other manor homes and ruins like Oxburgh, Mannington Hall, Castle Acre, Baconsthorpe plenty of organised activities in many of the towns.

Pubs: I don't really know, not really my thing, but I think there are fewer than other parts of UK. No shortage of nice cafes, though.

Who says Cromer is socially deprived???? It's far better than most places I've ever been to! Okay, so I lived there for a long time, but honestly it's great. Very little crime, quite a lot of old biddies, fabulous beaches. Rail links to Norwich, and therefore London. Sheringham is more upmarket and smaller and very pretty. West Runton is a great village between the two places. Anywhere from Sheringham along the coast to Overstrand is okay. Now Gt Yarmouth is more of your socially deprived place - one of the poorest areas in the country, due to closure of industry etc. If you want REAL north norfolk (the type you see in Kingdom) then you need to go to Wells, Hunstanton, Burnham Market etc. It does take a long time to get to anywhere from there though, as it really is a bit more out in the sticks. Very beautiful though. Places I wouldn't want to live - North Walsham, Mundesley, Bacton, Swaffham, Dereham. West Norfolk is quite a lot cheaper than the rest of the county, but is very flat and fen-like and does seem to have more than its fair share of travellers passing through. (something to consider if you're buying land out there). Hope this is of some help.

Cromer is more socially deprived than Norfolk average (see IMD 2007 data). Obviously doesn't compare to Larkman and Milecross estates in Norwich, of course (some of the worst wards in the country).

You don't see the deprivation when you visit Cromer, though, I agree. Wonderful houses and shops & cafes. See it more in the school results, though.

One of the areas FairTradeEggs dissed is where i live and we have (cough cough...) better social indicators than the Norfolk average.

Moving to Norfolk anyone know what Middleton is like ? It's a small village about
It 4 miles from KL any information would be great relocating there next year Thanks

You might get more of a response if you start a new thread and also Middleton is generally classed as west Norfolk rather than north. In answer to your question, it's okay, I don't think that there's much there other than the pub, which is good for food, but it's very quick to get onto the A47 for Kings Lynn. It's actually split across either side of the A47, so can feel more like two villages. If you are planning to use the primary school, it has had a few problems lately:

www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/inspector-calls-for-action-to-address-safeguarding-concerns-at-middleton-school-1-7713194

We did London to Norwich, but I'm a city slicker at heart, so didnt consider moving to the country. We can get to the lovely places in North Norfolk quite easily but still have the city on our doorstep. Yes, you will probably need a car. I can easily get round Norwich by bus, but outside it has to be a car really.

Does everyone live in Norfolk if so what's the best part to live because I'm thinking about moving to there in 2 years time smile

I would look into your moving choices a bit better if you are thinking of making a life somewhere @Nusery33 Norfolk although is beautiful to look at (well some of it) it really isn't the best place to live in the UK. The employment is very low, there is a big crime problem in most of the areas around here, police have lost touch with it and half the residents are on benefits, or DLA and into drugs (weed). I really have nothing positive to say about the place. I have only been here 8 months I originally moved here from Romford and I am sick to the back teeth with it already in Norfolk I am already on homeswapper looking to go back to my hometown of Romford.

Why not look at suffolk as well? We were going to retire to norfolk as thats where i originally come from but have ended up in framlingham instead. Cant comment on schools but neighbours moved here from the south east with their children and seem really happy.

nursery33
There are many nice places to live in Norfolk. Personally I prefer to live nearer Norwich rather than more rurally.

Depending what you want from your location there are many nice areas with great amenities and decent schools. There’s also smaller villages with less.

I really have no idea what pp is on about.
Big crime problem- I haven’t looked at statistics but I would say there is lower crime in Norfolk than many other areas in the country.

There isn’t a massive drug issue, of course there will be areas where it is a problem. It’s hardly riddled though. And benefits, I don’t know how the pp came to the conclusion that ‘half the residents are on them’.
It’s a very beautiful, safe, enjoyable place to live and offers lots to do.
It’s on a limb though so not great for people wishing to travel regularly to London etc.

I would think very carefully before moving to Norfolk for retirement years if outside Norwich, maybe.

My parents live in a village. The GP surgery closed down, they have to travel to GP, dentist, chiropodist, chemist, everything. Fine when you are fit and driving (public transport useless), desperate when you are more frail.

Adult services is stretched to ridiculous lengths. It is not a place to become ill or frail unless you have a family around you. You can end up in a rehab or community convalescence home miles from your home while they try and dirt out basic home visits. This happened to my Mum for 8 weeks after a simple hip op.

Hospitals are a long way apart, and may be miles of country roads away.

The impact of rural and coastal deprivation is noticeable out of season.

It is a long drive for friends visiting from outside the region if you are in the N Norfolk coast.

Lots of nice things, strong community (even though you will still be seen as an incomer after 25 years), great scenery etc.

But you need to be realistic.

Norfolk although is beautiful to look at (well some of it) it really isn't the best place to live in the UK. The employment is very low, there is a big crime problem in most of the areas around here, police have lost touch with it and half the residents are on benefits, or DLA and into drugs (weed). I really have nothing positive to say about the place. I have only been here 8 months I originally moved here from Romford and I am sick to the back teeth with it already in Norfolk I am already on homeswapper looking to go back to my hometown of Romford.

Regional Unemployment is below the national average
2.9% vs UK 3.8%
ONS

Violent crime is below the national average
91% of national average
Plumplot

Benefits...as a group and DLA specifically.... are below national average
2.2% vs 2.8% - all claims
0.7% vs 0.8% - DLA
Nomis Offical Labour Markets stats

Drug crime is at national average levels
100% of national average
Plumplot

All crimes classified in specific groups other than drugs, (violent, anti social behaviour, criminal damage, public order, theft (from people and property), shoplifting, burglary, vehicle, bicycle, possession of weapons and robbery) are lower than national average.

‘Other’ crime is the only stat where Norfolk is higher than national average - 114% which puts us 16th highest out of 55 counties. It accounts for 2.4% of all crime in the county.

You don’t like Norfolk fair enough. But you are talking utter shite with your assertions.

Norfolk is fine, if you fit in

Not cool, PigletJohn.

I have to say that as a grammar school educated Norfolk lady I have never read so many silly and snobbish comments as there are on this thread. Is it any wonder that the wise indigenous population of Norfolk sometimes despair of incomers?

@Eliza58

But at least they're not commenting on a thread where the last post was over 2 years ago.

ZOMBIE ZOMBIE ZOMBIE

Hi Eliza welcome to Mumsnet!
Did you join specifically to revive a 14 year old thread?

I know ‘Slow You Down’ is a popular Norfolk phrase but I can’t have taken you this long to catch up, surely?

No for some reason the thread just appeared on my notifications and I was so shocked by some of the prejudiced and uninformed opinions I decided to respond.