Felbrigg Hall
Just a couple of miles south of Cromer, within the Norfolk Coast, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, stands Felbrigg Hall.
This 17th century Jacobean country house took us by surprise because we did not expect such a magnificent National Trust property.
The main façade is particularly stunning. The ageing limestone and brick with three bay windows that seem to support a large carved inscription – Gloria Deo in Excelsis.
Inside the luxurious Georgian interior reveal the wealth and fortunes of the family who then owned the place, the Windhams.
Felbrigg Hall is a place of surprises. To our delight we saw two paintings of the Battle of Texel by Willem van de Velde the Elder. These were purchased by William Windham II in 1740.
Felbrigg Hall has a large collection of 17th century Dutch Marine paintings. These are most definitely a must-see.
The splendour continues in the Gothic style library with its magnificent 17th century plasterwork ceilings.
Outside you will find a nicely restored, and still productive walled garden featuring flowering borders and a 18th century dovecote.
Walking
The 5,200 acres of parkland, lakes and mature woodland have a number of waymarked trails allowing free access for walking.
A popular spot to head for is the medieval Church of St Margaret’s in the south-eastern corner.
We combined two Estate walks: The Marble Hill walk (4,5 mile) and the Victory V walk (1,5 mile).
This combination gave us a real good sense of the surrounding parkland with woods to the north and open pasture to the south.
A visit to Felbrigg can easily be combined with a day at the beach while stretching your legs!
A 6-mile circular walk will take you to the seaside town of Cromer via the wooded hills of East Runton and back again through open Norfolk countryside.
If you are really up for a challenge, then try the Norfolk Mountain walk.
A 16-mile circular walk through countryside, parkland and along the coast with total gradients of 1140ft – the equivalent of a small mountain.
This walk will take you north west towards Sheringham and Weybourne.
Cool Places to Explore: Happisburgh | Salthouse Marshes | Cromer | Cley Marshes | Sheringham Park | Norfolk Broads National Park.
Cool Places to Eat: The Gunton Arms.
Cool Places to Stay: The Old Chapel.
