The old centre of Aylsham is a charming tangle of Dutch gabled lanes or ‘lokes’, heritage brick walls, delightful cottages and 18th century town houses. An historic market town, not far from the north Norfolk coast, its beautiful unspoilt buildings are home to lovely independent shops, pubs, bars, artisan bakeries and a fabulous cheese room.

It’s believed people have dwelt at Aylsham from around 500AD when a Saxon called Aegel thought it seemed a nice neck of the woods for settling down. ‘Ham’ means home, so Aylsham would have been known as Aegel’s Ham. Aegel was on to something, since his homestead’s been a popular place to live ever since, recorded as Elesham in the Domesday Book (1086). By the 1300s it was an important medieval textile town, accounting for the palatial flint church. From workhouses to wherries, railways to Repton (the great English landscape designer) there’s loads to discover in this welcoming heart of Norfolk.

To find out more about the heritage of this fascinating town why not book a bespoke walk to enjoy with family or friends? As you explore the winding streets your friendly local guide will bring the past to life with archive photos showing how Aylsham’s changed over the years.

All walks can be made wheelchair friendly and vary from under a mile to just over two, led at a pace to suit you. Aylsham’s particularly pretty on winter afternoons when the marketplace is festooned with Christmas lights and plenty of good cheer.