For a great day out in South Norfolk, visit the beautiful medieval market town of Wymondham. Just under 10 miles from Norwich, it’s been a community since the time of Norfolk’s earliest human settlements and is mentioned in the Domesday Book. The centre of town still looks much as it would have done in the 17^th century and there’s no better way to explore than on a history walk. Locals and visitors will enjoy the company of expert tour guide Georgette Vale, as she shares intriguing insights into the town’s fascinating past. Find out more about the iconic Market Cross, the Great Fire and the twin-towered Benedictine abbey whose atmospheric ruins stand in the river meadows. Discover the heritage industries of brush-making and wood-turning. And, with the Right to Roam movement growing ever stronger, find out what really happened in 1549 when Robert Kett led a rebellion protesting the enclosure of common land.

Georgette has great experience delivering talks to people with disabilities. She can adapt the tour to Level 2 BSL and offer audio description and touch tours for visually impaired people. The route can be adapted for wheelchair use and guided ‘sits”’may also be available for those unable to walk far, or in times of nasty weather. Tours for clubs and groups can be arranged in evenings and weekends. And Georgette is fully bi-lingual in French and English so une visite guidée en français est aussi possible. Téléphoner Georgette pour les renseignements.

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.

Duncan’s history tour of medieval Norwich has a difference – he takes you to the pub!

Hosted by a genial, expert guide, this History and Hostelries Walking Tour is informal and sociable. Strolling at a relaxed pace, you’ll hear how the city has changed over two millennia. You’ll encounter magnificent Norman architecture, beautifully preserved Tudor streets and medieval plague pits – and, as you might imagine on an ancient history walk, there’s the odd ghost story! Think you know Norwich? You may find you’re surprised by the city’s unique contributions to world society, literature and commerce.

Special attention is paid to the business of beer, an important element of Norwich past and present. So (for educational purposes of course) we will stop off at a few notable pubs to experience a little of what CAMRA calls ‘The City of Ale’.

Meet Duncon at Pull’s Ferry, on the River Wensum, one of Norwich’s prettiest heritage sites. Kick off by discovering the city’s origins and development until the Normans arrived. Then off you’ll go on a merry wander. There’s no rush, it’s your leisure time so Duncan makes sure you proceed at the group’s pace. Tours often take 3 to 4 hours – like he says, it’s relaxed! Norwich is a compact city so don’t bother with hiking boots. And no flasks of tea needed either – remember, drinks in the featured pubs are included in the tour price.

A fine introduction to our Fine City! Cheers!

City, country or coast, wherever we live, we’re all connected by the land. Urgent conversations around global sustainability grow ever louder, affecting us all, within our communities and homes, and also impacting on our mental and physical health. A new generation of farmers is exploring solutions to problems our grandparents never imagined, mindful of managing both food production and ecological stewardship. Learn about our most vital industry on a guided walk round a working organic farm, led by a member of the Deepdale Farm team.

Find out about how the land works here under Norfolk skies and which crops and techniques are helping transform farming practices and soil fertility. See regenerative and organic farming in action and look at practical nature conservation suited to this wind scoured coast. Discover what’s being done to support hedgerows and woodland, so wildlife can thrive in and around farmland healing from past intensive use.

Covering about 3km, the walk takes around 1.5 to 2 hours. You’ll see parts of the farm not usually open to the public and find out how to get involved through conservation volunteering and other activities. Want to know more? Read ‘Rooted’ by Sarah Langford and ‘English Pastoral’ by James Rebanks, deeply moving true stories about farming, family and changing landscapes.

Walks take place on the first Thursday of each month. Come dressed for the weather, with decent walking footwear, as the route’s not always level and mud is a fact of farming life!

This Exclusive Access Tour, in the company of a knowledgeable guide, brings the true history of this magnificent Royal Estate to life. Begin on board an electric buggy, taking you around significant areas of the beautiful 60 acre gardens. Then head on further into the private Walled Garden, not normally open to visitors.

Moving into the House, bought by Queen Victoria for the Prince of Wales in 1862, you’ll visit all eight of the downstairs rooms including the Dining Room where the Royal Family sits down for Christmas lunch together. Sandringham is where the Queen traditionally spends the festive period, arriving in December and staying until 6th February, a date chosen in memory of the Queen’s father, King George VI, who died that same day in 1952.

You’ll see beautiful collections of porcelain, jade, rose quartz, silver Russian gilt and bronzes, family portraits and photographs, walking through rooms decorated in the epitome of Victorian and Edwardian style. In the Ballroom, sample Sandringham gin, wine or apple juice and finish your tour with a delectable Sparkling Wine Afternoon Tea inspired by the Sandringham Estate. A truly unique day out.

Take a tour with King’s Lynn Town Guides, all super friendly local volunteers brimming with insider knowledge and shedloads of enthusiasm for their historic town. King’s Lynn has over 400 listed buildings and some of the finest medieval buildings anywhere in the country, dating from the 12^th century. Hanseatic trading links made King’s Lynn one of the wealthiest towns in medieval England with an architectural legacy including two Market Places (one is the largest in England), two Guildhalls (again one being the largest in England, a church and you guessed it, the largest chapel in England!

Listen to the stories these stones tell, as your guide gives you evocative glimpses into thrilling past events and fascinating historic characters. Regular guided walks of Historic Lynn take place every Tuesday, Friday & Saturday, starting at 2pm from Saturday Market Place. Look out for specially themed walks or book a private tour of your choice. Prefer to go at your own pace? The website has a great self-guided routes too.

When Airbnb asked travellers about the stress of dealing with crowds at major tourist attractions, more than half thought it was worse than doing their tax return. Wow! So get away from mass produced tourist traps and change the way you see the world with Norfolk’s best local insight. All money from the walks is given away to local charities and conservation organisations, so your curiosity is directly helping the local economy too!