Heacham in Norfolk

Heacham Norfolk Heacham Norfolk: This large coastline village with a population of almost 5,000, has a couple of nice beaches and very good pathways in both directions along the seafront, there are also many caravan sites. It's the centre of the lavender growing industry in Norfolk, and in midsummer the encircling fields shine with every shade of mauve and purple. The Heacham village sign and a memorial in the local church recollect Pocahontas, the Red Indian princess who in 1614 wedded Heacham citizen John Rolfe, in Virginia, America. Caley Mill, located on the Hunstanton to Kings Lynn road (the A149), is where the locally harvested lavender is packed and shipped, it is open for visits by the public. Check out Heacham some time soon.

Kings Lynn Norfolk History

King's Lynn Norfolk History - The Georgian period lives on in most of Kings Lynn in Norfolk, East Anglia, in rows of classic facades throughout the ancient town centre. Though King's Lynn, or 'Lynn' as it is usually named by those who live in the town, is far more olden than the 18th century. Set up upon the eastern bank of the River Great Ouse, it already had a harbour at the time of the Domesday Book of 1086, when it was named Luna or Lena In 1204 King John granted it a charter, and by the mid-1300s it was prosperous enough to contribute nineteen ships for the English fleet, at a time that London supplied twenty four. In the Middle Ages it was known as Bishop's Lynn (Lynn Episcopi), in 1537 the name was altered to King's Lynn (Lynn Regis) by a charter of Henry VIII. The parish church of St Margaret's was originally constructed in approximately 1100, and is a mix of architectural styles, such as a Georgian 'Gothic' nave built in the 1740s, after a terrific storm brought the spire smashing down on the existing nave. The old Town Hall, close to St Margaret's church, was initially the Guildhall of the Holy Trinity, built in 1421. The town's treasure is displayed in the Regalia Rooms. The historic Saint George's Guildhall, located in King St, was constructed in 1406 and is reported to be the largest ancient guildhall in England which has survived whole. It belongs to the Nat Trust and acts as the HQ of Lynn's yearly summertime festival. The theatre which is situated within the upper part of the Guildhall goes on a historical theatrical traditions, and Shakespeare himself is understood to have performed his plays there. Both the Town Hall and Guildhall are built in flint in an awesome white and black chequer design. Kings Lynn is a wonderful place to visit if you are in the Norfolk area.

Southsea Castle Hampshire

Southsea Castle is a former coastal fortification in the county of Hampshire in the UK . The fort is located in Southsea in the same district as the southern city of Portsmouth . The fort is one of a series of coastal fortifications, which Henry VIII had built after his break with the Roman Church in 1538 to protect his empire against a feared invasion by the Catholic powers, France and Spain. Southsea Castle was built from 1543 to 1544 within six months and should protect the entrance to the harbour of Portsmouth. In fact, appeared on 18 July 1545 a French invasion fleet was off Portsmouth and Southsea. Henry VIII watched from Southsea Castle, as his flagship, the Mary Rose fell. The fort served the next 400 years of military purposes. 1627 burned down the central tower. In the English Civil War the fort was captured by parliamentary troops in 1642 without loss of life. 1759, the plant was so badly damaged by an explosion that was given to whether the fort should be demolished. However, during the Napoleonic wars, the castle was reconstructed 1813 to 1814. Between 1844 and 1850, the fort served as a military prison, still in 1899, new coastal guns installed in the fortress. In 1960 the city bought the old fortress Portsmouth, since 1967 it is a museum open to the public and a good place to visit when the weather is inclement.

Southsea Map.

Devon Towns – Brixham

Located at the southern end of Tor Bay, the historic fishing town and resort of Brixham is popular with holidaymakers and artists alike. With a population of just under 18,000, Brixham is a small town with a pretty harbour and port, with a long fishing tradition. William of Orange landed in Brixham in 1688 and a statue commemorating this historic event can be seen on the quayside today. Brixham stands in a good position and is sheltered from south-westerly gales, enjoying mild weather conditions. Among Brixham’s attractions are a full sized reproduction of Francis Drake’s ship, the Golden Hind, the St Mary’s parish church, with its buttressed tower, and the Brixham Heritage Museum in New Road, offering an insight into Brixham’s past history and maritime traditions. You can view a map of Brixham here: Brixham Map.

Three North Devon Towns

Three interesting towns on the North Devon coast, Barnstaple, Appledore and Ilfracombe are all worth a visit if you in this beautiful region of England. Barnstaple was a significant town before the Norman conquest of Britain and even had its own mint, you could try visiting in September when it holds its ancient Barnstaple Fair. Appledore is perhaps best known for its shipyards and shipbuilding, although there is only one remaining shipyard today. Appledore is situated where the River Torridge reaches the sea, on your trip, try visiting the North Devon Maritime Museum which is located in the village, and outlines the areas long shipbuilding history. Ilfracombe, with its pretty little harbour is very popular with holidaymakers, it is also an ideal spot to try a bit of sea fishing, with many wrecks lying off this dangerous coast. Devon Map.

Bude and North Cornwall

The beautiful area of North Cornwall has some wonderful places to visit and holidaymakers will no doubt return time and time again to take in the sights as they will surely not be able to take it all in on one trip. Beach lovers will likely head for Bude, a popular coastal resort on the north coast. Bude has two fine beaches and the surrounding coastline is an area of extreme natural beauty. A little south of Bude finds you at 2 interesting little villages – Boscastle and Tintagel. Boscastle, a pretty village hidden in a valley has a harbour situated in a natural inlet, formerly a significant port but these days relying more on tourism for its survival. Tourism is of course also big in Tintagel, with its associations with the Legend of King Arthur, the ruined Tintagel Castle is located on a nearby island, and the timeless story attracts thousands of visitors to Tintagel. Still further to the south-west be sure to drop in at Port Isaac, another Cornish fishing village with much to commend it, this charming place was previously important for exporting coal, stone and pottery, though fishing and tourism are the order of the day in modern times, Port Isaac village centre has some fine examples of 18th and 19th century cottages. Places of interest in Cornwall are not confined to the coast and for something a little different you could set your sights on the ancient market town of Liskeard, a place of importance since the 13th century, when it was granted its license to hold a weekly market, which it has done ever since. If you would like to experience the market atmosphere, visit on a Thursday.

Hastings Eastbourne and Brighton East Sussex

Three of the biggest resorts along the East Sussex coastline are the towns of Hastings, Brighton and Eastbourne, all attract many thousands of visitors each year and in fact Brighton receives over 8 million visitors, with its many events and attractions. Hastings famous for its battle during the Norman conquest of Britain, which actually took place 8 miles away at Senlac Hill, has been an important fishing town over many centuries, and still has the largest beach launched fishing fleet in Europe. Eastbourne, well known haunt of Britain’s elderly (many choose to buy retirement homes there) is a busy town and borough which depends mostly on tourism for its survival, Eastbourne also hosts a number of popular annual events. Brighton, a former fishing village, became a fashionable resort during the 18th century, visited by royalty its famous pavilion was commissioned by the Prince Regent (later George IV). Brighton Map.

Padstow and Cornwall’s North Coast

The north coast of Cornwall is dotted with many pretty coastal towns and villages and is also an area noted for its surfing, one of the best know being at Polzeath, just north of Padstow, where high rollers crash in from the Atlantic Ocean. In 2007, some 300 surfers arrived in Polzeath in an attempt to set a world record for the highest number of surfers to ride one wave. High rollers and dangerous sand bars also make this area tricky for ships and many have been wrecked on the approach to Padstow harbour, the notorious Doom Bar being the most dangerous. Five miles up the River Camel, things are a little quieter and the town of Wadebridge has been a successful market town since the early 14th century, the town did however see action during the English Civil War, when even Oliver Cromwell though it important enough to take control of the bridge. Some way south of Padstow and Wadebridge the village of St Agnes attracts hikers, artists and holidaymakers, who visit to enjoy the beautiful coastline and countryside and the fine beaches of which there are at least 5 in the immediate area. Part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site, St Agnes was an important tin mining area in days past.

Newquay, St Austell and Mevagissey Cornwall

The most populated town in Cornwall, St Austell is also a good base for exploring the county, being close to such well known attractions as the Eden Project, the St Austell Brewery and Mevagissey’s Lost Gardens of Heligan. St Austell itself has a long history, though it was not mentioned in the Domesday Book, and it certainly had a church in Norman times, as remains can still be seen, the present Trinity Church however dates from the 15th century. As with many Cornwall towns, St Austell was much involved in the mining industry, especially copper and tin, but unlike others, this was replaced by clay mining as it became an important centre for the China Clay industry. These days tourism is more significant and the beautiful surrounding coastline is a big attraction with such pretty fishing villages as Mevagissey being an obvious place to visit. To the west of St Austell on Cornwall’s northern coast, the surfing resort of Newquay is a popular destination with miles of sandy beaches and ideal surfing conditions. Newquay is also well known for its nightlife, which is very lively, especially during the summer months. St Austell Map.

A Brief History of Leatherhead

A small market town in Surrey, with a very interesting history is Leatherhead, located 4 miles south of Epsom. Though probably seeing human habitation as far back as the Neolithic Era, and certainly known to the Romans (Stane Street passes nearby), the first mention of Leatherhead was in Anglo-Saxon times, appearing in King Alfred’s will and being bequeathed to his son Edward. Later appearing in the Domeday Book as Leret, it was held by Osbert de Ow, and even this far back had a church. Its position on a crossroads and on a ford of the River Mole, led it to becoming a market town and Henry III granted Leatherhead the right to hold a weekly market and an annual fair. The Running Horse pub which still stands in Leatherhead today dates from 1403 and has been mentioned in poems and writings over the centuries. The Swan Hotel was a popular coaching station beside the River Mole, it declined only after the arrival of the railway in the 19th century. Leatherhead’s charming old centre was mostly ruined in the 1970’s and 1980’s as it was developed as a pedestrianised area with little thought for the history of this charming town. Map of Leatherhead.

Towns of Surrey UK

One of the south-east of England’s Home Counties, Surrey has borders with Hampshire, Kent, West Sussex, Berkshire, East Sussex and Greater London, it has just over 1 million inhabitants. Before the Roman invasion of Britain, the area which now forms Surrey was settled by a tribe called the Atrebates, who were allies of Rome, it later became part of the Brittania Prima region. The county town of Surrey is Guildford, a historic town which dates from a Saxon settlement on the River Wey, its name probably comes from the Saxon Gyldeford (“Gold Ford”). Guildford Castle dates from these ancient Saxon times and was renovated in 2003. Modern day Guildford is a busy English market town and has been voted among the top 10 best places to live in England. Not far from Guildford is another large town called Woking, a popular commuter town for those working in central London. Woking was made famous by HG Wells, as the place where the Martians first landed in his book “War of the Worlds”. Woking however has a long history and probably developed around an 8th century monastery, mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, Woking was named as Wochinges at that time. Modern day Woking mostly developed around the railway station built during the mid-nineteenth century. Another of Surrey’s larger towns, Camberley is a more recent development, growing up around Sandhurst’s Military Academy during the 19th century, the area was formerly part of Bagshot Heath, a favourite haunt of highwaymen. The first town was called Cambridge Town, but was later changed to Camberley as the Post Office often got the mail confused with that bound for Cambridge. A smaller Surrey town situated on the River Mole, Leatherhead has a history that goes back much further than that of Camberley, way back in fact, to Anglo-Saxon times, when a settlement was founded in around 880 AD. Named in the Domesday Book as Leret, Leatherhead had a parish church during the 11th century. One of the oldest surviving buildings is the Running Horse pub which was originally built in 1403. South of Leatherhead is the small but charming town of Dorking, well known for its large number of antique shops and dealers. Dorking’s history goes back even further as it originally developed along the Roman road Stane Street, which carried travellers from London to Chichester, it later became a coaching post for those heading to Brighton during the 18th century. To the north of Dorking and Leatherhead is another famous Surrey town – Epsom, renowned for its running of the English Derby horse race since 1780. Epsom is an affluent town which also has a long history and was formerly called Evesham at the time of the Domesday Book in the eleventh century.

Review of Bude Cornwall

A small but very popular seaside resort in the county of Cornwall, United Kingdom, Bude is surrounded by spectacular cliffs and some wonderful scenery. Dangerous waters off the coast of Bude have claimed many victims over the years, with shipwrecks common and smuggling rife. These days it is a renowned beach holiday destination with some of the best beaches in Cornwall to be found in the area, the main beaches that serve the town are Summerleaze and Crooklets beach, further south you will find Widemouth Bay, with miles of fine sandy beaches. With the beaches facing west towards the Atlantic Ocean, seas are high and attract surfers who enjoy the favourable conditions for their sport.

Suffolk Towns – Bury St Edmonds and Nearby

One of East Anglia’s most historic towns, Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk was considered a royal town by the Saxons and would certainly have been known by the Romans long before this. A monastery was built in Bury St Edmunds in around 633 by order of the King of the East Angles (Sigebert) and it was here that King Edmund was buried in 903 AD. The town grew around the abbey which later became the meeting place of the Barons of England as they formulated the Magna Carta. Much later during the 17th century the infamous Bury St Edmunds witch trials were held there. There are still remains of the abbey close to the town centre, though it was mostly destroyed during the 16th century. To the north-west of Bury St Edmunds is the small market town of Mildenhall, which has held a regular market since the 15th century, Mildenhall made big news in the nineteen forties when a large haul of Roman silver was found there, it is probably best known as the home of the air base RAF Mildenhall. To the south of Bury St Edmunds, sitting beside the River Stour, Sudbury is another historic Saxon town, recorded in the Saxon Chronicles of 799 AD. Sudbury later grew prosperous through the wool and silk trade, it was also a well known haunt of famous artists such as John Constable who painted scenes of the area. A village which also benefited from the wool trade is Long Melford (located to the north of Sudbury), the proportions of its Holy Trinity Church attest to this, built with ‘wool’ money, it appears more like a cathedral. Two stately homes in the village of Long Melford, also built with ‘wool’ money, are Melford Hall and Kentwell Hall.

Essex History – Braintree, Clacton and Billericay

Three of the larger towns in Essex, Braintree, Billericay and Clacton on Sea all have interesting histories, in different ways from each other. Braintree, located some 10 miles from Chelmsford, has a population of around 42,000, somewhat more than 4,000 years ago when it was a tiny village, as it still was when the Romans invaded Britain and built two roads, at the junction of which the settlement grew (though later abandoned). Recorded as Branchetreu in the Domesday Book, the present name is thought not to have come from the River Brain, but rather, the other way round. A famous son of Braintree, naturalist John Ray, was actually born in the village of Black Notley, two miles south of the town. Billericay was possibly settled even longer ago than Braintree, with evidence of burial mounds found in Norsey Wood, dating from the Iron and Bronze Ages. The Romans also knew about Billericay and built a fort close to the town at Blunts Well. Due to later settlement being centred around Great Burstead, Billericay doesn’t get a mention in the Domesday Book, though by the 13th and 14th centuries it was attracting pilgrims heading south for Canterbury. Clacton on Sea is a relative ‘baby’ compared to these ancient towns, only founded in 1871 as a seaside resort. Clacton reached its height of popularity during the 1960’s and 1970’s, the town’s famous pier being a major draw. Clacton and Great Clacton were however still settled in ancient times, with Celts being in the area in around 100BC, the original village was also named in the Domesday Book as Clachintuna.

Cowes Isle of Wight Flat

Superb ground floor flat for sale in a quiet part of Cowes on the Isle of Wight, England, United Kingdom. One of a block of four apartments this excellent property has its own entrance, allocated parking space, shares a communal garden and is currently vacant and ready to move into. Perfect for first time buyers this Cowes property would be ideal for someone wishing to get on the property ladder on the Isle of Wight, it offers entrance hallway, one bedroom, one bathroom, lounge, kitchen and gas central heating. Cowes is situated in the north of the Isle of Wight and is a sizeable town and seaport, it has ferry links with Southampton and road links with Newport, Cowes is renowned for its yearly sailing regatta, which attracts thousands of visitors to the town, which means this property could also be a good investment for rental purposes. The employment situation on the island is reasonable and Isle of Wight jobs are generally plentiful, especially during the summer season. The island benefits from a good climate and Isle of Wight weather is generally better than mainland England, making it a popular holiday destination. The current asking price for this fine Cowes flat is a very attractive 100,000 pounds sterling. Isle of Wight Map.

Colchester and Chelmsford Essex

Two of the most ancient towns in the county of Essex, Colchester and Chelmsford are also amongst the oldest in Britain. Colchester, in fact, is claimed to be the oldest Roman Town in the British Isles and was actually the capital of Roman Britain until sacked by the great Boudica in 61AD. The Romans called the town Camulodunum and built a fortress of considerable importance, a later Anglo-Saxon settlement was overrun by Viking forces during the 9th century, and the Vikings remained in control until the area was re-taken by Edward the Elder in 920. Colchester Castle dates from the Norman occupation and was built upon earlier Roman ruins. Chelmsford is the county town of Essex and has a population of over 120,000, Chelmsford was also a significant Roman town, though it has been the site of human settlement since the Neolithic Era. The Romans called the town Caesaromagus and it developed around the fort which was constructed there. Chelmsford later became the seat of the local assize (13th century) and has been recognised as the county town since then. Chelmsford saw some decline in the late 20th century, though the town is now undergoing some rejuvenation.

Aylesbury Bucks Maisonette

Roomy 1st floor, tastefully furnished maisonette currently offered for rent (on a six months contract) in the lovely little town of Aylesbury, in green belt Buckinghamshire, England. Very nice rental property located close to Stoke Mandeville Hospital and comprising 1 large bedroom with built-in pine wardrobes, 1 small child's bedroom, open plan lounge / diner / kitchen, with wood-effect flooring, full bathroom, hallway, fully furnished and equipped, Italian leather suite, breakfast bar, TV, double-glazed, gas central heating. Aylesbury is a bustling town, generally good for employment, with, in normal times a good choice of Aylesbury jobs available for those wishing to settle and work in the town, Aylesbury is also on the main railway line to central London, Marleybone, and has good bus links with High Wycombe, Oxford, Watford and Milton Keynes, so would be ideal for communting. Available to rent from late March 2009 we are inviting enquiries for this Aylesbury maisonette now, at the rate of 500 pounds monthly (One month deposit, one month up-front), all bills to be paid by the tenant (water, electricity, council tax, gas etc). For a location map of Aylesbury you can look here: Aylesbury Map.

Sandown Isle of Wight Cottage

Charming 2 bedroom holiday cottage available for holidays in the Isle of Wight resort of Sandown. Fully equipped cottage sleeps up to 6 people and is set in its own private garden and has private parking. The cottage has gas central heating and has all bed linen provided for your holidays in the resort. Sandown together with its neighbour Shanklin is one of the most popular areas of the Isle of Wight, a superb holiday destination for the UK it benefits from a fine climate with the weather in the Isle of Wight as good as anywhere in England. This Isle of Wight cottage is offered for holidays from just £300 to £600 per week. Isle of Wight Map.

Hertfordshire – The Eastern Towns

The county of Hertfordshire lies to the north of Greater London and many of its towns serve as commuter towns for the great city itself. Among these towns are the county town Hertford, a historic town with a population of around 30,000 inhabitants. The name of the town derives from the Anglo-Saxon for a ford visited by harts (or stags). Remains of Hertford Castle date from 1463, when it was rebuilt by King Edward IV, later the English Parliament moved to the town temporarily when London was hit by the Great Plague. Another nearby town, Ware, has a history going back even further, as settlements in the area date back some 6,000 years. The Romans also established a settlement in Ware and it was situated on the important road Ermine Street. To the south-east of Hertford and Ware, the town of Hoddesdon grew around a coaching station, which was a popular stopping off point for travellers between Cambridge and London, the coaching trade reached its height in the 18th century. South of Hoddesdon lies the town of Cheshunt, mostly famous as the location of the death of Richard Cromwell (Lord Protector of the Commonwealth) in the year 1712. Cheshunt these days is a sizeable town with a population of over 50,000. Hertfordshire Map.

Hayle Penwith

Located in the Penwith district of Cornwall in the United Kingdom, the small town and parish of Hayle was previously a significant cargo port, importing coal for the smelting of tin and exporting the resulting tin and ore. Lying close to the coastal towns of Carbis Bay and St Ives, Hayle today has a population of just over 8,000 and is growing in popularity as a tourist destination, with visitors attracted to the fine scenery and the 3 miles of golden sand which is ideal for family holidays. Hayle is situated beside the A30 road between Penzance and Camborne, it is about 6 miles from Penzance. Hayle Map.