Mark’s Guide to The Breckland District
Fun Day Out
Banham Zoo is a 50-acre zoo in Banham, Norfolk, England. The zoo, which is home to over 2,000 animals, opened to the public in 1968, became a charity in 2013, and has since been often awarded the prize of Norfolk's Top Attraction, by numerous different organisations, with an annual visitor attendance of in excess of 200,000 people.
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Banham Zoo
Kenninghall RoadBanham Zoo is a 50-acre zoo in Banham, Norfolk, England. The zoo, which is home to over 2,000 animals, opened to the public in 1968, became a charity in 2013, and has since been often awarded the prize of Norfolk's Top Attraction, by numerous different organisations, with an annual visitor attendance of in excess of 200,000 people.
A patchwork of pines, heathland and broadleaves provide the ideal setting for a great day out, and a welcome refuge for a rich variety of animal and plant life. The forest covers a huge area with many different places to visit offering a range attractions from the exciting outdoor play facilities at High Lodge, the history and heritage of Mildenhall Warren and Lynford Arboretum and the peace and tranquility of the walks around St Helen's.
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Thetford Forest Park
A patchwork of pines, heathland and broadleaves provide the ideal setting for a great day out, and a welcome refuge for a rich variety of animal and plant life. The forest covers a huge area with many different places to visit offering a range attractions from the exciting outdoor play facilities at High Lodge, the history and heritage of Mildenhall Warren and Lynford Arboretum and the peace and tranquility of the walks around St Helen's.
Make no bones about it, you’re in for a mammoth adventure at Roarr! Whether you’re swinging on the high ropes or escaping mind-boggling mazes, you’ll find there’s something for intrepid pioneers of all sizes. Unearth treasures in the dino dig or soak up the fun in the splash zone – it’s time to discover an out-of-this-world adventure like no other.
An all-weather, all-year and all-inclusive expedition to remember – buy your tickets in advance.
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Roarr! Przygoda z Dinozaurami
Make no bones about it, you’re in for a mammoth adventure at Roarr! Whether you’re swinging on the high ropes or escaping mind-boggling mazes, you’ll find there’s something for intrepid pioneers of all sizes. Unearth treasures in the dino dig or soak up the fun in the splash zone – it’s time to discover an out-of-this-world adventure like no other.
An all-weather, all-year and all-inclusive expedition to remember – buy your tickets in advance.
ExTREEme Adventure is an outdoor recreation centre with a very high zipline (80ft up, 1000ft long), wonderful quad trekking safari through stunning mature trees in the oldest continuous cover forest in the British isles. Here you can also try out the Army style assault course.
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ExTREEme Adventure
ExTREEme Adventure is an outdoor recreation centre with a very high zipline (80ft up, 1000ft long), wonderful quad trekking safari through stunning mature trees in the oldest continuous cover forest in the British isles. Here you can also try out the Army style assault course.
Historical Place of Interest
Oxburgh Hall is a moated country house in Oxborough, today in the hands of the National Trust. Home to the Bedingfeld family for 500 years, Oxburgh reveals one families unshakable Catholic faith and story of endurance.
It’s hard not to fall in love with Oxburgh Hall, when you catch your first glimpse of the imposing brick manor house reflected in the tranquil moat.
Built by the Bedingfeld family in 1482 as a statement of power and prestige, it remains their family home today. Now peaceful, Oxburgh and the family have endured turbulent times. Through religious persecution, Civil War devastation, near dereliction and threatened demolition, Oxburgh’s story is one of survival.
Step inside to discover the legacy of the 6th Baronet who created much of what you see today, from the Victorian Gothic interiors to the ornate architectural additions that reflect a romantic view of Oxburgh's medieval past.
Outside, the gardens are a mixture of formal and wilderness, with the walled garden and French parterre adding colour and seasonal interest. And for those wanting to explore further, you can follow one of the estate walks through woodland and along the River Gadder - keep your eyes peeled for otters.
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Oxburgh Hall
Oxburgh Hall is a moated country house in Oxborough, today in the hands of the National Trust. Home to the Bedingfeld family for 500 years, Oxburgh reveals one families unshakable Catholic faith and story of endurance.
It’s hard not to fall in love with Oxburgh Hall, when you catch your first glimpse of the imposing brick manor house reflected in the tranquil moat.
Built by the Bedingfeld family in 1482 as a statement of power and prestige, it remains their family home today. Now peaceful, Oxburgh and the family have endured turbulent times. Through religious persecution, Civil War devastation, near dereliction and threatened demolition, Oxburgh’s story is one of survival.
Step inside to discover the legacy of the 6th Baronet who created much of what you see today, from the Victorian Gothic interiors to the ornate architectural additions that reflect a romantic view of Oxburgh's medieval past.
Outside, the gardens are a mixture of formal and wilderness, with the walled garden and French parterre adding colour and seasonal interest. And for those wanting to explore further, you can follow one of the estate walks through woodland and along the River Gadder - keep your eyes peeled for otters.
Family-friendly venue with a recreated workhouse, museum of life on the land and rare breeds farm.
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Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse
Beetley MeadowsFamily-friendly venue with a recreated workhouse, museum of life on the land and rare breeds farm.
Grime’s Graves is the only Neolithic flint mine open to visitors in Britain. This grassy lunar landscape of 400 pits was first named Grim’s Graves by the Anglo-Saxons. It was not until one of them was excavated in 1870 that they were identified as flint mines dug over 5,000 years ago.
A small exhibition area illustrates the history of this fascinating site. Visitors can descend 9 metres (30 ft) by ladder into one excavated shaft to see the jet-black flint.
Set amid the distinctive Breckland heath landscape, Grime’s Graves is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a habitat for rare plants and fauna.
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Grime's Graves - Prehistoric Flint Mine
Grime’s Graves is the only Neolithic flint mine open to visitors in Britain. This grassy lunar landscape of 400 pits was first named Grim’s Graves by the Anglo-Saxons. It was not until one of them was excavated in 1870 that they were identified as flint mines dug over 5,000 years ago.
A small exhibition area illustrates the history of this fascinating site. Visitors can descend 9 metres (30 ft) by ladder into one excavated shaft to see the jet-black flint.
Set amid the distinctive Breckland heath landscape, Grime’s Graves is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a habitat for rare plants and fauna.
Food scene
The English Whisky Co. is England’s oldest whisky distillery. Founded by the Nelstrop family in 2006, The English Whisky Co. built the beautiful St George’s Distillery specifically to make the very finest whiskies. The site is perfectly suited to whisky production, with the county of Norfolk being one of the world’s finest barley growing regions, coupled with the Breckland aquifer which can be found 50ft beneath the distillery providing a plentiful supply of crystal clear water.
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English Whisky Co Ltd
Harling RoadThe English Whisky Co. is England’s oldest whisky distillery. Founded by the Nelstrop family in 2006, The English Whisky Co. built the beautiful St George’s Distillery specifically to make the very finest whiskies. The site is perfectly suited to whisky production, with the county of Norfolk being one of the world’s finest barley growing regions, coupled with the Breckland aquifer which can be found 50ft beneath the distillery providing a plentiful supply of crystal clear water.
Neighbourhoods
Swaffham Norfolk, is one of the most famous market towns in South-West Norfolk. It has a large number of very attractive Georgian buildings facing onto the market square as well as lots being scattered around the town. If you’re travelling up to the coast, you’ll most likely come into the town of Swaffham, as it’s the main artery from the south to the wonderful North Norfolk beaches and coastline.
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Swaffham
Swaffham Norfolk, is one of the most famous market towns in South-West Norfolk. It has a large number of very attractive Georgian buildings facing onto the market square as well as lots being scattered around the town. If you’re travelling up to the coast, you’ll most likely come into the town of Swaffham, as it’s the main artery from the south to the wonderful North Norfolk beaches and coastline.
Brookville is in the parish of Methwold. The origins of Brookville date back to 1889 when Robert Goodrich, a 48 year old London businessman decided to realise his ambition of getting "back to the land" to escape the tedium of Victorian life. Goodrich believed that it could be possible to live comfortably on 2-3 Acres of land whilst selling on the surplus produce.
Goodrich built a new house which was given the name of "Brook Glen" and set about planning the site for fruit, poultry and vegetable production. As the venture expanded, further land was acquired and within 10 years a total of 160 acres was established. This was subsequently divided up into 2 acre plots and the pattern of a whole new self-sufficient co-operative community had been established. The newcomers were mostly from the commercial world of London and to set themselves up needed around £500. For this the land could be bought and planted, a house erected and a well sunk leaving enough to live on until the produce was available for sale.
Fruit was the main product of the small farms, but there was also a wide range of other produce including vegetables, poultry, pigs and honey. On some there were even efforts to grow tobacco. Commercial ventures soon began to emerge and it was not long before four colonists pooled capital for a jam factory to process the surplus fruit. It was the marketing that was the colony's Achilles heel and it was difficulties in this area that led to it's ultimate failure as a "back to the land" experiment.
In 1912 a Post Office was set up and for simplicity's sake the colony's name was changed to Brookville. Today it is a very attractive hamlet, mainly residential, with farming of it’s surrounding land being maintained by the local larger farmers.
Brookville
Brookville is in the parish of Methwold. The origins of Brookville date back to 1889 when Robert Goodrich, a 48 year old London businessman decided to realise his ambition of getting "back to the land" to escape the tedium of Victorian life. Goodrich believed that it could be possible to live comfortably on 2-3 Acres of land whilst selling on the surplus produce.
Goodrich built a new house which was given the name of "Brook Glen" and set about planning the site for fruit, poultry and vegetable production. As the venture expanded, further land was acquired and within 10 years a total of 160 acres was established. This was subsequently divided up into 2 acre plots and the pattern of a whole new self-sufficient co-operative community had been established. The newcomers were mostly from the commercial world of London and to set themselves up needed around £500. For this the land could be bought and planted, a house erected and a well sunk leaving enough to live on until the produce was available for sale.
Fruit was the main product of the small farms, but there was also a wide range of other produce including vegetables, poultry, pigs and honey. On some there were even efforts to grow tobacco. Commercial ventures soon began to emerge and it was not long before four colonists pooled capital for a jam factory to process the surplus fruit. It was the marketing that was the colony's Achilles heel and it was difficulties in this area that led to it's ultimate failure as a "back to the land" experiment.
In 1912 a Post Office was set up and for simplicity's sake the colony's name was changed to Brookville. Today it is a very attractive hamlet, mainly residential, with farming of it’s surrounding land being maintained by the local larger farmers.
Auction
Methwold Auction Mart is just a mile from The Swan Annexe. There has been a market in Methwold since Norman times, and back in the day, its main trade was dealing in rabbit pelts.
It was during the reign of Charles I that the Methwold Auction Mart was established, and still proudly operates under it's original Charter. Every Monday in the Market Yard at the heart of the village, the auction is held, keeping alive traditions that have continued through centuries. Here you will find Antiques, Machinery, Furniture and Bric a Brac.
People travel from miles around to attend, which not only presents the opportunity to bid for items, but is also a meeting place for friends to catch up, in a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. The auction commences at 10:30am, and with the number of lots frequently in excess of 800, will continue through the day until 5pm or later, until the opportunity has been given to bid for all of the lots. Catering is also available.
For more information visit: www.methwoldauctionmart.co.uk/auction/
Methwold Auction Mart
Methwold Auction Mart is just a mile from The Swan Annexe. There has been a market in Methwold since Norman times, and back in the day, its main trade was dealing in rabbit pelts.
It was during the reign of Charles I that the Methwold Auction Mart was established, and still proudly operates under it's original Charter. Every Monday in the Market Yard at the heart of the village, the auction is held, keeping alive traditions that have continued through centuries. Here you will find Antiques, Machinery, Furniture and Bric a Brac.
People travel from miles around to attend, which not only presents the opportunity to bid for items, but is also a meeting place for friends to catch up, in a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. The auction commences at 10:30am, and with the number of lots frequently in excess of 800, will continue through the day until 5pm or later, until the opportunity has been given to bid for all of the lots. Catering is also available.
For more information visit: www.methwoldauctionmart.co.uk/auction/
Spa
Hyde Court Spa and Beauty Salon Offers a private hire pool which can be booked out for £15 an hour for up to 4 people, £3 a head over that. The Salon offers all the usual beauty treatments including massage, facial, reflexology, nails, spray tan and waxing. It is open from 9am to 9pm 7 days a week.
IP26 4PU
Hythe RoadHyde Court Spa and Beauty Salon Offers a private hire pool which can be booked out for £15 an hour for up to 4 people, £3 a head over that. The Salon offers all the usual beauty treatments including massage, facial, reflexology, nails, spray tan and waxing. It is open from 9am to 9pm 7 days a week.
Set within Center Parcs, Elveden Forest, just a 10 minute drive from The Swan Annexe, you can buy a Spa Day pass and enjoy the luxury of this tranquil spa along with it's treatments and beautiful facilities. For more information visit: https://www.centerparcs.co.uk/discover-center-parcs/aqua-sana-spa.html
Aqua Sana Elveden Forest
Set within Center Parcs, Elveden Forest, just a 10 minute drive from The Swan Annexe, you can buy a Spa Day pass and enjoy the luxury of this tranquil spa along with it's treatments and beautiful facilities. For more information visit: https://www.centerparcs.co.uk/discover-center-parcs/aqua-sana-spa.html