Please note that the postcard from series
ended in 2004 and that descriptions of shops and services were correct at
time of going to press
Where
is it:
Sea Palling is less than twenty miles north east of Norwich on
the North Norfolk coast. Travelling by road, take the A1151 to Stalham
then turn onto the B1151 to Sea Palling.
How
many people live there?
In 2000 the tiny village had a population of just 545. Most of
the people seen there in summer are likely to be day-trippers who
come to enjoy the blue flag beach.
What is there to see and do?
The beach at Sea Palling is one of the most stunning
in the county with miles of golden sand stretching in either direction
from the village. The dunes are officially designated Areas of Outstanding
Natural Beauty. The sea is made up of shallow bays formed by man-made
reefs just off the coast, which makes it safe for bathing and paddling.
Seals can occasionally be seen in the waters or sunning themselves
on the beaches to the south of the village. The tower of St Margaret’s
church is over 1,000 years old, dating from AD900. Inside the church
there are memorials to the brave lifeboatmen who gave their lives
protecting fishermen off the coast.
Old Hall Inn at Sea Palling
Best place to eat
and drink?
There are two pubs in Sea Palling which both serve
food, the Lifeboat Inn, which is located on the edge of the beach,
and the Old Hall Inn. The Old Hall Inn is over 400 years old and
is said to be haunted by the ghost of a mysterious woman dressed
in grey who can sometimes be seen sitting on a window ledge. Fast
food is available from the Sandy Hill family amusement and snack
bar.
Is
there any interesting history?
Throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries smuggling was
a thriving industry in Sea Palling; cargoes of tea, tobacco and
spirits were often ‘washed up’ on the beach and sold
on the black market by smugglers. As recently as 1977 a large quantity
of spirits was seized just south of Sea Palling, near Waxham. In
1287 there was a ‘great flood’ in the area. John of
Oxenedes, a monk from nearby Ludham, wrote ‘The sea agitated
by the violence of the wind, burst through its accustomed limits
occupying towns and fields’.
Are
there any special events?
For the past four years the beach has hosted a Jet Sport Weekend.
Local shop Beach Rock Leisure organises the event which features
water sports displays on the Saturday and culminates in a Jet Ski
fun run on the Sunday. This year 100 jet skiers completed a 100km
course, each raising at least £100 for the Graham Hicks Appeal
charity for the deaf and blind. At the end of August the playing
field on Sea Palling’s Clink Lane hosted the annual Sea Palling
and Waxham Village fun day.
How
many people live there?
