Welcome to a place in history
Take a tour through our region’s magical, mysterious and quirky history
with your guide, Peter Sargent.
You’ll meet historical figures and discover the secrets of our
castles and churches. From ancient Grimes Graves to 20th century war memorials,
you’ll find a wealth of interest
To whet your appetite, try our quiz to see how much you know about our
region’s history.
1.
Which castle was used by Mary Tudor in 1553 as a base to rally support
against Jane Grey?
Show Answer
Answer: Framlingham Castle
2. Which church was known for a time as St Peter of Gloucester?
Show Answer
Answer: St Peter Mancroft
3. Where could you spot a lone second world war tank, a tribute to the
Desert Rats?
Show Answer
Answer: Just outside Thetford. A warrener looked after rabbits, bred for food and fur in the medieval times
4. Who encouraged the creation of small open spaces in cities to bring
“the healthy gift of air and joy of plants and flowers”?
Show Answer
Answer: Octavia Hill
5. Where could you find 1,000 species of moth and butterfly?
Show Answer
Answer: Wicken Fen
6. A farm gatehouse and some striking ruins in a field mark the spot
where miracles were once performed… but where?
Show Answer
Answer: Bromholm Priory, Bacton
7.
Who was the Count of the Saxon Shore?
Show Answer
Answer: He was the Roman commander with the responsibility of keeping the coast of Britannia safe in the third and fourth centuries.
8. Where in 1871 would you have found the Rope and Atkins families hard
at work?
Show Answer
Answer: In the Row Houses of Yarmouth
9. Where can you find a warreners’ lodge? And what is it?
Show Answer
Answer: By the side of a road running through Thetford Forest
10. Who was excommunicated by the pope for maintaining a mistress in
Norfolk?
Show Answer
Answer: Earl John of Castle Acre – the last of the Warennes to succeed to the title in 1304. Plagued by marital and financial difficulties, Earl John had to give up Castle Acre.
Highlights include
In the 13th century an army of stonemasons were at work on building
Norwich Cathedral.
These thirsty, hungry men needed a place to drink some
ale and eat some bread in congenial surroundings. And the Adam and Eve
public house sprang up where they could do just that.
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As wind power becomes more important in 21st century East Anglia, we can see a working example of how our ancestors used it at Denver.
Modern wind turbines seem to be sprouting up every day across the region, producing sometimes controversial ‘green’ energy. But harnessing the power of the wind for industry is nothing new.
A mill has stood on the site at Denver, near Downham Market on the edge of the fens, since at least the early 19th century. 
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For almost half of its 850-year history, Denny Abbey was just that. But appearances are misleading. Its story is like a historical jigsaw puzzle, for the building has had many different inhabitants and uses.
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As with so many historical buildings you have to imagine how it once was. What looks like a roofless hulk now was, in its heyday, richly-decorated and furnished – and designed to impress friend and foe.
Tile remains indicate the Romans were the first to settle at this West Norfolk coastal site, probably beginning the process of reclaiming land from the sea. It is close to modern King’s Lynn, but Lynn did not exist until the 11th century.
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