Exploring Norfolk

Sunday morning began with sunshine, and our B&B (which was a tremendous bargain) served an exceptionally good (i.e. NOT "traditional English") breakfast. But by the time we were ready to check out, the rains had come.

 Blickling Hall

South and central England is in the midst of the worst drought in 35 years, so we couldn't complain about the rain. As the day turned colder and windy, and the rain became mixed with big wet snowflakes, we were less forgiving.

Great Hall/Library at Blickling Hall

First stop was Blickling Hall, likely birthplace and childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII. However, the house was substantially rebuilt in 1620 and remodeled several times since, so there would be few things Anne would recognize, if she could re-attach her head and return. The gardens were beautiful, even in the rain, and the house has numerous striking features, including a great hall that had been turned into a library for a large and important collection of rare books.

Beach & pier at Cromer

We drove to the village of Cromer, on the seashore. The plan was to visit several towns along the coast, but after a few minutes standing out in the wind and the rain, we decided we'd had enough of that for the day.

Library with secret doors at Felbrigg Hall

Instead, we drove back inland just a few miles to visit Felbrigg Hall, another national trust mansion dating from the 17th century. Distinctive features here also included the library, not so much for the collection, but for the secret closet and passage to a private study hidden behind book shelf doors.

Odd Victorian bathtub at Felbrigg Hall

As we began the journey home, the rain intensified, and then began to mix with great, wet snowflakes. Even though the temperature was still above freezing and nothing was sticking to the pavement, snow really freaks out British drivers and traffic slowed to a crawl. But by the time we made it back to Nottingham the clouds had parted for a beautiful, if chilly, evening.