Due to my OH getting a place at Norwich for his degree, we're moving to Norfolk near Norwich within the year.

I know I'm going to miss the freedom of the New Forest dreadfully :(  I am really spoilt to live within a short drive from there.

Does anyone know Norfolk?

I am especially looking for good dog walking areas (not so much family areas, as areas used more by dog walkers if possible) and it may be that these areas will influence exactly where we live (ie north, west of Norwich, etc).

I've done google searches and haven't found anything promising yet.

Thetford forest seems very geared towards families, with a cafe etc... is it also possible to just get away from everyone in there?

I'd be grateful for any ideas, as i'm trying hard to be positive and don't really feel it :(

Lindsay
X

I know some parts of Norfolk fairly well as OH's parents came from Norfolk and lived just outside Cromer (on the North Norfolk coast) for some years. We are thinking of moving to Norfolk - but we are trying to avoid the coast as it gets very busy in the summer and, in North Norfolk in particular, house prices are very expensive due to yuppy invasions :D Also, we want to be near a main road such as the A47, so that people can visit us without a long trudge across country :) We have been looking around Dereham - it's not too far from Thetford Forest, but has quite easy access to Norwich. Can't help too much about other good dog walking areas tho' . Kelling Heath is nice - but that is by the coast, so not for us. There are several other smaller forests around, but I don't know them.

Good luck

Daisy

Meant to add that house prices around Dereham are much cheaper than where we live

Hi Daisy,

Thanks for replying, I'm trying to get as much info as possible :)
Dereham area sounds interesting, and I am really pleased to hear about the house prices, they sound pretty good!
I hope your own move to Norfolk goes smoothly, do you know when you are moving yet, or is it still a bit up in the air?

Lindsay
X

No - a lot depends on when hubby retires - which could be very soon, but then may be a couple of years. We have started looking for our ideal house - must need doing up and have at least 1 acre for the dogs and hubby's sheds/workshops :D We don't want to move completely until our youngest has finished university as she won't want to live 'in the sticks' during holidays :)

Daisy

Try Googling for Bacton Woods very much a dog walking area.

Or of course there are loads of beaches where people walk dogs. Particularly in the Winter, although there are quite a few without any restrictions on dogs even in the Summer.

The North Walsham, Stalham, Cromer triangle is very good as regards houseprices.  For example a 4 bed semi is priced at around £150,000, and it is only 15 miles from University.

Regards
Jayne

Hi Jayne,

I Googled for Bacton Woods and it does look  promising, thankyou for that information :)

As i said to Daisy, I'm really pleased to hear about the house prices as they sound very reasonable. The beaches are probably better in some ways than round here, as in Dorset there does seem to be a lot of restrictions on dogs, so i'm looking forward to exploring some of them!

Lindsay
X

We spend lots of family holidays up there (Big Dave was born in Norwich). Thetford Forest is lovely, but very different to the New Forest, as it's mostly planted rather than natural.  For me, it's the beaches that appeal the most......

We have been to Norfolk for the last two years for holidays going again in July,we just love it ,we stayed at Blakney point in a great hotel,had our own front door so it was great for the dogs,even took the dogs on the broads and on our way home we call at sandringham country park,great for dogs,i cant remember were,we saw fields full of pigs,i love pigs,i am sure you will love norfolk and yes the beaches are lovely especialy Holkam ,nr well next the sea,which is very dog friendly.

Sheila.

Hi Sheila,

I'm jotting down areas which people recommend, so have kept a note of Holkam beach, thanks :)
You must really like Norfolk if you keep going back for holidays with the dogs!

Lindsay
X

Holkham beach is super (hubby's grandfather was born on the Holkham estate) - but house prices are high in the area.

Daisy

Hi Digger,

I didn't realise Big Dave was from Norwich originally!
I'm getting the message loud and clear that the beaches are excellent in Norfolk (North Norfolk) :)

Feeling a bit more cheerful now!

Lindsay
X

We go to Winterton for our doggie holidays,it's a beautiful area,dog friendly beach and miles of sand dunes to walk! always make new doggie friends each time we visit and we are going there for a holiday a week on Monday! I suppose it depends on how far you would be prepared to commute? but the houses in and around Winterton are varied and we often look into the local estate agents windows thinking we will retire there one day :)

Jacqueline :)

have taken my pup on holiday there with the boys had a fab time area around Felbrigg hall great for walking and of course beach at Wells (may be restrictions in Summer though).
Have fun.