1 – 5 July 2024
Roman and Medieval Norfolk – AHS Tour
Description
Please join us on this trip for sea air, big skies, crimson cliffs, stunning views, birds, cream teas, pretty villages and medieval churches. And a Roman fort. We will be staying in the seaside town of Hunstanton in a good quality, central hotel near the bus station.
Hunstanton is the only place in Britain with crimson cliffs, and we’ll be staying right on top of them. It’s a charming Victorian seaside town with lovely parks and gardens, an excellent free local heritage centre and a great range of cafes, pubs and restaurants. Nearby Old Hunstanton is very pretty too www.en.wikipedia/wiki/hunstanton
King’s Lynn was an important medieval port that silted up! It has some of the best medieval buildings in England.
Other Details
Accommodation
We’ll be staying in the quiet and central Burleigh, on top of Hunstanton’s famous crimson cliffs and near the gardens. It’s a friendly family-run hotel in an old Victorian house and we hope to take over the whole hotel. Who knows, the hotel bar may be open again! Some rooms with sea view and great English breakfast from dining room www.theburleigh.com
Bed and breakfast tariff in a twin-share room with private facilities. Best Indian restaurant in Norfolk on the door step and lots of good pubs and restaurants nearby.
Course Cost
£477 per person inclusive of tuition, accommodation and breakfast.
Single Supplement
£188
Travel
Cathy is travelling up on the 10.40 train from King’s Cross to King’s Lynn and then a 45-minute journey on the Coast Liner bus to Hunstanton – buses every 15 minutes.
She is travelling back to London on the bus to King’s Lynn and then the 16.45 train, due in King’s Cross at 18.45.
Local Transport
By Coast Liner bus, free to people with Freedom Passes
Group Size
Ca. 20 people
Tutor
Cathy Mercer, MA, is an experienced teacher, lecturer and tour manager. She has taught in London schools and for the Open University, Birkbeck College, LRAC, City Lit and the WEA. She has led numerous study tours to Italy, Holland, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Tunisia, Turkey, and in the UK.
Related OU Courses
General Interest/A340 Roman Empire, A229 Exploring the Classical World, A276 Latin
Itinerary / Study Programme
Day 1, Monday 1st July 2024
Morning train from London King’s Cross to King’s Lynn, then Coast Liner bus to Hunstanton – bus station 5 minutes’ walk from train station and buses every 15 minutes. Bus journey about an hour.
Afternoon – walk to chapel and pretty Old Hunstanton Then tea (and cake) in one of the pretty cliff-top tearooms, all with fantastic views over the Wash. Time also to explore the dramatic crimson cliffs.
Evening curry at lovely family-run Indian restaurant. Two minutes’ walk from hotel and non-Indian food on request.
Day 2, Tuesday 2nd July 2024
morning visit to Titchwell Marsh RSPB bird reserve – free entry to RSPB members. Huge salt marsh, lots of birds, World War I remains sea and big skies. And great tea room.
Afternoon bus ride to Brancaster, a delightful fishing village with lovely walks through salt marshes, pubs and tea rooms and remains of a fort, one of the Saxon Shore Forts built by the Romans in the second and third centuries CE. Curry round the corner – or wherever else you’d like to eat. There are lots of choices.
Return journey by local bus.
Day 3, Wednesday 3rd July 2024
Guided tour of King’s Lynn, an important medieval port with fantastic surviving buildings, including King’s Lynn Minster.
Afternoon to explore King’s Lynn, including the only surviving theatre where we know Shakespeare’s players performed.
Return journey by local bus.
Day 4, Thursday 4th July 2024
Visit to Wells-next-the-Sea, pretty fishing town with lovely walks, great ice cream and dramatic beaches.
Return journey by local bus.
Afternoon free – visit delightful Heritage Centre in Hunstanton, walk sea wall to Heacham, where BBC’s Spring Watch regularly broadcasts, or enjoy the crimson cliffs and old Hunstanton.
Day 4, Friday 5th July 2024
Morning to enjoy Hunstanton. Afternoon depart.