Norfolk History And Background
Norfolk, famous for it's Broads sits on the south east corner of Britain, and has much to offer visitors. There's more to Norfolk than Alan Partridge and waterways. The Norman conquest of Norfolk has left several castles for the visitor, the most famous being Norwich castle.
The are a large number of churches that date back several hundred years, many of them such as the one at Salle being well worth a visit. It's capital, Norwich was in the 16th century an important city with a population of 15,000 which was nearly decimated by the plague.
By the end of the 18th Century Norfolk had become a farming county, being run as a feudal system, the Lords being owners of the many stately hoes that still remain dotted throughout the region. Norfolk's prosperity relied in part on agriculture, as someone had to feed the workers in the dark satanic mills of the midlands, and here is where the produce came from.
Whilst inland the farming industry declined due to cheaper imports, the coastal towns flourished as fishing ports during the late 1900s. Shipbuilding was flourishing, as boats were built locally to bring in the herring, and other seafood.
The coastal areas gained a further boon with the arrival of the train, which boosted Great Yarmouth and other town's income through the onset of tourism. Inland the trains also brought visitors to the Norfolk Broads. Since the two world wars Norfolk's farming has returned although now, tourism plays just as important a role in the economy of the area.
Many of Norfolk's stately homes are open to the public, and the area still retains it's quaintness inland as the Norfolkians got wise to keeping it's heritage, and as a result the old world charm of picture postcard villages still exists throughout the county.
The Broads have gone through a 'clean up' - ironically, to counter the negative effect on the ecosystems caused by tourism. However, the Broads are once again the broads are teeming with visitors, as the area has learnt it's lesson, and now tourism is more 'responsible' which is great for everyone as the area's natural beauty is assured for the future, and wildlife has returned to previous levels making a visit that much more interesting, especially for families.
In all there is plenty to see and do in Norfolk, and however you decide you would like to spend your break, you can be assured that the relaxed pace of Norfolk will make your stay that much more enjoyable - you will know instantly that you are on holiday.
