Kings Lynn or nearby - good place to live?
Discussion
Me and Mrs Garyhun have decided to move from Poole to be nearer parents who are in Yorkshire (Leeds area) and Amersham Bucks respectively. Basically trying to find somewhere in the middle.
We have been looking around Rutland and Leicestershire but are also now considering Norfolk (have spent time up on the N Coast around Wells next the Sea and Blakeney which we love).
A good location from access to both parents seems Kings Lynn or thereabouts so was wondering what the area was like or where we should look during our scouting trips.
We're looking for a village with a nice pub/restaurant to walk to, lovely countryside for walks and a town/city within 20 mins or so.
All ideas welcome
Thanks
Gary
We have been looking around Rutland and Leicestershire but are also now considering Norfolk (have spent time up on the N Coast around Wells next the Sea and Blakeney which we love).
A good location from access to both parents seems Kings Lynn or thereabouts so was wondering what the area was like or where we should look during our scouting trips.
We're looking for a village with a nice pub/restaurant to walk to, lovely countryside for walks and a town/city within 20 mins or so.
All ideas welcome
Thanks
Gary
Hi Gary.
Didn't you ask something almost identical a couple of years ago?
Norfolk doesn't do change, so still much the same now as then and, for that matter, as the last 50 years
How far east in Norfolk are prepared to live? Kings Lynn will offer everything you would need, but around Norwich is the main stomping ground.
For a more rural locale, people often seek the Burnhams, North Creake, South Creake, Brancaster, Docking, Ringstead, Castle Acre, Swaffham and Downham Market are all lovely with pubs, churches but vary in size, amenities and how rural they are.
A bit further along towards Blakeney and Wells, you have the towns of Fakenham and Holt, plus local villages surround each: Walsingham, Great & Little Snoring, Binham and Langham are all that way and very pretty. Morston has a decent pub and the Michelin Star Morston Hall restaurant.
If you want really quiet, some of those places mentioned are intersected by main roads (well main for Norfolk), and therefore can get busy during the Summer.
All these areas tend to have good stock of the local style flint and brick cottages and barn conversions, but prices are higher than other parts of Norfolk because of the area's popularity with the 2nd home market.
Darren
Didn't you ask something almost identical a couple of years ago?
Norfolk doesn't do change, so still much the same now as then and, for that matter, as the last 50 years
How far east in Norfolk are prepared to live? Kings Lynn will offer everything you would need, but around Norwich is the main stomping ground.
For a more rural locale, people often seek the Burnhams, North Creake, South Creake, Brancaster, Docking, Ringstead, Castle Acre, Swaffham and Downham Market are all lovely with pubs, churches but vary in size, amenities and how rural they are.
A bit further along towards Blakeney and Wells, you have the towns of Fakenham and Holt, plus local villages surround each: Walsingham, Great & Little Snoring, Binham and Langham are all that way and very pretty. Morston has a decent pub and the Michelin Star Morston Hall restaurant.
If you want really quiet, some of those places mentioned are intersected by main roads (well main for Norfolk), and therefore can get busy during the Summer.
All these areas tend to have good stock of the local style flint and brick cottages and barn conversions, but prices are higher than other parts of Norfolk because of the area's popularity with the 2nd home market.
Darren
Cheers Darren, that is really helpful.
It was actually 2010 I think that I asked and then I found a plot of land so stayed put to build as that had been a very long time dream.
Now that's done and sold after enjoying it for a while, the move is back on!!
Ideally looking for a barn conversion or something with character so your post is really helpful.
Cheers again
Gary
It was actually 2010 I think that I asked and then I found a plot of land so stayed put to build as that had been a very long time dream.
Now that's done and sold after enjoying it for a while, the move is back on!!
Ideally looking for a barn conversion or something with character so your post is really helpful.
Cheers again
Gary
Happy to help.
I'm sure others will be along soon with their opinions.
If Norfolk becomes the ultimate destination, I guess you need to work out how rural you want to go.
A little different, but for reference of journey times out of Norfolk; some Norwich based family friends have children living in Sheffield. Journey times are typically 3-3.5 hours using the direct route of A47/A17/A1/A57.
And where has that half decade gone?
Darren
I'm sure others will be along soon with their opinions.
If Norfolk becomes the ultimate destination, I guess you need to work out how rural you want to go.
A little different, but for reference of journey times out of Norfolk; some Norwich based family friends have children living in Sheffield. Journey times are typically 3-3.5 hours using the direct route of A47/A17/A1/A57.
And where has that half decade gone?
Darren
We're travelling up every few weeks at the moment to get a feel for general areas. Once we have a good feel for the general, well move up and rent and then start to get more specific. Currently renting in Poole until end of June so will make the initial move then
Regarding your last point - scary that 5 years has gone so fast. Makes you realise that life is for living!
Regarding your last point - scary that 5 years has gone so fast. Makes you realise that life is for living!
Hello,
If you are looking at a village near to Kings lynn, I'd recommend either Gayton or Dersingham. Both are within 6 miles or so and less than 10 minutes travel time to Lynn.
Should you go more 'East' to Brancaster, Bircham, Burnham Market etc just be aware that due to the poor road infastructure it'll add nearly 30 minutes to any journey out of Norfolk. And be a total nightmare on busy summer days when the A149 between the Hardwick Roundabout at Lynn and Hunstanton becomes a car park.
Seems like you may also want to be building your own place, in which case keep an eye out for land in Roydon and Grimston and surrounding satellite villages. All very nice scenery there and it is slightly undulating so not you typical Norfolk flatness either...
I lived in Dersingham myself for 2 years and it really is a lovely village with a reasonable pub (the Feathers) and the Coach and Horses. Unfortunately it lacks any really good restaurants nearby as far as I know. But there is a Budgens..
If you are looking at a village near to Kings lynn, I'd recommend either Gayton or Dersingham. Both are within 6 miles or so and less than 10 minutes travel time to Lynn.
Should you go more 'East' to Brancaster, Bircham, Burnham Market etc just be aware that due to the poor road infastructure it'll add nearly 30 minutes to any journey out of Norfolk. And be a total nightmare on busy summer days when the A149 between the Hardwick Roundabout at Lynn and Hunstanton becomes a car park.
Seems like you may also want to be building your own place, in which case keep an eye out for land in Roydon and Grimston and surrounding satellite villages. All very nice scenery there and it is slightly undulating so not you typical Norfolk flatness either...
I lived in Dersingham myself for 2 years and it really is a lovely village with a reasonable pub (the Feathers) and the Coach and Horses. Unfortunately it lacks any really good restaurants nearby as far as I know. But there is a Budgens..
Thanks Guys - I'm only using KL as a start point as it's the biggest closest thing to Yorkshire to do easy travel time calculations. I have no need to be near to it specifically.
As a said, going to rent for 6 months so exact location for that is not crucial but the more info from you guys the better.
Budgens you say
As a said, going to rent for 6 months so exact location for that is not crucial but the more info from you guys the better.
Budgens you say
I don't think journey times from Suffolk would be much different, if you would consider there too. I used to get to York from Bury St Edmunds in under 3 hours when I was doing it every other week. Lots of lovely villages around Bury that might suit you, if you're within 10 minutes of the A14 the travel will be decent.
Kings Lynn is a very close second to Thetford.At least the former has the A11 running through it.Lynn wise you need to drive for half an hour before your jouney starts.Best thing to come out of the town is the A10.It has always been a port for smugglers, hookers and now drugs.Earlier suggestions of some of the north of lynn villages is best, but then again the journey gets longer!
I'm about 10 mins east of King's Lynn in a village called East Winch (in a barn conversion, naturally with a pub 2 mins away) - definitely wouldn't live in KL but there are a few nice villages around here and to the north (Massingham very pretty!), it's worth driving up there to get a feel.
t hole. For Suffolk village living Ixworth is probably my favourite, on the A14, big enough to have shops, takeaways, pubs etc and just down he road from Bury when you need to go into town. Gassing Station | East Anglia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff