New for 2017: Old Buckenham Country Park – Set in over 30 acres of beautiful countryside, just around the corner and less than 5 minutes walk from us here at Olde Farm, the park has been extensively landscaped by the new owners with 2 large lakes at its centre which are home to an abundance of wildlife. There are many footpaths to explore, and dogs on leads are very welcome also. We have taken out membership for our guests so that you are free to use the extensive facilities when you stay with us. Just ask us for details when you stay.
The Local Villages:
Banham
More than just a zoo! The tree lined village green has old thatched houses with overhanging storeys, and is dominated by the church of St. Mary the Virgin. Based along the B1113 the village stretches for almost 2 miles. Industries in Banham have included the Gaymer Cider factory and brick making from the clay found around the area.
At the ‘Zoo’ end of the village is The Appleyard with a number of small shops and a Spar shop. There is a Primary School (approx. 120 pupils), village shop and post office, two pubs (Banham Barrel and the Garden House), as well as an active Community Centre.
New Buckenham
Small village based on a still intact medieval ‘grid pattern’. There is a large common designated a Conservation Area to the East of the village. Amongst a number of 16th century houses is the market house on stilts. There is currently one pub – the Inn on the Green, a selection of local shops including general store with post office and bakery. On the edge of the village is the remains of a castle with circular stone keep.
Old Buckenham
Contender for the largest village green in Britain, Old Buckenham has a restored windmill, two pubs (The Gamekeeper and Ox and Plough) and All Saints Church with its distinctive thatched roof. It also has a Primary School (around 200 pupils) and the Secondary School for the area. Just past the pond is the village stores and post office.
You can find more information at http://www.banhamandthebucks.co.uk/
Shopping Around Banham
Banham Post Office, the Green, Banham – fresh local milk, meats, cheese, bread cakes, vegetables plus general goods including newspapers, off licence and a full post office service. Cash can be obtained here from the post office counter. If you wish milk, bread and papers can be delivered to the cottage each morning – just let us know and we can organise this.
Londis, Appleyard, Banham– opposite the Zoo – the largest local shop with off licence, newspapers, large range of general groceries, frozen meals. Open until 9pm each evening.
Banham Butchers, Appleyard, Banham – excellent butchers with extensive range of local meats, sausages, pies and selling a most excellent bacon butty for £1.50!
New Buckenham, King Street, Kings General Store – small, local store stocking a range of general groceries and newspapers, off licence.
Old Buckenham, Londis – local store stocking a range of groceries, newspapers, magazines and local walking guides. They also offer a dry cleaning service.
Major Supermarkets:
Sainsbury’s and Lidl can be found in Attleborough about 5 miles away
Morrison’s, Aldi and Tesco can be found in Diss about 7 miles away.
Pubs and Restaurants
The Banham Barrel, Appleyard (opposite the zoo) – award winning cider and real ales. Music events on some evenings. Seating outside.
Trawlers Catch, Appleyard, Kenninghall Road, Banham – large range of fish, chips, burgers, chicken, kebabs, pies. Eat in or take-away
Garden House, Overcross, Banham (The nearest pub to the cottage) – food served and famous for its range of fruit wines, cider and ales. The home brewed scrumpy is particularly ‘memorable’ – you have been warned! Seating outside.
Ox and Plough, Old Buckenham. Family, dog and bike friendly pub on the village green, pool table, seating inside and out. Children’s play area close by.
The Gamekeeper, Old Buckenham. Gastro pub with excellent range of food and ales situated on the village green with large outdoor seating area.
Inn on the Green, New Buckenham. Gastro pub with excellent range of food and drinks with small outside seating area.
The Red Lion Pub, Kenninghall. Excellent food and ales. Booking advised for Sunday lunch. k 01953 887849
Facilities a little further afield
Nearest Towns:
Attleborough: Right out of the drive, then first right down Doe Lane, turn left at the end of Doe Lane. Approximately 5 miles. Interesting selection of local independent shops and free parking in the town centre. Large Sainsbury’s with cash point and a Lidl. Train station with trains to Thetford and Norwich
Diss: Left out the drive, then right at the crossroads. Approximately 7 miles. Larger town with local independent shops, museum and mere. Excellent pub and coffee shop overlooking the mere. Large Tesco, Aldi and Morrison’s. On reaching Diss turn left onto the A1066, they are both on the right hand side. Train station with trains to Norwich, and all stations to London Liverpool Street. Diss also has The Corn Hall Theatre and Arts Centre.
Wymondam: From Attleborough join the A11 heading towards Norwich, Wymondham is clearly signposted and approximately 10 miles from the Olde Farm. Lovely market town with interesting range of independent shops, restaurants, a Market Cross and a beautiful 900 year old Abbey to explore.
Arts & Crafts
You can find a fabulous range of local artists working in their studio in Diss on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at designermakers@21
The shared creativity and vibrant atmosphere embraces tradition and contemporary craft with an inspiring range of textiles, prints, jewellery, pottery, mosaics, knitwear, stained glass, hats to name but a few.
You will also find examples of their work in the cottages which we could not resist buying!
Cinemas and Theatres
There are main stream cinemas in Norwich: Odeon, Hollywood and Vue. There is also the Norwich Theatre Royal and the Norwich Playhouse
There is a small local theatre in Diss The Corn Hall Theatre and Arts Centre.
There is a Hollywood Cinema in Dereham
Banks & Building Societies
Attleborough: Lloyds, HSBC, Barclays (all with cash points) around Queen Square. Nationwide and Halifax are along Exchange Street. NatWest Cashpoint at Sainsbury’s.
Diss: Lloyds, NatWest, Barclays (all with cashpoints). Halifax and Nationwide. Cashpoint at Morrison’s and Tesco’s.
Market Days
Early closing: Attleborough – Wednesday. Diss – Tuesday.
Market Day: Attleborough – Thursday. Diss – Friday
Petrol Stations
Petrol Stations: Sainsbury’s, High Street, Attleborough. Aline Garage, Exchange Street, Attleborough. Morrison’s, Victoria Road, Diss
Local Police Station
Attleborough, London Road, the road leading to the A11/Thetford. 01842 754314
Post Offices
The Green, Banham 01953 887216 or there are main post offices in both Diss and Attleborough
Dentists and Doctors
Doctors: Attleborough, Queens Square Surgery. 01953452394
Dentist: Melbourne House, Attleborough 01953 454358
Nearest Emergency Hospital: Norfolk and Norwich, Colney Lane, Norwich. Take A11 into Norwich, turn left at the second roundabout and follow signs. 01603 286286
Vets
There are practices in Attleborough & Diss. The nearest one to the cottages being the Connaught Surgery 01953 454945
Local Taxi
John can be contacted on Banham Taxi 01953 888317, Mobile: 07702 402958
Opticians
Independent opticians can be found in Attleborough and Diss
Railway Stations
Attleborough – Norwich to Thetford Line. Diss – to Ipswich, Colchester, Chelmsford and London Liverpool Street
Hairdressers & Barbers
The nearest hairdresser is Emma at Appleyard Hair, the Appleyard, Banham 01953 887067 which is opposite the zoo. Appointments and walk-in. There are also hairdressers and barbers in Diss and Attleborough
Pubs and Restaurants
This list is by no means exhaustive, it is just to give you an idea of what is available a little further afield than the local, walkable, ones.
The George and Dragon, Market Street, East Harling: Restaurant with Sunday Carvery, and the dragon café. Takeaway option available
White Horse Inn at Kenninghall. Real ales.
Ry’s Bar and Grill, Exchange Street, Attleborough. Excellent steaks and own brewed beers.
The Mulberry Tree: Attleborough. Restaurant and Bar food, highly commended at the Norfolk Food and Drink Awards in 2013
The Stag at the Brecklandlodge hotel, Attleborough – carvery and evening bistro, London Road.
The Spice Heritage: Queens Square, Attleborough. Excellent Indian Takeaway and restaurant. Part of Just Eat website.
Il Divo, Pizza and Pasta restaurant, Cobbs Yard, Diss
Weavers Wine Bar and Eating House, Market Hill, Diss
Saracens Head, Mount Street, Diss Huge Sunday lunches, excellent value.
Fayre View Restaurant, Lower Denmark Street, Diss
Both Attleborough and Diss also have their fair share of Chinese/Indian/pizza/kebab takeaways and it is possible to get a takeaway from Attleborough and still have hot food when you arrive at the cottage (approximately 10 minutes door to door) Check out the Just Eat website
Tourist Information: Mere Street, Diss. Town Hall, Attleborough.
Swimming: Diss Swimming Pool, Victoria Road, Diss (01379 652754) full sized pool. Wymondham Pool and Sports Centre, Norwich Road, Wymondham (01953 609717) swimming pool, squash courts, badminton, etc.
Golf: Diss Golf Course (handicap required), The Common, Stuston, (10379 642847)
Suggested Days Out
You will find a good selection of leaflets describing the various attractions to be found within a reasonable distance of the cottage. You can also visit the following websites for ideas:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g186269-Activities-Norfolk_East_Anglia_England.html
http://www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/search.php?county=norfolk
http://www.norfolkbroads.com/boating-days-out
We hope that you have a wonderfully happy break here with us in Banham and will return again to stay with us in the future. Please remember if you find anything amiss in the cottage during your stay, please let us know immediately so that we will have the opportunity to put things right before you leave. There is a visitors book in the cottage for you to record your comments and you can also leave comments on-line on the website at Oldefarm.co.uk
