Latest news with #Sheringham
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Telegraph
Visiting this charming Norfolk seaside town feels like stepping into another century
I stepped off the train and into, it seemed, a former century. Sheringham is the terminus of the mainline from Norwich but, on the other side of Station Road, on another set of tracks, the steam locomotives of the Poppy Line clank and exhale, waiting to take trippers further along the coast. It was the arrival of the railway in 1887 that transformed this small fishing town. The poet and theatre critic Clement Scott wrote of the rail-accessible joys of North Norfolk for The Telegraph (coining the term 'Poppyland'), and holidaymakers began to flock in, creating such demand that fishing families would rent out their homes (sound familiar?). Now, the heritage railway is one of Sheringham's biggest draws. But it wasn't the only thing generating vintage vibes. Red, white and blue bunting flapped in the North Sea breeze, strung along a bygone-era high street: greengrocers, butchers, bakers, a model railway emporium, and an ironmongers dating back to 1897. Every September, Sheringham holds a 1940s Weekend, with themed window displays, classic cars and period music. But it was looking pretty throwback even on a regular Tuesday. 'It is a bit like going back in time,' one local told me. 'Whether you think that's good or bad – well, that's a personal preference.' What's it really like? As seaside resorts go, Sheringham is pretty low-key. There are a couple of arcades, ice creameries a-plenty, a toyshop that's sold buckets-n-spades since 1912. Sheringham Museum is filled with lifeboats and local history and a gallery of 200 shell sculptures, if things made from shells are your thing. Best is the big Blue Flag beach, backed by some of the county's highest cliffs; Norfolk's zenith, 103m (!) Beacon Hill, is nearby. The beach itself is lovely, when it's there – at high tide the sand is swallowed completely For all its nostalgic charm, Sheringham is actually pleasingly real, having managed to remain itself in the face of surrounding forces. It doesn't have the social issues that plague Great Yarmouth, 40 miles south. But nor is it as expensively gentrified as spots like Burnham Market (aka 'Chelsea-on-Sea'), 20 miles west – though local house prices reflect its proximity. Sheringham's identity has been tested. Long holding out as a bastion of independents, the town finally caved to Tesco in 2013, after a 17-year planning battle. However, the supermarket hasn't affected trade as much as feared: it's close to the centre, with parking – it may have actually brought more people in. More recently, a surge of young entrepreneurs has shaken things up. One of them is Ben Stubbs, who grew up in Sheringham and runs Stubby's, a 'chef-led' pizzeria where toppings include vodka sausage and black pudding. ' The Gangway bar opened around the same time as us,' Ben told me. 'Before, there were just pubs and fish and chips. Suddenly there was pizza and cocktails!' Gentrification, Sheringham style. What's not to like? Honestly, not a lot. The town's elderly-leaning demographic means you're unlikely to find much to do beyond 8.30pm, but that's probably not why you're here. And there's no headline-grabbing destination hotel or Michelin-starry restaurant – yet. Sheringham isn't perfect. But unlike the boarded-up shops and dwindling investment experienced in many coastal communities, it seems positively vibrant. District Councillor Liz Withington believes it may just offer the blueprint for other such towns looking to revive their fortunes. Liz moved here in 1994 but has lived all over, including Marbella – and sees similarities. 'It's the same with many seaside towns – rammed in summer, back to community in winter,' Liz said. 'We've got it right because we've maintained that sense of community.' There are concerns about preserving Sheringham's retail diversity as takeaway outlets increase. The current beef is with a pizza chain that's trying to move in. The council has objected, the chain has appealed. 'High streets are supposed to be about 30 per cent hot-food takeaways; Sheringham is over 40 per cent already,' Ben explained. 'If the appeal is overturned, where does it end? It could be the first Domino to fall, pardon the pun… Small towns are delicate little ecosystems. They need to be nurtured and protected.' Do this… Definitely ride the Poppy Line, which takes 25 minutes to huff from Sheringham to the pretty market town of Holt. After that, head to the Little Theatre. Seating just 160, and almost entirely run by volunteers, it's small but mighty. In 2024, actress Suranne Jones – who has a holiday home nearby – became President. 'She'd started to come quite regularly,' explained Debbie Thompson, the Little's director. 'She loved that it was a true community theatre and wanted to be involved.' Jones hosts workshops and helps promote the theatre's varied programme, which includes a traditional summer rep season, music, comedy and more. Eat this… Crab. Cromer, five miles east, has sown up the marketing, but Norfolk's famed crustaceans come from Sheringham too. In CA Seafoods you can buy them neatly dressed; it also has a 150-year-old smokehouse where they hot and cold smoke all sorts of fish. However, I ate at Camellia Cottage, a postcard-pretty, brick-and-flint cafe by the clock tower. It was heaving, both inside and out in the courtyard garden. I ordered the crab sandwich and had a tense wait while the server checked with the kitchen, and nabbed the last one of the day. Steep at £12, but a local treat. But don't do this… The ancient Cromer Shoals Chalk Bed – nicknamed 'Britain's Great Barrier Reef' – is the longest in the world, and lies only a stone's skim offshore. The 46-metre-long Sheringham Snorkel Trail, which follows a disused Victorian sewage pipe, leads out to this unexpectedly colourful underwater world that teems with crab, lobsters, fish, rare sponges and anemones. But in order to experience it, you need a long period of calm to cause the North Sea's sediment to drop and turn the water clear blue – which happens for about five or six days a year. Unless you get lucky, perhaps go stand-up paddle boarding with SUP Shack instead. From a local 'Shops come and go, restaurants change – but not a lot. That's the charm of it. Sheringham is expanding out, with new houses, but the core has remained the same. It's a great little town where everyone looks out for each other.' – Chris Taylor, Sheringham-born photographer, lifeboatman and shanty-man. From a tourist 'We've made a day-trip. My mum recommended the steam train, and it fully lived up to expectations. Quite slow but nice views and friendly staff. We like the museum. Now we're going to walk the seafront and get fish and chips from the shop with the longest queue.' – Sarah Wilson and Carl King from Lincolnshire Get there Sheringham is an hour by train from Norwich, at the end of the Bittern Line, which also stops at Cromer and Hoveton & Wroxham (a jumping-off point for the Broads). The Coasthopper Bus connects Wells-next-the-Sea and Cromer, via Sheringham. For more information, see Visit North Norfolk and Experience Sheringham. Stay at Burlington Berties (01263 821500) has B&B doubles from £320 for two nights.
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Domi-NO! Families in traditional Victorian and Edwardian seaside town fight against pizza branch opening
Families in a traditional seaside town are fighting plans to introduce a new Domino's pizza store. Locals argue Sheringham in Norfolk has over 40 eateries already and that a new one with 'eyesore signage' would be out of place. The proposal, which has received 14 public comments against and one in support, comes just a few months after objectors lost a long battle to keep Tesco out of the town. Councillors refused the pizza house planning application in November on the grounds it would 'result in harm to the vitality and viability' of the historic Victorian and Edwardian architecture. But the developers, DPSK Ltd, are now back as they have submitted a written appeal to the Planning Inspectorate in a bid to open the branch. This is despite concerns around the potential for litter and the branch being 'out of place'. Sheringham has a population of just over 7,300 with upwards of 60 per cent aged 50 or more. Local retiree Sylvia Jackson, who worked for the NHS for 27 years, said she was concerned about new takeaways opening given high obesity rates. She added: 'I'm appalled. We have lots of independent shops and eateries, and what makes Sheringham special is we don't have the big chains like every other place. 'We already have a family run fabulous authentic pizza place. Sheringham has over 40 eateries, more than enough. 'A Domino's would be totally out of place and the majority of local people and even tourists have commented they do not want it.' In an appeal letter addressed to the Planning Inspectorate from development consultancy Pegasus Group, the company argues Domino's status as a national chain is 'not relevant' and that 'the appeal should instead be determined based upon its individual merits'. And on social media, not everyone agreed with the decision to refuse the planning application. Shane Powis wrote on Facebook: 'Unfortunately nothing else can afford to go there. Don't blame the company, this will do more good than bad. 'More jobs and more tax money for the council.' Commenter Steve Bailey added: 'Let's hope common sense prevails. What good is an empty shop other than to appease the NIMBYs.' A final decision on the matter is due later this year. In 2013, the town, which boasts a heritage railway and length beach promenade, saw its anti-supermarket campaigners face a blow when a Tesco superstore opened following a 17-year battle. A Domino's spokesman said: 'At Domino's, we are committed to making a positive impact in the communities we serve and welcome collaboration with local authorities to explore ways to do that. 'We bring the joy of the occasional takeaway to customers across the country and use data and local market knowledge to understand where there is genuine demand for our brand. 'Our stores provide employment and development opportunities for local people, with over 90 per cent of our store managers starting their Domino's careers as a delivery driver or pizza maker.'
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Paraglider pilot injured on Norfolk coast at Weybourne
A paraglider pilot in his 70s was airlifted to hospital after reportedly flying into a cliff. It happened at about 12:20 BST on Thursday at Weybourne Beach, near Sheringham."The man was transported by air ambulance to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for treatment," said a spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance man's injuries were not thought to be life-threatening, they added. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd and Tottenham legend makes bold Europa League final prediction
Manchester United and Tottenham come into the Europa League final with poor defensive records and Teddy Sheringham thinks that will spell plenty of goals at both ends Teddy Sheringham is expecting it to rain goals in Bilbao because he has no faith in the defences of Manchester United or Tottenham. The under-performing Premier League sides meet in the Europa League final on Wednesday night for a showdown with huge stakes. With United 16th in the Premier League and on an eight-game winless run domestically and Spurs 17th and without a win in six in the league, it is a final of two out-of-form teams. But while they have disappointed in the league, both have made it to the final of Europe's second-tier competition and are eyeing silverware. The fact the winner will earn a place in next season's Champions League has heightened the tension, while Tottenham have the added pressure of going for a first trophy since 2008. Picking a winner from two teams who have lacked consistency and confidence all season is difficult and Sheringham is only sure of one thing. 'I could see there being a lot of goals in the game, because neither team can defend, and neither of them want to play defensively. I see a very high-scoring, open game. I'm going to predict a 4-3 win, but I don't know which team will edge it,' the former United and Spurs striker told Prime Casino. 'I think either way, it's going to be goals galore and it will be end-to-end stuff. If I was looking at this from Man United's point of view, then I would be looking at the weaknesses in the Tottenham defence, but as I said, United's back four is hardly a tight ship. 'Whoever can be more solid at the back will have an advantage and it might come down to which team makes fewer mistakes, because both sides have got a rick in them. 'If it goes to penalties. I think the pressure will be massively on Manchester United. A shootout could really affect them mentally, with all the implications of the result.' HAVE YOUR SAY! Do you agree with Teddy Sheringham? Share your prediction in the comments section. Pressure will be one of the key factors, with both managers feeling the heat at the end of largely miserable campaigns. Ruben Amorim has underwhelmed since taking the reins from Erik ten Hag in November, while Ange Postecoglou has become increasingly embattled in recent months. The Spurs boss made headlines in the build-up by taking issue with a reporter's characterisation of him as a 'clown'. 'I'll tell you one thing, irrespective of tomorrow, I'm not a clown and never will be,' he said in his press conference. "You really disappointed me that you used such terminology to describe a person that for 26 years, without any favours from anyone, has worked his way to a position where he is leading out a club in a European final. For you to suggest that somehow us not being successful means that I'm a clown, I'm not sure how to answer that question." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Domino's launches appeal after takeaway refused
A pizza chain lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate after a council blocked its plans to open a branch in a seaside town. Domino's hoped to open a takeaway shop in a former department store in Church Street, Sheringham. However, councillors on North Norfolk Council's planning committee rejected the application and said it would lead to an overconcentration of hot food takeaways. The chain hoped the inspectorate, which presides over planning disputes, would find in its favour by citing "unjustified reasons for refusal". An agent for Domino's also said the council had "misinterpreted planning guidance" in its appeal against the decision. The American multinational business said more chains opening could not be a reason for an application to be refused. Councillors discussing the application were concerned that the takeaway would harm the vitality of the high street, due to the loss of a shop, and disturb people living in flats above, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported. Townsfolk had objected and claimed they did not want chain restaurants opening up in the seaside destination over fears it could harm smaller local businesses. Sheringham Town Council is also against the proposal, and argued there were already nearly 40 food firms operating in the town. The Planning Inspectorate will look at the evidence and make a decision later this year. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Outcry against Domino's in England's smallest town Town's first McDonald's allowed despite opposition Council to buy coastal town's 'eyesore' hotel site North Norfolk District Council Local Democracy Reporting Service The Planning Inspectorate for England
