Pictures of England
Norfolk

A wonderful place for holidays, Norfolk, and surely the inspiration for many beautiful pictures of England.

Once it was England's richest county, rivalling London in prosperity. Norwich merchants traded with all the countries of the known world and the goods they brought back flowed into the ports dotted along its coast.

Blakeney Harbour, now heavily silted up

Many of these, such as Cley, Blakeney and Wiveton silted up, their fortunes lost to the sea, until they re-invented themselves as charming holiday villages. Only their churches - grand and proud - proclaim the former prosperity.

Castle Rising Art print from AllPosters.com

How valuable and important Medieval Norfolk was is easily seen in the castles William the Conqueror and subsequent kings of England thought they had to build to keep East Anglia under control.

Because it was not only foreign merchandise that came through its ports, invasion fleets, malcontents and new ideas from the continent also entered the country here.

Walsingham Pilgrims Photographic Print from AllPosters.com

One of Europe's most sacred pilgrim sites, the shrine of our Lady of Walsingham, is located in Norfolk and pilgrims have been seeking consolation, comfort, health and absolution here since the year 1061.

Between the reigns of Henry III and Henry VIII, every king and queen of England visited the Holy House of Walsingham as a pilgrim, as did kings of France and King Robert Bruce of Scotland.

In his youth, King Henry VIII came more than once. But when his beliefs changed along with his marriage plans, even so sacred and revered a site as Walsingham did not escape the dissolution. Its magnificent priory church fell into ruin and it took until the 19th century for the pilgrimage site to be revived.

The Norfolk Broads Photographic Print from AllPosters.com

But Norfolk has more than a rich history and beautiful historic houses. Its marshes and long sandy beaches are a haven to wildlife and holidaymakers alike.

There's fresh fish and tasty seafood in abundance and the soil here lends itself to the production of tasty vegetables.

And then there are the Norfolk Broads ... Europe's largest wetland and one of the favourite places in England for boating enthusiasts.

The Wash: Where King John lost England's Crown Jewels Photographic Print from AllPosters.com

And - of course - there's no other county in England where you might find the crown jewels while building a sand castle on the beach!

So here - from my collection of pictures of England - are some of my favourite images of Norfolk. You can find more in my poster store below.

For more information about the county of Norfolk and its history and beautiful places, check out the Norfolk page on the site. Here are a few ideas - and more pictures of England - to help you explore:

• The Perfect Sunset
• Blakeney
• Cley-next-the-Sea
• Burnham Market
• Castle Acre
• Cromer
• Castle Acre Priory
• Sheringham Park