View source for Norfolk

{{Short description|County of England}}
{{About|the county in England|the city in the U.S. state of Virginia|Norfolk, Virginia|other uses}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox English county
| official_name           = Norfolk
| locator_map             = [[File:Norfolk UK locator map 2010.svg|200px]]
| coordinates             = {{Coord|52|40|21|N|00|57|00|E|region:GB_type:adm1st|display=inline,title}}
| region                  = [[East of England]]
| established_date        = Anglo-Saxon period<ref>Recorded in wills of 1043–45: Ekwall, Eilert (1940) ''The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names''; 2nd ed. Oxford: Clarendon Press; p. 327 citing Whitelock, Dorothy, ed. ''Anglo-Saxon Wills''. Cambridge, 1930</ref>
| lord_lieutenant_office  = Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk
| lord_lieutenant_name    = The Lady Dannatt MBE
| high_sheriff_office     = High Sheriff of Norfolk
| high_sheriff_name       = Georgina Roberts (Lady Roberts of Swaffham)<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/62943/page/5161 |publisher=The London Gazette |title=No.62943 |issue=62943 |page=5161 |date=13 March 2020 |access-date=30 November 2020 |archive-date=29 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029195205/https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/62943/page/5161 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/new-high-sheriff-of-norfolk-announced-as-cockley-cley-hall-resident-9104899/ |title=New High Sheriff of Norfolk announced as Cockley Cley Hall resident |date=31 March 2020 |publisher=Lynn News |access-date=30 November 2020 |archive-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011184001/https://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/new-high-sheriff-of-norfolk-announced-as-cockley-cley-hall-resident-9104899/ |url-status=live }}</ref> (2020–21)
| area_total_km2          = {{English cerem counties|ARE=Norfolk}}
| area_total_rank         = 5th
| statistics_date         =
| ethnicity               = 96.5% white<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolkinsight.org.uk/jsna/population |title=Population and demography overview |publisher=Norfolk Insight |access-date=13 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219035341/http://www.norfolkinsight.org.uk/jsna/population |archive-date=19 February 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| county_council          = [[Norfolk County Council]]
| executive               = Labour
| admin_hq                = [[Norwich]]
| area_council_km2        = 5372
| area_council_rank       =
| iso_code                = GB-NFK
| gss_code                = E10000020
| nuts_code               = TLH13
| districts_map           = [[File:Norfolk numbered districts.svg|200px]]
| districts_key           =
| districts_list          =
#[[Norwich]]
#[[South Norfolk]]
#[[Great Yarmouth (borough)|Great Yarmouth]]
#[[Broadland]]
#[[North Norfolk]]
#[[King's Lynn and West Norfolk]]
#[[Breckland District|Breckland]]
| MPs                     = [[List of parliamentary constituencies in Norfolk|9 MPs]]
| police                  = [[Norfolk Constabulary]]
| website                 = {{URL|norfolk.gov.uk}}
|image_main={{multiple images|border=infobox|perrow=1 2|total_width=270px
| image1 = Cley_windmill,_from_Beach_Road,_Cley_next_the_Sea_-_geograph.org.uk_-_3005259_(cropped).jpg
| image2 = Kings Lynn Guild Hall (geograph 4626827).jpg
| image3 = Norwich Cathedral - The Tower and Spire.jpg
}}|image_caption='''Clockwise from top''': [[Cley next the Sea]] and its [[Cley Windmill|windmill]]; [[Norwich Cathedral]]; and the [[King's Lynn Guildhall|Guildhall]], [[King's Lynn]], showing Norfolk [[flint]] [[flushwork]]}}
'''Norfolk''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|n|ɔr|f|ə|k}} {{respell|NOR|fək}}) is a [[Ceremonial counties of England|ceremonial county]] in the [[East of England]] and [[East Anglia]]. It borders [[Lincolnshire]] and [[The Wash]] to the north-west, the [[North Sea]] to the north and east, [[Cambridgeshire]] to the west, and [[Suffolk]] to the south. The largest settlement is the city of [[Norwich]].
The county has an area of {{cvt|2074|mi2|km2}} and a population of 859,400. It is largely rural with few large towns: after Norwich (147,895), the largest settlements are [[King's Lynn]] (42,800) in the north-west, [[Great Yarmouth]] (38,693) in the east, and [[Thetford]] (24,340) in the south. For local government purposes Norfolk is a [[non-metropolitan county]] with seven districts.
The west of Norfolk is part of [[the Fens]], an extremely flat former marsh. The centre of the county is gently undulating lowland; its [[Norfolk Coast AONB|northern coast]] is an [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty|area of outstanding natural beauty]], and in the south is part of [[Thetford Forest]]. In the east are [[the Broads]], a network of rivers and lakes which extend into Suffolk. The area is protected by the [[Broads Authority]] and has similar status to a [[National parks of England and Wales|national park]]. The geology of the county includes clay and chalk deposits, which make its coast susceptible to erosion.
There is evidence of Prehistoric settlement in Norfolk. In the [[Roman Britain|Roman]] era the region was home to the [[Iceni]], whose leader [[Boudica]] led a [[Boudican revolt|major revolt]] in AD60. The [[Angles (tribe)|Angles]] settled the area in the fifth century, and it became part of the [[Kingdom of East Anglia]]. During the later Middle Ages the county was very prosperous and heavily involved in the [[Medieval English wool trade|wool trade]]; this allowed the construction of [[Wool church|many large churches]]. In 1549 Norfolk was the scene of [[Kett's Rebellion]], which unsuccessfully protested the [[enclosure]] of land. The county was not heavily industrialised during the [[Industrial Revolution]], and Norwich lost its status as one of England's largest cities. The contemporary economy is largely based on agriculture and tourism.
==History==
{{Main|Prehistoric Norfolk|History of Norfolk}}
The area that was to become Norfolk was settled in pre-Roman times (there were Palaeolithic settlers as early as 950,000 years ago), with camps along the higher land in the west, where [[flint]]s could be quarried.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolkbroads.com/guide/history.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829164357/http://www.norfolkbroads.com/guide/history.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 August 2008 |title=Broads History Guide Norfolk UK |access-date=23 September 2017}}</ref> A [[Celtic Britons|Brittonic]] tribe, the [[Iceni]], emerged in the 1st century [[Anno Domini|BC]]. The Iceni revolted against the [[Roman invasion of Britain|Roman invasion]] in AD 47, and again in 60 led by [[Boudica]]. The crushing of the second rebellion opened the area to the Romans. During the [[Roman Norfolk|Roman era]] roads and ports were constructed throughout the area and farming was widespread.
Situated on the east coast, the homelands of the Iceni were vulnerable to attacks from continental Europe and other parts of Britain, and forts were built to defend against raids by the [[Saxons]] and the [[Picts]]. A period of depopulation, which may have been due to these threats, seems to have followed the departure of the Romans.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dark |first=Ken R. |title=Large-scale population movements into and from Britain south of Hadrian's Wall in the fourth to sixth centuries AD |url=https://www.reading.ac.uk/web/files/GCMS/RMS-2003-03_K._R._Dark%2C_Large-scale_population_movements_into_and_from_Britan_south_of_Hadrian%27s_Wall_in_the_fourth_to_sixth_centuries_AD.pdf |access-date=18 June 2020 |archive-date=1 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601080017/https://www.reading.ac.uk/web/files/GCMS/RMS-2003-03_K._R._Dark%2C_Large-scale_population_movements_into_and_from_Britan_south_of_Hadrian%27s_Wall_in_the_fourth_to_sixth_centuries_AD.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> Soon afterward, Germanic peoples from the North Sea area settled in the region. Though they became known as [[Angles (tribe)|Angles]], they were likely not affiliated to any tribe in particular at the time of their migration. It is thought that the settlement here was early (possibly beginning at the start of the fifth century, thereby preceding the alleged date of [[Hengist and Horsa]]'s arrival in Kent) and that it occurred on a large scale.<ref>Toby F. Martin, ''The Cruciform Brooch and Anglo-Saxon England'', Boydell and Brewer Press (2015), pp. 174–178</ref><ref>Catherine Hills, "The Anglo-Saxon Migration: An Archaeological Case Study of Disruption," in ''Migrations and Disruptions'', ed. Brenda J. Baker and Takeyuki Tsuda, pp. 45–48</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Coates |first=Richard |title=Celtic whispers: revisiting the problems of the relation between Brittonic and Old English |url=https://ul.qucosa.de/api/qucosa%3A31804/attachment/ATT-0/ |access-date=18 June 2020 |archive-date=13 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813224714/https://ul.qucosa.de/api/qucosa:31804/attachment/ATT-0/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
By the 5th century the Angles had established control of the region and later became the "north folk" and the "south folk"; hence "Norfolk" and "[[Suffolk]]". Norfolk, Suffolk and several adjacent areas became the kingdom of East Anglia (one of the [[heptarchy]]), which later merged with [[Mercia]] and then with [[Wessex]]. The influence of the early English settlers can be seen in the many place names ending in "-ham", "-ingham" and "-ton". Endings such as "-by" and "-thorpe" are also fairly common, indicating Danish toponyms: in the 9th century the region again came under attack, this time from [[Danes (Germanic tribe)|Danes]] who killed the king, [[Edmund the Martyr]]. Several place names around the Fenland area contain Celtic elements;<ref>Susan Oosthuizen, ''The Anglo-Saxon Fenland'' (2017), pp. 42–43</ref> this has been taken by some scholars to represent a possibly significant concentration of Britons in the area.
In the centuries before the [[Norman Conquest]] the wetlands of the east of the county began to be converted to farmland, and settlements grew in these areas. Migration into East Anglia must have been high: by the time of the [[Domesday Book]] survey it was one of the most densely populated parts of the [[British Isles]]. During the high and late [[Middle Ages]] the county developed arable agriculture and woollen industries. Norfolk's prosperity at that time is evident from the county's large number of medieval churches: out of an original total of over one thousand some 659 have survived, more than in any other county in Britain and the greatest concentration in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.geograph.org.uk/article/Medieval-Churches-in-Norfolk |title=Medieval Churches in Norfolk :: Geograph Britain and Ireland |publisher=Geograph.org.uk |date=24 September 2010 |access-date=25 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927144616/http://www.geograph.org.uk/article/Medieval-Churches-in-Norfolk |archive-date=27 September 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The economy was in decline by the time of the [[Black Death]], which dramatically reduced the population in 1349.
[[File:Suffolcia Atlas.jpg|thumb|168x168px|Hand-drawn map of Suffolk by Christopher Saxton from 1573]]
[[Kett's Rebellion]] occurred in Norfolk during the reign of [[Edward VI]], largely in response to the enclosure of land by landlords, leaving peasants with nowhere to graze their animals, and to the general abuses of power by the nobility. It was led by [[Robert Kett]], a yeoman farmer, who was joined by recruits from Norwich and the surrounding countryside. His group numbered some 16,000 by the time the rebels stormed Norwich on 29 July 1549 and took the city. Kett's rebellion ended on 27 August when the rebels were defeated by an army under the leadership of [[John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland]] at the Battle of Dussindale. Some 3,000 rebels were killed. Kett was captured, held in the Tower of London, tried for treason, and hanged from the walls of Norwich Castle.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.britainexpress.com/History/tudor/ketts-rebellion.htm |title=Kett's Rebellion |work=britainexpress.com |access-date=22 April 2022 |archive-date=8 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708183620/https://www.britainexpress.com/History/tudor/ketts-rebellion.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[http://www.tudorplace.com.ar/Documents/robert_ket_and_the_norfolk_risin.htm Robert Ket and the Norfolk Rising]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2019/may/20/radicalism-rebellion-and-robert-kett-a-walk-through-norwichs-history |title=Radicalism, rebellion and Robert Kett: a walk through Norwich's history |work=The Guardian |last=McGregor |first=Jon |date=20 May 2019 |access-date=22 April 2022 |archive-date=8 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708183615/https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2019/may/20/radicalism-rebellion-and-robert-kett-a-walk-through-norwichs-history |url-status=live }}</ref>
By the late 16th century Norwich had grown to become the second-largest city in England, but over one-third of its population died in the [[Plague (disease)|plague]] epidemic of 1579,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/voices/voices_salisbury.shtml |title=Voices of the Powerless: Boils and Buboes |date=29 August 2002 |publisher=BBC Radio 4 |access-date=3 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106110053/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/voices/voices_salisbury.shtml |archive-date=6 January 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> and in 1665 the [[Great Plague of London|Great Plague]] again killed around one-third of the population.<ref>{{cite web |author=4Seen web construction, Judi Ingram |url=http://www.about-norfolk.com/about/county/norfolk%20history.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030101014636/http://www.about-norfolk.com/about/county/norfolk%20history.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 January 2003 |title=About the History of Norfolk |access-date=23 September 2017}}</ref> During the [[English Civil War]] Norfolk was largely [[Roundheads|Parliamentarian]]. The economy and agriculture of the region declined somewhat. During the [[Industrial Revolution]] Norfolk developed little industry, except in Norwich, which was a late addition to the railway network.
Early military units included the [[Norfolk Militia]]. In the 20th century the county developed a role in aviation. The first development in airfields came with the [[First World War]]; there was then a massive expansion during the [[Second World War]] with the growth of the [[Royal Air Force]] and the influx of the American USAAF [[8th Air Force]] which operated from many [[Norfolk Airfields|Norfolk airfields]].
[[File:Norfolk_boundary.jpg|thumb|Entrance to Norfolk at Walsoken, Wisbech on the Cambridgeshire and Norfolk county boundary]]
The local [[British Army]] regiments included the [[Royal Norfolk Regiment]] (now the [[Royal Anglian Regiment]]) and the [[Norfolk Yeomanry]].
[[File:Norfolk flag.png|thumb|The flag of the historic county of Norfolk]]
During the Second World War agriculture rapidly intensified, and it has remained very intensive since, with the establishment of large fields for growing cereals and [[rapeseed|oilseed rape]].
==Economy and industry==
In 1998 Norfolk had a [[Gross Domestic Product]] of [[pound sterling|£]]9,319&nbsp;million, which represents 1.5% of England's economy and 1.25% of the United Kingdom's economy. The GDP per head was £11,825, compared to £13,635 for East Anglia, £12,845 for England and £12,438 for the United Kingdom. In 1999–2000 the county had an unemployment rate of 5.6%, compared to 5.8% for England and 6.0% for the UK.<ref>Office for National Statistics, 2001. [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_compendia/regional_trends_2001/rt36.pdf Regional Trends 26] {{webarchive |url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20031222031333/http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_compendia/regional_trends_2001/rt36.pdf |date=22 December 2003 }} ch:14.7 (PDF). Accessed 3 January 2006.</ref>
Data from 2017 provided a useful update on the county's economy. The median hourly gross pay was £12.17 and the median weekly pay was £496.80; on a per year basis, the median gross income was £25,458. The employment rate among persons aged 16 to 64 was 74.2% while the unemployment rate was 4.6%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolkinsight.org.uk/economy-employment |date=1 July 2018 |title=Norfolk's economy and employment |publisher=Norfolk Insight |access-date=13 January 2019 |archive-date=14 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114100536/http://www.norfolkinsight.org.uk/economy-employment |url-status=live }}</ref> The Norfolk economy was "treading water with manufacturing sales and recruitment remaining static in the first quarter of the year" according to research published in April 2018. A spokesperson for the
Norfolk Chamber of Commerce made this comment: "At a time when Norfolk firms face steep up-front costs, the apprenticeship system is in crisis, roads are being allowed to crumble, mobile phone and broadband 'not-spots' are multiplying, it's obvious that the key to improved productivity and competitiveness lies in getting the basics right". The solution was seen as a need for the UK government to provide "a far stronger domestic economic agenda ... to fix the fundamentals needed for business to thrive here..."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.edp24.co.uk/business/norfolk-economy-stalling-chamber-commerce-1-5475930 |date=13 April 2018 |title=Norfolk economy shows signs of stagnation in latest Chamber survey |publisher=EDP 24 |access-date=13 January 2019 |archive-date=14 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114153303/https://www.edp24.co.uk/business/norfolk-economy-stalling-chamber-commerce-1-5475930 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2017, tourism was adding £3.25&nbsp;billion to the economy per year and supported some 65,000 jobs, being the fifth most important employment in Norfolk. The visitor economy had increased in value by more than £500&nbsp;million since 2012.
<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.edp24.co.uk/business/visit-norfolk-tourism-industry-2017-record-breaking-1-5700487 |date=18 September 2018 |title=Norfolk tourism breaks records in 2017 for visitor numbers and economic value |access-date=13 January 2019 |archive-date=14 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114153236/https://www.edp24.co.uk/business/visit-norfolk-tourism-industry-2017-record-breaking-1-5700487 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Important business sectors also include energy (oil, gas and renewables), advanced engineering and manufacturing, and food and farming.
Much of Norfolk's fairly flat and fertile land has been drained for use as [[arable land]]. The principal arable crops are [[sugar beet]], wheat, [[barley]] (for brewing) and [[oil seed rape]]. The county also boasts a [[saffron]] grower.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolksaffron.co.uk/ |title=Home |publisher=Norfolk Saffron |access-date=13 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615092112/http://www.norfolksaffron.co.uk/ |archive-date=15 June 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Over 20% of employment in the county is in the agricultural and food industries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.investinnorfolk.com/industry/display.jsp?dyn=industry_sector.20030625100834 |title=Welcome to Locate Norfolk " Locate:Norfolk |publisher=Investinnorfolk.com |access-date=13 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060512163227/http://www.investinnorfolk.com/industry/display.jsp?dyn=industry_sector.20030625100834 |archive-date=12 May 2006}}</ref>
Well-known companies in Norfolk are [[Aviva]] (formerly [[Norwich Union]]), [[Colman's]] (part of [[Unilever]]), [[Lotus Cars]] and [[Bernard Matthews Farms]]. The [[Construction Industry Training Board]] is based on the former airfield of [[RAF Bircham Newton]]. Brewer Greene King, food producer Cranswick and feed supplier {{Ill|ForFarmers|nl}} were seeing growth in 2016–2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.edp24.co.uk/business/the-top-100-the-power-list-of-norfolk-and-suffolk-s-biggest-companies-is-revealed-1-5031918 |date=24 May 2017 |title=The Top 100: The power list of Norfolk and Suffolk's biggest companies is revealed |publisher=EDP 24 |access-date=13 January 2019 |archive-date=14 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114153249/https://www.edp24.co.uk/business/the-top-100-the-power-list-of-norfolk-and-suffolk-s-biggest-companies-is-revealed-1-5031918 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
A [[local enterprise partnership]] was being established by business leaders to help grow jobs across Norfolk and Suffolk. They secured an [[enterprise zone]] to help grow businesses in the energy sector, and established the two counties as a centre for growing services and products for the [[green economy]].
To help local industry in Norwich, the local council offered a wireless internet service, but this was subsequently withdrawn as funding had ceased.<ref name="archive1">{{cite web |url=http://www.ucs.ac.uk/SchoolsAndNetwork/Ourcampusnetwork/UCSGreatYarmouth/UCS%20Great%20Yarmouth.aspx |title=UCS Great Yarmouth |date=24 September 2013 |access-date=18 May 2016 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130924203006/http://www.ucs.ac.uk/SchoolsAndNetwork/Ourcampusnetwork/UCSGreatYarmouth/UCS%20Great%20Yarmouth.aspx |archive-date=24 September 2013}}</ref>
The fishery business still continued in 2018, with individuals such as John Lee, a fifth generation crabman, who sells Cromer Crabs to eateries such as M Restaurants and the Blueprint Café. The problem that he has found is attracting young people to this small industry which calls for working many hours per week during the season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cromer crab fisherman shortage as young people 'won't stick at it' |date=28 August 2018 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/08/29/cromer-crab-fisherman-shortage-young-people-wont-stick/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/08/29/cromer-crab-fisherman-shortage-young-people-wont-stick/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Telegraph |access-date=12 January 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Lobster trapping also continued in North Norfolk, around [[Sheringham]] and [[Cromer]], for example.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.visitnorfolk.co.uk/inspire/a-z-lobsters-and-crabs.aspx |date=1 March 2018 |title=L IS FOR LOBSTERS AND CRABS |publisher=Visit Norfolk |access-date=13 January 2019 |quote=the chalk reef – which is just 200 metres off the shoreline and up to 20 miles long – is so important |archive-date=14 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114153324/https://www.visitnorfolk.co.uk/inspire/a-z-lobsters-and-crabs.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Management of the shoreline===
Norfolk's low-lying land and easily eroded cliffs, many of which are composed of chalk and clay, make it vulnerable to weathering by the sea. The most recent major erosion event occurred during the [[North Sea flood of 1953]].
The low-lying section of coast between [[Kelling]] and [[Lowestoft Ness]] in Suffolk is currently managed by the British [[Environment Agency]] to protect the Broads from sea flooding. Management policy for the North Norfolk coastline is described in the "North Norfolk Shoreline Management Plan" published in 2006, but has yet{{when|date=May 2024}} to be accepted by local authorities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.north-norfolk.gov.uk/coastal/default_5265.asp |title=Shoreline Management Plan |publisher=north-norfolk.org |date=22 February 2008 |access-date=15 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080608020113/http://www.north-norfolk.gov.uk/coastal/default_5265.asp <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=8 June 2008}}</ref> The Shoreline Management Plan states that the stretch of coast will be protected for at least another 50 years, but that in the event of [[sea level rise]] and [[post-glacial rebound|post-glacial lowering]] of land levels in the South East, there may a need for further research to inform future management decisions, including the possibility that the [[Coastal management|sea defences]] may have to be [[managed retreat|realigned]] to a more sustainable position. [[Natural England]] have contributed some research into the impacts on the environment of various realignment options. The draft report of their research was leaked to the press, who created great anxiety by reporting that Natural England plan to abandon a large section of the Norfolk Broads, villages and farmland to the sea to save the rest of the Norfolk coastline from the impact of any adverse [[climate change]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article3642929.ece |work=The Times |location=London |title=Climate change: surrender a slab of Norfolk, say conservationists |first=Valerie |last=Elliott |date=29 March 2008 |access-date=14 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601124846/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article3642929.ece |archive-date=1 June 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
== Media ==
=== Television ===
The county is covered by [[BBC East]] and [[ITV Anglia]], which both broadcast from Norwich. Television signals are received from the [[Tacolneston transmitting station|Tacolneston]] TV transmitter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Tacolneston|title= Full Freeview on the Tacolneston (Norfolk, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=29 February 2024}}</ref> However, northwestern parts of Norfolk including [[King's Lynn]], [[Hunstanton]] and [[Wells-next-the-Sea]] are covered by [[BBC Yorkshire and Lincolnshire]], broadcasting from [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]], and [[ITV Yorkshire]], which broadcast from [[Leeds]]. The area receives its television signals from the [[Belmont transmitting station|Belmont]] TV transmitter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Belmont|title=Belmont (Lincolnshire, England) Full Freeview transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=29 February 2024}}</ref>
=== Radio ===
[[BBC Local Radio]] for the county is served by [[BBC Radio Norfolk]]. County-wide commercial radio stations are [[Heart East]], [[Greatest Hits Radio East]], [[Amber Radio]], and [[Kiss 105-108|Kiss]]. Community based stations are [[Future Radio]] (serving Norwich), Harbour Radio (for [[Great Yarmouth]]),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Radio |first=Harbour |title=Harbour Radio |url=https://harbourradio.co.uk/ |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=Harbour Radio |language=en-US}}</ref> KL1 Radio (covering [[North West Norfolk]]) <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://kl1radio.co.uk/ |title=KL1 Radio |access-date= 29 February 2024}}</ref> and Poppyland Community Radio (serving [[North Norfolk]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.northnorfolknews.co.uk/news/22788019.new-radio-station-launch-north-norfolk/|title=New radio station to launch in north Norfolk|first= Stuart|last=Anderson|date=3 February 2022 |website=North Norfolk News|accessdate=29 February 2024}}</ref>
=== Newspapers ===
Norfolk is served by these local newspapers:
* ''[[Eastern Daily Press]]'' (county-wide)
* ''[[Norwich Evening News]]'' ([[Norwich]])
* ''[[Great Yarmouth Mercury]]'' ([[Great Yarmouth]])
* ''[[Lynn News]]'' (King's Lynn & Hunstanton)
* ''[[Diss Express]]'' ([[Diss, Norfolk|Diss]])
* ''[[North Norfolk News]]'' ([[North Norfolk]])
==Education==
===Primary and secondary education===
{{See also|List of schools in Norfolk}}
Before 2011, Norfolk had a completely [[Comprehensive school|comprehensive state education]] or "maintained" system managed by [[Norfolk County Council]], with secondary school age from 11 to 16 or in some schools with [[sixth form]]s, 18 years old.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/children-and-families/send-local-offer/education-and-training-0-25/schools/types-of-school |title=Types of school – Norfolk County Council |website=www.norfolk.gov.uk |access-date=10 December 2019 |archive-date=10 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210132805/https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/children-and-families/send-local-offer/education-and-training-0-25/schools/types-of-school |url-status=live }}</ref> Since then, a number of schools formerly in the "maintained" system have left it to become [[Academy (English school)|academies]], or members of academy groups. Others have become [[Free school (England)|free schools]]. Both academies and free schools are still publicly funded by the Department of Education but are not with county council management.
In many of the rural areas, there is no nearby sixth form, and so [[sixth form college]]s are found in larger towns. There are twelve [[Private schools in the United Kingdom|private]], or private schools, including [[Gresham's School]] in [[Holt, Norfolk|Holt]] in the north of the county, [[Thetford Grammar School]] in [[Thetford]], which is [[List of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom|Britain's fifth oldest extant school]], [[Langley School, Loddon|Langley School]] in [[Loddon, Norfolk|Loddon]], and several in the city of Norwich, including [[Norwich School]] and [[Norwich High School for Girls]]. The King's Lynn district has the largest school population. Norfolk is also home to [[Wymondham College]], the UK's largest remaining state [[boarding school]].
===Tertiary education===
The [[University of East Anglia]] is located on the outskirts of Norwich, and [[Norwich University of the Arts]] is based in seven buildings in and around St George's Street in the city centre, next to the [[River Wensum]].
The [[City College Norwich]] and the [[College of West Anglia]] are colleges covering Norwich and King's Lynn as well as Norfolk as a whole. [[Easton & Otley College]], {{cvt|7|mi|km}} west of Norwich, provides agriculture-based courses for the county, parts of [[Suffolk]], and nationally.
The [[University of Suffolk]] also runs higher education courses in Norfolk, from multiple locations including [[Great Yarmouth College]].<ref name="archive1"/>
==Politics==
===Local===
[[File:Norfolk UK local election results 2011 map.svg|thumbnail|right|Ward-by-ward map of the 2011 local district election results]]
[[File:Norfolk County Council election 2013 map.svg|thumbnail|right|Map of the 2013 Norfolk County Council election results]]
Norfolk is administered by Norfolk County Council, which is the top tier local government authority, based at County Hall in Norwich. For details of the authority click on the link [[Norfolk County Council]].
Below Norfolk County Council the county is divided into seven second tier district councils: [[Breckland (district)|Breckland District]], [[Broadland|Broadland District]], [[Great Yarmouth (borough)|Great Yarmouth Borough]], [[King's Lynn and West Norfolk|King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough]], [[North Norfolk|North Norfolk District]], [[Norwich|Norwich City]] and [[South Norfolk|South Norfolk District]].
Below the second tier councils the majority of the county is divided into parish and town councils, the lowest tier of local government (the only exceptions being parts of Norwich and King's Lynn urban areas).
Currently the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] control five of the seven district councils: [[Breckland District]], [[Broadland|Broadland District]], [[King's Lynn and West Norfolk|King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough]], [[Borough of Great Yarmouth|Great Yarmouth Borough]] and [[South Norfolk District]] while [[Norwich|Norwich City]] is controlled by the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] and [[North Norfolk|North Norfolk District]] by the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]].
[[Norfolk County Council]] has been under [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] control since 2017. There have been two periods when the council has not been run by the Conservative Party, both when no party had overall control, these were 1993–2001 and 2013–2017.
[[File:Arms of Norfolk.svg|thumb|The coat of arms of Norfolk County Council]]
For the full county council election results for 2017 and previous elections click on the link [[Norfolk County Council elections]].
===National===
The county is divided into ten parliamentary constituencies, with Waveney Valley straddling the border with Suffolk:
{|class="wikitable"
!Constituency!!Elected in 2024
|-
|[[Broadland (UK Parliament constituency)|Broadland and Fakenham]]||[[Jerome Mayhew]] ([[Conservative]])
|-
|[[Great Yarmouth (UK Parliament constituency)|Great Yarmouth]]||[[Rupert Lowe]] ([[Reform UK]])
|-
|[[Norwich North (UK Parliament constituency)|Norwich North]]||[[Alice Macdonald]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]])
|-
|[[Norwich South (UK Parliament constituency)|Norwich South]]||[[Clive Lewis (politician)|Clive Lewis]] (Labour)
|-
|[[North Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|North Norfolk]]||[[Steffan Aquarone]] ([[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]])
|-
|[[South Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|South Norfolk]]||[[Ben Goldsborough]] (Labour)
|-
|[[Mid Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|Mid Norfolk]]||[[George Freeman (politician)|George Freeman]] (Conservative)
|-
|[[North West Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|North West Norfolk]]||[[James Wild (politician)|James Wild]] (Conservative)
|-
|[[South West Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|South West Norfolk]]||[[Terry Jermy]] (Labour)
|-
|[[Waveney Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Waveney Valley]]||[[Adrian Ramsay]] ([[Green Party of England and Wales|Green Party]])
|}
In the [[1945 United Kingdom general election]], all seats in Norfolk were won by the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] and the [[National Liberal Party (UK, 1931)|National Liberal Party]].
In the 2010 General Election seven seats were held by the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]]s and two by the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]]. The [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] no longer held the urban constituencies they once held in Norwich North and Great Yarmouth, leaving them with no MP's in the whole of [[East Anglia]]; the former Labour [[Home Secretary]] [[Charles Clarke]] was a high level casualty of that election.
In the 2015 General Election seven seats were won by the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]], with [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] winning Norwich South and the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] winning North Norfolk.
In the 2017 General Election the 2015 result was repeated.
In the 2024 General Election, Norfolk became the only county in the United Kingdom to be represented by MPs from five different parties.
===Norwich Unitary Authority dispute (2006–2010)===
In October 2006, the [[Department for Communities and Local Government]] produced a Local Government White Paper inviting councils to submit proposals for unitary restructuring. In January 2007 Norwich submitted its proposal, but this was rejected in December 2007 as it did not meet the criteria for acceptance. In February 2008, the [[Boundary Committee for England]] (from 1 April 2010 incorporated in the [[Local Government Boundary Commission for England]]) was asked to consider alternative proposals for the whole or part of Norfolk, including whether Norwich should become a [[unitary authority]], separate from Norfolk County Council. In December 2009, the Boundary Committee recommended a single unitary authority covering all of Norfolk, including Norwich.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/consumption/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=3679 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801125709/http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/consumption/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=3679 |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 August 2008 |title=Local Government White Paper, Strong and Prosperous Communities |publisher=Norfolk County Council |access-date=10 September 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.norwich.gov.uk/site_files/pages/City_Council__Unitary_Council__The_business_case.html |title=The business case for unitary Norwich |publisher=Norwich City Council |access-date=13 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207121634/http://www.norwich.gov.uk/site_files/pages/City_Council__Unitary_Council__The_business_case.html |archive-date=7 December 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1509022 |title=Proposals for future unitary structures: Stakeholder consultation |publisher=[[Communities and Local Government]] |access-date=13 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823153938/http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1509022 |archive-date=23 August 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lgbce.org.uk/__documents/lgbce-documents/draftfinal-reports-and-consultation-papers/2009/norfolk-sr-final-dec09.pdf |title=Our advice to the Secretary of State on unitary local government in Norfolk (PDF Document) |publisher=The Boundary Committee |date=7 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111080052/http://www.lgbce.org.uk/__documents/lgbce-documents/draftfinal-reports-and-consultation-papers/2009/norfolk-sr-final-dec09.pdf |archive-date=11 January 2012}}</ref>
However, on 10 February 2010, it was announced that, contrary to the December 2009 recommendation of the Boundary Committee, Norwich would be given separate unitary status.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/localgovernment/1463780 |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100304114510/http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/localgovernment/1463780 |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 March 2010 |title=Minister's Statement of 10 February 2010 |publisher=[[Communities and Local Government]] |access-date=13 February 2010}}</ref> The proposed change was strongly resisted, principally by Norfolk County Council and the Conservative opposition in Parliament.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090224/halltext/90224h0001.htm |title=Unitary Authorities |date=24 February 2009 |work=House of Commons Hansard Debates |publisher=[[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] |access-date=13 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100424123857/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090224/halltext/90224h0001.htm |archive-date=24 April 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> Reacting to the announcement, Norfolk County Council issued a statement that it would seek leave to challenge the decision in the courts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/consumption/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&ssDocName=NCC074317&ssSourceNodeId=&ssTargetNodeId=3018 |title=Reaction to announcement on Local Government Reorganisation Announcement |date=10 February 2010 |work=News Archive |publisher=Norfolk County Council |access-date=13 February 2010}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> A letter was leaked to the local media in which the Permanent Secretary for the Department for Communities and Local Government noted that the decision did not meet all the criteria and that the risk of it "being successfully challenged in judicial review proceedings is very high".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Peter Housden's letter in full |newspaper=[[Eastern Daily Press]] |date=12 February 2010 |url=http://www.edp24.co.uk/content/edp24/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=NewsSplash&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=xDefault&itemid=NOED11%20Feb%202010%2020%3A18%3A28%3A560}}</ref> The Shadow Local Government and Planning Minister, [[Bob Neill]], stated that should the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] win the [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010 general election]], they would reverse the decision.<ref name=edp2feb>{{Cite news |title=At last, a verdict on Norfolk councils' future |author=Shaun Lowthorpe |newspaper=[[Eastern Daily Press]] |date=2 February 2010 |url=http://www.edp24.co.uk/content/edp24/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=NewsSplash&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=xDefault&itemid=NOED02+Feb+2010+09%3A25%3A04%3A570}}</ref>
Following the [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010 general election]], [[Eric Jack Pickles|Eric Pickles]] was appointed [[Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government]] on 12 May 2010 in a [[Cameron–Clegg coalition|Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition government]]. According to press reports, he instructed his department to take urgent steps to reverse the decision and maintain the status quo in line with the Conservative Party manifesto.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Government chief moves to axe Norwich unitary plans |first=Shaun |last=Lowthorpe |newspaper=[[Eastern Daily Press]] |date=14 May 2010 |url=http://www.edp24.co.uk/content/edp24/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=xDefault&itemid=NOED13%20May%202010%2019%3A12%3A43%3A450}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/159177711 |title=Pickles stops unitary councils in Exeter, Norwich and Suffolk |publisher=Department for Communities and Local Government |access-date=25 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100530091541/http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/159177711 |archive-date=30 May 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> However, the unitary plans were supported by the Liberal Democrat group on the city council, and by [[Simon Wright (politician)|Simon Wright]], LibDem MP for [[Norwich South (UK Parliament constituency)|Norwich South]], who intended to lobby the party leadership to allow the changes to go ahead.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/new-bid-to-end-unitary-plans-1-472147 |title=New bid to end unitary plans |date=30 June 2010 |website=[[Great Yarmouth Mercury]] |language=en |access-date=15 February 2019 |archive-date=15 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215175844/https://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/new-bid-to-end-unitary-plans-1-472147 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The [[Local Government Act 2010]] to reverse the unitary decision for Norwich (and Exeter and Suffolk) received Royal Assent on 16 December 2010. The disputed award of unitary status had meanwhile been referred to the [[High Court of Justice|High Court]], and on 21 June 2010 the court ([[Mr. Justice Ouseley]], judge) ruled it unlawful, and revoked it. The city has therefore failed to attain unitary status, and the two-tier arrangement of County and District Councils (with Norwich City Council counted among the latter) remains as of 2017.<ref>{{cite news |title=September by-elections for Exeter and Norwich |work=BBC News |access-date=19 July 2010 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-10687867 |date=19 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100724060449/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-10687867 |archive-date=24 July 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Emergency services==
*[[Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service]]
*[[East of England Ambulance Service]]
*[[East Anglian Air Ambulance]]
*[[Norfolk Constabulary]]
*[[British Transport Police]]
*[[HM Coastguard]]
==Settlements==
{{see also|List of places in Norfolk|List of settlements in Norfolk by population}}
[[File:Flag of Norwich.svg|thumb|Flag of Norwich]]
Norfolk's county town and only [[city status in the United Kingdom|city]] is [[Norwich]], one of the largest settlements in England during the [[Normans|Norman era]]. Norwich is home to the [[University of East Anglia]], and is the county's main business and culture centre. Other principal towns include the port town of [[King's Lynn]] and the seaside resort and Broads gateway town of [[Great Yarmouth]].
Based on the 2011 Census<ref name="BUA">{{cite web |title=2011 Census – Built-up areas |url=http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/articles/747.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921045319/http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/articles/747.aspx |archive-date=21 September 2013 |access-date=7 August 2013 |publisher=[[Office for National Statistics|ONS]] |df=dmy-all}}</ref> the county's largest centres of population are:
[[Norwich]] (213,166),
[[Great Yarmouth]] (63,434),
[[King's Lynn]] (46,093),
[[Thetford, Norfolk|Thetford]] (24,883),
[[Dereham]] (20,651),
[[Wymondham]] (13,587),
[[North Walsham]] (12,463),
[[Attleborough]] (10,549),
[[Downham Market]] (9,994),
[[Diss, Norfolk|Diss]] (9,829),
[[Fakenham]] (8,285),
[[Cromer]] (7,749),
[[Sheringham]] (7,367)
and [[Swaffham]] (7,258).
There are also several smaller [[market town]]s: [[Aylsham]] (6,016), [[Harleston, Norfolk|Harleston]] (4,458) and [[Holt, Norfolk|Holt]] (3,810).
Much of the county remains rural in nature and Norfolk is believed to have around [[List of lost settlements in Norfolk|200 lost settlements]] which have been largely or totally depopulated since the medieval period. These include places lost to coastal erosion, agricultural [[enclosure]], depopulation and the establishment of the [[Stanford Training Area]] in 1940.
==Transport==
{{Further|Railways in Norfolk|List of airports in Norfolk}}
=== Roads ===
[[File:Holt railway station heritage 2022.jpg|thumb|[[Holt railway station]]]]
Norfolk is one of the few counties in England that does not have a motorway. The [[A11 road (Great Britain)|A11]] connects Norfolk to [[Cambridge]] and London, via the [[M11 motorway (Great Britain)|M11]]. From the west, there are only two routes from Norfolk that provide a direct link with the [[A1 road (Great Britain)|A1]]: the [[A47 road (Great Britain)|A47]] to the [[East Midlands]] and [[Birmingham]], via [[Peterborough, Cambridgeshire|Peterborough]], and the [[A17 road (Great Britain)|A17]] to the East Midlands, via [[Lincolnshire]]. These two routes both meet at [[King's Lynn]], which is also the starting point of the [[A10 road (Great Britain)|A10]], providing West Norfolk with a direct link with London, via [[Ely, Cambridgeshire|Ely]], Cambridge and [[Hertford]].
[[File:Norwich Railway Station Platforms.jpg|thumb|[[Norwich railway station]]]]
===Railways===
There are two main railway lines that link Norfolk with London. The [[Great Eastern Main Line]] hosts inter-city services from {{rws|Norwich}} to [[Liverpool Street Station|Liverpool Street]], via {{rws|Ipswich}} and {{rws|Colchester}}. The [[Fen line]] provides regular services between {{rws|King's Lynn}} and [[London King's Cross railway station|King's Cross]], via {{rws|Ely}} and {{rws|Cambridge}}.
In addition, the [[Breckland line]] provides access from Norwich and {{rws|Thetford}} to destinations to the west including {{rws|Peterborough}}, {{rws|Nottingham}}, {{rws|Sheffield}}, [[Manchester Piccadilly railway station|Manchester]] and [[Liverpool Lime Street railway station|Liverpool]].
===Air===
[[Norwich International Airport]] provides flights to various European destinations, including a link to [[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol|Amsterdam]] which offers onward flights throughout the world.
==Dialect, accent and nickname==
{{Main|Norfolk dialect}}
The Norfolk dialect is also known as "Broad Norfolk", although over the modern age much of the vocabulary and many of the phrases have died out due to a number of factors, such as radio, TV and people from other parts of the country coming to Norfolk. As a result, the speech of Norfolk is more of an [[Accent (dialect)|accent]] than a [[dialect]], though one part retained from the Norfolk dialect is the distinctive grammar of the region.{{Citation needed|date=August 2010}}
<!-- Norfolk is sometimes thought of as having one accent, but actually has multiple very distinctive regional dialects.{{Citation needed|date=December 2010}} -->
<!-- The paragraph above has been commented out because it seems to directly contradict the longer-standing first paragraph - the arrival of citations for one or the other should resolve this. -->
People from Norfolk are sometimes known as [[Dumpling|Norfolk Dumplings]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolkdialect.com/lostintranslation/pages/sinkers.html |title=FOND Norfolk Dumplings Page |publisher=Norfolkdialect.com |access-date=13 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304140211/http://www.norfolkdialect.com/lostintranslation/pages/sinkers.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> an allusion to the flour dumplings that were traditionally a significant part of the local diet.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fromoldbooks.org/Grose-VulgarTongue/n/norfolk-dumpling.html |title=Norfolk Dumpling (Grose 1811 Dictionary) |publisher=Fromoldbooks.org |access-date=13 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924015730/http://www.fromoldbooks.org/Grose-VulgarTongue/n/norfolk-dumpling.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
More cutting, perhaps, was the alleged pejorative [[medical slang]] term "Normal for Norfolk",<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3159813.stm |title=Health &#124; Doctor slang is a dying art |work=BBC News |date=18 August 2003 |access-date=13 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115110829/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3159813.stm |archive-date=15 January 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> alluding to the county's perceived status as a quirky rustic backwater due to a high level of [[inbreeding]] among residents.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-36082307 |title=Normal for Norfolk: Where did the phrase come from? |last1=Cawley |first1=Laurence |last2=Smith |first2=Jodie |work=BBC News |date=23 April 2016 |access-date=22 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721093436/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-36082307 |archive-date=21 July 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1526081/Norfolk-folk-are-sicker-because-they-are-inbred-says-local-MP.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1526081/Norfolk-folk-are-sicker-because-they-are-inbred-says-local-MP.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Norfolk folk are sicker because they are inbred, says local MP |website=The Telegraph|date=11 August 2006 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>
==Tourism==
Norfolk is a popular tourist destination and has several major holiday attractions. There are many seaside resorts, including some of the finest British beaches, such as those at [[Great Yarmouth]], [[Cromer]] and [[Holkham]]. Norfolk contains [[the Broads]] and other areas of outstanding [[Natural history|natural]] beauty and many areas of the coast are wild bird sanctuaries and reserves with some areas designated as [[National parks of England and Wales|national park]]s such as the [[Norfolk Coast AONB]].
<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:ElmHill.jpg|{{center|Elm Hill in the historic city of [[Norwich#Early English and Norman conquest|Norwich]]}}
File:Mundesleybeachnorth.jpg|{{center|The [[Norfolk Coast AONB|Norfolk Coast]] in the little village of Mundesley near Cromer}}
File:WroxhamBridge.jpg|{{center|The bridge at [[Wroxham]]}}
File:Peddars Way - Holkham Bay.jpg|{{center|The beach at [[Holkham National Nature Reserve]]}}
</gallery>
The [[Charles III|King]]'s residence at [[Sandringham House]] in [[Sandringham, Norfolk|Sandringham]] provides a year-round tourist attraction whilst the coast and some rural areas<!--''This seems a little POV? I imagine many more are purchased on the coast:'' rural parts of the county, notably the area around [[Burnham Market]], --> are popular locations for people from the [[conurbation]]s to purchase weekend [[Vacation property|holiday homes]]. [[Arthur Conan Doyle]] first conceived the idea for ''[[The Hound of the Baskervilles]]'' whilst holidaying in [[Cromer]] with [[Bertram Fletcher Robinson]], after hearing local folklore tales regarding the mysterious hound known as [[Black Shuck]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/index.php?title=Arthur_Conan_Doyle,_Sherlock_Holmes_and_Devon:_A_Complete_Tour_Guide_and_Companion_by_Brian_W_Pugh,_Paul_R_Spiring_and_Sadru_Bhanji |title=Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes and Devon: A Complete Tour Guide and Companion by Brian W Pugh, Paul R Spiring and Sadru Bhanji – TheBookbag.co.uk book review |publisher=Thebookbag.co.uk |date=15 December 2014 |access-date=13 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612071618/http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/index.php?title=Arthur_Conan_Doyle,_Sherlock_Holmes_and_Devon:_A_Complete_Tour_Guide_and_Companion_by_Brian_W_Pugh,_Paul_R_Spiring_and_Sadru_Bhanji |archive-date=12 June 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[http://www.sherlock-holmes.org.uk/pdf/DM304.pdf "The District Messenger"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716132254/http://www.sherlock-holmes.org.uk/pdf/DM304.pdf |date=16 July 2011 }}. (PDF) . Retrieved on 25 August 2011.</ref>
===Amusement parks and zoos===
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2011}}
Norfolk has several amusement parks and zoos.
*Thrigby Hall near Great Yarmouth was built in 1736 by Joshua Smith Esquire and features a zoo which houses a large tiger enclosure, primate enclosures and the swamp house which has many crocodiles and alligators.
*[[Holkham Hall]] is an 18th-century stately home and [[Tourist attraction|visitor attraction]], constructed in the [[Palladian architecture|Palladian]] style and at the centre of a 3,000-acre deer park on the [[North Norfolk]] coast with a woodland play area, walled garden and farming exhibition.
*Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure (formerly Dinosaur Adventure) is a [[dinosaur]] themed adventure park in [[Lenwade]]. It is set in 85 acres of parkland and has a dinosaur trail, indoor play area, high ropes course and outdoor water play area.
*[[Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach]] is a free-entry theme park, hosting over twenty large rides as well as a crazy golf course, water attractions, children's rides and "white knuckle" rides.
*[[BeWILDerwood]] is an adventure park situated in the Norfolk Broads and is the setting for the book ''A Boggle at BeWILDerwood'' by local children's author [[Tom Blofeld]].
*Britannia Pier on the coast of Great Yarmouth has rides which include a ghost train. Also on the pier is the famous Britannia Pier Theatre.
*[[Banham Zoo]] is set amongst {{cvt|35|acre|ha}} of parkland and gardens with enclosures for animals including big cats, birds of prey, siamangs and shire horses. Its annual visitor attendance is in excess of 200,000 people.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.essexlive.news/whats-on/whats-on-news/things-during-october-half-term-4622002 |title=Things to do during October half term: The 11 best zoos and animal parks near Essex |access-date=10 November 2020 |work=Essex Live |archive-date=10 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110171025/https://www.essexlive.news/whats-on/whats-on-news/things-during-october-half-term-4622002 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Pensthorpe Nature Reserve]], near the town of Fakenham in north Norfolk, is a nature reserve with many captive birds and animals. Such species include native birds such as lapwing and Eurasian crane, to much more exotic examples like Marabou stork, Greater flamingo, and Manchurian crane. The site played host to the BBC's ''Springwatch'' from 2008 until 2010. A number of human-made lakes are home to a range of wild birds, and provide stop-off points for many wintering ducks and geese.
*The [[Sea Life Centre]] in Great Yarmouth is One of the biggest sea life centres in the country. The Great Yarmouth centre is home to a tropical shark display, one resident of which is Britain's biggest shark 'Nobby' the Nurse Shark. The same display, with its walk-through underwater tunnel, also features the wreckage of a World War II aircraft. The centre also includes over 50 native species including shrimps, starfish, sharks, stingrays and conger eels.
*The [[Sea Life Centres#Sanctuaries|Sea Life Sanctuary]] in [[Hunstanton]] is Norfolk's leading marine rescue centre and works both as a visitor attraction as well as a location for rescuing and rehabilitating sick and injured sea creatures found in the nearby [[The Wash|Wash]] and [[North Sea]]. The attractions main features are similar to that of the Sea Life Centre in Great Yarmouth, albeit on a slightly smaller scale.
===Theatres===
{{Unreferenced section|date=June 2015}}
[[File:Britpieryarmouth.JPG|right|thumb|170px|Britannia Pier]]
[[File:Norwich Theatre Royal.JPG|thumb|170px|Theatre Royal]]
[[File:NorwichPlayhouse (cropped).JPG|thumb|right|170px|Norwich Playhouse]]
The [[Pavilion Theatre, Cromer Pier|Pavilion Theatre]] (Cromer) is a 510-seater venue on the end of Cromer Pier, best known for hosting the 'end-of-the-pier' show, the Seaside Special. The theatre also presents comedy, music, dance, opera, musicals and community shows.
The Britannia Pier Theatre (Great Yarmouth) mainly hosts popular comedy acts such as the [[Chuckle Brothers]] and [[Jim Davidson (comedian)|Jim Davidson]]. The theatre has 1,200 seats and is one of the largest in Norfolk.
The [[Theatre Royal, Norwich|Theatre Royal]] in Norwich has been on its present site for nearly 250 years, the act of parliament in the tenth year of the reign of George II having been rescinded in 1761. The 1,300-seat theatre, the largest in the city, hosts a mix of national touring productions including musicals, dance, drama, family shows, stand-up comedians, opera and pop.
The [[Norwich Playhouse]] hosts theatre, comedy, music and other performing arts. It has a seating capacity of 300.
The [[Maddermarket Theatre]] in Norwich opened in 1921 and was the first permanent recreation of an Elizabethan theatre. The founder was Nugent Monck who had worked with William Poel. The theatre has a seating capacity of 312.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://maddermarket.co.uk/about/box-office/seating-plan/ |title=Seating Plan » Maddermarket Theatre |website=maddermarket.co.uk |access-date=19 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919225217/http://maddermarket.co.uk/about/box-office/seating-plan/ |archive-date=19 September 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
The [[Norwich Puppet Theatre]] was founded in 1979 by Ray and Joan DaSilva as a permanent base for their touring company and was first opened as a public venue in 1980, following the conversion of the medieval church of St. James in the heart of Norwich. Under subsequent artistic directors&nbsp;– Barry Smith and Luis Z. Boy&nbsp;– the theatre established its current pattern of operation. It is a nationally unique{{Citation needed|date=December 2015}} venue dedicated to puppetry, and currently houses a 185-seat raked auditorium, 50 seat Octagon Studio, workshops, an exhibition gallery, shop and licensed bar. It is the only theatre in the Eastern region with a year-round programme of family-centred entertainment.{{Citation needed|date=December 2015}}
The Garage studio theatre (Norwich) can seat up to 110 people in a range of different layouts. It can also be used for standing events and can accommodate up to 180 people.
The Platform Theatre (Norwich) is in the grounds of [[City College Norwich]] (CCN), and has a large stage with raked seating for an audience of around 200. The theatre plays host to performances by both student and professional companies.
The [[Sewell Barn Theatre]] (Norwich) is the smallest theatre in Norwich and has a seating capacity of 100. The auditorium features raked seating on three sides of an open acting space.
The [[Norwich Arts Centre]] (Norwich) theatre opened in 1977 in St. Benedict's Street, and has a capacity of 290.
The [[Princess Theatre, Hunstanton|Princess Theatre]] (Hunstanton) stands overlooking the Wash and the [[Village green|green]] in the East Coast resort of Hunstanton. It is a 472-seat venue. Open all year round, the theatre plays host to a wide variety of shows from comedy to drama, celebrity shows to music for all tastes and children's productions. It has a six-week summer season plus an annual Christmas pantomime.
[[Sheringham Little Theatre]] has seating for 180. The theatre programmes a variety of plays, musicals and music, and also shows films.
The [[Gorleston Pavilion]] is an original [[Edwardian era|Edwardian]] building with a seating capacity of 300, situated on the Norfolk coast. The theatre stages plays, pantomimes, musicals and concerts as well as a 26-week summer season.
==Demography==
According to estimates by the [[Office for National Statistics]], the population of Norfolk in 2018 was 903,680, split almost evenly between males and females. Roughly 24.3% of the population was aged 65 or older, compared to 18.2% for the whole of England.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan=2|Ethnic category || colspan=2|Norfolk ||colspan=2|East of England||colspan=2|England (total)
|-
! No.|| % ||No. || % ||No. || %
|-
|Asian/Asian British || 13,017 || 1.5 || 278,372 || 4.8 || 4,143,403 || 7.8
|-
|Black/African/Caribbean/Black British || 4,609 || 0.5|| 117,442 || 2 || 1,846,614 || 3.5
|-
|Mixed/multiple ethnic groups|| 10,027 || 1.2 || 112,116 || 1.9 || 1,192,879 || 2.3
|-
|Other ethnic group|| 2,217 || 0.3 || 28,841 || 0.5 || 548,418 || 1.0
|-
|White|| 828,018 || 96.5 || 5,310,194 || 90.8 || 45,281,142 || 85.4
|}
Source:<ref name="Norfolk Insight">{{cite web |title=Population Statistics and Demographics – Area reports – Norfolk Insight |url=http://www.norfolkinsight.org.uk/population/report/view/ece628a76c854c31a741de0fcaec0a0e/E10000020/ |website=www.norfolkinsight.org.uk |publisher=Norfolk Council |access-date=8 February 2020 |archive-date=4 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804180815/http://www.norfolkinsight.org.uk/population/report/view/ece628a76c854c31a741de0fcaec0a0e/E10000020/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Notable people==
===From Norfolk===
{{Further|:Category:People from Norfolk}}
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->
<!---♦♦♦ Only people with an article on Wikipedia ♦♦♦--->
*[[George VI]], King/Emperor of the United Kingdom. Born and died on the [[Sandringham estate|Sandringham Estate]].
*[[Joseph Ames (naval commander)|Joseph Ames]], naval commander. Born and lived in Great Yarmouth
*[[Joseph Ames (author)|Joseph Ames]], bibliographer and antiquary. Born in Great Yarmouth
*[[Hannah Diamond|Hannah Amond]], pop singer from Norwich.
*[[Diana Athill]], literary editor and author, South Norfolk and [[Ditchingham]]
*[[Alexander Baker (Jesuit)]], missionary to India
*[[Peter Bellamy]], folk singer and musician, who was brought up in North Norfolk
*[[Henry Blofeld]], [[Cricket]] commentator
*[[Henry Blogg]], the UK's most decorated [[lifeboatman]], who was from [[Cromer]]
*[[Francis Blomefield]], Anglican rector, early topographical historian of Norfolk
*[[James Blunt]], English acoustic folk rock singer-songwriter who was raised in Norfolk during his childhood
*[[Boudica]], scourge of the occupying [[Roman Army]] in first century Britain and queen of the [[Iceni]], British tribe occupying an area slightly larger than modern Norfolk
*[[Martin Brundle]], former [[Auto racing|motor-racing driver]] and now a commentator was born in King's Lynn
*[[Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton]], writer, born at [[Heydon, Norfolk|Heydon]]
*[[George Russell (racing driver)]], Formula 1 driver, born in Kings Lynn, and educated at Wisbech grammar school.
*[[Dave Bussey]], former [[BBC Radio 2]] and current BBC [[Radio Lincolnshire]] presenter
*[[Michael Carroll (lottery winner)|Michael Carroll]] (29 March 1983–) lottery winner
*[[Howard Carter]], archaeologist who discovered [[Tutankhamun]]'s tomb; his childhood was spent primarily in [[Swaffham, Norfolk|Swaffham]]
*[[Edith Cavell]], a nurse executed by the Germans for aiding the escape of prisoners in World War I
*[[Sam Claflin]], actor, grew up in Norwich and studied at [[Costessey High School]]
*[[Sam Clemmett]], actor, from [[Brundall]] known for starring in West End stage play ''Harry Potter and the Cursed Child'', Haribo Tangfastics television advert and the [[BBC]] documentary ''Murder Games: The Life and Death of Breck Bednar'' where he played [[Breck Bednar]] the teen murdered by [[Lewis Daynes]]
*[[Edward Coke]], 17th-century jurist and author of the [[Petition of Right]] was born in [[Mileham]] and educated at [[Norwich School]]
*[[Olivia Colman]], actress, born and educated in Norfolk
*Jamie Cutter, co-founder of [[Cutter & Buck]], America's largest golf apparel providers, born in Norwich
*[[Cathy Dennis]], singer and songwriter, from Norwich
*[[Diana, Princess of Wales]], first wife of [[Charles III of the United Kingdom|Charles, Prince of Wales]], was born and grew up in Park House near the [[Sandringham House|Sandringham]] estate
*[[Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer]] brother of [[Diana, Princess of Wales]] and maternal uncle to H.R.H. [[Prince William, Duke of Cambridge]] and [[Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex]]
*[[Anthony Duckworth-Chad]], landowner and Deputy [[Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk]]
*[[James Dyson|Sir James Dyson]], inventor and entrepreneur, was born at Cromer, grew up at [[Holt, Norfolk|Holt]] and was educated at Gresham's School
*[[Bill Edrich|Bill]] (1916–1986), [[Brian Edrich|Brian]] (1922–2009), [[Eric Edrich|Eric]] (1914–1993), [[Geoff Edrich|Geoff]] (1918–2004), [[John Edrich|John]] (1937–), and [[Justin Edrich]] (1961–), cricketers
*[[Nathan Fake]], electronic dance music producer/DJ
*[[Pablo Fanque]], equestrian and popular Victorian circus proprietor, whose 1843 poster advertisement inspired [[The Beatles]] song, [[Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!]], born in Norwich
*[[Natasha Firman|Natasha]] and [[Ralph Firman]], racing drivers, were both born and brought up in Norfolk and educated at Gresham's School
*[[Caroline Flack]], television presenter, who grew up in [[East Wretham]] and went to school in [[Watton, Norfolk|Watton]]
*[[Margaret Fountaine]], butterfly collector, was born in Norfolk, and her collection is housed in [[Norwich Castle]] Museum
*[[Elizabeth Fry]], prominent 19th century [[Religious Society of Friends|Quaker]] [[prison reform]]er pictured on the [[Banknotes of the pound sterling#Bank of England notes|Bank of England £5 note]], born and raised in Norwich
*[[Stephen Fry]], actor, comedian, writer, producer, director and author who was born in London and was brought up in the village of [[Booton, Norfolk|Booton]] near [[Reepham, Norfolk|Reepham]]. He now has a second home near King's Lynn
*[[Samuel Fuller (Mayflower physician)|Samuel Fuller]], signed the [[Mayflower Compact]]
*[[William Gooderham Sr.]] (29 August 1790 – 20 August 1881) was an [[England|English]] distiller, businessman, and banker. He was a founder of the [[Gooderham and Worts]] distillery in Toronto, Canada.
*[[Claire Goose]], actress who starred in [[Casualty (TV series)|''Casualty'']], was raised in Norfolk
*[[Ed Graham]], drummer of [[Lowestoft]] band [[The Darkness (band)|The Darkness]], was born in Great Yarmouth
*[[Sienna Guillory]], actress, from north Norfolk, who was educated at Gresham's School
*Sir [[Henry Rider Haggard]], novelist, author of ''She'', ''King Solomon's Mines'', born [[Bradenham, Norfolk|Bradenham]] 1856 and lived after his marriage at [[Ditchingham]]
*[[Lilias Rider Haggard]], daughter of Henry Rider Haggard and author of books about Norfolk
*[[Lauren Hemp]], footballer for England, part of the squad that won the [[UEFA Women's Euro 2022]], was born in [[North Walsham]] and played for [[Norwich City Women FC]]
*[[Jake Humphrey]], [[BBC]] presenter, spent most of his childhood in Norwich
*[[Andy Hunt (footballer)|Andy Hunt]], [[Association football|footballer]], grew up in [[Ashill, Norfolk|Ashill]].
*[[Julian of Norwich]], mediaeval mystic, born probably in Norwich in 1342; lived much of her life as a recluse in Norwich
*[[Robert Kett]], leader of [[Kett's Rebellion]] in East Anglia 1549, from Wymondham
*[[R. W. Ketton-Cremer]], Norfolk historian and former owner of [[Felbrigg Hall]]
*[[Sid Kipper]], Norfolk humourist, author, songwriter and singer
*[[Myleene Klass]], former [[Hear'Say]] singer, comes from [[Gorleston]]
*[[Holly Lerski]], singer and songwriter, former member of the band [[Angelou (band)|Angelou]], grew up and resides in Norfolk
*[[Henry Leslie (playwright)|Henry Leslie]], actor and playwright, born 1830 at Walsoken
*[[Samuel Lincoln]], ancestor of US president [[Abraham Lincoln]]
*[[Matthew Macfadyen]], actor who starred in ''[[Spooks (TV series)|Spooks]]'', was born in [[Great Yarmouth]]
*[[Kenneth McKee]], surgeon who pioneered [[hip replacement surgery]] techniques, lived in [[Tacolneston]]
*[[Danny Mills]], footballer, born in Norwich
*Sir [[John Mills]], actor, born in [[North Elmham]]
*[[R. H. Mottram]], author and former [[Lord Mayor of Norwich]]
*[[Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson|Horatio, Lord Nelson]], Admiral and British hero who played a major role in the [[Battle of Trafalgar]], born and schooled in Norfolk
*[[Nimmo Twins]], sketch comedy duo well known in Norfolk
*[[Olav V of Norway|King Olav V of Norway]], born at [[Flitcham, Norfolk|Flitcham]] on the [[Sandringham House|Sandringham estate]]
*[[Beth Orton]], singer-songwriter, was born in [[Dereham]] and raised in Norwich
*[[Thomas Paine]], philosopher, born in [[Thetford, Norfolk|Thetford]]
*[[Ronan Parke]], [[Britain's Got Talent]] 2011 finalist and runner up
*[[Margaret Paston]], author of many of the [[Paston Letters]], born 1423, lived at [[Gresham, Norfolk|Gresham]]
*[[Barry Pinches]], [[snooker]] player who comes from Norwich
*[[Matthew Pinsent]], Olympic champion [[rower]], was born in [[Holt, Norfolk|Holt]]
*[[Prasutagus]], 1st-century king of the [[Iceni]], who occupied roughly the area which is now Norfolk
*[[Philip Pullman]], author, born in Norwich
*[[Miranda Raison]], actress, from north Norfolk, who was educated at Gresham's School
*[[Anna Sewell]], writer, author of ''Black Beauty'', born at [[Great Yarmouth]], lived part of her life at [[Old Catton]] near Norwich and buried at [[Lamas, Norfolk|Lamas]], near [[Buxton]]
*[[Thomas Shadwell]], playwright, satirist and [[Poet Laureate]]
*[[Allan Smethurst]], 'The Singing Postman' who sang songs in his Norfolk dialect, was from [[Sheringham]]
*[[Hannah Spearritt]], actress and former [[S Club 7]] singer, who is from [[Gorleston]]
*[[Roger Taylor (Queen drummer)|Roger Taylor]], drummer of the rock band [[Queen (band)|Queen]] was born in King's Lynn and spent the early part of his childhood in Norfolk
*[[Adam Thoroughgood]], colonial leader in Virginia, namer of New Norfolk County, which later became Norfolk, Virginia
*[[Peter Trudgill]], [[sociolinguist]] specialising in accents and dialects including his own native Norfolk dialect, was born and bred in Norwich
*[[George Vancouver]], born King's Lynn. Captain and explorer in the [[Royal Navy]]
*[[Stella Vine]], English artist, spent many of her early years in Norwich
*[[Robert Walpole|Sir Robert Walpole]], first [[Earl of Orford]], regarded as the first [[British prime minister]]
*[[Tim Westwood]], rap DJ and [[BBC Radio 1|Radio 1]] presenter, grew up in and around Norwich
*[[James Woodforde|Parson Woodforde]], 18th century clergyman and [[diarist]]
*[[Nick Youngs]] (1959–) and his two sons, [[Ben Youngs|Ben]] (1989–) and [[Tom Youngs|Tom]] (1987–) were both raised close to the town of [[Aylsham]] on their father's farm<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/9662159/Family-proud-as-Ben-and-Tom-Youngs-prepare-to-represent-England-against-Fiji.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/9662159/Family-proud-as-Ben-and-Tom-Youngs-prepare-to-represent-England-against-Fiji.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Family proud as Ben and Tom Youngs prepare to represent England against Fiji |last=Bolton |first=Paul |date=8 November 2012 |work=Daily Telegraph |access-date=15 February 2019 |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Youngs is a former [[rugby union]] player for [[Leicester Tigers]] and [[England national rugby union team|England]]. Both sons went on to represent the national rugby union team.
===Associated with Norfolk===
{{Famous|date=June 2015}}
The following people were not born or brought up in Norfolk but are long-term residents of Norfolk, are well known for living in Norfolk at some point in their lives, or have contributed in some significant way to the county.
*[[Verily Anderson]] (1915–2010), writer, lived in North Norfolk
*[[Stuart Ashen]], comedian, animator, actor and online reviewer, born and lives in Norfolk
*[[Julian Assange]], Australian publisher, journalist, writer, computer programmer, [[Internet activist]] and editor in chief of [[WikiLeaks]], lived since 16 December 2010 in [[Ellingham Hall, Norfolk|Ellingham Hall]], the mansion of [[Vaughan Smith]], under house arrest whilst fighting extradition to [[Sweden]], before relocating to [[Kent]] in December 2011
*[[Peter Baker (British politician)|Peter Baker]] (1921–1966), British Conservative MP for South Norfolk
*[[Mary Bristow]] (1781–1805), landscape gardener, owner of [[Quidenham Hall]]
*[[Bill Bryson]], writer, has lived in the county since 2003
*[[Adam Buxton]], comedian and one half of Adam and Joe, moved to Norfolk in 2008
*[[Richard Condon (impresario)|Richard Condon]] (1937–1991), [[Theatre Royal, Norwich]] and [[Pavilion Theatre, Cromer Pier]] manager
*[[Richard William Enraght|Revd Richard Enraght]] (1837–1898), 19th century clergyman, religious controversialist, Rector of St Swithun, [[Bintree]]
*[[Liza Goddard]] TV and stage actress, lives in the village of [[Syderstone]]
*[[Trisha Goddard]], TV personality, lives in Norwich and writes a column in the local newspaper the ''[[Eastern Daily Press]]''
*[[Roderick Gordon]], writer of ''Tunnels'' series, lives in North Norfolk
*[[Adriana Hunter]], translator of French novels, lives in Norfolk
*[[John Major]], British prime minister from 1990 to 1997, has a holiday home in [[Weybourne, Norfolk|Weybourne]]
*[[Alan Partridge]], fictional tongue-in-cheek media personality portrayed by [[Steve Coogan]]. His feature film ''[[Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa]]'' was set, filmed and had its world premiere in Norwich in 2013
*[[Pocahontas]] (c. 1596–1617), who lived at [[Heacham]] Hall for part of her life when she was married to [[John Rolfe]]
*[[Martin Shaw]], stage, television and film actor, is based in Norfolk
*[[Delia Smith]], cookery writer and major Norwich City Football Club shareholder
*[[John Wilson (angler)|John Wilson]] (1943–2018), [[Fisherman|angler]], writer and broadcaster
==Gallery==
<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:Wells-next-the-Sea 1.jpg|[[Wells-next-the-Sea]]
File:The Wensum under trees.JPG|[[River Wensum]], Norwich
File:Norwich Cathedral 2015.jpg|[[Norwich Cathedral]]: spire and south transept
File:NorwichRCC.JPG|[[St John the Baptist Cathedral, Norwich]]
</gallery>
==See also==
*[[Custos Rotulorum of Norfolk]] – List of Keepers of the Rolls
*[[Duke of Norfolk]]
*[[Earl of Norfolk]]
*[[Healthcare in Norfolk]]
*[[High Sheriff of Norfolk]]
*[[List of parliamentary constituencies in Norfolk]]
*[[List of future transport developments in the East of England]]
*[[List of places in Norfolk]]
*[[Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)]] – List of MPs for the Norfolk constituency
*[[Norfolk Police]]
*[[Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner]]
*[[Norfolk Terrier]]
*[[Norwich Terrier]]
*[[Recreational walks in Norfolk]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==Further reading==
*S. K. Baker, ''A Week on the Broads: Four Victorian gents at sail on a Norfolk gaffer in 1889'', Adlard Coles ed. 2017.
*[[Henry Munro Cautley]], ''Norfolk Churches'', Norman Adlard, 1949.
*[[Thomas Kitson Cromwell]], ''Excursions in the County of Norfolk'', 2 vols., Longmans, 1818 & 1819.
*Patsy Dallas, Roger Last & Tom Williamson, ''Norfolk Gardens and Designed Landscapes'', Norfolk Gardens Trust, 2018.
*John A. Davies, ''The Little History of Norfolk'', [[The History Press]], 2020.
*[[Daniel Defoe]], ''Tour through the Eastern Counties'' (1722), East Anglian Magazine ed., 1949.
*Bernard E. Dorman, ''Norfolk'' (Batsford Britain series), [[Batsford Books|B. T. Batsford]], 1972.
*David Dymond, ''The Norfolk Landscape'', Alastair Press ed., 1990.
*[[Lilias Rider Haggard]], ''A Norfolk Notebook'', [[Faber and Faber]], 1946.
*Lilias Rider Haggard, ''Norfolk Life'', Faber and Faber, 1943; written with [[Henry Williamson]].
*[[Wilhelmine Harrod]] & C. L. S. Linnell, ''Norfolk. A Shell Guide'' ([[Shell Guides]]), Faber and Faber, 1957; reprinted.
*[[M. R. James]], ''Suffolk and Norfolk: A Perambulation of the Two Counties with Notices of their History and their Ancient Buildings'', J.M. Dent & Sons, 1930.
*[[P. D. James]], ''[[Devices and Desires]]'', [[Faber and Faber]], 1989.
*[[R. W. Ketton-Cremer]], ''A Norfolk Gallery'', Faber and Faber, 1948.
*R. W. Ketton-Cremer, ''Forty Norfolk Essays'', [[Jarrold and Sons]], 1961.
*R. W. Ketton-Cremer, ''Norfolk Assembly, Faber and Faber, 1957.
*R. W. Ketton-Cremer, ''Norfolk in the Civil War: A Portrait of Society in Conflict'', Faber and Faber, 1969.
*R. W. Ketton-Cremer, ''Norfolk Portraits'', Faber and Faber, 1944.
*[[Arthur Mee]], ''Norfolk. Green Pastures and Still Waters'' ([[The King's England]] series), [[Hodder and Stoughton]], 1940; reprinted.
*Frank Meeres, ''A History of Norwich'', The History Press, 2016.
*D. P. Mortlock & C. V. Roberts, ''The Guide to Norfolk Churches'', [[Lutterworth Press]], 3rd rev. ed. 2017.
*[[R. H. Mottram]], ''If Stones Could Speak. An Introduction to an Almost Human Family'', [[Museum Press]], 1953.
*R. H. Mottram, ''Norfolk'' (Vision of England series), [[Paul Elek]], 1948.
*R. H. Mottram, ''The Broads'' ([[The Regional Books (book series)|The Regional Books]] series), [[Robert Hale (publishers)|Robert Hale]], 1952.
*[[Nikolaus Pevsner]], Bill Wilson (ed.), ''Norfolk: North-West and South'' ([[The Buildings of England]]), [[Yale University Press]], 2nd rev. ed. 1999.
*Nikolaus Pevsner, Bill Wilson (ed.), ''Norfolk: Norwich and North-East'' (The Buildings of England), Yale University Press, 2nd ed. 1997.
*Matthew Rice, ''Building Norfolk'', [[Frances Lincoln]], 2009.
*[[Arthur Ransome]], ''[[Coot Club]]'', [[Jonathan Cape]], 1934; from his [[Swallows and Amazons series]].
*Arthur Ransome, ''[[The Big Six]]'', Jonathan Cape, 1940; also from ''Swallows and Amazons''.
*David Robertson, Peter & Susanna Wade-Martins, ''A History of Norfolk in 100 Places'', The History Press, 2022.
*[[Ali Smith]], ''[[The Accidental]]'', [[Hamish Hamilton]], 2005.
*Neil R. Storey, ''Norwich in the Second World War'', The History Press, 2022.
*Neil R. Storey, ''The Little Book of Norfolk'', The History Press, 2011.
*Neil R. Storey, ''The Lost Coast of Norfolk'', The History Press, 2006.
*[[Doreen Wallace]] & R. P. Bagnall-Oakeley, ''Norfolk'' ([[County Books series|The County Books]]), [[Robert Hale (publishers)|Robert Hale]], 1951.
*Josephine Walpole, ''Art and Artists of the Norwich School'', Antique Collector's Club, 1999.
*Tom Williamson, Ivan Ringwood & Sarah Spooner, ''Lost Country Houses of Norfolk: History, Archaeology and Myth'', [[The Boydell Press]], 2015.
*Pip Wright, ''I Read it in the Local Rag: Selections from Suffolk and Norfolk Papers 1701-1900'', Poppyland, 2006.
*David Yaxley, ''Portrait of Norfolk'' ([[Portrait of (book series)|Portrait of series]]), Robert Hale, 1977.
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Norfolk (England)}}
*[http://www.norfolk.gov.uk Norfolk County Council]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20180224104136/https://www.visitnorfolk.co.uk/ Norfolk tourism (official site)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160314051049/http://www.scenicnorfolk.co.uk/ Photos of Norfolk]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20180414031946/http://historic-maps.norfolk.gov.uk/ Norfolk E-Map Explorer – historical maps and aerial photographs of Norfolk]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050405033630/http://www.archives.norfolk.gov.uk/nroindex.htm Norfolk Record Office] – Government agency that collects and preserves records of historical significance for Norfolk and makes them publicly accessible – useful for genealogical research
*[https://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/scrc/findingaids/view.php?eadid=ICU.SPCL.NORFOLK Guide to the Norfolk County, Collection of English Deeds ca. 1409–ca.1826] at the [https://www.lib.uchicago.edu/scrc/ University of Chicago Special Collections Research Center]
{{Geographic location
|title     = '''Neighbouring counties'''
|Centre    = Norfolk
|North     = ''[[North Sea]]''
|Northeast = ''[[North Sea]]''
|East      = ''[[North Sea]]''
|Southeast = ''[[North Sea]]''<br />[[Suffolk]]
|South     = [[Suffolk]]
|Southwest = [[Cambridgeshire]]
|West      = [[Lincolnshire]]<br />[[Cambridgeshire]]
|Northwest = [[Lincolnshire]]<br />''[[The Wash]]''
}}
{{Norfolk}}
{{England counties}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Norfolk| ]]
[[Category:Kingdom of East Anglia]]
[[Category:Non-metropolitan counties]]
[[Category:Counties of England established in antiquity]]