When travelling to or from west Norfolk, our area is easily accessible for you and your family and friends.
By car, you can arrive via the M11, A10 or A1 from the south and the A47 and A17 from the Midlands and the north.
There is a frequent train service operating from London King’s Cross to Downham Market and King’s Lynn – hourly to King’s Lynn (half hourly at peak times) with average journey time of only 1 hr 50 minutes. National Rail can provide full timetable and fare information.
From King’s Cross/London St Pancras, the Eurostar service can then take you directly to Paris and Brussels.
We are also lucky in this area to have excellent air links to both domestic and international locations. Norwich International is just over one hours drive. London Stansted and London Luton airports are easily reached in less than two hours, with London Heathrow, Gatwick and East Midlands airports under three hours drive.
The main bus company operating throughout west Norfolk is Lynxbus. They offer frequent services to the suburbs, villages and towns along with the nearby cities of Norwich and Peterborough.
For the most up to date information on the travel and transport available in our area, you can go to the Visit West Norfolk website.
West Norfolk is in a great position with a range of education opportunities both in Norfolk and the neighbouring counties – Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
We recognise that our young people are key to the future prosperity of the area. Local schools are working with the wider public sector through an ‘improving attainment’ programme, developing initiatives to help pupils and teachers drive up the achievements of our younger generation and help prepare them for the next steps in their lives.
Educational attainment in West Norfolk is improving. In 2017 there was a 5.9% increase in the number of students achieving GCSE grades A* – C in English and Maths. Data on secondary school performance can be found on GOV.UK
Data on primary school performance in West Norfolk can again be found on GOV.UK
To find out about our public schools to suit your family visit:
- Norfolk – Norfolk County Council
- Suffolk – Suffolk County Council
- Cambridgeshire – Cambridgeshire County Council
Some families may want to opt for private education. There are a host of schools in the area that may be what you are looking for and details can be found via GOV.UK
For higher education, the two most popular choices in our area are the College of West Anglia, or the University of East Anglia.
In west Norfolk, health and wellbeing is taken very seriously. We have a diverse population which the NHS supports with a range of options, including your GP and local Accident & Emergency department.
Details on the practices and surgeries closest to where you will be living including dentists, opticians or pharmacists can be found on the West Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group website.
For people living in west Norfolk, the main hospital is The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn.
Treatment may also be provided in other hospitals in the neighbouring areas, including:
- Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Addenbrooke’s Hospital
- Peterborough and Stamford Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
In some circumstances you may be offered treatment at selected private hospitals. The Community Hospital in our area, run by Norfolk Community Health and Care, is Swaffham Community Hospital, which provides rehabilitation and outreach clinics. They also provide community services to patients, such as district nursing, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and child health.
Patients living with mental health conditions need treatment, care and support, which in west Norfolk is usually provided by their GPs, by voluntary organisations and where additional and more specialist care is required by the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
West Norfolk has an incredibly diverse and rich history, along with stunning natural coastlines, a strong arts and culture scene, and a growing reputation for food and drink. Making this area your home means you will never run out of things to do. It is easy to understand why it is such a popular tourist area as well as a place to live.
An array of information about things to do in the area for you and your family can be found on the Visit West Norfolk website.
There are a host of sports, leisure facilities, and entertainment in west Norfolk. Alive West Norfolk offers facilities including Lynn Sport and the Corn Exchange. The Princess Theatre in Hunstanton is also a great place to see shows and performances.
West Norfolk enjoys a vibrant programme of events. Every year King’s Lynn hosts the largest free festival in Europe called Festival Too as well as the King’s Lynn Festival.
One of the largest sporting events to happen in the area is GEAR, the Grand East Anglian Run which takes place in May. In 2019, over 2,300 took part with thousands more lining the course to support the runners.
Find out more about leisure and culture in west Norfolk.
You will quickly see that there is so much to enjoy and experience, when you have finished work for the day in glorious west Norfolk.
There is a huge choice of homes in west Norfolk, from modern apartment blocks, to traditional costal cottages or larger family houses. Property prices are below the national average, meaning you will be able to find something that fits both your lifestyle and budget.
In 2017, King’s Lynn was voted the seventh happiest place to live in the UK in a survey by Rightmove. And house prices remain affordable. In 2018, the average house price in King’s Lynn was £171,706, £220,360 in Downham Market and a home in the coastal town of Hunstanton was averaging at £275,674.*
You can find homes to buy or rent in the area through Rightmove or Zoopla. Alongside this, there are a wide number of lettings and estate agents based throughout the area, which are found easily online.
Homes are available through the Help To Buy scheme, you can find out about the scheme and contact details for local providers through Help To Buy. There are also a number of social housing providers operating, including Freebridge Community Housing, the largest provider of affordable housing in west Norfolk. You can bid for homes using West Norfolk Home Choice
As Stephen Fry said: “If Norfolk is the secret jewel of England, then west Norfolk is the secret jewel of Norfolk.” If you’re thinking about making your home in west Norfolk, here are some of the many benefits you will enjoy:
The glorious coastline
Whether it’s the family favourite Hunstanton, or Norfolk’s only west-facing beach at Snettisham, or the expansive stretch of sand at Brancaster, the beaches are a major factor in what makes living in west Norfolk so great.
The impressive heritage
West Norfolk’s heritage is impressive, with magnificent buildings, such as the Custom House, in King’s Lynn, or stately homes, such as Sandringham House or Holkham Hall. Find out more about the area’s fascinating history at our local museums – Lynn Museum, True’s Yard, and Stories of Lynn.
The towns
West Norfolk benefits from three great towns – King’s Lynn, Hunstanton, and Downham Market – with their individual, independent shops alongside bigger retail outlets.
The green spaces
In west Norfolk, you’ll have access to lots of green space, such as the grade two The Walks park in King’s Lynn.
The people
Neighbours, colleagues, family, and friends….people in west Norfolk are friendly, warm, and welcoming.
Sunsets
West Norfolk’s big skies and vast space offer the most stunning sunsets.
The community spirit
There is a fantastic community spirit that brings people together and creates a sense of belonging.
Food and drink
There are award-winning restaurants to eat and drink right on the doorstep. The Orange Tree at Thornham is Norfolk Dining Pub 2013-2018. Meanwhile, the popular Rose and Crown at Snettisham and the Duck Inn at Stanhoe have also made best dining lists. And, people cite their love for the local produce, such as mussels from Brancaster and oysters from Thornham.
The natural world
The natural world that exists in west Norfolk is another attribute of the area. The RSPB at Titchwell is well worth a visit.