Sandringham Flower Show

Want to see Prince Charles and The Duchess of York? The best way to do this is to go to the Sandringham Flower Show in the 25th July 2012from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.


It’s a great event to bring the children to. There are exhibits of horses and other displays like aerobatics teams, dog shows and bands and of course flower displays from the Women’s Institute (you might know about them through the movie Calendar Girls).

It’s only a 45 minute drive from base.

The Sandringham Estate is open to take a stroll. Sandringham Estate is where the Royal Family spends their Christmas and attend Christmas service at Church of St Mary Magdalene which is also usually open to visit.

I asked the question of where the Queen sits as she is the Head of the Church of England and the answer is she sits up front with the priest and other clergy members.

So take the day off and see how close you can get to royalty.

Santon Downham

Santon Downham is a great 6 mile walk in the area near the RAF Lakenheath and Mildenhall that makes for a nice afternoon out with the family and the dog.

When I did this walk, I was on a guided walk but the link included in this blog takes you to a place where you can print out a map if you go it on your own. Also there are directions so I think you will be set.

You can park at the Forest Office Car park (free) and there should be information about the walk there for you as well. So really this could be a free day out if you pack a picnic.

Great views, nice church, go for it!

Woodbridge

Woodbridge is a lovely town in Suffolk across the river from Sutton Hoo. It is best to tie these two places into one visit for a full day out.

There are a lot of lovely independent shops along the high street that are worth popping in. There are also many buildings that date back to the Tudor era.

The village has great suggestion of how the best wander around and see the sights to see the history, check it out here.

In the Middle Ages, Woodbridge was a very important shipbuilding center. Edward III and Sir Francis Drake both had ships commissioned here.

Its tide mill still runs and is one of only two left in the country.

There also used to be a RAF base here which is where the USAF used to be based. The 79th Fight Squadron was here during the Cold War. There were other squadrons here that were part of the 81st Fight Wing.

Stop by!

Book Review: Miss Savidge Moves Her House

Miss Savidge Moves Her House was written by a former member of my sailing club, Christine Adams. She wrote the book about her ex-husband's aunt who moved her house from Hertfordshire to Wells-Next-The-Sea. Auntie May saved it from being bulldozed and lost forever in favour of a bypass.

The house wasn't just any old house but used to be a hall. She numbered every brick and timber in order to put it back together but died before it was finished. Christine finished the house and you are able to stay there as it is a B&B.

This story was also featured on the BBC Antiques Roadshow.

This is a very interesting read and you can finishing it off by going away to Wells-Next-The-Sea and staying with Christine!

Castle Acre

Castle Acre is a rare Norman settlement. It has a Castle, Bailey Gate and Priory.

There is an English Heritage priory located here. The priory is one of the best preserved and dates back to 1090. It is one of the most complete that I have sen so far. On the website there are a few activities you can print out for the children before you go.

I think you could spend a good half of a day here seeing the priory and castle, going around the village, and having lunch in the local pub.

Not too much to organise and a nice place to get away for the day.

Blickling Hall

Blicking Hall, a National Trust property, is a great day out in the East Anglian area for children, dogs and history lovers. It is an hours drive from RAF Lakenheath, so try to get there earlier and then you will not be rushed to take it all in.Also pack a lunch! There are facilities there to eat but if you are watching your purse, have your own picnic.

Blicking Hall was the childhood home and birth place of of Anne Boleyn, Henry the VIII's second wife. It is a lovely Jacobean building built in the 17th century.

Another interesting point about this property is that it is rumoured on the anniversary that Anne Boleyn lost her head, her ghost appears carrying the head in her hands.

They also have a display about the people that worked at the hall in the 1930s. It was privately occupied until 1939 and then it was handed over to the National Trust and used as an officers mess during World War II.

There are a number of walks around the property which you can take your dog on a lead. I know Dusty was exhausted when we were finished! There is also a playground so the children can burn off their energy.

A great local property for a last minute trip.