Norfolk

Norfolk sits in East Anglia with a famously flat, open landscape, a long coastline on the North Sea and extensive salt marshes. Inland the county’s low-lying rivers and shallow lakes form The Broads, a network of protected waterways and wetlands prized for boating and wildlife.

The county has a strong historic and cultural identity centred on Norwich, a compact cathedral city with medieval streets, a lively arts scene and one of Europe’s oldest markets, while coastal towns like Cromer keep a traditional seaside character. Historic estates such as Sandringham and a wealth of churches and market towns reflect centuries of agricultural prosperity, notably from the medieval wool trade.

Economically much of Norfolk remains agricultural, but tourism, ports and energy are important - Great Yarmouth and King's Lynn handle fishing, freight and links to offshore wind, and beaches and nature reserves around Holkham draw many visitors. Socially it’s a mix of tight-knit rural communities, commuter areas and an ageing population, balanced by seasonal visitors and a strong local interest in food and conservation.