Aylsham is an historic market town in the heart of Norfolk, but it is often overlooked by tourists who are heading for the beaches of the nearby sandy coastline
A beautiful market town, Aylsham, located just over 12 miles north of Norwich in Norfolk, is often overlooked by tourists despite its rich history and stunning beauty.
The town, first mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, has a long-standing reputation for its material manufacturing. Despite its lack of glamour, the area is undeniably beautiful.
However, it’s often bypassed by tourists heading to the beach, with the scenic Norfolk coastline just a short drive away. Mundesley, the nearest seaside town, is only a 20-minute car journey away, and Cromer is an additional 15 minutes down the coast.
This means that the millions who visit the Norfolk coast each year tend to overlook Aylsham. But this community of approximately 6,000 residents is picturesque in its own right, boasting quintessential British lanes lined with gabled buildings housing traditional butchers and fishmongers.
Visit Norfolk describes Aylsham as a “proper market town” teeming with local heritage and bustling squares. The market square, owned by the National Trust, serves as the “heart” of the town.
Visitors and locals alike can enjoy weekly markets, monthly farmer’s markets, and various community events throughout the year, reports the Express. The town also boasts a charming miniature railway that ferries folks between Aylsham and another scenic local community.
The Bure Valley Railway, a narrow gauge steam railway, offers nine-mile journeys between Aylsham and Wroxham in the Norfolk Broads.
From April to October each year, passengers can enjoy these trips from the comfort of fully enclosed upholstered seats, with special festive services running every December up until Christmas Eve.
