Bishops Boats

Down by the water near Fakenham, Bishops Boats is one of those proper Norfolk scenes that stops you in your tracks. We're talking traditional wooden boats, the sort you see in old photographs, still doing what they've always done. The setting itself is the real draw - that East Anglian flatness reflected in the water, the kind of light you only get in Norfolk where the sky seems to go on forever.

It's a working boatyard rather than a theme park version of one, which means you get the authentic thing. Boat repair, restoration, that sort of work happening as it has for generations. The boats themselves are beautiful if you're into that sort of craftsmanship - real wood, real skill. Honestly though, unless you're either a serious boat enthusiast or after a bit of quiet reflection time by the water, you might find yourself here for twenty minutes tops.

Families with younger kids will probably move on quickly. History buffs and anyone with a genuine interest in Norfolk's maritime heritage will find plenty to think about. It's the sort of place that works better as part of a larger day out rather than a destination in itself.

Pinewoods Holiday Park sits just a few miles away and makes a logical base if you're exploring this corner of Norfolk. Combine Bishops Boats with the other attractions in the Fakenham area and you've got a proper day shaping up. Bring a camera if you're any good with one - the light here really does deliver.