Museum of the Broads boat trip by Jeff Owen Photos
STALHAM Visit Stalham to discover a historic town and boating centre on the River Ant. It’s home to the only museum of Broadland Life – The Museum of the Broads – and Stalham Firehouse Museum, which was one of the first firehouses in the UK. The High Street has plenty of shops, cafes, restaurants and other facilities and there is a Tesco supermarket nearby. A great way to discover Stalham is to follow the signposted Town Trail. Take a look at the board by the Richardson’s moorings and then follow the footpath for a few minutes to Stalham Staithe and the Musuem of the Broads. The family and dog friendly museum, which is spread across four buildings charts the history of the Broads, its people, boats and wildlife. They run a lovely little Victorian steam boat trip Tuesday to Thursday and have a picnic area, shop and café selling Broadland memorabilia, drinks, snacks and ice cream. (Open from Easter until October Half Term.) Closed Sundays, 01692 581681 www.museumofthebroads.org.uk Next visit Stalham High street by following the path past the allotments, carefully cross the A149 and bear right on to Lower Staithe Road to reach the High Street (alternatively follow Market Road for a more direct route). The High Street is lined with little shops, cafes, pubs, a wide range of takeaways and other facilities. This includes a Boots pharmacy, a Post Office with free cashpoint, an excellent butchers, fishing tackle shops, pet store, garden, homeware
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and DIY shops, a clothing and embroidery store, convenience shops, lots of antiques and charity shops, hairdressers, an opticians, a doctor’s surgery and library. Stalham has lots of historic buildings to explore on the Town Trail – including the Baptist Church, Town Hall and Coach House - but if you are short of time head to St Mary’s church which dates back to 1380 and has an impressive raised font that dates back to mediaeval times. Then make sure you visit the Stalham Firehouse museum, which is next to the church. It opened in 1833 and is one of the oldest organised fire brigades in Britain. There is a wide range of artefacts in the little museum, including a horse drawn pump engine, and children can ring the fire bells and try on helmets! (Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am-noon and 2pm4pm. Easter Holidays until end of September.) If you need to stock up on supplies there is a Tesco Supermarket, with free cashpoints, conveniently located on Old Market Road.
