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Aylsham THE BURE
VALLEY RAILWAY - Aylsham The nine mile long line runs through some of the county's most scenic and unspoilt countryside on the 45 minute journey from the bustling market town of Aylsham to the 'Capital of the Broads' at Wroxham. In between there are three smaller stations, at Brampton, Buxton and Coltishall where the trains will stop for you to alight or be collected.
The pretty Norfolk market town of
AYLSHAM
is situated at the start of
the river Bure between Norwich and Cromer. Its history can be traced back to Saxon times and there is
some evidence of Roman occupation. In the Domesday Book it is recorded
as Ailesham and also as Elesham. The town became a centre for the linen and canvas trade in
the 15th century. “Aylsham canvas”
became famed throughout the world. By the 16th century
the town had also become known for its wool industry, which brought
continuing and ever increasing wealth to the area. However by the 19th
century these trades had somewhat declined and the town became involved
in the distribution of corn, timber and the supply of agricultural
materials and equipment. The main method of transport in and out of the town for
these commodities was the river Bure that had been widened in the
1700’s to enable wherries and other trading boats to navigate from
Coltishall up to Aylsham Staithe. This continued up until 1912 when, due
to floods, the staithe was destroyed. The town was a crossroads for the coaches that ran daily
between Cromer and Norwich and Holt and Norwich. With the coaches
picking up and setting down passengers at the Black Boys pub in the
market place. This continued up until 1880 when the railway came to the
town. Aylsham boasted two railway stations until the 1950’s when like
so many they were axed. There are many fine properties in and around the area,
evidence of the town’s wealth in former times, the largest of which is
the beautiful Jacobean Blickling Hall set a mile or so out of the town
on the Blickling road. Now owned by the National Trust, the house and
Gardens are open to the public. Markets have been held in the town throughout its history
and it is, today, one of the few places that still has a weekly
livestock market and weekly auctions of household goods and antiques. The church of St Michael dates back to the 14th
century and contains some impressive brasses and the remains of a rood
screen. Sir Humphrey Repton 1752-1818 the architect is buried in the
churchyard. Why not also visit:
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