Swaffham area

[Follysmum]

Would love to move near this area in the future. Seems like a nice town, not far for forest riding. Is it very horsey, good ,bad areas to look at. Thankyou.

 

[Alec Swan]

Swaffham is rather run down, which is a pity. It's a lovely old Norfolk market town, but there's little work to be had in the area (that would be dependent upon how you earn your daily bread), and there's a very high crime rate. With such underprivileged and such poverty bound people, there's small wonder at that. The bulk of the work carried out by the police tends to focus around the local traveller's site, which is extensive.

The countryside is lovely, though when you travel East you tend to head towards the Fens, but that said, and despite my words, I rather like Swaffham. Whether I'd recommend that someone moved there, just for the riding, is another matter!!

If you need further help, then PM me.

Alec.

 

[Follysmum]

Thankyou Alec for the information. We went to Forest Edge Arena a few months ago and thought what a nice quiet area it was.

 

[Bobbly]

I live 10 miles from Forest Edge, towards Brandon. Can't say I find the crime rate much at all around here. I am just a couple of miles from the forest, loads of hacking up there. A friend lives near East Wretham, some lovely forest near there too. For me I have access to Thetford, Brandon, Downham Market, Watton, Swaffham and Kings Lynn all within about 15 miles so spoilt for choice! Then again I could sell you my place for 625k If I can help at all, just shout!

 

[Follysmum]

Thankyou Bobbly. I have ridden some of the forests that way with the Iceni Endurance Group and they are great. We are hoping to move this year sometime ( fingers crossed just sussing out areas at moment. We have narrowed it down to either Lincs or Norfolk.

 

[Bobbly]

No contest! Lincs is too flat for starters and people I've known have previously said that there wasn't much to do up there?

 

[icestationzebra]

Swaffham itself is rather tired - which is a shame. However, there are some absolutely gorgeous villages outside of it. As well as the forest riding, no one has mentioned the beach, particularly Holkham which is stunning

 

[Follysmum]

Yes beach is fab so many places that look great. We want to be within an hour of beach, forest and have good hacking on doorstep. Will keep looking at areas around Norfolk especially

 

[wowser]

swaffham also known as pikeyville

 

[elliebrewer98]

I live 40 miles from Swaffham in North West Norfolk in a little village called Ingoldisthorpe and the area is lovely. The riding around us is amazing, you can ride for miles in virtually any direction on bridlespaths, quite lanes, etc. I've ridden in numerous counties in England (Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Cornwall, etc) with and without my own ponies and the hacking is no where near as good. I accept that I've only seen a small area but the variety of hacking is brilliant
I can hack from home to the beach easily along bridlepaths and we're an hour from Thetford forest (where we holiday with the horses at least once a year ) and there are also smaller woodland estates right near us which we hack to
West Norfolk is a lovely place to live

 

[Pamfyson]

No contest! Lincs is too flat for starters and people I've known have previously said that there wasn't much to do up there?

Lincs is not flat. There is a small area of flatlands but the majority is rolling country. Have a look at the Louth area OP you get very good value for money there and it is lovely country.

 

[Follysmum]

Thankyou all for your input. I have ridden the Lincs Wolds and must say it was not at all that flat. We have seen quite a few property's that might fit the bill in both Lincs and Norfolk so hopefully in the spring we will on the move.

 

[Stateside]

I live near by Downham Market, Crime rate is OK Swffham is nice place ,the whole area is nice ,You could buy Forest Edge arena its for sale quite cheap at only £ 1.4 million.

 

[Alec Swan]

Follysmum appears to have gone grey. Does anyone know why? The last time that I asked Admin such a question, I was told to mind my own business!

Alec.

 

[Suechoccy]

Thetford Forest is lovely hacking and being sandy, it's rideable at all times of year.
Brancaster, Holme and Holkham Beaches are all horsefriendly at the right tide times.
Peddars Way is a nice longdistance hack (I did it over 4 days last year).
Very easy to find very quiet spots in Norfolk with just birdsong for company.

 

[Alec Swan]

Follysmum appears to have gone grey. Does anyone know why? The last time that I asked Admin such a question, I was told to mind my own business!

Alec.

OH!! She's now a better colour!!

Alec.

 

[Follysmum]

Thanks for your comments and replies. Over the xmas holidays we have been over to look at a few areas and have decided on Norfolk area. Want to be able to do the Iceni EGB rides and Anglian Distance Riders rides. At moment we are just under 2 hrs away from most of their rides so within an hour would be better.

Have been on the naughty step for a week due to the Shwmae debate!!!!

 

[SnowPhony]

Swaffham itself is not the nicest town. I grew up however in a nearby village and it was a lovely place to live. Norfolk is wonderful, but pretty isolated. I kinda like that though.

Lincolnshire Wolds are also fabulous, someone mentioned Louth. We stay in the Louth area most years and the walking (and riding) is brilliant. The town of Louth is not much to shout about but again, surrounding areas are lovely.

 

[elliebrewer98]

Norfolk is wonderful, but pretty isolated. I kinda like that though.

I like that too, it's so beautifully undisturbed in places The riding is so varied too.

 

[Bobbly]

Thanks for your comments and replies. Over the xmas holidays we have been over to look at a few areas and have decided on Norfolk area. Want to be able to do the Iceni EGB rides and Anglian Distance Riders rides. At moment we are just under 2 hrs away from most of their rides so within an hour would be better.

Have been on the naughty step for a week due to the Shwmae debate!!!!

Please buy my house!! lol