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The name of Heacham
arises from its 12th century overlord Geoffrey de
Hecham, and its river, the Hitch. Over the years
the word and spelling have become Heacham
meaning "The Home in the Thicket".
Heacham has existed as a settlement since before the
Romans. Indeed, evidence has been found here
of passing centuries as far back as the stone age.
Today, Heacham is very much is a
thriving village, lit by fabulously unique east coast sunsets
and
encircled by fragrant purple lavender and scarlet
poppy fields. Visitors and
residents alike enjoy the sloping beaches and the
soft undulating West Norfolk countryside,
which has remained unchanged over time.
Heacham is home of the Rolfe family, who for generations farmed
the land and traded on the shores of the Wash. The
Rolfe’s benign influence has helped shaped the village over
the centuries.
Sadly, Heacham Hall (the family home of the
Rolfes) was burnt down in 1943, although the
parklands remain and and a new building stands in
its stead.
In recent years, the village has
slowly evolved and changed but in doing so has successfully avoided the modern
commercialisation of many seaside resorts retaining its very own natural quaintness.
The village once had its own brick yard but the
coming of the railway in 1862 brought in a much
cheaper, though poorer, brick. This form of
transport opened the door to a positive flood of
visitors who came for the sea and to enjoy the
beauty of the village and so the village became
popular with holidaymakers. Many of these
visitors have decided to relocate to Heacham to
enjoy their later years.
Heacham’s John Rolfe
was born and baptised in
the village in 1585. John Rolfe left England in
search of adventure in the New World, and played a
major part in ensuring the survival of the first
English speaking settlement; Jamestown in Virginia. Rolfe also married the legendary Native American
Red Indian Princess “Pocahontas” (Matoaka Rebucka Pocahontas), whose image is featured on
the village sign. In the Church of St Mary the
Virgin at Heacham you will find a memorial to
Pocahontas carved by Otillea Wallace, a pupil of Rodin. She is
dressed in a stylish Jacobean trilby hat and a great
neck ruff, which was the fashion of the period
(taken from a real image of her carved when she
visited London).
Many local attractions unique to this part of
Norfolk are close by, such as The Sandringham
Estate, home to Her Majesty The Queen, and the
popular Bird Nature Reserves at Holme, Snettisham
and Titchwell. These Nature Reserves have
regular seasonal events including tours and walks
which attract many a visitor to the region.
Heacham offers no less than
six different pubs (including clubs). The Fox &
Hounds, in particular, has its own micro-brewery and
hosts a number of popular Beer Festivals
throughout the holiday season. In recent years, The Fox Brewery has
held several of these Beer Festivals over key
holiday periods such as Easter and August Bank
Holiday weekends.
There are also quality restaurants and
cafes in the village or nearby.
A variety of accommodation which includes bed and
breakfasts (B&Bs), guesthouses and pub accommodation
is available as well as a range of self-catering
cottages and a number of caravan holiday parks all
offering something different for the visitor. Throughout the year there is something going on -
whether it be the annual Carnival & Fete (August) or
a traditional Christmas Market (usually Dickensian).
It is a great family holiday location.
Shops
include our own "department store" which has built a
solid reputation for quality and good service, a
supermarket, a bakery (offering freshly baked bread)
and a selection of smaller shops selling gifts etc.
If that is not enough, Burnham Market and Holt are
an easy distance for a shopping day out. There
is even a stocked fishery lake and, in keeping with
our coastal position, Heacham is one of the few
locations from which you may
launch boats and other motorcraft (with proof of insurance). There is also a
proactive Heacham Boat Owners Association.
