Norfolk


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>Previously something of an under-the-radar gem, Harleston has started to draw attention of late – and about time, we say. On the Norfolk-Suffolk border, the market town is nestled in the Waveney Valley, making it the perfect base for exploring the area’s picture-perfect vistas and waterways. The town centre is all quaint alleys (usually lined by bunting – they’re a celebratory bunch in Harleston), lovely Georgian-fronted buildings, fab cafés and a bustling market square. The pretty town centre has had £800,000 worth of upgrades to make it even more shopper and visitor-friendly over the last couple of years, with rumours of new businesses on their way.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/06/JD-Young-Harleston.png" alt="JD Young Harleston" class="wp-image-43537" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/06/JD-Young-Harleston.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/06/JD-Young-Harleston-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/06/JD-Young-Harleston-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/06/JD-Young-Harleston-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">JD Young</figcaption></figure>



<p>Foodies won’t be going hungry. Locals love&nbsp;<a href="https://www.momijijapanese.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Momiji Japanese</a>&nbsp;restaurant for their fill of gyoza and yaki soba, as well as the swish bar and restaurant at hotel&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jdyoung.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JD Young</a>&nbsp;– book its fern and wisteria-clad private dining room The Conservatory for a special occasion. Or enjoy a local draught beer with street food at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheCapHarleston/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Cap</a>, local brewery Ampersand Brew Co’s first pub (the&nbsp;<a href="https://ampersandbrew.co/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brewery</a>&nbsp;itself is 15 mins away in Stuston).</p>



<p>When it comes to cafés, you’ll be spoilt for choice, from Muddy Awards 2023 finalist <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SOULcafe.harleston/">Soul Café</a> and its pretty courtyard to&nbsp;<a href="http://tudorbakehouse.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Tudor Bakehouse</a>&nbsp;and its famous saussie rolls. Toasted sarnies at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheApiaryHarleston/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Apiary</a>&nbsp;and tasty veggie and vegan fare at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hungrycatcafe1/?locale=en_GB">Hungry Cat Café</a> also get a thumbs up. Don’t miss the morsels on the edge of town, too –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thebroken-egg.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Broken Egg Café</a>&nbsp;is a must-visit (the kids can meet its resident pygmy goats), as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grainbrewery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Grain Brewery’s</a>&nbsp;taproom, which opens on Friday and Saturday nights with a rota of street food traders.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop"><strong>SHOP</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1250" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/09/454617123_489556587028783_2846073478351186561_n.jpeg" alt="James and Joanna shop in Harleston" class="wp-image-57182" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/09/454617123_489556587028783_2846073478351186561_n.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/09/454617123_489556587028783_2846073478351186561_n-640x800.jpeg 640w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/09/454617123_489556587028783_2846073478351186561_n-800x1000.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/09/454617123_489556587028783_2846073478351186561_n-768x960.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">James and Joanna</figcaption></figure>



<p>Harleston is crammed with fantastic indies. Treat your new pad to a housewarming present at lovely interiors and lifestyle store <a href="https://2thefold.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2 The Fold</a>, or a fresh lick of designer paint from <a href="https://www.raymunnpaintsandinteriors.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ray Munn</a>. French country living more your style? <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jamesandjoannadesign/">James and Joanna</a> design and make their own decorative accessories and furniture. Beer and wine gurus&nbsp;<a href="https://adnams.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Adnams</a>&nbsp;are at home here, as are <a href="https://thepodchocolates.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Pod Chocolates</a> – winners of a recent Great Taste Award. Stationery addicts can get their fix of notepads and pens at <a href="https://robinsonstraditionalstationers.co.uk">Robinson&#8217;s Traditional Stationers</a>. There’s <a href="https://www.figandroses.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fig &amp; Roses</a>&nbsp;florists, a beauticians, appointment-only <a href="https://luckysixpencebridal.co.uk">Lucky Sixpence Bridal</a>,&nbsp;Boots, vets, a dog grooming parlour, opticians, a bed shop and a hardware shop.&nbsp;It&#8217;s just 15 mins by car to the vast <a href="https://www.goodiesfoodhall.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goodie&#8217;s Food Hall</a> with local produce aplenty and a café.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>There’s facilities galore for residents – a fab community&nbsp;<a href="https://www.harlestongym.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">leisure centre and gym</a>, kids play area and BMX track, post office, GP surgery, schools, dentist and a library. There&#8217;s also plenty of choice when it comes to hair and beauty salons in town (<a href="https://johearlebeautician.co.uk">Jo Hearle Beauty and Nail Salon</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheWhiteRoomHaircareAndBeauty/?locale=en_GB">The White Room Haircare and Beauty</a>, <a href="https://www.gingerbreadcottageharleston.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gingerbread Cottage Haircutters</a>) meaning you don&#8217;t have to travel far for your glam. Fancy a big pamper? Private spa, <a href="https://highfieldsspa.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Highfields Spa Retreat</a>, is in neighbouring Thorpe Abbotts, with <a href="https://www.dunstonhallhotel.co.uk/spa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dunston Hall</a> and <a href="https://www.parkfarm-hotel.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Park Farm</a> slightly further afield (30 mins by car) but well worth travelling for.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Having been a market town since at least 1369 (its Wednesday market is still going strong), Harleston is brimming with history, including a 1570 plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I! Zooming forward a few centuries, it’s home to just over 5,000 people and is bursting with community spirit, with a motto of Time for Everyone. There&#8217;s an annual art trail, a town festival, pancake race, antiques fair, food and drink fest, and clubs for everything from football to crafts  (as well as the Harleston Magpies hockey team – one of the biggest in the region). Community spirit overfloweth here.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<p>For little ones,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oasiscamelpark.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oasis Camel Park</a>&nbsp;is a quarter of an hour away, with&nbsp;<a href="http://norfolktankmuseum.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norfolk Tank Museum</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beccleslido.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beccles Lido</a>&nbsp;also close by. Living in the Waveney Valley means there’s boat trips, kayaking and paddleboarding spots galore, as well as scenic walks and bike rides on tap, many with stunning valley views.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Diss-Corn-Hall.png" alt="Diss Corn Hall" class="wp-image-43860" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Diss-Corn-Hall.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Diss-Corn-Hall-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Diss-Corn-Hall-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Diss-Corn-Hall-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Corn Hall</figcaption></figure>



<p>With&nbsp;<a href="https://harleston-tc.gov.uk/harleston-museum/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harleston Museum</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://hwat.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harleston and Waveney Art Trail</a>, film screenings at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.norfolkfreemasons.org.uk/freemasonry/masonic-centres/harleston-masonic-rooms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Masonic Rooms</a>&nbsp;and brill shows from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.harlestonplayers.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harleston Players</a>&nbsp;on your doorstep, it’s fair to say the town punches above its weight (or size, at least) when it comes to culture. If all that hasn’t scratched the itch, head into Diss – it’s a 20 min drive away – for shows and gigs at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thecornhall.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Corn Hall</a>&nbsp;or make a beeline for Norwich – that’ll take about 40 mins – for a taste of its world-class culture.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>Overall average house prices come in at £285,799. Expect to pay £216,423for a terraced house, £297,553 for semis and £361,136 for detached homes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/harleston-property-durrants.jpg" alt="Harleston property on the market with Durrants" class="wp-image-49696" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/harleston-property-durrants.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/harleston-property-durrants-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/harleston-property-durrants-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">In the centre Harleston, an attractive early 19th Century Grade II Listed house. <a href="https://durrants.com/property/station-road-harleston/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market for £725,000</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nursery">NURSERY</h2>



<p><a href="https://harlestonpreschoolnursery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harleston Pre-School and Day Nursery</a>&nbsp;– rated Good by Ofsted last summer, and with holiday clubs for older kids – is twinned with nearby&nbsp;<a href="https://alburghwithdentonpreschoolnursery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alburgh with Denton Pre-School Nursery</a>&nbsp;(also Good). Just 15 mins drive away in Bungay,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beehivedaynursery.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beehive Day Nursery</a> (Good) has a great outdoor space with animals.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>The closest private school is <a href="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/langley-senior-school-loddon-norfolk-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Langley School</a>&nbsp;(day and boarding options), while in Norwich there’s a choice of <a href="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/town-close-prep-school-norwich-review/#" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Town Close</a>, <a href="https://www.norwich-school.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norwich School</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.norwichhigh.gdst.net/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norwich High School for Girls</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sancroft.stbenets.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harleston Sancroft Academy</a>&nbsp;has primary and secondary phases (both Ofsted Good) and is the local school, while the nearest sixth form is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.disshigh.norfolk.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diss High School</a> (also Good).&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Local legend says the name Harleston comes from Harold’s Stone, a three-foot boulder which is still in a walkway in the town centre. It’s said the stone is where King Harold (who held the crown for nine months in 1066 before he was killed) stood to hand out land.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>It’s in a great spot for commuters – hop over to Diss and you’ll be on the Norwich to London Liverpool train line in no time (it’s about 1 hr 40 mins to get into the capital and 20 mins into Norwich). It’s a 40 min drive into Norwich, or a trip on <a href="https://www.firstbus.co.uk/norfolk-suffolk/routes-and-maps/network-norwich/purple-line-36373839">First’s Purple bus route</a>.</p>



<p><em>Full list <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 300 Best Places to Live</a>.</em></p>


Harleston

See more in Norfolk