The Francis Frith Collection.
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Wroxham

Wroxham photos (31 available)

Old photo of Wroxham

Wroxham maps (2 available)

Old map of Wroxham

Wroxham books (4 available)

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Wroxham memories

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You can also read memories of nearby places in Norfolk below.

Norfolk memories

Old John Barley Corn....

Belaugh,

Known as the 'John Barley Corn' children because at the Staithe where they all used to play, there is an inlet. In the 1920s, when boats came past, the children would sing 'Old John Barley Corn if you throw us a penny we will sing you a song'. Sometimes handfuls of pennies would be thrown. The people on one boat 'Nelson' were always quite generous. It was quite a scramble to each get a couple of pennies.
A memory of Belaugh contributed by The Frith Memory Archivist

A R Taylor

I left school at 15 in 1953, and like many others of my age went to work at A R Taylors timber merchants.  I first worked at the Tunstead road site.  It was hard work and unlike today there was no such thing as a contract of employment so you did whatever anyone who was older than you told you to do.  I remember one of my jobs was to go around every morning to take orders from the workers for cigarettes, tobacco and sweets and such and then in all weathers cycle into the village and purchase the orders.  I remember Alfie Ransom asking me to go to the Ironmongers and get him a left handed hammer and a bubble ...read more here
A memory of Hoveton contributed by Calvin Simper

Neatishead - the enchanted village!

I spent holidays in this magical place as a boy, staying year after year with my beloved aunt and uncle and my two cousins. It was a vibrant and exciting English village that buzzed and thronged with life and activity. I watched each dawn from my bedroom window as the village street and the busy post office slowly came to life. I ran the lanes and glorious fields with my cousins and our friends from dawn til dusk and the river drew us kids like a magnet and it was here that we languished in summer bliss, fishing and watching the coots and even the occasional kingfisher. I met friends in that glorious place that remains special to me to this ...read more here
A memory of Neatishead contributed by Ray Gedling

Evacuee

I have strong memories of Barton Turf as a 5year old boy from London's East End. I was shipped to Bartom Turf to escape the Blitz after our house in Vallance Road was demolished by a bomb.  My dad was on active service in the army and my mum stayed with her parents. I arrived at a large assemby hall to be selected by my new family (name of Shepherd). I came back to London at war's end totally traumatised as I could not understand why I had been sent away on my own. I am now 71 and still have dreams of this period.
A memory of Barton Turf contributed by Allan Sanders

Extracts From Wroxham & Norfolk books

Wroxham, on the Bure 1921

Wroxham is at the western gateway to the Broads, and profited greatly from the late 19th-century boom in ‘messing about in boats’. J Loynes and Sons started the boom with their boatyard near the bridge.
An extract from from"Norwich Photographic Memories".

Wroxham, the Church 1921

Well south of the bridge and ‘Roytown’, the parish church sits aloof. In the churchyard is the 1820s Mausoleum of the Traffords, the family of the long-demolished Wroxham Hall, whose gate lodge survives by the church.
An extract from from"Norwich Photographic Memories".

Wroxham, Broad 1934

Below Wroxham, the River Bure flows between several broads that form wonderful boating lakes. Being within a few miles of the village, they helped Wroxham become the major centre for cruising that it is today.
An extract from from"Norwich Photographic Memories".

Wroxham, the Village c1940

At Wroxham, the capital of the Broads, there is a full mile of shimmering open water, which is thronged with pleasure craft in the summer months. Roy’s, ‘the biggest shop in the world’, has expanded to fill two corners. The proprietors are after the visitors’ holiday money: there are signs for chocolate, cards, Kodak film, millinery, soft drinks, and toilet requisites.
An extract from from"East Anglia".

Wroxham, the Village c1940

Roy’s main store is on the left, while the building beyond, also a Roy’s shop, is now their bargain store. The building in the right foreground is now Roy’s vast new supermarket.
An extract from from"Norwich Photographic Memories".