The Limes Bed and Breakfast, Coltishall, Norwich, Norfolk...

The Limes

 

12 Wroxham Road, Coltishall, Norwich, Norfolk, NR12 7EA
Telephone: 01603 738060
Mobile: 07979 815035

 

 

 

 

e-mail

 
The Limes at Coltishall 1692, and all that


 

The Limes, Bed and Breakfast

 

 

 

 
Welcome to the Limes an historic Grade II listed Merchant's House built in 1692. The village of Coltishall is rich in beautiful houses of the same period, but Sir Nikolaus Pevsner singled out "The Limes" in his classic "Buildings of England" as "The finest house in the village". When it was built, Norwich was still the second biggest city in the land after London, Henry Purcell was England's favourite composer and Henry Winstanley was about to start building his fabulous Lighthouse on the Eddystone Rocks only to perish when the Great Storm swept it away and laid waste to most of southern England in 1703. Magnificent houses were being built, Castle Howard, Hampton Court and Kensington Palace among them. King James II had not long fled into exile with his Catholic court, and the so-called Glorious Revolution had placed the Protestant William of Orange and his wife Mary on the throne. Nearer to home "The Limes" had been standing a mere six years when the last fatal duel in England was fought a few miles away on Cawston Heath.

"The Limes" has had many uses over the years. At first the home of a prosperous merchant, Thomas Bell, it became a brewery for a time until, in the 1790's a Miss Wymer set up s Boarding School; signs of her dormitory layout still exist in the attic! A butcher added the side wings in the early 19th century to accommodate his business; a huge wooden wheel for raising carcasses remains in its original position in the rafters. The Stibbons family moved here in 1914, living in the house and running the butchery until the mid 1960's. "The Limes" is now owned by the great niece of Billy Stibbons, the last butcher, and the house continues to earn its keep as a prestige bed and breakfast establishment, which has already gained an enviable reputation. The present owner has undertaken an restoration programme, which seeks to preserve the original fabric as well as later additions.

 

 

 
Facilities

There are two double bedrooms, one en-suite and one with private bathroom and one twin bedroom with private bathroom. All rooms have facilities for making tea and coffee. Television is available in the panelled Drawing Room, as is a good selection of books and magazines. Please note that smoking is not permitted in the house. The Garden, largely 19th century and the subject of the next phase of restoration, covers approximately one acre and includes a frontage to the River Bure. Guests' dogs are welcome by prior arrangement.


 

The Limes, Garden path to the private river frontage

 

 

 

 
A hearty breakfast is served from 7.30am to 9.00am. Packed lunches are available on request (please order the night before these are required).

 

 

 
Local Interest

Coltishall is situated on the Norfolk's Northern Broads, and motor launches may be hired by the hour from nearby Hoveton and Wroxham. Norwich, 8 miles away has two Cathedrals and other superb churches, a castle, three theatres, concert venues, three cinema complexes, museums, galleries and excellent shopping.

There are magnificent stately homes, gardens and parks at Blickling, Felbrigg, Sheringham Park (all National Trust), Mannington, Wolerton, Holkham, Houghton and Sandringham. Nature Reserves include How Hill, Hickling, and the Hoveton Broads, while Cley, Burnham, Holme and Titchwell are the delight of bird-watchers. There is a Craft Centre and Junior Farm at Wroxham Barns, working steam railways at the Bure Valley (Hoveton to Aylsham), Barton House in Wroxham and at Sheringam. The Country's tallest windmill is at Sutton, the Museum of the broads at Stalham, the Shire Horse Centre at West Runton, Caister Castle Car Museum, the Muckleborough Collection of Military Vehicles at Weybourne, Norwich Aviation Museum, the Bygone Village at Filby, and the world famous Thurston Collection.

The Coast, less than half an hour's drive away, offers everything from the unspoilt beauty of Saltmarsh and dunes to pier shows, cockles and candyfloss!

 

 

 
Activities

Here are just a few of the possibilities available within the locality:

Boating (rowing, canoeing, sailing, motor launches, organised excursions with a guide), bird-watching, cycling; fishing - freshwater and sea, golf, rambling, riding, shooting, swimming, walking. Norwich offers every kind of entertainment.

Eating Out

There are many excellent places to dine out in Norwich and the surrounding villages, which cater for all tastes and cuisines.

 

 

 
How to find us

From Norwich take the B1150 North Walsham road to Horstead. Cross the river bridge and turn right at the filling station towards Wroxham. Pass the church on your right just before the post office and King's Head. From Wroxham take the B1354 to Coltishall and is on your left after the river Green, King's Head and Post Office.

 

 

 This Web site owned and maintained by Gill Riley of The Limes