No person of taste will willingly leave Cromer without having visited the beautiful ruins of Beckham church, which are the most picturesque of any in the neighbourhood.

Having proceeded four miles on the Holt-road, we turn to the left, and at the distance of a mile the ruins present themselves, standing in a vale, where the waving of the corn, the song of the birds, or the sighing of the trees alone disturb their loneliness, and silence. The walls of the middle aisle and the chancel are remaining, as is also the south porch, which is luxuriantly bound with ivy. We ourselves saw them to great advantage. It was evening; a shower of rain had just fallen, and the heavy clouds yet cast a dark shade upon them. The large drops fell occasionally from the boughs of the fine ash which extends itself over them, shielding them from the roughness of the east blast in this their day of the north blast, seeming in fancy’s eye as if weeping for the decay of that which it protected; while the ivy, like a faithful friend, sheds its tears unseen in the bosom of one whom all had deserted. In a few moments, however, a brilliant rainbow threw its arch in the east, and the subdued rays of the setting sun burst forth, casting a bright gleam over them. There was beauty in the scene: there were reflections to be drawn from it, and an application to be made which could not be mistaken; and the ancient church of the valley, with all its accompaniments, spoke of a season of distress indeed, but of support and heavenly countenance, of cheerfulness and hope.

The drive from hence to Gresham is very pleasing, and a fine view of the surrounding country is obtained from an elevated part of the road which leads to that place, which having reached, two roads offer themselves, one direct to Cromer through Stustead, and the other, which is a mile further round, through Metton, and Felbrigg, making the whole extent of the drive about twelve miles; a consideration for which the beauty of the country will fully compensate.