EXCURSION TO MUNDESLEY, THROUGH OVERSTRAND, SYDERSTRAND, TO TRIMMINGHAM, RETURNING BY SOUTHREPPS.

The drive from Cromer to Mundesley presents some of the finest sea-views imaginable. The road runs almost entirely along the coast, taking in its course the villages of Overstrand, Syderstrand, and Trimmingham.

About two miles E. by S. of Cromer, is the small parish of Overstrand, which extends two miles along the sea-cliffs, and is bounded inland by a lofty range of hills. On the beach is a hamlet, and fishing-station, commonly called Beck Hoy, with a curing-house, and a free-school, the latter built and supported, during her lifetime, by the late amiable and lamented Miss Buxton: it is now carried on by Miss Gurney, of Northrepp’s Cottage.

The old church, like that of Shipden, was swallowed up by the sea, which catastrophe took place in the reign of Richard II. The present, which is dedicated to St. Martyn, was then built on half an acre of ground given by John Reymes; but the chancel and part of the nave are in ruins, the remainder is walled in, and fitted for divine service. The living, which is very small, is in the gift of Lord Suffield. In the year 1250, (34 Hen. III.) a duel or combat of trial was fought on account of this lordship, on behalf of Agnes de Reymes.Foulness, or Cromer light-house, is in this parish.

Syderstrand is a small parish, containing not more than four hundred acres of land, partly belonging to Samuel Hoare, Esq., the lord of the manor, and patron of the living, which is a rectory, alternately with the sovereign as Duchess of Lancaster. [31] The church, dedicated to St. Michael, stands on a solitary eminence, and in appearance and loneliness, reminds the traveller of the sacred edifices which salute his eye in the Isle of Man.

Not a tree or a bush casts a shade near it, the dead alone in their solitude surround it, and the deep calm is broken only by the hollow dash of the billows, or the occasional screech of the sea-mew.

Still continuing in view of the sea, you reach Trimmingham, which stands on the highest ground in Norfolk. The cliffs are here not less than three hundred feet high. It is five miles E. S. E. of Cromer, and the same distance N. by E. of North Walsham. The ocean here also gains considerably on the coast. Several years ago, two farm-houses, with their yards and outbuildings, were washed down by the sea. This accident was owing to the choking up of a spring, which occasioned such a subterraneous body of water, that several acres of land, as well as these buildings, were detached from the main land and washed into the sea.

The church stands on the highest point of the cliffs. It was formerly a favourite resort of the superstitious and ignorant; for its ancient priests pretended that they were in the possession of the hand of St. John the Baptist; an imposition which was a source of considerable wealth to them, as pilgrims from all parts visited it, making large offerings in honour of the precious relic. The living is in the gift of the crown. Part of the glebe land has been washed into the sea.

On a hill about a mile from the village are to be seen the ruins of an old beacon. This hill commands an exceedingly fine prospect both of the sea and land. In very clear weather Yarmouth is discernible, and the spire of Norwich Cathedral is seen without difficulty. This spot has gained such celebrity for the extensive view it affords, that few persons quit Cromer without having visited it. It is said that no less than from thirty to forty churches may be counted from hence.

About two miles further on, is Mundesley, which from a mere straggling village has become of sufficient importance to rank next to Cromer as a watering-place; a circumstance owing chiefly to the spirited exertions of F. Wheatly, Esq., although it is, and must continue to be, greatly inferior to that place in every respect. It is distant from Cromer seven miles. Like Cromer, it is situated on the lofty and broken cliffs of the ocean, which, however, are here divided by a deep ravine, through which a small stream discharges itself upon the beach, which at low water has a broad firm sand, and, like Cromer, it is subjected to the formidable encroachments of the sea. To remedy this, the above-named liberal individual erected, at the cost of a thousand pounds, a massive wall, forming an upper and a lower terrace, the latter of which, being ninety feet above the beach, commands a most extensive and delightful view of the ocean. In the year 1837, during the same extraordinary high tides, that ravaged Cromer, this wall was in part destroyed, and was repaired at a cost little inferior to the first. The prospect upon the beach to the southward, differs greatly in appearance from that of Cromer, by the land at Happisburgh projecting into the sea, forming a promontory. There are two good inns here, and several respectable lodging-houses, with bathing-machines, a warm bath, and other necessary accommodations for visitors.

The church, dedicated to All Saints, stands on a lofty point of the cliff above the village, and was formerly a noble edifice, but the tower is gone, and the chancel, and part of the nave are in ruins. The remaining part of the nave has been repaired, and is fitted up for divine service. The living is in the gift of the crown. The place derives interest from the circumstance of the father of Archbishop Tenison having been ejected from this living in 1640, for his loyalty to the ill-fated and amiable monarch, Charles I.

Returning by Southrepps, we are struck with its church which is one of the most beautiful in the neighbourhood, and, as usual, is built on an eminence. It is dedicated to St. James. In the year 1788, the side-aisles were taken down, and the arches filled up. The living is in the gift of the crown. The parsonage-house is situated near it.

On a hill, about a mile from the village, are the ruins of an old beacon, which commands a fine view of the sea and surrounding country. Southrepps, is five miles from Cromer and one from Thorpe. The drive consists of seventeen miles.