Taking the Norwich road, we proceed to the village of Northrepps, which is divided into two parts, called Church Street and Far Street, containing about two thousand six hundred acres of land, picturesquely broken into hill and dale, and belonging chiefly to Lord Suffield. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, though not equal to Southrepps, is a noble building, with a lofty square tower. The patronage is vested in the crown. The rectory-house and free-school, which he also endowed, were both erected at the cost of the late incumbent, the Rev. Thomas Hay, D.D.

Leaving now the Norwich road, and taking that to North Walsham, we reach Thorpe Market, which is a small but extremely pretty village, about a mile from Gunton Hall, four and a half from North Walsham, and the same from Cromer.

The present church is much and deservedly admired for the simplicity and elegance of its construction. It is dedicated to St. Margaret, and was partly built on the site of the old one, by the second Lord Suffield, who died in 1821. It consists only of a single arch, of flint-stone and freestone, with turrets at the angles, and a gable on each side, surmounted by a cross. The windows are ornamented with painted glass, as are also the upper parts of two light Gothic screens, which divide the chancel and the west end from the centre part, which is fitted up for divine service. It contains three ancient monuments, taken from the old church, and a handsome one by Rynart, erected to the memory of two brothers of the noble founder. The vault of the Rants (formerly lords of the manor) was under the old church, but is now securely bricked up in the churchyard.

Close to the church are extensive gardens, to which parties are made, to eat strawberries and cream, &c. An oak stands there, which, for beauty and size attracts universal admiration, and is, in fact, one of the lions of the place. [36] Some Spanish chestnuts also, near the church-gate, are very fine.

Leaving Thorpe for Gunton Hall, the seat of the Right Hon. Lord Suffield, you pass, at the north-east angle of the park, under the arch of an elegant tower, rising to the height of one hundred and twenty feet six inches, from which an extensive prospect is afforded of the surrounding country. The Hall itself is an elegant edifice, built of white brick, and it was much enlarged under the direction of Mr. Wyatt, in 1785. It stands on an eminence commanding a very fine view of the park and its plantations, which occupy not less than nine hundred and forty-two acres. More attention has been paid in the interior to comfort than to splendor, in which respect it is not to be exceeded. The gardens are extensive, and tastefully laid out. The park is well stocked with deer, and is noted for the number of pheasants and hares with which it abounds. From the Thorpe road an avenue is pointed out, which extends two miles, and opens into the park, through which the view is perfectly unobstructed.

A fine lake lies on the left as we leave the park through the Hanworth Lodge, where the trees again form an avenue, naturally, and in a most picturesque manner, interlacing their luxuriant branches, and forming a canopy over the road.

The church, dedicated to St. Andrew, has a handsome portico of the Doric order, and was rebuilt by Sir Willian Morden Harbord, Bart., who became possessed of the estate in 1742. The rectory is consolidated with Hanworth, and is in the gift of Lord Suffield. The house is shown to visitors.

There is little to be noticed at Roughton, except that it is a pleasant village in an open vale, containing about one thousand one hundred acres of land, of which three hundred and seventy-six are of heath. The church is a vicarage, of which the Bishop of Ely is patron. It boasts of a free-school, endowed with thirty-six acres of land, founded by Robert Brown early in the seventeenth century. Roughton is four miles from Cromer. The drive consists of nearly fourteen miles.