Coordinates: 52°41′52″N 1°41′28″E / 52.69764°N 1.69115°E
| Hemsby | |
|
|
|
  Hemsby
Hemsby shown within Norfolk |
|
| Area | 7.14 km2 (2.76 sq mi) |
|---|---|
| Population | 2,973 |
| - Density | 416 /km2 (1,080 /sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | |
| Parish | Hemsby |
| District | Great Yarmouth |
| Shire county | Norfolk |
| Region | East |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | GREAT YARMOUTH |
| Postcode district | NR29 |
| Police | Norfolk |
| Fire | Norfolk |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| European Parliament | East of England |
| List of places: UK • England • Norfolk | |
Hemsby is a village, civil parish and seaside resort in the English county of Norfolk. It is situated some 12 km (7.5 mi) north of the town of Great Yarmouth.[1] The civil parish has an area of 7.14 km2 (2.76 sq mi) and in the 2001 census had a population of 2,973 in 1,221 households. Hemsby borders the villages of Winterton-on-Sea and Scratby. For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the district of Great Yarmouth.[2]
A Norfolk county map dated around 1610 shows a headland, called Winterton Ness, extending into the sea north-east of Hemsby. This headland has now almost entirely disappeared through coastal erosion.
Contents |
History
Hemsby along with much of the Norfolk coast was targeted by the Vikings, who initially raided the area in search of precious materials and slaves. The village was founded at some point during this time. The settlement grew steadily and is listed in the Domesday Book under the name of Haimesbei with a description of "a hamlet covering 43 meadow acres with 50 households, 3 slaves, 2 salt pans and 160 sheep."
The Village
Beaches
The beaches are one of the major tourist draws in the village, with miles of sandy coastline. Large sand dunes form a natural barrier between the beach and the village behind it. One of the more unusual features of the beach is a scattering of anti-tank blocks across the beach, left over from the World War II coastline defences. Erosion is a major problem in the surrounding villages of Winterton-on-Sea and Caister where sandy cliffs are being destroyed by the forces of the sea. Hemsby's dunes are also being eroded but the wide beach means the effects are less noticed.
Hemsby Village
Hemsby is split into two parts: Hemsby Village and Hemsby Beach. Hemsby Village is mainly the residential area located about a mile inland. Kingway is an area of the village which includes a
Hemsby Beach
The tourist-based part of the village lies along Beach Road and is commonly known as Hemsby Beach. This area comprises a number of tourism industries and reaches from the centre of the village to the beach and dunes.
The upper end of the road is populated by houses and accommodation parks, consisting mainly of chalets and caravans. The largest of the accommodation parks is a branch of Pontins, but sadly this closed suddenly in January 2009 after a review from Pontins new owners Ocean Parks.[5]
At the beach end of the road are a number of cafes, shops and amusement arcades.
Hemsby is well-known for its amusement arcades. A wide variety of games and services is on offer including ten-pin bowling, bingo, a play area and many different machines.
A variety of seaside-style cafes and restaurants are available, offering sit-down meals, take-away fish and chips and Chinese food.
Fun fairs, crazy golf courses and children's rides also feature on a number of sites along the street.
Gallery
 The beach at Hemsby |
 Seacroft Holiday Park, Beach Road |
 The front of the Mirage amusement arcade |
 The Scroby Sands wind farm visible from Hemsby's beach |
Transport
Hemsby was once served by Hemsby railway station which was located on the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway between Great Yarmouth (Beach) and Melton Constable. It closed in 1959 [6]. Currently Hemsby is served by two First Eastern Counties bus services, the 1 and 3. The 3 serves Hemsby Beach and the 1 serves the village. Both stop at the Kingsway bus stop.
Institutions
Charities
Hemsby is home to the Hemsby Inshore Rescue Service (better known as Hemsby Lifeboat), an independent and voluntary lifeboat service that operates within the nearby coastal areas and the broads. The institution is independent of the RNLI, relying entirely upon public donations in order to operate.
Each year a fund-raising day, Hemsby Lifeboat Day, is held on the beach, with a variety of stalls and booths to attract visitors.
Churches
- St Mary the Virgin dates from the early 14th century.
Schools
Hemsby's only school is Hemsby First School, a mixed-sex school serving in the region of 100 pupils aged 4 to 8. The school buildings date back to 1904. Due to the nature of Hemsby and the seasonal work that is offered, the turnover of pupils from the school is relatively high as families move into or out of the area.
Notes
- ^ Ordnance Survey (2005). OS Explorer Map OL40 - The Broads. ISBN 0-319-23769-9.
- ^ Office for National Statistics & Norfolk County Council (2001). Census population and household counts for unparished urban areas and all parishes. Retrieved December 2, 2005.
- ^ Hemsby
- ^ E.ON UK - Scroby Sands
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/norfolk/7812232.stm
- ^ Yarmouth Beach Railway Station
External links
- Map sources for Hemsby.
- Information from Genuki Norfolk on Hemsby.
- Hemsby Parish Council website
- Hemsby Inshore Rescue Service website
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
