Weekend Escapes with Warwick Davis

S01E03: Norfolk

The Davis family head to Norfolk where they take a boat out on the Norfolk broads, have a go at milking sheep and Warwick takes part in an RNLI training exercise. Norfolk is famous for being the driest county in England and it is also home to the UK’s largest protected Wetlands, the Norfolk Broads, which are made up of over 125 miles of waterways. Warwick hires a 35ft long boat and after kitting the family out in life jackets and sailor hats, they climb aboard and set sail from Potter Heigham. However driving the boat is not as easy as it looks and it takes a few attempts for Warwick to get the boat out of the dock. He says: “Ok so that wasn’t the smoothest of starts but now we are cruising there’s plenty of time to ease ourselves into the languid pace of life on the Norfolk Broads.” Surrounded by lush scenery and wildlife, the Davis family soon start to enjoy themselves. Warwick even climbs aboard an ice-cream boat doing the rounds and helps its owner sell treats to the other punters on the broads. Next the family visit Hunstanton, a resort built in the 1800s as a destination for leisure-seeking Victorians. Here they visit the local beach and Hunstanton Lifeboat Station (owned by the RNLI) which was founded in 1867. Warwick is invited to take part in an RNLI training exercise and after being squeezed into a dry suit he is taken out to sea on one of the hovercrafts. Warwick says: “This is a real privilege getting to join the lads for a full on life saving drill. Eat your heart out Hasslehoff!” Then it’s on to Great Bircham to visit a 200-year-old windmill, once used to grind corn and pump water from the marshland. In the 19th century it would have been one of 700 working windmills in Norfolk but nowadays its owner has branched out into sheep farming. As well being the only sheep milker in Norfolk, Ellie Chalmer’s cheese has won bronze medals. Here the Davis family have a go at milking the flock. Warwick says: “Actually I don’t think you fully always appreciate where the milk on your breakfast table comes from and Harrison just sees it in a container all the time doesn’t he? And now he realises that it comes out of an animal. He’ll probably go off it now to be honest.” Finally they’re on the last leg of their Norfolk trip and in typical British fashion it has begun to pour with rain. But Warwick, prepared for any situation, takes his family to the local amusement arcade where Harrison amuses himself on the two pence drop game. Warwick says: “It’s a very traditional seaside thing to do isn’t it, going to amusements and getting rid of all your 2ps. “This is the most excited I’ve seen Harrison all holiday! Typical you arrange all these activities to educate and entertain kids but all they really want is some flashing lights and a handful of loose change!”