Long Stratton is a small working town in Norfolk catering mainly for the local population. It is 12 miles south of Norwich. The surrounding countryside is ideal for exploring on foot or by bicycle, with quiet rural country lanes without many hills.
Understand
[edit]Most travellers will be visiting the town on their way through (maybe on their way to/from Norwich) as the town lies on the main A140 route to/from Norwich from the S). There has been much talk over the years of constructing a bypass and considerable pressure from local residents all of which has so far come to nothing. But in 2013 another Planning Consultation started and in 2016 the District Council decided it did want a bypass subject to the development of an additional 1,800 homes.
Get in
[edit]The town lies on the A140 main road south of Norwich. Several bus services between Diss and Norwich (some rural services can be slow).
Get around
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The town is small enough to walk around
See
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- 1 Forncett Industrial Steam Museum, Low Road, Forncett St Mary, NR16 1JJ (4 miles W of Long Stratton), ☏ +44 1508 488277, [email protected]. W Su 11AM–4PM (see web site for additional "steam-up" opening). Industrial Revolution steam-era exhibition.
Do
[edit]- 1 Banham Zoo (Zoological Society of East Anglia), Kenninghall Road, Banham, Norfolk NR16 2HE (12 miles to WSW), ☏ +44 1953 887771. Opening times vary through year. Good sized zoo, wide range of animals, good enclosures, well looked after. Entry price varies with time of year and visitor age.
- 2 Rowan Craft Ltd, Wherry Dyke, Geldeston, Beccles, NR34 0LY (15 miles E of Long Stratton), ☏ +44 1508 518208. 8:30AM–1PM, 2–5PM. Day boat hire 3 hr £50, all day (6 hours) £80. Canoe hire 3 hr £23, all day £35 per canoe; two- and three-man canoes available.
- 3 Lotus Cars Factory Tour, Potash Lane, Hethel, NR14 8EZ (7 miles NW of town). Different tours on different days at different prices. Book through website.
- 4 Norfolk Tank Museum, Station Road, Forncett, St Peter, NR16 1HZ (2 miles W of town), ☏ +44 1508 532650, [email protected]. Easter–31 Oct: Tu–Th & Su 10AM–5PM. Collection of Cold War armoured vehicles, weaponry and tanks
Cycling
[edit]The surrounding countryside has many small rural quiet roads without many hills ideally suited to cycling. The network of small lanes will need a map (or GPS or smartphone with mapping) for those not familiar with the area. Most cyclists avoid the A140 running through the town and tend to use the narrower rural lanes. Cyclists requiring the traditional "cafe stop" see The Tudor Bakehouse or Goodies Food Hall listed below.
Horse riding
[edit]The area is popular for horse riding
- 5 Hot To Trot School of Equitation, Gowers Farm Barns, Low Road, Bunwell, NR16 1SD (5 miles W of town), ☏ +44 1379 677679, [email protected]. Riding lessons and hacking. 45-min adult private lesson £30.
Buy
[edit]The town has several shops including a small supermarket (with ATM) BUT no banks (the only bank closed in Sept 2015 so some out of date internet sites might still maintain the town has a bank)..
- 1 Co-op supermarket, The Street, NR15 2XJ (on A140 road), ☏ +44 1508 536109. M-Sa 7AM–10PM, Su 10AM–4PM. Small supermarket. ATM/Cashpoint. Parking. Subway sandwich counter inside supermarket.
Cyclists
[edit]- 2 Stratton Cycle Shed, The Street, NR15 2XJ (Behind Tudor Bake House), ☏ +44 7798 718492. Tu 9:30AM–5PM, W 09:30AM–1PM, Th F 8:30AM–5PM, Sa 9:30AM–4PM. Bicycle repair.
Eat
[edit]Several restaurants and take-aways in the town.
- 1 Goodies Food Hall, French’s Farm, Wood Lane, Pulham, IP21 4XU (4 miles S of town, just off A140 but cyclists approach using lanes to eadt), ☏ +44 1379 676880, [email protected]. Store: M–F 9AM–5PM, Sa 8AM–5PM, Su 9AM–4PM. Café: M–Sa 9AM–4PM, Su 9AM–3:30PM. Farm shop and cafe/restaurant
Drink
[edit]Several pubs in the town as well as country pubs in some surrounding villages.
- 1 Fox & Hounds, Frith Way, Great Moulton, Norwich NR15 2HE (3 miles SW of town by road), ☏ +44 1379 677506, [email protected]. Local village pub. Serves food.
- 2 The Swan Inn, The Street, Long Stratton, NR15 2XG, ☏ +44 1508 530200.
- 3 Brown Sugar Coffee Bar, Kestrel House, The Street, Long Stratton, NR15 2XJ, ☏ +44 1508 535822. M-F 9:30AM-4:30PM, Sa 10AM-3PM. Speciality coffees, sandwiches, cakes & snacks.
- 4 The Queen's Head (Pub), The Street, Long Stratton, NR15 2XG, ☏ +44 1508 530164.
Sleep
[edit]Surrounding areas have B&Bs, hotels, campsites, etc., but there is not much accommodation within the town.
- 1 South Norfolk Guest House, Frith Way, Great Moulton, NR15 2HE, ☏ +44 1379 677359.
- 2 The Chestnuts Bed & Breakfast, Chequers Road, Tharston, Long Stratton, NR15 2YA, ☏ +44 1508 530072, [email protected]. Check-in: 4:30PM, check-out: 10:30AM. Dogs must be pre-booked £5 £80.
- 3 Sunnyside South B&B, West Road, Forncett End, NR16 1LF (5 miles W of Long Stratton), ☏ +44 1953 788680, [email protected]. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 10:30AM.
Stay healthy
[edit]- 1 Nearest Accident & Emergency: Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital (Casualty or the Emergency Room), Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UY (13 miles N of town). 24/7.
- 2 Nearest General Practice (GP): Long Stratton Medical Partnership (Primary Healthcare), Swan Lane, Tharston, NR15 2UY, ☏ +44 1508 530781. M–F 8:15AM–6PM.
- 3 The Manor House Dental Surgery (Dentist), The Street, Long Stratton, NR15 2XJ, ☏ +44 1508 530514, [email protected]. M–W 9AM–5:30PM, Th 9AM–6PM, F 9AM–4:30PM.
- 4 Pharmacy: Well, The Angel Site, Long Stratton, NR15 2XJ, ☏ +44 1508 530303. M–F 9AM-6PM, Sa 9AM–1PM.
Connect
[edit]As of Sep 2022, Long Stratton and the A410 from Norwich have 4G from EE, O2 and Vodafone but no signal from Three. 5G has not reached this area.