History shapes the way we see the world around us. It gives meaning to the places we pass through each day, connecting us to the people, events, and traditions that came before us. 

In Norfolk, that special sense of history is woven into the landscape. From charming villages and market towns to the Broads and coastline, our county holds layers of stories.

Many of these stories sit just beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered by others. They reveal the characters, communities, and heritage that make Norfolk what it is today, helping us all to understand not just where we are, but how we got here.

We’re joined by Neil Storey, award-winning historian and lecturer, to uncover some of these lesser-known stories. Neil also shares his reflections to inspire a greater appreciation and exploration of the local history that surrounds us in Norfolk. 

Introducing Neil, Norfolk-born local historian 

A social historian with a lifelong passion for the past, Neil Storey’s interest in history began with stories shared at home - tales of old comrades, ghostly encounters, a completely different world of which his grandparents had experiences. Always curious about local history, Neil studied history at the University of East Anglia before building a career dedicated to researching, writing, and bringing history to life for others. From hands-on reenactments to speaking with thousands of young people, his work has always been dedicated to making history something to experience and connect with.

His work is shaped by a strong connection to Norfolk - its landscape, language, and distinct sense of identity. Having travelled across the UK, it’s this sense of place Norfolk holds that continues to inspire him most. Neil shares a belief that history belongs to everyone, living on in the stories, communities, and spaces that shape who we are today. 

Some of Norfolk’s lesser-known tales 

The story behind Norwich’s churches and pubs 

Many of us have heard the saying that Norwich once had a pub for every day of the year and a church for every week. At its peak, the city had more pubs per square mile than anywhere else in the country. But why was this?

Norwich was once one of the wealthiest cities in England, with its prosperity particularly driven by the wool and textile industries. That wealth shaped the city, funding the construction of its many medieval churches and supporting a thriving social culture where pubs became a part of daily life.

While many of those pubs have since closed, Norwich still holds the greatest concentration of medieval churches in Europe – a lasting reminder of the city's craftsmanship, community, and wealth.  

Queen of Whodunnits 

Agatha Christie, one of the most celebrated crime writers of all time, is best known for creating characters such as Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. But her story also has a connection to our beloved region, Norfolk.

Christie was a frequent visitor to North Walsham, where she stayed with friends at a house known as The Shrubbery on Cromer Road. Whilst being one of the most famous women of her time, she would visit in secret under the name Mrs Mallowan. Here, she spent time writing - drawing inspiration from the people and places around her, with elements of Norfolk life shaping the characters and settings that have become so widely loved.

Agatha’s last housekeeper retired to North Walsham, where her memories were shared with locals, offering a fascinating insight into Christie’s later years. The home, now known as Beechwood Hotel, remains part of that story today. 

The most haunted house in East Anglia 

Borley Rectory, a secluded house on the Essex and Suffolk borders, became infamous in the 1930s and 40s as ‘The Most Haunted House in England.’ Its reputation was built on a series of unexplained events, from apparitions to poltergeist activity, drawing attention from paranormal investigators and curious visitors.

Among them was Norwich-born spiritualist Guy L’Estrange, who carried out what was believed to be a successful exorcism in 1932. For a time, it seemed the disturbances had been quietened. However, reports of strange happenings returned, and the Rector and his wife eventually left the property, relocating to Sheringham in Norfolk. 

Though the building has since been demolished following fire damage, and its haunted history later questioned, its story remains part of local folklore - where history and legend intertwine. 

A Mayor milestone in Thetford 

What may seem like a small moment in local history is, in fact, part of something much larger. In 1904, Dr Allan Glaiser Minns was elected Mayor of Thetford, becoming the first Black mayor not just in Norfolk, but in Britain.

Born in the Bahamas in 1858, Minns later travelled to England to study medicine at Guy’s Hospital in London. He went on to settle in Thetford, where he served as Medical Officer at the workhouse and the town’s Cottage Hospital, becoming a respected figure within the community.

His election marked a significant milestone, both locally and nationally. Today, it remains an important part of Norfolk’s story - reflecting the people, change, and moments that have helped shape our region over time. 

When Norfolk became Vietnam  

At first glance, it appears to be a scene from the Vietnam War. A helicopter sweeping low over paddy fields, machine guns firing across the Mekong Delta landscape. But look a little closer, and the setting is much nearer to home than you think...

In Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket (1987), several scenes were in fact filmed across parts of Norfolk. Areas including Stiffkey Marshes and the Broads were used to recreate the rivers, swampland, and rice paddies of the Vietnamese delta.

Kubrick’s decision was shaped not only by the landscape itself, but also by his well-known fear of flying, which led him to avoid travelling long distances for filming. Years later, this approach was echoed in the Lee Tamahori James Bond film Die Another Day, where farmland in Burnham Deepdale was used to depict the paddy fields of North Korea. 

Final words from local historian, Neil Storey 

To conclude, we asked Neil what he loves most about the region, and what advice he would give to those looking to preserve and discover Norfolk’s history for themselves.

For him, it begins with instinct. Start with what draws you in. Follow a feeling and experience Norfolk in your own way. Visit somewhere you have always wanted to go, or somewhere entirely new. Take time to sit, look around, and enjoy it. Finding a sense of place is personal, and often it is the quieter moments that stay with you.

While much can be found at the click of a button, Neil also points to books such as Arthur Mee’s The King’s England as a place to begin. Written in a conversational and accessible way, they offer a different kind of connection - something you can return to time and time again without distraction. As Neil puts it, “keep it dry and a book will always be with you.”

For those looking to become more involved in preserving Norfolk’s history, his advice is much the same. Start with an interest and follow it. Whether that means joining a local group such as the Norfolk Folklore Society, or exploring places on your own, it is taking the time to notice, question, and connect that matters. Enjoy it, stay curious, and do not be afraid to engage - often, it begins with something as simple as asking why.

To him, it is the people, landscape, language, music and culture that give Norfolk its identity. It is a place that continues to inspire, with each season offering something new to discover and feel.

We hope you feel inspired to seek out your own Norfolk connections and tales. When you do, we'd love for you get in touch and share them with the Nor-Folk community.