Eden of the East: a vision for a world-class Norfolk tourism destination
Imagine being able to camp 'outdoors' in any weather, in England, even in the winter, whilst always being warm and dry. Impossible? Perhaps not. Eco-tourists will be able to camp 'outdoors' on the coast of Norfolk in sub-tropical comfort at any time of year if my vision of a new holiday destination in Hemsby & Newport, Norfolk, comes to fruition.
The so-called “Eden of the East” (just a working title of course, not a brand name) would be an 800 person holiday centre, located on the site of the former Pontin’s holiday park in the resort, which closed at the end of the 2008 season. But this would be a very different experience from the popular image of conventional holiday parks. Based around two carbon-neutral sub-tropical domes: one for camping and one for recreational activities.
There have been domes before of course, most notably at Tim Smit’s wonderful Eden Project in Cornwall. But the difference with Hemsby is that the major dome would be in effect a very high quality all-year campsite, always warm, always dry, and very eco-friendly. The landscaped camping dome would accommodate around 200 campers, whilst there would be room for a further 600 visitors to stay in environmentally-designed lodges around the park.
A second dome would provide a dramatic environment for recreation and eco-themed activities. The remainder of the site would offer a mix of outdoors activities like canoeing, rock-climbing, adventure play for children, and a large area devoted to learning skills related to sustainable living: from eco-friendly building techniques, to raising chickens, growing foods, understanding solar power, and art using recycled materials.
This project would provide a fantastic base for a superb Norfolk holiday with a real difference. Hemsby itself has a magnificent sandy beach combined with a terrific characterful traditional resort. And the village is wonderfully close to everything The Broads national park and the rest of the county has to offer too.
The old Pontins camp had accommodation for 1,300 people and this project, as envisioned at the moment would provide only about half that. But the Pontins experience was based on low cost and an approach going back to the 1950s. This new vision is for a premium price holiday that’s massively relevant to our times and packed with interest and experience. Sustainable tourism is growing fast and this project could be a flagship for Norfolk, encouraging higher-spending visitors to the area.
This is the second major vision announced this year for the resort of Hemsby & Newport. The first was to propose a Scandinavian and Viking Festival to celebrate the village’s Viking origins from 1,200 years ago. The villagers enthusiastically backed the festival plan, and the inaugural Hemsby & Newport Viking Festival takes place on 18th, 19th and 20th June next year, celebrating what has been dubbed 1,200 years of seaside fun.
Norfolk’s media are already excited by the Eden of the East concept, as can be seen from this article in today’s Eastern Daily Press.
