Whether or not you are familiar with “wonderful West Norfolk”, a charming new book creates a fascinating portrait of the area both in words and pictures.

It explores the history and landscape of 550 square miles of diverse countryside dotted with towns and villages packed with historic gems – all of them dominated by the huge skies which are such a feature of this corner of East Anglia.

The introduction immediately whets the appetite, offering a taste of the delights to follow as the reader is taken on a captivating tour. Paul Richards, arguably West Norfolk’s leading historian, has teamed up with another renowned local history expert, Alison Gifford, and businessman Alan Castleton whose paintings set this book apart.

There is none of the romanticised tourist guide “speak” here but a heartfelt appreciation of the area with sufficient historical background to illuminate West Norfolk’s character.

The words are complemented admirably by Alan Castleton’s 32 most attractive paintings which probably convey even more about the essence of the area than would photographs.

The pictures capture not just the buildings which are monuments to West Norfolk’s rich heritage but also its beautiful countryside and industrial landmarks, too.

Each painting is accompanied by a written commentary which offers an honest description of the towns and villages, and the factors which influence the life of the area today.

From a thousand years of history in Lynn and its close royal connections with Sandringham to the significance of Lynn’s Docks and the wild beauty of the coastal Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the book encapsulates the essence of West Norfolk and its “wide high skies”.

This lavishly illustrated book would make a terrific Christmas present, and is now available from Waterstones in Norfolk Street, King’s Lynn.

You can meet the authors Paul Richards, Alison Gifford, and artist Alan Castleton on Tuesday, 2 November 2010, 11:00AM – 12:00PM at Waterstones, where books will be signed.

King’s Lynn and West Norfolk: History and Landscape can also be bought online from Amazon.co.uk

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