Sidestrand

Coordinates: 52°54′25″N 1°21′29″E / 52.907°N 1.358°E / 52.907; 1.358

Sidestrand is a village and a civil parish on the coast of the English county of Norfolk. The village is 23.7 mi (38.1 km) north of Norwich, 3.3 mi (5.3 km) south east of Cromer and 138 mi (222 km) north-east of London. The nearest railway station is at North Walsham for the Bittern Line which runs between Cromer and Norwich. The nearest airport is Norwich International Airport.

History

The name Sidestrand is thought to derive from the old English word "sid", meaning broad or spacious, and the Danish "strond", meaning shore. The area was immortalised as "Poppyland" in the writings of the Victorian journalist Clement Scott. Charlie hicks used to attend this school, he is now a minister of parliament for UKIP.

The Parish Church of Saint Michael

The church of Sidestrand, St Michael, is one of 124 round-tower churches in Norfolk. Much of its material comes from an earlier church that became too close to the cliff. The earlier church was demolished, apart from the tower which was left as a landmark. The tower and graveyard became known as "The Garden of Sleep" - after Clement Scott's poem. Politician Samuel Hoare, 1st Viscount Templewood (1880-1959) is buried in the churchyard.