The local government district of Breckland is situated in Norfolk and covers areas such as Thetford, Dereham, Swaffham, Watton and Attleborough. The name Breckland is reflective of itself, as the natural landscape region where gorse covered land has been preserved which is uncommonly found in the rest of the country.
The town of Dereham, historically referred to as East Dereham, is the centre point for all administrative processes within the District of Breckland. It is widely known as The Heart of Norfolk as it is positioned in the centre of the county and stands as the second largest town in Norfolk. Beautiful landscapes of the town's villages and landscapes can be seen throughout Dereham. In the past Dereham was recognised for its agriculture as traditionally it was an important location for farming.
For sightseeing, you can go to the Norman Parish Church that dates back from the twelfth century. Noticeable features in the church include the Seven Sacrament Font which was constructed in the 1480's, showcasing carvings of the church's sacraments. The ceilings inside the church all stem back from the Tudor period. The dominant feature within the church is the Cowper Window that sits directly above the tomb.
For a historic guide to Dereham you can visit Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse which looks closely at the daily lives of local residents of Norfolk from centuries ago. Here you will find an array of information about Norfolk's heritage, from exploring the foundations of the housing developments to a range of collections illustrating the lives of ordinary working class people in the area. Displays of medieval bricks and objects from the sixties are displayed beside the farm and workhouse.
A place that is definitely worth a visit is Dereham War Memorial based in the heart of the town. The monument was created in 1922 in order to remember and honour all the soldiers that died in the Great War. It was presented by Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester. Following World War II, a further plaque was created to signify the heroes of War.
Another town in Breckland that has a vast range of attractions for visitors is Thetford. It is perceived, through archaeological research that in the late Iron Age and start of the Roman Times the town was a significant tribal centre. A sight that could be worth a visit is Castle Hill which is primarily a fortification rooting back from the Iron Ages. It is the country's largest structure in all of Britain that was devised to strengthen British defences. It remains open to the public where they can relax and enjoy the extraordinary landscape. There are many benches darted around the hill and also a play area for small children.
Thetford has been a market town since the eleventh century and currently holds its largest market every Tuesday & Saturday in the centre of the town. Many of the stallholders have been trading for decades, some for generations therefore, a strong sense of pride is taken in Thetford's weekly markets. High street retail stores and small independent shops can also be found nearby.
Arrecife is the capital of Lanzarote and the island's largest town with a population of around 45,000. This port city takes its name from the many small reefs that are found along this part of the coastline (Arrecife is Spanish for 'reef'). Arrecife's main attractions are its traditional restaurants, historic monuments and variety of shops.
Arrecife has two fortresses, the oldest being Castillo San Gabriel which dates from the late 16th century. It stands on a small islet opposite the town, and can be accessed via a short causeway. Inside the castle is a small archaeological museum where you can learn about the native inhabitants of Lanzarote. On the edge of town overlooking Puerto Marmoles is the larger Castillo San Jose, which houses an interesting Contemporary Art Gallery. The castle also has a smart restaurant designed by the great Lanzarote sculptor and architect, Cesar Manrique.
Arrecife's most dominant landmark is the Gran Hotel. When Cesar Manrique returned to the island from New York in the 1960's, he was appalled to see this modern multi-storey hotel being built on the seafront. Manrique used his influence to stop its construction, and the building was left as an empty concrete shell for several decades. The hotel has now been fully completed, but to prevent the island being swamped with high-rise tower blocks, the local government restricted all new development to a maximum of four storeys. Manrique went on to design many of Lanzarote's best-known attractions.
One of Arrecife's more unusual features is the salt-water lagoon known as Charco San Gines. The lagoon's surroundings have recently been improved, and as a result this is now a pleasant area boasting old fisherman's houses, bars and restaurants. Arrecife's main beach, the Playa del Reducto, is situated next to the Gran Hotel. Alongside the beach is a pleasant promenade lined with palm trees. There are also several bars which are ideal for a relaxing drink.
The town's main shopping street, with a variety of designer boutiques, electrical stores and cafes, is the Calle Leon y Castillo. Haggling is often necessary if you want to find the best bargains. Prices in Arrecife's supermarkets are also often cheaper than in the resorts. Nightlife in the town is generally low-key, and is usually centered on traditional cafes and bars. Arrecife is a good choice if you want to try typical Canarian cuisine.
The town's biggest celebration, the Feria de San Gines, is held in honour of the town's patron saint. Featuring traditional Canarian wrestling and some colourful processions, the Feria culminates in a huge fireworks display on the seafront on August 25th.
Arrecife is located just 3 miles (5km) from the airport. There are regular buses from the airport to Playa del Reducto and Estacion de Guagas in the town centre. The journey time is about 20 minutes, and a single fare costs 1.20 euros. There are bus services from Arrecife to Puerto del Carmen, Tias and Teguise. A taxi from the airport to the city centre costs about 14 euros.
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