Despite not always receiving national praise, there are plenty of beautiful places to live and visit in Norfolk.

Burnham Market was recently named Norfolk's poshest village by both the Telegraph and the Times, overlooking other lovely spots. 

Here are seven villages in Norfolk you may not have thought to visit. 

1. New Buckenham

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: New Buckenham, NorfolkNew Buckenham, Norfolk (Image: Google)

This medieval market town turned village was originally built around a central green.

New Buckenham now has a handful of places to eat as well as some shops and is in a conservation area that has 40 listed buildings. 

The nearby Buckenham Castle has Norman earthworks and traces of a curtain wall.

2. Brooke

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: The White Lion in BrookeThe White Lion in Brooke (Image: Google)

This village has pretty meres, a medieval church and sleepy cottages - being called a "delight" by locals.

It was named an up-and-coming area by the Sunday Times in 2022, described as a "great little village with pub, shops and a cricket team".

3. Heacham

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: Heacham beachHeacham beach (Image: Chris Bishop)

This Victorian seaside resort overlooks the Wash and dates back to the stone age.

It now has lots of coastal attractions as well as food shops and pubs.

The village is well-known for its popular lavender farms and its connection to Pocahontas, who married Heacham local John Rolfe.

4. Stokesby

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: Stokesby, NorfolkStokesby, Norfolk (Image: James Bass)

Sat on the River Bure is this small village, described as "a little piece of heaven" by locals, which has views across the wild marshes.

There is a village green next to the pub with a riverside beer garden and shop as well as moorings, room for anglers and scenic walks.

5. Walsingham

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: Walsingham, NorfolkWalsingham, Norfolk (Image: Archant)

This picturesque village, known as "England's Nazareth", has a long history of religious pilgrimage dating back to the 11th century.

Walsingham has a number of 14th and 15th-century buildings as well as an award-winning farm shop, two pubs and several cafes.

6. Great Massingham

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: Great Massingham, NorfolkGreat Massingham, Norfolk (Image: Archant)

Great Massingham has several large ponds dotted throughout the village, thought to date back to the 11th-century abbey, which means visitors can often spot ducks waddling around the village.

It has lots of flint and cobble cottages as well as a school, a small shop, a pub and a church.

7. Aldborough

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: Alborough, NorfolkAlborough, Norfolk (Image: Archant)

This village just south of Cromer has lots of historic houses from as early as the 14th century and a large central green.

It was named an up-and-coming area by the Sunday Times in 2022 for its community spirit, green spaces and improving transport links.