Deep History Coast event

Date published: 7th March 2019

North Norfolk District Council has hosted an event to help local businesses learn more about its Deep History Coast project.

In 2017, the Council's Cabinet agreed to fund a project to help strengthen the local economy and performance of tourism businesses by attracting visitors to the area throughout the year, making the most of the unique stretch of coastline from Weybourne to Cart Gap.

The Deep History Coast has so far revealed the most spectacular finds, and with the soft clay cliffs, the area is considered to be the best place to study Ice Age geology in the UK.  Happisburgh is the oldest archaeological site in northern Europe, and West Runton yielded the most complete fossilised mammoth skeleton ever found in the UK. 

It is hoped that, with support from local businesses, North Norfolk can claim its position as a storyteller and voice of authority for the emerging, internationally significant and iconic stories of Doggerland and the early occupation of northern Europe, encouraging people to discover its hidden secrets.

During the event, local businesses heard from key contributors to the project including Jam Creative who are currently developing an app and Whistlejacket, a branding agency who have created a brand that promises to make ancient North Norfolk exciting and engaging. 

The Council is encouraging businesses to sign up as ambassadors for the Deep History Coast, to use the brand, get involved with the app development and to encourage visitors to enjoy what they have to offer from an indulgent cream tea to a welcoming B&B.

Cllr. Sarah Bütikofer, Leader of North Norfolk District Council and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said: “I was delighted to have the opportunity to go along and learn more about this exciting initiative which will help extend our tourist season supporting local businesses.

Cllr. John Lee, Leader of the Conservative Group, said: “This exciting initiative is a great addition to the North Norfolk tourism offer, it offers both historic and geographic education opportunities and provides the potential to lengthen our tourism season - making North Norfolk’s Deep History Coast a place to visit all year round”.

Cllr. John Rest, Leader of the Independent Group, said: “This is a very exciting project which we hope will grow from strength to strength as both business and our increasing tourist trade benefit from the project. I would urge local businesses to support this worthwhile enterprise.”

Work is now underway to bring the project to life through a series of activities including a discovery trail that will see 11 monolith style information panels displayed along the 22-mile Deep History Coast.  The Council successfully bid for EU funding to develop an app which will bring the project to life and where users will see what life in Doggerland might have been like through the eyes of a hominin family. 

Further funding has recently been awarded from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) that will enable the Council to make exciting changes to the North Norfolk Information Centre in Cromer.  It is anticipated that a refurbishment will take place in early autumn and will include a Deep History Coast discovery centre that will offer interactive displays, activities and signposting to local museums.

Local business owners who would like to get involved are encouraged to get in touch with the District Council by emailing deephistorycoast@north-norfolk.gov.uk for more information. 

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