Glandford Shell Museum (Glandford)

Phone: 01263 740081

Please mention the Glaven Valley when calling

The Shell Museum was built to house a collection of shells made over a period of sixty years by the late Sir Alfred Jodrell. Both the building and displays are well worth a visit.

Glandford Shell Museum

Phone: 01263 740081
Fax: 01263 740081

Address:

Church House

Glandford

Holt

NR25 7JR

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Entry categories: Museums

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An early Guide to the County of Norfolk describes the little village of Glandford in these words: "Nature could hardly stage a more delightful scene. Its church is a jewel set in a garden on the hill, looking over the wooded valley where the River Glaven flows to the sea. Below it is a rare little museum for all who love beautiful things... Now everything here is as beautiful as the skill of our time could make it." All who have visited Glandford will agree that the above is a very fitting description of the village. The church is certainly very lovely and the museum is, in its way, as beautiful as the church. It is a small building with Dutch gables, and was built in 1915 by the late Sir Alfred Jodrell, Bart., of Bayfield Hall, in a style to harmonize with the rest of the village. The work was carried out by workmen employed on the Bayfield Estate under the direction of Mr. Thomas Holbrook, a churchwarden of the parish church The original purpose of the museum was to house a collection of shells made over a period of sixty years by the late Sir Alfred Jodrell himself and stored in boxes at Bayfield Hall until the museum was built. After completion Sir Alfred and his sisters, Lady Seale, and Mrs. Ind arranged the whole of the shells in their cases. These shells come from all corners of the earth, and the collection is constantly being added to. There are shells of every hue, shells as delicately coloured as butterfly wings: shells exquisitely carved. But there are other exhibits besides the shells which form the main collection. There are lovely jewels, fragments of old pottery, a piece of Pompeii, a sugar bowl used by Queen Elizabeth 1, some very fine specimens of agate ware, and a collection of items uncovered in the vicinity of Glandford including a very exceptional axehead. There is also an evocative tapestry executed by a local fisherman, John Craske, depicting the North Norfolk Coast. In fact, it would be difficult to describe fully the whole contents of the museum. A visit is essential to enjoy its unique flavour. Summer Opening from March to October Tuesday To Saturday: 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday. Open on Bank Holidays. Adults £1.50 Senior Citizens £1.00. Children 50p Winter Opening. Visitors welcome by prior arrangement, Open on request by telephoning the Curator on 01263 740081 The Curator, Church House, Glandford Nr. Holt North Norfolk. NR25 7JR The river Glaven, with a picturesque ford, wild ducks and foot bridge are located close by the Shell Museum. From there a short easy walk (1/2 mile) through a river meadow, with pretty views of the valley, will bring visitors to the nearby Wild Flower Centre in Bayfield Estate. Photos courtesy Hans Verkroos, Norfolk Journal

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Glandford, also known as Glanford (possibly deriving from ‘Glaven Ford’ as there is a ford in the river Glaven) is located in the Glaven Valley between Letheringsett and Wiveton on the Blakeney road.
There is an old Watermill there although this has been out of use for many years, and there is also the Glandford Shell Museum.
‘Cley Spy’ is also located here and this provides binoculars, telescopes, clothing and other birdwatching equipment.
You can walk from Glandford through the Bayfield Estate along the river Glaven and the church is also well worth a visit.
Glandford ford is a great place for a picnic with the children and a safe place for them to play in the river.