Being named Norfolk's best town is quite the statement but does Aylsham live up to its hype?

Both the Sunday Times and the lifestyle magazine Muddy Stilettos ranked it top of Norfolk's towns, commending it for its "short city commute, weekends on the beach and the pretty countryside all around".

The traditional market town sits on the River Bure but is just a short 30-minute drive away from Norwich.

Becoming prosperous from its thriving cloth and textile trade, the town is full of old-world charm with a traditional market square, Jacobean town hall and streets lined with historic buildings.

READ MORE: Why Burnham Market in north Norfolk is well worth a visit

Aylsham's farrmers market is held on the first Saturday of each monthAylsham's farmers market is held on the first Saturday of each month (Image: Stuart Anderson)

Aylsham is a town with a difference, being one of the UK's three 'Cittaslow' towns – part of a movement which promotes leisurely lifestyles to combat the stresses of modern life.

FOOD SCENE

Keeping with the slower speed,  the town has a vibrant food scene built around the slow food movement - campaigning for a better way to eat and celebrating rich food traditions.

Home to foodie favourite bakery Bread Source, an outpost of Norwich's Biddy's tearoom and coffeehouse Flour and Bean the town has you covered for breakfast and lunch.

The Bread Source bakery and cafe at the former Clarkes buildingThe Bread Source bakery and café at the former Clarkes building (Image: Rosie Mills-Smith)

On an evening the artisan pizzeria Stamp offers wood-fired pies and traditional Italian pasta.

READ MORE: When is the Aylsham beer and gin festival returning?

The Blind Pig, a wine bar and bistro in the town centre, has also proved popular, with the head chef James Adams taking inspiration from his travels across the world. 

One of the dishes created by The Blind Pig chef James AdamsOne of the dishes created by The Blind Pig chef James Adams (Image: Dana Portass)

BLICKLING HALL

Blickling hall is just north of AylshamBlickling Hall is just north of Aylsham (Image: Antony Kelly) Nearby, is one of the National Trust's grandest estates with a stunning Jacobean house set in 4,600 acres of woodland and parkland.

Surrounding the house is 55 acres of formal gardens the result of three centuries of planting.

The parkland is surrounded by weaving paths offering chances to explore its weird and whacky features, like its pyramid mausoleum.