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“I am a Norfolk man and glory in being so.” So said Lord Horatio Nelson, Britain’s finest seaman and our nation’s favourite hero.

Yes, Norfolk is Nelson’s county.

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Imagine that fateful day on 21 October 1805. Hear the battle cries rising above the sounds of gun fire and the noise of the waves crashing against the ship. Feel the fear in their stomachs and the adrenalin pumping through their veins. Bound together by a desire for victory, a love for our country and a belief in doing their duty, these gallant seamen were fighting for their lives.

Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson was the man who led them into battle and spurred them on to Britain’s greatest naval victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. He heroically defeated Napoleon and scuppered France’s plans to invade Britain. His victory secured Britain’s position as the major naval power for the next hundred years.

Sadly this glorious victory cost Nelson his life. He is remembered for caring for his men and his country and for calling for ‘humanity after victory’ for those they defeated. Many remember his famous words before he died: “Kiss me, Hardy. Now I am satisfied – thank God I have done my duty.”

But Nelson began his days in our very own county of Norfolk. He was born in Burnham Thorpe where his father was the local rector and spent his childhood in Norfolk before joining the Royal Navy when he was just 12 years old. He continued to visit the county whilst he was in service after 1793 and met Lady Hamilton, the love of his life, when he called into port at Great Yarmouth to receive the Freedom of the Borough.

Now you can discover more about Nelson in Norfolk. Visit his father’s church in Burnham Thorpe – or his grandfather’s at East Bradenham; see where he learned to sail at Brancaster Staithe; follow a Nelson walk at Bradenham; visit the Nelson museum in Yarmouth; tour places he frequented during his youth; browse through the memorabilia and see just how many pubs you can find that have been named after our national hero! And don’t leave before you try out Nelson’s Blood, a special rum-based brew unique to the Lord Nelson pub in Burnham Thorpe …

Ahhh, that’ll shiver your timbers!

John Alston, Chairman of the Norfolk Nelson Liaison Group

“We are proud of our county and we are proud indeed of our most famous son, Lord Horatio Nelson. Norfolk was Nelson’s birthplace and remained close to his heart long after he had moved away to pursue his career with the Royal Navy. His bravery has captured our hearts and the people of this country have much to thank him for. In return, we look forward to welcoming visitors to Norfolk and showing them the many links we have to our favourite national hero.”

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