A1151 road

UK road routebox
road = A1151
length-mi = 12.1
length-km = 19.5
direction = South-West - North-East
start = Norwich
destinations =
end = near Smallburgh
construction-date =
completion-date =
junctions = ukroadsmall|147
ukroadsmall|1042
ukroadsmall|1062
ukroadsmall|149

The A1151 is an A road, running entirely in the English County of Norfolk, in the East Anglia region of England. The road runs from the city of Norwich, and terminates at a junction with the A149, near Smallburgh.

Route

From south to north, the road goes through:
* Norwich
* Sprowston
* near Rackheath
* Wroxham
* Hoveton
* Beeston Saint Lawrence
* Cats Corner
* Wayford (near Smallburgh)

Detail

Norwich, and its suburbs

The A1151 starts in Norwich, at a roundabout joining the A147 (St Crispins dual carriageway and flyover to the west, and Barrack Street to the east) on the northern part of the Norwich inner ring road. The A1151 has various 'street names' along its route, starting with Charlton Road, then Bull Close Road. At the junction with Magdalen Street and Magpie Road, the A1151 turns right, heading north, by the name of Magdalen Road. At the next 'Y' shaped fork junction, Magdalen Road continues with the left fork, but changes into the B1150, whereas the A1151 takes the right fork, becoming Sprowston road, in a North-Easterly direction.

The next notable junction is the roundabout of the northern sector of the outer ring road of Norwich (to the left, in a westerly direction, it is called Chartwell Road, and to the right in a south-westerly direction it is Mousehold Lane - both designated as the A1042). Here, the A1151 continues straight ahead, becoming Wroxham Road, in a north-easterly direction, between the suburban villages of Old Catton and Sprowston. Sprowston Police Station is found on the left side of this section of road. At the outer edge of the suburbs, just past the Blue Boar pub, recent new development of the road sees two new roundabouts. Of theses two new roundabouts, the second is of notable mention, as this provides access to the Sprowston Park and Ride facility to your left.

from Norwich to Wroxham

Immediately after the Sprowston Park and Ride, on the right will be found the fine-looking Sprowston Manor, and its golf course. Sprowston Manor is a luxury hotel. Continuing past Sprowston Manor, in a north-easterly direction, you approach the junction for Rackheath Industrial Estate, to the right. This is on the site of the former RAF Rackheath, which was used by the US Air Force - (the airfield and runways have long since disappeared, but the technical site now make up the industrial estate, with a few of the original war-time buildings still standing). There is a recently dedicated memorial to those who lost their lives from the USAF airbase, and the former control tower has been renovated to a very high standard.

Carrying on, passing another pub on your left called the Green Man, you head towards Wroxham. After roughly 2/3rds distance between Rackheath and Wroxham, the road name changes from Wroxham Road to Norwich Road. Immediately before entering Wroxham, you pass over a railway bridge, in a right-left manner. In the winter, this bridge is the scene of frequent accidents, mainly in the morning commute, due to ice. On some evenings during the winter, you may also notice the bright floodlights from the nearby rugby pitch.

After passing over the railway bridge, and entering Wroxham, you approach a 'mini' roundabout, the right turn heading towards Salhouse. The A1151 continues ahead, passing a Shell petrol station on your left. The A1151 continues through Wroxham, passing various shops, businesses and a village hall en route, before reaching arguably on of the most notable features - the infamous 'Wroxham bridge'. As you approach Wroxham bridge, you will notice various 'pleasure boat' yards and businesses. These form part of a network of businesses which service the needs of the pleasure boats for the Norfolk Broads, which hire primarily motor cruisers on either a daily or weekly basis. Wroxham is often described as the 'capital' of the Norfolk broads.

Onto the 'Wroxham bridge', this passes over the River Bure, and you will immediately notice two things: it is both very steep and fairly narrow. If a Large Goods Vehicle or coach is already negotiating the bridge from the opposite direction, it is often wise to 'give way' at the foot of the bridge, waiting for the large vehicle to fully pass, before attempting to pass over it yourself. At all times, caution should be observed when negotiating the bridge.

from Wroxham to its end

The River Bure, and the associated Wroxham bridge is the boundary between Wroxham and Hoveton, with Wroxham being on the south-west of the river, and Hoveton on the north-east side. Unfortunately, Hoveton frequently gets 'forgotten', and seems to lose its identity, with 'Wroxham' being used to describe both villages, and this is not helped by a certain 'village store', mentioned next. Immediately after passing over Wroxham bridge, one name will be seen what seems like everywhere - the name 'Roys'. 'Roys of Wroxham' is commonly used to describe the large number of separate stores, which include a garden centre, DIY store, clothing boutique, grocery superstore (which also contains two food outlets, one being a McDonald's), and a large 'department' type of store (also containing a dispensing Chemist). Roys is often described as the "world's largest village store" (and also has branches in other locations, including Norwich and North Walsham). Due to the vast size of Roys, the other remaining independent shops and businesses can easily get overlooked. At the minor cross roads which divides the various Roys stores, the road name changes from Norwich Road to Stalham Road.

After passing Roys, and the Hoveton Police station on your right, you now approach a 'pair' of mini roundabouts (due to the staggered nature of the cross-roads at this junction). On the first mini roundabout, the left exit takes you towards Coltishall along the B1354, and at the second roundabout, the right exit takes you to Horning along the A1062. Turning right towrds Horning makes a very worthwhile detour, from the village of Horning, you will find the former RAF Neatishead site, where there is now an award-winning [http://www.radarmuseum.co.uk/ Air Defence Radar Museum] (limited opening times), which is well worth a visit. Detour aside, continuing straight over, along the A1151 through Hoveton, you pass by a village hall, school and a new doctor's surgery all on your left, and the entrance to the Hoveton Industrial Estate on your right.

After exiting the village of Hoveton, you pass through a small wooded area, where the road name changes from Stalham Road back to Norwich Road. After a short distance, you will approach a small lay-by on the left. This lay-by is notable, because there is frequently a trader parked up who sells seasonal 'farm-fresh' produce, such as vegetables and fruits, and on some rare occasions, fresh fish from nearby coastal fishing boats. A short distance further, you will pass the small hamlet of Beeston Saint Lawrence, and an equally small hamlet of 'Cats Corner' on the left. A further short distance, you will notice some large deep-red brick farm buildings, and very shortly after, you will approach a junction emerging from the left, with 'straight on' what appears to be a continuation of the A1151. However, it is at this junction where the A1151 ends. Both the road to the left, and the road straight ahead are the A149. The road to the left heads in a north-westerly direction towards North Walsham and Cromer, whilst 'straight on' heads initially in a north-easterly, then into a south-easterly direction towards Stalham, Sutton, and ultimately ends at Great Yarmouth.

External links

* [http://www.uk-roads.co.uk/ SABRE - The Society for All British Road Enthusiasts]