MUNDESLEY.
Mundesley is a pleasant village, situated about five miles north by east of North Walsham, and has considerably improved during the last few years, but, similarly to Bacton, to which it is annexed, is continually wasting by the sea. A villa erected by F. Wheatley, Esq., commands a beautiful marine view, but to preserve it from the rapacity of the ocean, upwards of three thousand pounds have been expended.
PALLING.
Palling next the Sea lies between Eccles and Waxham, and is about twenty miles north-east of Norwich. It is celebrated in ancient records as being the residence of Godwin, Earl of Kent, in the reign of Edward the Confessor. William the Conqueror afterwards seized on it, and at the grand survey, Godric was bailiff or steward of it for that king.
Within the last few months, the sea has removed the beach at low water mark, and exposed the strata beneath its surface. In it are the remains of the trunks and roots of trees; the former broken off from three to four feet above the strata, while around lie the remaining portions consisting of the branches, leaves, &c., but very much compressed. The bark of the beech is very distinct, but the oak, and especially the red fir, are in the best state of preservation. The wood of the latter has evidently undergone considerable chemical change, for the ligneous or fibrous part is very perfect, but its resinous properties are absent, consequently the wood when dried, is much lighter, and smells strongly of sulphur. It is impossible to ascertain how long the trees have been covered up, but probably some centuries.
TRIMINGHAM.
Trimingham is situated on the tall cliffs between Mundesley and Cromer, and five miles north by east of North Walsham. Like the former, it has been subject to the encroachments of the ocean for a series of years, and is now reduced to a small village. The church stands on the highest point of the cliffs; and history relates that its ancient priests professed to have the head of St. John the Baptist. Pilgrims came a long distance with great offerings, and thus became the dupes of superstition and deceit.
WAXHAM.
Waxham lies on the coast between Palling and Horsey, and is about fourteen miles north-west of Yarmouth. This parish was formerly much more extensive, and although it has not been encroached upon for some years, yet the sand hills appear evidently inclined to recede.
The church, dedicated to St. John, exhibits considerable dilapidation, the chancel end being quite in ruins. In the church-yard lies interred the remains of the unfortunate mate of the Hunter cutter.