2nd to 4th June 2023
The 2023 SM International Meeting will be held in Norfolk, which is in the East of England and is a low-lying county mainly agricultural with many small underused roads giving easy travel with varied and pretty scenery.
We will be based at Dunston Hall Hotel, a 4-star hotel just four miles south of the city of Norwich and conveniently placed for all the places we will be visiting over the weekend. Dunston Hall was formally a country house built in the 19th century but is now a luxury hotel standing in its own extensive grounds well away from the road and has its own swimming pool and golf course, as well as a safe car parking area.
The hotel can easily be reached by main roads from the Dover Ferries or the Channel Tunnel but if you do not relish this 170-mile journey you could always use the ferry from the Hook of Holland into Harwich which is only a 68mile journey to the hotel and would take about one hour and a half. This Stena, Hook of Holland ferry is a night ferry that leaves at 22-00 and arrives in Harwich early the following morning and would allow you to take in some of the other attractions of Norfolk and East Anglia before arriving at the hotel late afternoon.
On Saturday we will be visiting Sandringham House which is the much-loved country retreat of the British Royal Family and has been the private home of four generations of British monarchs since 1862. Following the Silver Jubilee in 1977 of our late Queen Elizabeth the house and gardens have been open to the public during the summer months. The visit will include a tour of the house and free visits around the gardens. This is an excellent opportunity to visit an important Royal residence.
After visiting Sandringham we will drive to Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse Museum. This museum of Norfolk life is based in an old Workhouse where the poor, out of work and luck, finished up in the 18th and 19th Centuries before the Welfare State was established. The museum has many displays of artefacts from Norfolk life and a working farm with local breeds of animals.
The gala Dinner will be held in Dunston Hall on Saturday night, black tie prefered.
We start Sunday with a drive to Caister Castle Car Museum which is possibly the UK’s largest private car collection with exhibits from all periods including Citroëns, but regrettably no SM!
The Museum is on the site of the ruined Caister Castle, commissioned in 1432 by Sir John Fastolf, but was besieged and captured by the Duke of Norfolk in 1469 after which it fell into ruin. It is possible to climb the tall tower that remains, offering extensive views of the surrounding countryside.
After lunch, we drive to Horning for a Norfolk Broads 3-hour cruise on a Paddle Steamer. Our private hire boat will have time to explore many of the picturesque waterways and wildlife in these wetlands. The Broads cover 300 square km, made up of 7 rivers and 63 wider broads, most of which are less than 4 metres deep. The area dates from 1000 years ago when much of Norfolk was cleared of its woodland for fuel and building materials. After 1200 peat digging became a major
industry, the excavated areas filling up with water which is now enjoyed for boating and fishing. by locals and holidaymakers.
If you wish to extend your stay in Norfolk and explore more of its attractions or even break your journey to the hotel, there are many lovely places to visit. Some suggestions are:
Blickling Hall
Felbrigg Hall
Sutton Hoo
Framlingham Castle
Holkham Hall
Houghton Hall
Suffolk & Norfolk Aviation Museum
Muckleburgh Military Museum
Reserve your place now!
You can download the booking form and details below. Alternatively please complete the online booking form. Details on how to make your payment will then be sent to you separately.
Full Programme Details and Prices
SM International 2023 Booking Form