Hemsby
| Hemsby | |
|---|---|
 Hemsby's Beach Road |
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 Hemsby
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| Hemsby shown within Norfolk | |
| Area | 7.14 km2 (2.76 sq mi) |
| Population | 3,275 (2011) |
| • Density | 459/km2 (1,190/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | TG495175 |
| Civil parish |
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| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | GREAT YARMOUTH |
| Postcode district | NR29 |
| Police | Norfolk |
| Fire | Norfolk |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament | |
Hemsby is a village, civil parish and seaside resort in the English county of Norfolk. It is situated some 7.5 mi (12.1 km) north of the town of Great Yarmouth. In the 2001 census had a population of 2,973 in 1,221 households, the population increasing in the 2011 Census to 3,275. Hemsby borders the villages of Winterton-on-Sea and Scratby. For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the district of Great Yarmouth.
A Norfolk county map dated around 1610 shows a headland, called Winterton Ness, extending into the sea north-east of Hemsby. This headland has now almost entirely disappeared through coastal erosion.
Hemsby along with much of the Norfolk coast was targeted by the Vikings, who initially raided the area in search of precious materials and slaves. The village was founded at some point during this time. The settlement grew steadily and is listed in the Domesday Book under the name of Haimesbei with a description of "a hamlet covering 43 meadow acres with 50 households, 3 slaves, 2 salt pans and 160 sheep."
The beaches are one of the major tourist draws in the village, with miles of sandy coastline. Large sand dunes form a natural barrier between the beach and the village behind it. One of the more unusual features of the beach is a scattering of anti-tank blocks across the beach, and a concrete bunker, left over from the World War II coastline defences. Erosion is a major problem in the surrounding villages of Winterton-on-Sea and Caister where sandy cliffs are being destroyed by the forces of the sea. Hemsby's dunes are also being eroded, previously the wide beach has made the effect less noticeable, but the rate of erosion has increased significantly in the past two years, threatening homes, the local lifeboat station and the villages tourist industry. In 2013 a campaign was started to 'save hemsby beach': 'DIY' Sea defences are being built in attempt to stem the erosion.
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Wikipedia