Case study - Mancroft and Sheringham

• Physical geography of Mancroft

  • River Wensum flows through the area
  • Surrounded by many smaller rivers such as the River Yare and Waverly
  • Both rivers are now used for recreational use
  • The geology is mostly sandstone and chalk
• Political nature of Mancroft

  • Green Party MP currently (2023)
  • Average age of voters - 45.4; turnout - 35.3%
  • Voted Remain in 2016
  • 39 city councillors with 13 electoral wards
• Built environment of Mancroft

  • Religious and wealthy past - 56 churches and the Cathedral; now there is 3 churches
  • Large urban - Chantry Place, Castle Quarters, the Market - diverse shops
  • Population density is 10x higher than the UK average - 5000 homes in the area
• History of Mancroft


  • Georgian and Victorian eras - Royal Arcade opened in 1899 (new industries)
  • Medieval town - big trading town
  • The Forum became a landmark; Norwich is the first UNESCO city of Literature
  • Lots of rural to urban migration during the Industrial Revolution
  • Became the first global trading port and the first place where big brands settled - Colman's mustard, Norwich Union (insurance)
  • Newer developments like the Central Business District
  • A11 built in 1961 links Norwich and London
• Demography of Mancroft


  • Population - 10,618
  • Average age - 40
  • Ethnicity - 84.4% White, 6.8% Asian, 3.3% Black, 3.5% Mixed race
  • 77% of the population were born in the UK; 23% were foreign born; 9.9% were from EU countries
  • Diversity levels are increasing due to the large levels of international students - Many from East Asia
  • 15-34 year olds - 45%; 65+ - 15%
• Socio-economic factors in Mancroft

  • Average household income - £41,080
  • 5.4% unemployment rate (4.8% in the UK)
  • 15% of people own homes (39% in Norfolk)
  • 39.7% socially rent; 33.3% privately rent
  • 14% are flats; 23% bungalows, 21% terraced houses
  • 24.4% have level 3 education; 36.4% have a level 4 education
  • 52% of households have no car
• Physical geography of Sheringham

  • Situated on the North Norfolk coast
  • Highest point is Beatson Bump - 73m high and made up of glacial moraine
  • Beatson Bump used to protect the two towns from the storms
  • Cliffs are made up of chalk, clay and flint
• Political nature of Sheringham

  • Held by a Conservative MP
  • Leave vote - 58.9%
  • Second largest party are the Lib Dems
• Built environment of Sheringham

  • Many buildings are made up from the natural environment - flint houses
  • Many Edwardian/Victorian town houses - many are second homes (affluent)
  • Many tourists - hotels and B&Bs
• History of Sheringham


  • It became a very rich coastal town because it supplied many of the fish that went to London
  • Railway connected the coast to London in June 1887 which opened up trade and tourism
  • Lots of wealthy tourists went to Sheringham in 20th century. From 1950, it attracted many people looking to retire
• Demography of Sheringham


  • 98% of the population are White British, 4% are Black
  • Population 2,470
  • Median age - 55
  • Under 19 - 17.9%, 65+ - 35.9%
• Socio-economic factors in Sheringham

  • Level 4 or above education - 19.9%
  • No education - 18%
  • Rented houses - 29%; Owned houses - 69%
  • House holds with no car - 31%
  • 29% of people are in professional occupations
• Mancroft is a built up area with a high population density - smaller houses and flats
• In terms of age, there are many young people in Mancroft - reflected in the types of houses and built environment (work facilities, nightlife, libraries)
• Average income is high in Mancroft so there may be more professionals with disposable incomes - more local businesses
• Many East Asian shops opening in Mancroft suggest an increase in migration mainly of students
• Mancroft is generally a working class area as less people own homes
• Sheringham has an older demography and more people own homes
• Many owned homes in Sheringham are second homes so many affluent people settle there
• Sheringham has more health services reflecting its older population
• Past connections in Mancroft

  • Big trading history - leather industry (shoes and boots), big chocolate company, trading port between the east coast and London
  • Big wool industry - sheep farming
  • Norwich union was one of the first global insurance companies
  • Saxon market place was built on wool
  • Norwich was England's second largest city, It was home to large brands which were rare at the time - Caley's chocolate, Coleman's mustard, Jarrold's
• Present connections in Mancroft

  • Less factories due to globalisation - increased consumership - cheaper abroad
  • Big East Asian diaspora - university attracts students and more academics from places like Cambridge
  • John Innes Centre - renown labs for GMCs
  • Regeneration and promotion of small businesses - Norwich Lanes
  • Retail centre - 8th most prosperous in the UK (Riverside and Castle Mall)
  • Commuter town - A11 and M11
• Past connections in Sheringham


  • Major fishing port; many went to London - 200 boats
  • 1887 - The railway was built allowing 64 trains to run to and from London
  • This railway allowed affluent upmarket tourism - many people came for the seaside town - Royal Sheringham Hotel
• Present connections in Sheringham

  • The physical environment is very significant - seaside town
  • Local resources are now reflected in the homes - Flint houses - lack of change in the built environment
  • Smaller fishing industry - 8 boats 1940s day - this is the locals trying to keep tourism alive and building a brand based on history and heritage - Sheringham carnival and the Viking festival
  • Big retirement community and second homes
  • New investment in theatre and cinema
  • Main railway closed in the 1960s
• When you are younger, you live in the inner city. When you get older and want a family you tend to live in suburbs. When you get to retirement age you tend to move closer to your family but in a quieter place outside the urban area
• The local availability of resource or natural advantage can encourage the growth settlement and mould its identity. If these resources run out or global trade shifts, technology takes over or the natural environment changes, it can impact the place
• The economy changed in Mancroft from the manufacturing to the service sector - Climatic research unit, John Innes Research Centre - This brings in Academic from Cambridge - 15th best uni. The city centre has remained prominent due to a lack of competition
• The hospital in Mancroft closed in 2003 and was replaced by houses (original structure remains). TNCs go to the best place for investment - Chantry Place has replaced Castle Quarters as the main shopping centre