Warning to the Curious, A

"Along the coast of Norfolk there persists an ancient legend. It is said that in the dark ages, when the Vikings were a constant scurge, the three royal crowns of Anglia were hidden in the ground. The crowns had a strange power, no foreign army would invade the Kingdom of Anglia so long as at least one of them remained undisturbed." Holkham Meals on the north Norfolk coast to the west of Wells-next-the-Sea. The beach at Holkham also appears in 'Shakespeare in Love', 'Mosquito Squadron' and 'Operation Crossbow'.

Martin Skipper sends us this shot of Holkham acknowledging that he should have been more to the South (right). He anticipates returning so it will certainly 'do' for the time being. (RL)

"Since that time, the site of one crown has been plundered by thieves, another has been covered by the encroaching sea, only one crown now remains, lying somewhere in its royal burial ground." Inland from the beach, an Archaeologist (Julian Herington) digs into a mound. Stuart Robins identifies this as Holkham Bay, Norfolk.

Stuart explains that it's hard to get a precise location for the 'barrow' after over fifty years of shifting sands and trees growing and dying and thinks this is it, as it's close to the car park for the filming.

Watching from the top of the mound, William Ager (John Kearney) calls “No diggin’ ‘ere!” before viciously attacking and killing the Archaeologist. This appears to be at the edge of Holkham Forest with Lady Anne’s Drive passing in the background and Stuart Robins adds Holkham Bay, looking down on the Norfolk Coast Path towards Wells-next-the-Sea.

The location now captured by Stuart.

Twelve years later, a train brings Mr. Paxton to Seaburgh. Looking west along the railway from Church Street in Sheringham, Norfolk with properties on Weybourne Road to the top left.

Taken by Martin 2020 it is heartening to see how a Heritage line has prospered. (RL)

Mr. Paxton (Peter Vaughan) makes his way to a hotel where he takes a room. The Shipwrights Arms on the East Quay alongside Wells Salt Marshes in Wells-next-the-Sea. The pub closed in 1996 and was converted into private dwellings.

The former Shipwrights Arms, remembered by the sign in Stuart Robins' comparison.

Borrowing a bicycle, former clerk rides into the countryside. Off Beach Road to the south of Happisburgh in Norfolk with the 1790 Happisburgh Lighthouse in the distance.

Certainly a greener landscape revealed by Martin here. (RL)

Coming to a stand, the amateur archaeologist leans his bicycle against undergrowth at the side of the road. Church Street in Happisburgh.

The same location captured by Martin in Summertime. (RL)

Mr. Paxton walks up to the church. St. Mary’s church in Happisburgh.

Martin captured this shot as he approached the church. (RL)

Looking up, a coat of arms featuring three crowns and a snake is noticed above the west porch. The west front of St. Mary’s church.

Martin found that there is now a bench in front of that doorway. (RL)

The Vicar (George Benson) tells of a family whose eldest male stood guard over the remaining crown in times of war before directing Mr. Paxton to the grave of William Agar, the last of the line. St. Mary’s church in Happisburgh, Norfolk with Thatcher’s on Blacksmith’s Lane in the centre distance.

Martin's shot finds 'Thatcher's' now secluded by trees and bushes. (RL)

Following further research, from across a pond at a remote farmhouse Mr. Paxton sees a Figure walk out of view. Whites Farm House on North Walsham Road near Happisburgh in Norfolk identified by Richard Chesterton.

Mr. Paxton follows the Figure. Wandering around Google Streetview, Richard Chesterton discovered Whites Farm House near Happisburgh.

Passing around side of the building, the Figure is nowhere to be seen. Richard Chesterton again identifies the property as Whites Farm House near Happisburgh.

Dragging her barking dog into the house, a Girl (Gilly Fraser) comes out to speak with the middle aged stranger. Whites Farm House on North Walsham Road near Happisburgh in Norfolk identified by Richard Chesterton.

The Girl tells Mr. Paxton that the farm was once home to William Agar, who used to wait around in the nearby wood. Richard Chesterton found Whites Farm House near Happisburgh.

As the two look across the beach towards the wood, the Girl continues that she sees an old tramp in the trees from time to time. Whites Farm House on North Walsham Road near Happisburgh in Norfolk located by Richard Chesterton.

Having gathered his equipment, Mr. Paxton enters the booking hall at Seaburgh station that evening and purchases a return ticket to Thruxton. The booking hall at Sheringham station on Station Approach, Sheringham in Norfolk confirmed by John Duell.

Alterations have taken place as John's comparison shows.

Mr. Paxton joins the waiting train. Sheringham station on Railway Approach, now Station Approach, in Sheringham, which was opened in 1887 by the Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway.

Alighting at Thruxton, Mr. Paxton watches the train depart before making his way to the mound in the woods. Opened by the Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway in 1901, this is Weybourne station standing on Station Road to the south of Weybourne in Norfolk.

On his way back to the station after discovering the surviving crown, Mr. Paxton looks back over a gate when he senses that he is being pursued by a dark Figure. Stuart Robins discovered that this is the gate to the track west of Pinewoods Holiday Park from the Norfolk Coast Path at Wells-next-the-Sea.

On his expedition, Stuart found a replacement gate.

Turning from the gate, Mr. Paxton is surprised by the sight of a Labourer (Cyril Appleton) standing on the track to the station. The track to the west of Pinewoods Holiday Park from the Norfolk Coast Path located by Stuart Robins.

Stuart took this view of the track now,

Continuing to the station, Mr. Paxton walks onto the platform. Weybourne station on the line between Cromer and Melton Constable which closed in April 1964 to be reopened by the North Norfolk Railway in July 1975.

John Duell took this shot from the cab of a DMU travelling on on the Down Line.

Holding the ancient crown in a bag, the archaeologist looks across field towards a windmill. Weybourne Mill above Weybourne in Norfolk.

A dog barks in the distance as the train for Seaburgh steams into the station. Weybourne station has been used as a location for television’s ‘Dad’s Army’, ‘Hi-Di-Hi’, ‘Miss Marple’ and ‘Backs to the Land’.

The station was looking less bleak when John Duell visited.

After Mr. Paxton returns the crown to it's resting place following disturbing occurrences at the hotel, Arnold (David Cargill), the boot boy, hears Mr. Black calling across the harbour. The Harbour below East Quay in Wells-next-the Sea.

Stuart Robins returned to East Quay where newer steps and safer railing can be found.

Mr. Black continues calling until Mr. Paxton appears. Facing west from the Harbour with buildings on Beach Road in the distance.

Martin finds a busier harbour nearly 50 years on. (RL)

As Mr. Paxton passes on the quay above, Arnold turns to see Mr. Black at the hotel door. Looking along East Quay in Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk with the corner of Standard Road in front of The Granary to the right.

Some 'in fill' development in Martin's shot. (RL)

Mr. Black finds Mr. Paxton being chased through the woods by a dark figure.

After witnessing the death of Mr. Paxton on the mound where the crown was buried. Dr. Black (Clive Swift) makes his way onto the platform and gets onto the train. Sheringham station closed in 1967 when a new station opened on the opposite side of Station Road and was reopened by the North Norfolk Railway in 1975.

John S. found the same corner of the station.

Readying the train for departure, the Porter (David Pugh) reaches the compartment where Dr. Black is sitting and holds the door open for a moment . . . as if for someone to board. Sheringham station on Station Approach, Sheringham in Norfolk.

John Duell found that the station has been well restored over the intervening years.