We have listed below a selection of days out in Norfolk, all of which can be reached within a half hour drive. These are merely the tip of the iceberg, for a more extensive list try www.visitnorfolk.co.uk
Beaches
- Holkham – expansive and breathtaking, frequently used as a location for films such as Shakespeare in Love. Plenty of room to park but you do have to pay, and you may have to walk a long way from the car to the beach in the high season. In our view at its best for walking the dogs in the winter months, followed by a pint or hot chocolate in The Vic.
- Brancaster – family friendly but very busy in the summer months and you may have to queue to get into the paying car park. There are public loos and a beachside shop/café.
- Hunstanton – the classic Norfolk holiday destination for family and fun times.
- Wells-next-the-Sea – great beaches but also a fishing village with a busy harbour. Go crabbing on the quay then enjoy some fish and chips and watch the ships go by.
- Holme – generally a quieter destination than the others, especially if you to to Holme Nature Reserve, a hidden gem that only the locals no about where you never have to queue or share towel space on the beach. Loos and a shop/café available.
Nature and Birdwatching
- Titchwell bird reserve – www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/t/titchwellmarsh/index.asp
- Pensthorpe bird reserve and garden experience – www.pensthorpe.com//
- Seal trips from Morston – www.beansboattrips.co.uk/
- Sculthorpe Moor (Hawk & Owl nature reserve) – www.sculthorpemoor.co.uk/
- Fishing, Narborough – www.narfish.co.uk/
- Water gardens, near Swaffham – www.gooderstonewatergardens.co.uk/
History, Houses & Learning
- Houghton Hall – www.houghtonhall.com/
- Sandringham – www.sandringhamestate.co.uk/
- Holkham – www.holkham.co.uk/
- Creake gallery and artists’ centre – www.creakeabbeystudios.co.uk/
- Bircham Windmill – www.birchamwindmill.co.uk/
- Swaffham Ecotech centre – wind turbine – www.ecotech.org.uk/tourism.html
- Castle Acre Priory – www.english-heritage.org.uk/server.php?show=conProperty.13
- Iceni Village, Cockley Cley – www.icenivillage.com/
- Langham Glass – www.langhamglass.co.uk/tour.php
Children
- Church Farm, Stow Bardolph – www.churchfarmstowbardolph.co.uk/ (further away but perfect entertainment for toddlers and older)
- Park Farm, Snettisham – www.snettishampark.co.uk/
- Sea Life, Hunstanton – www.visitsealife.com/Hunstanton/
- Oasis indoor pool & leisure centre, Hunstanton
- Farmer Fred’s Indoor playarn (soft play) – www.farmerfredsplaybarnnorfolk.co.uk/
- Dinosaur Adventure Park, Lenwade (includes soft play barn) – www.dinosauradventure.co.uk/
- Karting – www.anglia-karting.co.uk/
Get Active
- Extreeme Adventure, Weasenham – a high ropes course set in the treetops –www.extreemeadventure.co.uk/
- Cycling – hire bikes from www.birchamwindmill.co.uk or www.norfolkcyclehire.co.uk/
- Golf – Royal West Norfolk (Brancaster) and Hunstanton are 2 outstanding links courses. Also Swaffham (18 holes) and Fakenham (9 holes).
- Racing at Fakenham (monthly) – www.fakenhamracecourse.co.uk/
- Walking – the Peddar’s Way passes by Harpley www.nationaltrail.co.uk/peddarsway and for general walking ideas, see www.walkinginnorfolk.co.uk
