North Norfolk or Suffolk coast?

[MrsMcTats]

I'd like to get a holiday cottage booked for 2021 (something to look forward to)! We need school holidays, so many places booked already. I've found a lovely cottage in Blakeney, but I'm really torn between there or Suffolk. Been to Suffolk before and loved it. We have 3 young DC to keep entertained. I'm aware Blakeney is next to a river, rather than direct access to a beach, which puts me off slightly, but of course we can drive to a beach.

Would you choose Suffolk or North Norfolk for a holiday with DC?

[MsSlightyConfused]

Ooooh this is a tricky one.

Imo there is no beating the n Norfolk beaches. Wells and Holkham are two of the best beaches in the U.K. the sand is perfect, the vastness of them is just unbelievable and there pinewoods can be ambled around for hours.

Blakeney is lovely. Lots of little tit bit shops which I’m guess is now open. Near by there’s a lovely cafe with sea views which is probably open because they mainly serve outside.

But in general it is all very quiet.

But then Suffolk is easier to get to.

Also depends where in Suffolk you’re talking about. There’s a big difference between Lowestoft and Southwold.

[billysboy]

Have been to North Norfolk for years and Holkham beach is exceptional as long as you dont mind a hike
Went to southwold for the first time in years last year and it was fab

I parked the car up on day one and didnt get in it until the end
North Norfolk involved driving daily to the beach etc

Back to Southwold this year

[Notwiththeseknees]

Crabbing in Blakeney is fantastic and Seal Trips are a must (although mostly go from Morston about a mile away). Holkham Hall, Cromer Pier & Lifeboat Museum, Burnham Market, Fakenham racecourse, Maize Maze... masses for kids in North Norfolk.

[MsSlightyConfused]

With regards to Suffolk I’d say Southwold is your only decent choice tbh. Like PP says, you can get there and not leave the whole week. There’s a lovely park, lovely shops and cafes. Lots of people. Mostly posh London types who let their kids run around the streets at 11pm with no socks on 😂

But the beach isn’t a patch on n Norfolk. And there is soooo much to do in Norfolk for the kids but all a drive away.

Really depends what you want from your holiday

[MrsMcTats]

Thank you for all the replies - your thoughts reflect mine, which is why I'm still unsure. I did think Norfolk would involve more driving.

@MsSlightyConfused it would def be Southwold.

@billysboy we found this with the car too, although we do like to see the area, so would end up going out some days.

Eek what to do!

[MsSlightyConfused]

If you just want to chill, eat, shop then go to southwold

[MsSlightyConfused]

But literally I don’t think there’s any else worth seeing in Suffolk

[felineflutter]

Walberswick or Thorpeness. Adore both and will miss my annual trip to Suffolk.

[NancyJoan]

Norfolk is just lovely. Have a look at Wells, nice little town, proper beach with beach huts, and fairly central for exploring. When we were there last year we sat and watched seals hanging out on the beach all day.

So many lovely NT houses in Norfolk, if that's your sort of thing, and masses to do for the kids. Just wish it wasn't such a drive for us!

[Serin]

Blakeney.
Its lovely.
The river is more of a trickle through the estuary when the tide is out, so all the kids play together in the mud. You will have to Google the images!! Such good fun.
There is also the Blakeney hotel on the seafront that does lovely food.
The whole place has a very calm, gentle feel.
Totally love North Norfolk.

[Notwiththeseknees]

Have to say I agree with PP and Wells is the place to go in North Norfolk. If you stay in the town itself you can walk or cycle to the sandy beach, crab from the Quay, walk the salt marsh, have fantastic fish & chips at French's, lots of great shops it's fab. Google for a local cottage company.

[MsSlightyConfused]

I’d highly recommend Blakeney Cottage Company (based in blakeney, have cottages all over)

Wells more geared up for kids than Southwold. Big playground, small indoor soft play, arcades, chocolate deli, rock etc. Southwold full of nice posh shops.

Also Norfolk has a lot of family attractions if you did want to have day trips. Bewilderwood, Roar Dinosaur Adventure, Pensthorpe

[MsSlightyConfused]

Oh and very good large wooden tree top style climbing frames playground at Holkham Hall

[zafferana]

I know them both VERY well and I'd say you can't go wrong whichever you pick OP. Blakeney is quiet, but there is lots to do in N. Norfolk (BeWilderwood is a hike from there though - it's on the Norfolk Broads and there is no quick way to get there). Dinosaur Adventure is brilliant - one of our favourite places to go when our DC were small - there are seal trips from Morston (highly recommended on a calm day), lovely beaches (Wells is our favourite), lovely walks, cafes, ice cream.

As for Southwold, just be aware that it's a pebble beach there, not sand. It's a lovely town, lots of independent shops to browse, nice restaurants, Walberswick is a lovely walk along the coast, take the ferry across the river - it's charming. I think there is more 'to do' though in Norfolk, which if the weather is a bit rubbish is a major plus.

[thisstooshallpass]

Should have been on a tiny, secluded campsite in Morston this week 🙁

Will definitely be going next year.

[bestservices]

We had one of our best holidays in north Norfolk with our son and we've travelled to loads of different places

[MrsMcTats]

Thank you everyone- we've decided on Norfolk!