North Norfolk...cheap family days out?

[Lolly86]

We are going camping next week near Holt, north Norfolk and I'm trying to keep budget low.
It's me DH, DD 5 and DSS 14.
I am thinking a few days of low key/cost fun at lovely beaches nearby (weather permitting) etc, maybe cromer, sheringham etc. Have thought of Wroxham Barns and maybe the swimming pool at sheringham. I've looked at prices for Bewilderwood or Roar! But its looking more expensive than I'd like...any hidden cheap(or free!) Gems anyone can share?
DD is in to anything and everything we like national trust type places and can sort membership out. DSS is not really into anything but gaming so will have to tag along anyway (his choice to come 😁)

Mundesley have a trail laid out in the village, just a lovely family friendly quiet place.

Cheaper swimming at Woodlands Leisure, than in Sheringham. They have a steam room & sauna as well (if I remember correctly)

Crabbing! All kids and adults love crabbing.

Sheringham beach is lovely. We use the smaller lifeguarded beach nr the loos and the submarine cafe. If you have a little time, you can get a parking permit from North Norfolk Council which will halve your parking costs.

Holkham Beach is fab. You do need to pay for parking, but take a picnic and kites for a lovely day out.

If you get a family ticket on the coastal hopper buses, you could cover lots of ground in a day.

Crabbing at Blakeney haribo is the crabbing bait of champions! Or off Wells quay. Pop to Whin Hill cider which is in the Stearmans carpark at Wells. Buying the apple juice or cider by the bottle, rather than by the glass works out much cheaper.

I was going to say crabbing at Blakeney or Wells too!

Play in the dunes at Holkham (or from Wells).

Bewilderwood is great but expensive and I don't think I've ever seen any discounts for it.
Our kids liked the maize maze. Will you be there for Sheringham carnival? That is always good fun. Lots of events over a couple of weeks.

Wroxham Barns will be awful for your dss. It's for young kids really and even then you're finished after an hour. Splash is awesome at Sheringham though.

sheringhamcarnival.com/events/

The street races are hilarious and you will get wet!

We were there a few weeks ago in Blakeney. I just let my dds go wild in the low tide and they were covered in mud. Sat watching them in the sun whilst they looked like monsters from the deep. That filled about four hours. Dds obviously needed a thorough shower after.

If you do want to pay for a day out then get a boat to see the seals, but won’t be that cheap.

Geocaching? Download the app, download the caches for your area, make sure you have plenty of battery on your phone, and go find hidden plastic boxes. There are plenty at Felbrigg Hall NT gardens, and some in Sheringham ( as well as all over the world) but we have found those. You can trade treasure in the bigger caches - party bag tat or stickers etc., the younger one may enjoy that.

Steam train Sheringham to Holt? Not cheap, but you can watch from the bridge in Sheringham for free, or pay small amount to go into the platform.

Next week is Sheringham carnival week. There will be a parade Weds evening, then bands outside the pubs. Will be various free activities on all week if that interests you - Google Sheringham carnival or buy a programme from the carnival caravan in town.

Cinema in Cromer good wet weather option. Bewilderwood too young for teenager.

Lots of cross posts while I was typing!

Which campsite? Breck Farm?

Love Breck Farm, we’ve been many times. Plenty of fun to be had just playing in the woods all around. Sheringham and Cromer are both fab little seaside towns, and Holt is nice too. I really like Wroxham, it’s an unusual little place, and you can hire a boat there to travel the Broads, which is just lovely. The steam train is nice. It’s one of my favourite areas for a camping trip - you’ll have a blast.

I wonder if the ferry to Scolt Head is cheaper than a seal trip, I can’t see any prices online.

Rock pools at West Runton.

The Shell Museum is cheap and has stuck in my mind so I must have enjoyed it as a small child!

Sheringham Park, Felbrigg and Blickling Hall are good National Trust places.
Amazona Zoo at Cromer is good, and has a Pick your own fruit farm next to it.
The Wizard Maize Maze would be good for the 5 year old.
Cromer beach and pier is good for crabbing. There is a big ish arcade on the sea front for your eldest.
Mundsley beach is lovely.
Overatrand garden centre has a nice cafe.
Norwich is just 45 mins away and has loads to do.
Mucklebrough military museum might be interesting for your eldest?

It's really worth joining the NT if you aren't members already.

Lots of great ideas thanks everyone. Didn't know about the carnival!
Yes its Breck farm we have been several times and always love it! We are lapsed NT members so was going to sort that anyway.
Wroxham barns my DD had always enjoyed and I have already explained to DSS that we will try and do things for both but that this is a low key mini break.
Thanks for all the suggestions will definitely be checking some of these out

We ate at Eric's Fish and Chips in Thornham. Really, really good and huge portions. Great family atmosphere. 7 year old DGD declared it the best!

Holt Country Park is great for a walk, there’s wild ponies on the lows and a big tower in the middle you can climb up and get a great view of the area. Plus a good play area near the car park.

Crabbing at Wells definitely!

If it’s hot you can paddle/swim at Letheringsett ford. I spent basically my entire childhood there and I loved it so much.

Tea & cake at Wiveton Hall cafe, lovely views and fab outside area if it’s nice.

Walks on the marshes at Morston. Take wellies! It’s muddy as anything but brilliant fun. Plus you should be there in samphire season so you can pick some fresh & steam it for dinner.

No1 fish and chips in Cromer for dinner one night. Owned by Galton Blackiston who owns Morston Hall and is very good. Bit pricier than other places but well worth it.

Holkham - if you time you visit for when the tide is going out, the water runs off the beach in rivers and my kids inc the 15 yo love making dams etc

Cromer - try the Bucket List Cromer or Overstrand which is loaded fries or Fat Teds in Sheringham. While you’re in Cromer, visit the goats on the slope just by No1 fish and chips. North a Lodge Park is next to the beach at Cromer and they have a boating lake which is fun - you can lie on the grass overlooking the coast. There are some children events on for Cromer for the carnival next week www.cromercarnival.co.uk/events.php

Sea Palling is a brilliant beach.

The Deep History Project is a new thing with an app, focussed around West Runton which someone mentioned is great for rock pools at low tide www.visitnorthnorfolk.com/Deep-History-Coast/enjoy_deep_history_coast.aspx

Another vote for Holt Country Park, it's beautiful. Crabbing at Blakeney is great fun and the seal trips are worth every penny.

If you go to Holkam make sure everyone has been to the loo before you go on the beach,the loos are miles away - unless the new visitors centre is up and running now?