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 😁)

We stayed at Breck farm last year and loved it. Hoping to get back before the summer is out. My children spent ages just playing in the woods.

I ruddy love the Holt CP ponies :).
Fellbrigg NT & Sheringham CP (also a NT site, as is Roman Camp), just need to pay for parking & you can run around in the woods for hours.
Sea Palling is a trek from Holt, no need to go so far... but OP likes Wroxham Barns so maybe that distance seems reasonable. You can hire kayaks at Sea Palling, apparently, something your DSS could do, maybe. I quite like the woods at Pretty Corner for a good run around. But best views are Sheringham CP. Steam train...

OMG, you MUST check out the Cromer Peregrines, the town's latest stars. The fossil museum, Lifeboat museum in Cromer, Henry Bloggs: lots of history to poke around in Cromer.

No getting feet stuck in the rocks, though. We've had enough of being in national news.

Does your DSS still do Pokemon? Blakeney is good for both walks & Pmons.

Go to see the seals at Horsey Beach. A whole wild colony just there on the beach. Free (although may have to pay for parking) & about an hour's drive from Holt. An amazing experience which you will never forget.

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g1469072-d3970270-Reviews-Horsey_Beach-Horsey_Norfolk_East_Anglia_England.html

Fossil hunting at West Runton! Can also find loads of semi precious stones.

I thought about the seals at Horsey but would it be bit of a trek for a five year old?

We camp every year at Baconsthorpe Meadows which is near Holt too! Mundesley beach is beautiful and very safe with lifeguards on duty. Cromer museum is interesting for all ages. Hire bikes and explore Holkham Estate. Holt country park and Sheringham country park are wonderful for walks. Bewilderwood is magical, and I’m sure your 14 year old can enjoy himself racing about in the woods for one day for the sake of your littlie (my teen boys managed to keep a smile on their faces there at that age!) There are some geocache sites in Wells-next-the-Sea, and nice NT places as a pp said. Check out the timetable for the Holt to Sheringham trains because some are diesel rather than steam. Splash pool is fab, but gets v busy in holidays so you’re session may be controlled by wristbands. Norwich Castle museum for a bad weather option, or several small museums in King’s Lynn. Beach cafe at Old Hunstanton does great all-day fry ups 😁 Sandringham country park is beautiful, and free (we’ve never paid to go in the house as our gang prefer to be outdoors) as is Thetford country park. Wild swimming at Santon Downham near Thetford (no toilets/facilities except an ice cream van).

Iirc, it's maybe a mile walk to the beach to see the seals at Horsey. We last went when my Ds2 was 5, he was hypermobile & managed fine. You could always stop at the pub or NT Horsey Mill afterwards to refuel. I think it is totally worth the trek, it's like nothing I've seen before.

There was a small baby seal on beach at Winterton Ness last weekend. Which place I think you guys are calling Horsey. Totally wrong time of year. I feel very :( that baby has poor prospects.

Cley marshes and nature reserve. Crabbing and sliding down the mud banks (tide permitting) at Blakney. Penshorpe national park is amazing but not that cheap.
Wells beach rather than holkham as there's more amenities, toilets, cafe etc. Hire a paddle board at cromer or Runton.

There is actually a beach called Horsey Gap, near to the National Trust property of Horsey Mill. There is a Friends of website etc. It is not far from Winterton but I don't think it's the same beach. It is an unusual time of year for pups I believe, I hope it survives.

lljkk if it was a common seal rather than a grey seal then this is the right season for pups.

If you want to run around in Sheringham Park literally - go at 9:00 on Saturday. It's an extremely pretty Parkrun

If you have NT membership there is free parking on the ‘Carnser’ by the quay I’m Blakeney, and at Morton quay where the seal trips go from. Check online for seal trips: the times change with the tide.

Salthouse Heath is lovely for a walk or picnic,

The conservation centre at Cley Marsh is good: you can sit in the cafe and use the big telescopes to see the birds.

West Runton is s great beach at low tide.

If your DSS is s skater and you make it to Mundesley beach there is a skate park by the seafront car park.

For crabbing at Blakeney there is a shop near the ice cream kiosk across the road from the car park by the quay that provide buckets and eco crab lines for a deposit; crabbing without hooks or abandoned line.

Place marking.

@DiscontentedWoman

Are the street races definitely on this year? I saw it on the poster on the link you added, but there wasn't any specific details on it (whereas there was for everything else)

We are staying near Wells next week so also looking for things to do!

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions, we’re heading down too, on Sunday. We’ve done the Great Yarmouth coastline, horsey and Cromer and thereabouts, but want to venture elsewhere. I remember a trip to Holt when DD was tiny and I’d like to go back there and to Wells too. It’s been a challenging week and now I’m looking forward to our little break :)

@DiscontentedWoman ignore my question, I found the details on their Facebook page!

You listed some of the best attractions for children, they are so. Yet you somehow want them for free or discounted?

You seem to have misread the OP, Alicerond, she’s asking for alternative things to do which cost less.

I second Pensthorpe. It does cost but it's a great day out and the cafe does lovely food. There's the birds, a tractor ride through hidden bits and a massive out door play area, plus a soft play for the little one.

Temples seal trip also costs but is great. The guy who does the commentary makes the trip worth it and if you do one of the longer ones they drop you on Blakeney point for half an hour.

We love Cromer for a day at the beach and a walk on the pier.

There's so much for little ones and hopefully your teenager will just tag along. We stopped going before my dc got to that age.

Sorry for late reply have been at work. Thanks so much for all suggestions I have made a list!