What to do in West Norfolk?

[ZenNudist]

Staying until Saturday. Boys are 7 and 11.

Been to Sandringham, might go back to use the play area and walk in the Royal Park get a delicious picnic.

Was hoping to make good use of national trust membership but today at Oxburgh Hall it's being renovated. I will go to other NT properties within a reasonable drive. Today I felt I was eating a scone for a good cause as the works are costing £6m!

Going to Huntstanton tomorrow but dh not fond of the sea. Dc will enjoy it. I'm hoping to find more to do than the beach. A park, or nice place for lunch.

I'm a foodie but not been too impressed with the meals out we have had.

I've just spent ages telling a mumsnetter about how to enjoy a holiday somewhere I know well and hoped some lovely mumsnetters would do the same for me.

Don't know how far you are from Holkham Hall but that's fantastic. Boating, cycling, cafe, lots of open space

The seal boat trips from Morston Quay are brilliant. Parking is free if you’re in the National Trust. Morston Quay is lovely just for a potter, it’s not really seaside, more marshes.

Cley next the Sea is a charming little village, it’s no longer next to the sea. Free parking at the village Hall. There are foodie shops there to die for, including the Smoke House. The George and Dragon is great for eating out.

Holt is lovely and if you like a steam train trip, you can get on at Holt and enjoy a trip to Sheringham.

I like Burnham Market, which has some great independent food shops.

Holt country park is good for a walk in shady woodland when it’s hot, plus it has a good play area and ice cream stand. If you go on Sunday there’s a market in the town as well.

Titchwell marsh is an RSPB reserve and good for spotting wading birds at this time of year, plus the beach is a lot quieter than a lot of the others nearby.

Binham priory if you like churches - plus there’s a farm shop next door for cheese and ice cream.

Scunthorpe Moor/Penshurst for more nature. Lots of street food events this year - check the Ffolkes pub near Sandringham and Kelling Heath, they post details on their Instagram.

Eric’s chip shop at Thornham has been voted one of the best in the uk
Norwich has the dinosaur trail at the moment.I think you pick up a map at the forum although it’s probably online too.
Gressenhall workhouse has some farm animals

Fossil hunting on West Runton beach?

Walsingham is interesting. It's a shrine (I'm not religious but is fascinating) and also has a v good farm shop on the outskirts. You can do an explorer map where you have to find things there..

Church Farm near Downham Market is a full day out. Wells lovely. Tearooms at Castle Rising has a nice garden and does good cake!

Paddle boarding from Burnham Overy Staithe eola.co/w/1347/activities

Not sure if the ferry to Scott Head is running? www.northnorfolkpaddleboards.co.uk/island-ferry

If you like fish The Moorings in Blakeney is a fab restaurant. We also have crabbed there but make sure you check the tide times.

The seals are definitely worth a visit if you like a boat trip.

I’m currently in holiday in North Norfolk in Wells. Pensthorpe Park was really really lovely I’d recommend, even my hard to please 13 year old DS loved it. We also enjoyed a trip on the Broads, if you haven’t already booked a wee boat for yourself then I’d be surprised if you managed to get a booking but you’d get on one of the big boats I’d recommend paying for a seat up top but outside. I personally don’t get the hype about Wells beach, the huts are pretty enough but it’s really busy and I didn’t think the sea seemed that clean for swimming, didn’t stop us though! The car park fills up really quickly and the walk from Wells is stifling on a hot day, especially with carrying all your stuff, but we are Scottish and not used to this heat! Haven’t found anywhere in Wells that does amazing food if you are foodie.

@OatcakeCravings the Crab House does great food and is one of our favourites, all fish though . It’s a little off the main sweep in Wells
wellscrabhouse.co.uk/

The takeaways are great too , especially the platters .

Also try the Globe up on the green , the food is pretty good and they do very good outdoor pizzas

A little bit further along the coast Wiveton Cafe is good as is Wiveton Bell , the Victoria at Holkham is a bit overrated but they used to do very good weekend barbecues . Also White Horse at Brancaster , Jolly Sailor and The Moorings in Blakeney .

Does anyone know how long Dippy will be at the cathedral please? We're off to the MIL in august and need some escape plans ideas of things to do with teens.

Dippy is here until end of October 21. But check the Norwich cathedral website, as Dippy is closed on certain days. Enjoy, I plan on viewing Dippy too!

Guided tours at Wild Ken Hill or Watatunga Safari near Kings Lynn

wildkenhill.co.uk/guided-tours/
www.watatunga.co.uk/

Haven't been to either so do tell us how it is if you go.

If you like old railways visit Wolferton station. It's where royalty used to arrive and depart when staying at Sandringham. The station and platform are intact and the owner has an interesting room of memorabilia. It takes care of a couple of hours if you are at a loose end.

Buckling Hall is with a visit.

A bit further away but Norwich is a beautiful city (not a town as a previous poster referred to it!). There is currently a dinosaur sculpture trail running which is a fun day out spotting them all. Lots of food options as well.

*Blickling Hall (urgh auto correct!)

The best beaches in Norfolk are a little further around. Head to Waxham Sands, park at the caravan park and do the hike over the dunes. I am telling you, utter paradise. Also Walcott, Horsey and SeaPalling - SeaPalling is quite busy but at horsey you can walk a mile or so to see seals . Waxham is totally up there with worlds best beaches in my view. There is nothing there though except a small shop so take a picnic. I don’t rate wells either (I live in West Norfolk) we always head to Walcott/Waxham/happisburgh for beach time.

Agreed that the best beaches are a bit further along the coast - Wells in high season is so busy! We like Mundesley, Winterton, Sea Palling and Weybourne, but this is a really good list: norwich.mumbler.co.uk/just-a-beach/

They are great beaches over on the east, but a longish drive from the OP.

I wouldn’t necessarily drive past Brancaster, for example, to get there.

I like Holkham, too.

Wells to Walsingham Railway. Walsingham is an interesting village.

Thursford Steam is good. Traction engines, old dancehall organs that they play in turn, a couple of fairground rides (not of the thrill variety)

For whoever was wondering - yes, the Scolt Head island ferry is running from Burnham Overy - high tides only, of course, so you can be waiting a while, but the ice cream van is usually parked there to cool you down.

Wild Ken Hill is definitely worth a visit if you are at all interested in nature and rewilding, but the tours are pretty booked up at the moment since it was used for filming Spring Watch.

Figure of speech. OP would be in the right area in 1.5 hours and at this time of year, with the coastal traffic to Hunstanton so bloody horrendous, there isn’t much in it. Having said that, the drive around the coast road is a stunning one for anyone with time to meander and take the long way around.

Try Wells next the Sea and Walsingham which is a fascinating little town, very quaint and extremely interesting.