Norfolk - ideas for what to see and do

[Dreamerinme]

Does anyone have suggestions for things to see and do in Norfolk please? We will be based in Norwich and need for some things to also appeal to older primary-aged DC.

We have National Trust and English Heritage memberships and like visiting historical sites, beaches, museums, coastal walks, etc.

Any recommendations for cafes, pubs and restaurants around the coast that don’t cost the earth would be good too please.

Thrigby Hall is amazing.....

Felbrigg Hall has a gorgeous walled garden and is national trust, if that's your sort of thing.

Or you could go boating on the broads at Wroxham. There's also a place in Norwich where you can hire canoes/kayaks if you fancied that sort of thing.

Bressingham Gardens is south towards Suffolk and has gorgeous gardens, little steam trains and a carousel that used to run on steam but doesn't any more.

There is also a steam railway from I think Sherringham to Holt.

Seal colonies, definitely at Blakeney Point but I have also come across them at Gorlston, but that was years ago so you'd need to check if they're still there.

Norwich Castle reopens after a very long and costly rebuild on 7th August. You should be able to go up to the battlements for a great view and I’m hoping they’ll open the dungeons again. Should be perfect for the kids.

NT properties - Blicking and Felbrigg are the only two big houses in the area. Both are a lovely day out. Ickworth House is also a drive away in Suffolk.

The Norwich Museum (used to be called the Bridewell) is good to while away an afternoon and for kids to explore. It tells the history of Norwich and has a fully equipped apothecary and a room full of Startrite shoes, and a 1960s living room.

Jarrolds has just opened a cafe and farm shop at Letheringsett - haven’t been yet but looks nice. It’s near Holt which is nice for a little wonder. Holt Country Park is good for a romp around with kids.

Beaches - recommend Sea Palling, Winterton, Mundsley if you want a quieter visit. Cromer and Yarmouth are the obvious choice for tourists.

A great walk - park up in one of the residential streets near Cromer lighthouse, and there’s a nice walk through ‘Happy Valley and along the coastal path, windy steps down to the beach and walk along to the pier. About a mile. Lovely views. There’s a zip wire and two play parks on the walk. There’s a lifeboat museum in Cromer - not sure if it’s open or being refurbished at the moment.

Sainsbury Centre is brilliant - specifically designed to be a 'wander round and see what you like' gallery rather than trudging along galleries.

It also has a sculpture park but the day we went it was monsoon conditions so can't vouch for that.

On the coast it basically gets more and more expensive as you go west from Cromer, until you reach peak 'Chelsea on Sea' around Burnham Market.

The Wells and Walsingham Light railway is fun - miniature train that runs from just outside Wells-next-the-sea (lovely beach) to the lively village of Little Walsingham. The ancient abbey and grounds is nice to wander round, and then train back.

Pensthorpe nature reserve

Walk west along the beach at Brancaster and you can sometimes see seals. A boat trip from Morston to see the seals at Blakeney.

A day in Norwich - castle, cathedral, Elm Hill, walk along the river.

Visit the stunning Pensthorpe Millennium Garden designed by world renowned Dutch gardener Piet Oudolf.

Seal spotting boat trip along the coast.

Visit Sheringham for a seafood lunch.

You might be lucky and spot the Household Cavalry on holiday at Holkham beach.

Seals at Horsey Gap

The GoGo Safari trail is on at the moment - mostly around Norwich. App and trail maps available.
https://www.break-charity.org/gogosafari/

Livens up a walk around the cathedral, river, city centre!

Day boat hire on the broads is lovely.

Dinosaur adventure is good high ropes and splash park. Winterton on sea is a lovely beach.

And Paddington at the cathedral.. 💕

For instance, you can hire an electric boat at Potter Heigham and go under the bridge which now makes the waterways and broads (Hickling and Horsey) on that side inaccessible to most larger boats nowadays. There’s lots of wildlife, and you can moor up at the far end to visit Horsey Windpump (NT)

We go to Holkham beach, whenever we are in Norfolk. There is the stately home the other side of the road as well. A boat trip to see the seals at Blakeney Point is also interesting.

Our favourite restaurant is Wells Crab House Cafe. It depends on your definition of expensive. Last week there, I had a half lobster, chips, salads and bread and butter for £23. IMO, it was worth it, compared to Cornwall! You have to book well ahead though now!

We have also enjoyed fish and chips from the chip shop, across the road from the harbour - about 300 yards down the road from the Wells Crab House cafe. There is a public car park midway between the two.

We also like Cookies Crab Shack at Salthouse - iirc, they only do snack type lunches, but we enjoy it.

Bewilderwood for sure! About 25m from Norwich, https://bewilderwood.co.uk/

Blickling NT house was fab and had a lot outdoors to do in their 'summer of fun' if that appeals. Bring sunscreen!

We also enjoyed seeing the seals at Blakeney Point and eating crab in Cromer and spending time on the beach there.