best places to visit in the area with a toddler.

[Bella2010star]

I would be really interested in what the best places to visist in the area are. I am going on holiday in Norfolk over the summer so thought it would be great to ask people who are local as to what I should not miss out on. So far I want to visit pensthorpe and was looking into wilderwood however is this more for older children?

There's not much at bewilderwood for toddlers. The play barn at poringland is good and the beach always go down a storm with my 2 year old. He enjoyed banham zoo a lot too.
Gressenhall has a nice farm and play area

Mine love Dinosaur Adventure, the Playbarn (will be heaving in summer though!), Norwich castle and of course the seaside.

Oh yes dinosaur park is fab.

Fritton Lake, where there is a huge play area is somewhere where DCs used to play happily as toddlers (still do - no longer toddlers though).

Africa Alive, actually in Suffolk - as the name suggests full of African animals and v well set out.

Thrigby Hall, for crocodiles and close up encounters with tigers (via thick perspex!)

Thetford Forest for woodland trail and again v good playground. Maybe better for older child though. Is a good place to hire bikes & trailer, DC2 had a very nice sleep in a trailer in Thetford Forest!

will carry on thinking...

DD adores the Dinosaur Park and rather likes Pettits too. Melsop Farm Park at Scoulton is good. If you're going into the city, the Forum (where the library is, next to the Peter Mancroft Church) often has lots on during the holidays. Coast nearby is good. Lots of sandy beaches, pebble beaches, marshes, dunes. Whatever you like really. I like the North Norfolk coast in particular. DD's been to Thetford Forest/High Lodge today and enjoyed playing there.

My kids love Pettits too. Also not sure if your child (girl / boy?) is into trains but if so there are some lovely railways. Bure Valley Railway very sweet and reasonably priced (you can walk or cycle part of the route along the railway path then get train back - we usually walk from Coltishall to the next stop up then train back). Lovely steam train from Holt to Sheringham but quite expensive. Beach at Winterton is lovely, not too far from car park to beach, lovely cafe, toilets, never very busy and has a really unspoilt feel to it. Bewilderwood is great (not cheap though) and has a couple of nice toddler areas and a fab baby zip wire! Also Church Farm at Stow Bardolph is lovely - it's a fair way from the coast but nice for a change from the beach and also lovely pub in the village.

Definitely Pettitts, Animal Ark, Melsop park, Wroxham Barns, lots of nice beaches.