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Original poster

Last Minute Norfolk Holidays Tips!

32 replies

starfish8 · 07/09/2017 11:41

Well after every Mumsnetter seemed to recommend North Norfolk to me earlier in the year we are going on our hols there tomorrow for the week. (Staying just outside Wells Next to the Sea) Going with hubby and a nearly 4 year old boy.

Weather isn't looking great, so may not be on the beach as much as I'd hoped.

Can anyone help with last minute advice - Which is the best National Trust in the area (Blicking Estate, Felbrigg, Sheringham Park), would be great to explore with my son on his scooter?

Also deliberating between Bewilderwood and Dinosaur Park with an adventurous nearly 4 yo. I'm leaning towards Bewilderwood as he likes outdoor woodland play structures....?

Thanks! :-)

OP posts:
Original poster
starfish8 · 07/09/2017 11:41

Any wet weather attraction tips also welcome!

OP posts:
PandaG · 07/09/2017 11:46

Steam train from Sheringham to Holt (though actually not into Holt, just the edge). If you don't want to pay to ride it you can see it from the car park in Sheringham. Though pretty sure the ticket means you can ride all day if that appeals.

Norwich on a wet day? Not been to the castle for years but enjoyed it when younger.

allegretto · 07/09/2017 11:50

Oxburgh Hall is NT and is amazing - more the house than the grounds though. Holkham Hall (not NT but you only pay for parking unless you go in the House) has loads of grounds to explore and a nice adventure playground area - good restaurant too and you can hire boats on the lake if the weather is ok. It is very near Wells.

flissfloss65 · 07/09/2017 11:51

We had a week in Cromer years ago. My ds really enjoyed the boat trip to see seals from Blakeney Point. Loads of seals to spot!

We did fishing for crabs off Cromer Pier and there is a good museum there too.

flissfloss65 · 07/09/2017 11:57

Museum is Henry Bloggs one. All about boats and fishermen. Also large RNLI boat to see at end of pier.

lljkk · 07/09/2017 12:12

With a scooter, Sheringham CP is the best by far b/c it's the most paved (others not much paved).

As I already said on other thread that DinoPark is much better for a 4yo, DinoPark has outdoor wooden play structures (lots of them), and a nice indoor play area if you get bad weather.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 07/09/2017 13:03

Sherringham woods would be great with your son's scooter.

Felbrigg is amazing, my favourite NT propertySmile

Crabbing at Wells is good.

Lovely ice cream parlor in Sherringham high street.

The steam train is lovely but expensive iirc so check it our first. You can wave it off from Sherringham though without going on it if you just want to see it. It is lovely though.

Do you want pub/food recommendations?

Holkam beach is AMAZING, miles and miles of white sand.

Worth having lots of change in your car as you pay for parking even when visiting stately homes.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 07/09/2017 13:04

Iirc there's a pool with slides etc in Sherringham too.

Original poster
starfish8 · 07/09/2017 13:44

Thanks, aren't you all absolute stars!

We've just got our NT for another year, so makes sense to go to at least one while we're there and get free entry/parking.

Oxburgh Hall looks - WOW!
DS is obsessed with scootering at the moment, so Sheringham could be a great option.

DameDiazeTheDramaQueen - Yes if you have any great eating out tips that would be fab too. We are based in Walsingham, and looks like there are a couple of good places there. But anywhere else in that broader area would be fantastic. (Also taking my slow cooker to get a couple of meals on while I'm away - soooo sad!)

OP posts:
MamaOfTwos · 07/09/2017 13:50

Sea life centre in Hunstanton is about 20 minutes away
Holkham hall has beautiful gardens and does afternoon tea
Sandringham have a wonderful woodland where rain wouldn't get through the trees and their ice cream is to die for, they have an indoor visitors centre
Walk from the beach car park to the harbour in wells, it's a lovely walk and there's an awesome play area at the top near the harbour
Crabbing in the harbour

JemIsMyNameNooneElseIsTheSame · 07/09/2017 13:51

Pensthorpe, seal trip at Blakeney, Holkham Hall, Wiveton (Normal for Norfolk) for lunch/maze/garden tour, visit the many great pubs, Cley visitor centre. So much to do in that area. I camp at Stiffkey several times a year!

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 07/09/2017 14:00

I know Walsingham Smile

The Golden Fleece is right on the front in Wells- we had a very nice meal there.

The Dunn Cow in Saltmarsh is great, we've eaten there lots of times. You can't book as you turn up and they give you a ticket to order. System works well, just turn up early.

If you like sea food you can buy lobster and crab from Cookies which is next door to The Dunn Cow. Freshly cooked lobsters for £12- fabulous!

Fantastic fish and chip restaurant in Sherringham high street. Then walk down to the ice cream parlor for dessertWink

There's a Morrison's in Fakenham so you can stock up when you eat in.

Have a lovely time Smile

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 07/09/2017 14:03

The Ship Inn Weybourne is good too, you can walk along the coast and see the wind mill and paragliders.

If you're eating out YOU MUST BOOK I cannot stress that enough, you won't get in otherwise ime. Anywhere good gets booked up fast.

Changedjustforthisonly · 07/09/2017 14:04

WE just got back from Wells this week and had a lovely time despite the weather not being overly warm. Had a lovely walk from the harbour to the beach and paddled. Holkham Hall is fab and has a great playground (not a NT property though).

Definitely recommend the steam train Holt - Sheringham (or vice-versa) such a lovely trip and holt is a lovely town.

You could get out on to the broads at wroxham and hire a boat for the day? We've done that before even when the weather wasn't great.

Original poster
starfish8 · 07/09/2017 14:05

Yes I've heard it's a bit weird, though I've found a beautiful cottage there - the only one that hit all my criteria and price range - so it's going to be fab!

Thanks so much, lovely Mumsnetters organising me! :-)

OP posts:
DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 07/09/2017 14:09

Nothing is too far away if you have a car, everything is close.

There's a cinema at Cromer iirc if you need to do something inside.

MumBod · 07/09/2017 14:11

Bewilderwood is AMAZING - hands down the best place I ever took my two boys to.

Dinosaur Park is brilliant too. Do both if you can, but if you can only choose one, then it has to be Bewilderwood.

I'm gutted mine are too old for that kind of thing any more Grin

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 07/09/2017 14:17

I wouldn't recommend Sandringham tbh. Wasn't impressed at all. Felbrigg is MUCH better.

ProfYaffle · 07/09/2017 14:18

History Mystery game at Blickling looks amazing. We did the one in Norwich and are desperate to do this one next - useful as it's inside so a wet weather option.

Original poster
starfish8 · 07/09/2017 14:41

Do you mean Sandingham or Sheringham Park?

Just looking for a NT to take my son on his scooter. Felbrigg Trip Advisor reviews says there's trails for scooters too?

OP posts:
Original poster
starfish8 · 07/09/2017 14:41

Yes, Wells is on the list but will be trying for a dry day

OP posts:
DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 07/09/2017 14:42

Sandringham- Queens house. Sherringham is aceSmile

lljkk · 07/09/2017 15:20

No paved trails at Felbrigg, ime.
Lots of paved trails at Sheringham CP.
I have never been to Sandringham.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 07/09/2017 15:23

No , scooter isn't suitable for Felbrigg.

CleopatraCatLover · 07/09/2017 15:33

Been a few years since I've holidayed in North Norfolk but I remember Hunstanton promenade being good for scooting, also there is a road through Sandringham great for scooting too.