Where to stay and what to do in Norfolk

[Dramateacher1]

Hi,
Looking at booking a trip to Norfolk for myself, husband and 6 year old son in the may half term holiday.

We usually do Northumberland- love bamburgh in particular and have no idea about Norfolk.

Looking for a hotel near a beach with some nice places to eat. Also ideas of places to go for days out (3 days) thanks so much in advance.

We’ve just come back from a few days in North Norfolk. Happisburgh and Sea Palling beaches were absolutely stunning. We had a really superb meal at the Ingham Swan too, fine dining at a really affordable price.

I love Norfolk. We went two years ago and stayed in an air bnb cottage in Old Hunstanton. Few years before we stayed in the cottage at Bircham Windmill which was lovely. Horsey Gap is worth a visit to see the seals. We went in August and they were bobbing about in the waves.

Childrens beach; Mundesley
Old fashioned seaside,; Cromer
Rock pools ; west Runyon
Seals, crabbing; Blakeney
Dramatic sandy beach for walks; Holkham
Stately Homes; Sandringham/ Felbrigg
Broads; Wroxham
City for shops, cathedral, art; Norwich
Walking and cycling everywhere ; loads of little churches and NT land to park on if you are members
Holt and Aylsham are nice little towns
We tend to avoid the main coast road if we can during the summer.

Whichever beach you go to (I prefer Brancaster as more old fashioned) check the tide times. Holkham has a very busy car park quarter of a mile from the beach itself (lovely walk and a cafe at the start) but then the tide can be far out so another 3/4 mile to the water's edge. Try to get some sea shoes before you go. I walk bare foot but it's not for everyone, and trainers etc get v soggy.

And try to be early to avoid the huge crowds or revisit in early evening. Again check the tides!

Ooh, just thought. Dependent on your child's interests, Castle Rising is near Sandringham - magic place and not as overwhelming as Holkham, Felbrigg or whatever.

The broads....sea Palling or any beach near there is just beautiful

some useful replies, all been noted, we are visiting Norfolk for the first time soon

We are staying near Fakenham in July, I was excited to book a beach hut at Wells Next Sea but now worried about the tides and long walk to the sea plus parking sounds a bit of a nightmare. We have young teens so thought a hut would be good to retreat too then we can stay a bit longer, are there better beaches for them though, maybe with water activities?

I bookmarked this thread in February and just came back as we are going in a couple of weeks. Just DH and me, staying near Fakenham, in Cromer and Burnham Overy Staithe.
We like walking but I'm currently hampered by a bad back so won't be able to do what we had planned.
I fancy a boat trip to see seals.
Maybe worth getting NT membership

I'm from norfolk- yes parking is difficult in wells in the summer but you should find something if you go early. There is a little train that can take you out to the beach bit if you don't want to walk. Beach wise I know cromer and sheringham are a bit further round and less sandy but cromer has a surf school where you can hire paddle boards etc I think. Might be worth checking out!

Holkham Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the UK, and nearby Holkham Hall grounds are spectacular, with deer roaming and gorgeous views. If you can't walk just go there go picnic. Enjoy

Also @Dramateacher1 the White Horse at Brancaster Staithe is a pub with absolutely stunning sweeping terrace views, lovely fresh seafood and very child friendly. 100% recommend for a sunset dinner or stop off.

Burnham Market is lovely - very Chelsea on Sea! As previously mentioned, definitely Holkham Beach which is exceptional, and Holkham Hall grounds. Seal boat strips at Blakney, fish and chips and crabbing at Wells are fun for DC. Cley Marshes has a bird watching visitor centre and nice shop and cafe. I also really recommend Back to the Garden farm shop and cafe (near Holt) for delicious quality food, coffee and groceries if you're self catering.

I'm so envious of your trip - LOVE North Norfolk!!

Last post from me - I forgot about Sandringham. I'm not a huge Royal fan but it was surprisingly beautiful and "small" (in a home of the monarch kind of way) - a really lovely home and again stunning grounds. Plenty for children too - playground & trails etc.

Thanks so much everyone. I’ll definitely be checking out these recommendations. Can’t wait to go, just cross your fingers for decent weather!

Just re reading all the recommendations as we go to Norfolk in a week. Very much looking forward to it and, as a bonus, the weathers looking good!

If going to Wroxham (do remember to call in at Roy's!) for a day boat on the Broads, also check out

www.thecanoeman.com/wroxham-hires

for kayaking/canoeing, bushcraft, Swallows and Amazons adventure days and more

(yes, I know S&A is set in the Lake District, But Coot Club and The Big Six are The Broads)

@EdithWeston we were discussing whether or not to have a day/afternoon on the broads.

We live in Norwich and often joke about Roy’s being some sort of mafia control in Wroxham!

Bad news. The train at Wells has gone 😞 Sad eh. We used to camp in tents there in the 80s. Returned there caravans later with family. It’s been removed just recently 😞

@Dontfuckingsaycheese I saw in the paper the other day that the train had gone and been replaced with a bus! Such a shame as so many happy childhood memories of visiting wells and riding it.

@Dramateacher1 Wroxham (the main ‘hub’) of the broads is a half day out really. There are boat trips but not really a whole lot else to be honest. Chips shops, sweet shops and swans 😅

have a look at Salhouse Broad if you like a short walk/ picnic spot. Can hire canoes here. Or just sit and watch the boat action from a lovely grassy hill.

if you want to go somewhere beautiful, some walks, stunning gardens, a bit of the broads go to How Hill. howhilltrust.org.uk
it’s free and parking is free too. Great place to take a picnic. You can buy ice creams.

We stayed (self catering) in Burnham Market a month ago. Beautiful place with a lovely upmarket village centre. The butchers (nothing is too much trouble, top quality meats; try the treacle bare back bacon), fishmonger (very much patronised) and the Italian deli are wonderful. The bus service is highly reliable (possibly not as frequent as where you live). Your 6 year old might enjoy the view from a double decker and you two can forget about parking! The steam train at Holt is great too as are all the ideas you’ve been given. Cromer crab is fab.
I’m sure you’ll have a great time. We can’t wait to return.

Just over the border into Suffolk there is a great wee theme park called Pleasurewood Hills. We love it.

The Dinosaur Park ( Roarr!) near Norwich is fab too.

Also Stalham, Great Yarmouth and Hemsby have really good car boot sales, if you like that sort of thing.

And if you go to Pleasurewood Hills, Africa Alive is worth a visit too.