10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Norfolk That You Shouldn't Miss

April 29, 2022 Veronika Gaddis

A holiday in Norfolk is not a glamorous break. While the Norfolk Broads of East Anglia are a beautiful part of the UK, they represent a relaxing rural getaway rather than a high-powered city-break. Although its reputation is mostly rural, with people associating the county mostly with the wetlands of the Norfolk Broads, there are also towns such as Norwich and King's Lynn to visit, both of which provide shopping opportunities, nightlife and entertainment. Norfolk also contains a large stretch of coastline, and seaside destinations such as Cromer and Great Yearmouth mean there are great beaches to be found as well. Many areas of the Norfolk Broads and the coastal region are sites of outstanding natural beauty, and are also protected as bird reserves, so take a pair of binoculars on holiday. There are also popular wildlife attractions such as Banham Zoo, with a great collection of big cats, and Great Yarmouth's Sea Life Centre, one of the biggest of its kind in the country, complete with tropical sharks and conger eels. And of course, if any of your family are interested in boating, you'll need to rent a boat and explore the waterways of the Broads themselves!


Restaurants in Norfolk

1. Horsey Beach

Horsey NR29 4EJ England http://www.explorenorfolkuk.co.uk/horsey-beach.html
Excellent
83%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
2%
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5.0 based on 1,029 reviews

Horsey Beach

Reviewed By MisterBee123 - Chippenham, United Kingdom

We were advised to go to Horsey Gap to see the seals. So we did. We dined from the burger van in the car park (very good) then went to see the seals. There were a lot of seals and a lot of people watching them! It was great to see them in their natural habitat and seemingly not too bothered by their audience!

2. The Broads National Park

Norwich England +44 1603 610734 [email protected] http://www.visitthebroads.co.uk/
Excellent
72%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,226 reviews

The Broads National Park

Discover dramatic landscapes, raw natural beauty and a rare quality of light. Where big, bright skies meet endless horizons and dreamlike landscapes. A place where time stands still. Real peace, open space – it’s a place unlike anywhere else... The Broads National Park.

Reviewed By carolwise - Norwich, United Kingdom

We hired a day boat from Potter heigham and the views are amazing we also stopped of at a pub and the mooring was free. You see a lot of wildlife

3. Norfolk Coast Path

Norfolk Coast Path, PE36 6LQ England
Excellent
65%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
4%
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2%
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4.5 based on 51 reviews

Norfolk Coast Path

The Norfolk Coast Path runs for 42 miles from Hunstanton to Cromer, with the majority of this walking trail running through the dramatic landscape of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The most westerly point of the Norfolk Coast Path is the seaside town of Hunstanton. It then passes through areas rich in wildlife - first the salt marshes near Brancaster, then Holkham National Nature Reserve with its extensive sandy beaches and pine woodland underlining the vast open sky. Look out for massive flocks of geese in the winter, coming in to safely spend the night here. After Wells-next-the-Sea the Norfolk Coast Path skirts along the edge of salt marshes, with views of Blakeney Point, famous for its grey and common seals. Cley-next-the-Sea marks the start of the section that follows an extensive shingle beach and wildlife-rich freshwater marshes. The route continues along the shingle beach almost as far as Sheringham, where it follows the top of the sandy cliffs, heading inland and meandering through the wooded hills between Sheringham and Cromer. This trail combines with the Peddars Way (which it joins at Holme-next-the-Sea) to form the Peddars Way & Norfolk Coast Path National Trail, one of 15 National Trails in England and Wales.

Reviewed By wendyanddavid536 - Solihull, United Kingdom

We walked a short stretch of the Norfolk Coast Path between Morston and Wells-next-the -sea, on a gloriously sunny late September afternoon, through the salt marshes, enjoying the plants, birdlife and sea. A great tonic in these lockdown times.

4. North Norfolk Railway

Excellent
73%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
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4.5 based on 1,881 reviews

North Norfolk Railway

A 10.5-mile trip through beautiful parts of the region, hauled by a steam engine or heritage diesel locomotive. Steam trains run daily throughout the summer. All our trains offer stunning views of the Norfolk coast between Sheringham and Weybourne, Sheringham Park and Kelling Heath. We have a wide range of special events throughout the year to cater for the young and young at heart, see our website for our latest programme.

5. Elm Hill

Waggon and Horses Lane, Norwich NR3 1HG England +44 1603 666071 http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/norfolk/norwich/elm-hill.htm
Excellent
59%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
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4.5 based on 622 reviews

Elm Hill

Reviewed By johnhouston2 - Knaresborough, United Kingdom

Allied to its proximity to the Cathedral area and the river, this is undoubtedly the nicest part of the city. Elm Hill itself has managed to retain an old- fashioned and almost quiet atmosphere that is entirely appropriate to its age. Although it now has shops etc., the style of the place has been retained and its lovely old buildings and cobbled street evoke images of times long past and it is certainly a place you should visit.

6. Felbrigg Hall

Felbrigg Near Cromer, Norwich NR11 8PR England +44 1263 837444 http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/felbrigg-hall/
Excellent
57%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
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4.5 based on 1,448 reviews

Felbrigg Hall

Reviewed By 827JohnC - Wisbech, United Kingdom

In Cromer last Sunday with my wife, who was there to play bowls, which I declined to spectate (Watching grass grow without the excitement of watching paint dry!) Just nipped down the road to Felbrigg Hall, ample car parking, very near to reception and close to the hall. Good welcome from reception team, and excellent directions, not really time to visit the estate, so straight to the Hall, and a warm welcome from the volunteers on duty. Pleasant amble with the usual high standard of information available from the Room Stewards, a fascinating house, well worth a visit. A few days ago a winger left derogatory feed back because he objected to the fee structure, well he is of course welcome to his opinion, but really..... Adult Membership of the National Trust is £6 a month, for that you get free unlimited access to all the NT properties, that my friend is a BARGAIN!

7. Norwich Castle

24 Castle Meadow, Norwich NR1 3JU England +44 1603 493625 [email protected] http://www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk/norwich-castle
Excellent
51%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
3%
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4.5 based on 2,233 reviews

Norwich Castle

Built as a Norman Royal Palace and once a prison, Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery is packed with treasures, including fabulous fine art, archaeology, and natural history. During 2020 and 2021 construction work will be underway on the exciting Norwich Castle: Royal Palace Reborn project to transform the Castle’s Norman Keep. During these works some areas of the Castle are not accessible and this includes the main Castle Keep.

Reviewed By Sunshine25580300779 - York, United Kingdom

Fascinating visit on a wet dreary autumn day. Art gallery very good with excellent audio visuals. Historical display rooms surpassed excellent with audio visuals and commentary especially enjoyed Anglo Saxon display. Don’t miss visiting. Staff very pleasant too.

8. The Plantation Garden

4 Earlham Road, Norwich NR2 3DB England +44 7504 545810 [email protected] http://www.plantationgarden.co.uk/
Excellent
66%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 444 reviews

The Plantation Garden

A beautifully restored Victorian garden of 3 acres which is run by volunteers for the benefit of the community. All your entrance fees go the the upkeep of the garden, new plants etc. On Sundays in summer teas are served to musical entertainment. PLEASE NOTE: TOILETS are only open when there are volunteers on duty...on Sundays in the summer and for special events. Please see our website for details of events. Refereshments and toilets are available at St. John's Cathedral Narthex next door. We regret we have NO PARKING, but there is a pay and display carpark next door.

Reviewed By francesl566 - Cambridge, United Kingdom

Beautiful gardens. An oasis of calm and refreshment and a treat for the eyes. Highly recommend a visit.

9. Norwich Cathedral

65 The Close, Norwich NR1 4DH England +44 1603 218300 [email protected] http://www.cathedral.org.uk/
Excellent
74%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 3,926 reviews

Norwich Cathedral

“Norfolk’s favourite building”Founded in 1096 and built using Normandy stone shipped from Caen, Norwich Cathedral is set in the 44 acre Cathedral Close, a peaceful city centre sanctuary.The Cathedral itself is one of the finest complete Romanesque buildings in Europe, with the highest Norman tower and largest monastic cloisters in England. Inside, the Cathedral tells almost 1000 years of history, with our enthusiastic volunteers on hand to talk you through the incredible stories of its past.There is more to see at Norwich Cathedral than you think. Our award-winning 21st century Refectory restaurant is open seven days a week, as is the Hostry which features a rolling programme of exhibitions, many of them featuring local artists.You can also experience the tranquillity of our expansive Library, Herb Garden or Japanese Garden, as well as guided tours of the building throughout the week.Afterwards, feel free to explore the lanes of the Cathedral Close, a quaint village just minutes from the bustling city centre, and stop for a picnic on one of our many well kept greens. Norwich Cathedral is a living centre for worship, learning and hospitality, extending a warm welcome to all our visitors from Norfolk and beyond.Part of the Norwich 12 - An initiative of Norwich Heritage, Economic & Regeneration Trust.

Reviewed By rickw73 - Sevenoaks, United Kingdom

Where to begin?! I am a cathedral lover but had forgotten how special Norwich is. Boasting the largest cathedral close in England, the essentially Norman building is topped by a later, but most elegant spire. Strolling around the exterior gave glorious views across fields. I walked in at 7.30am to find the building deserted but bathed in wonderful summer sunshine. I watched peregrine falcons soar from the spire over the nave, I gawped at the 1380 dated reredos with its detailed painting and interesting political, as well as religious, story, and I gazed at the delightful and humorous roof bosses high over head -and the hidden misericords under choir stall seats. The cathedral also has some very good wall paintings which are well preserved (relatively) and worth taking time to see. Look out especially (in the south part of the nave) for the painting of the Bishop receiving money from King Rufus to buy his job! Stay as long as you can. And say a prayer there too! Did I mention the excellent small gift shop and the superb new refectory serving great food at reasonable prices? Wow! What a special place!

10. Holkham National Nature Reserve

Holkham Estate, Holkham, Wells-next-the-Sea NR23 1AB England +44 1328 710227 [email protected] http://www.holkham.co.uk/nature-reserve-beach/introduction
Excellent
77%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
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4.5 based on 541 reviews

Holkham National Nature Reserve

Windswept tidelines, a maze of creeks and saltings, miles of dunes and sandspits, shady pinewoods, green pastures and grazing marshes, the mix of habitats and the blend of wildlife confirm Holkham National Nature Reserve as a unique place.

Reviewed By rachelcV9704LD - Cambridge, United Kingdom

What a superb nature reserve! Beautiful landscape of pine forest and endless beaches. In 2 hours I saw a huge flock of wigeon as well as teal, Brent geese and lapwings in the fields either side of the car park, & goldcrest, long tailed tits & red kite and kestrel hunting in the pines. Make sure you plan for at least half a day to enjoy this picturesque and extensive reserve.

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