10 Nature & Parks in Norfolk That You Shouldn't Miss

October 17, 2021 Darwin Bolte

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%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

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%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

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. Eaton Park

South Park Ave, Norwich NR4 7AX England +44 344 980 3333 http://www.friendsofeatonpark.co.uk/
Excellent
56%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 321 reviews

Eaton Park

Reviewed By FBList

This park is a wonderful place with a vast amount of activities from crazy golf (bring own club), to model boat water, train line, basketball court, athletics track. Kids will be occupied and intrigued, couples can take a stroll and enjoy the view of the different sports occurring. Will definitely be back very soon.

5. 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
3%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

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.

6. 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%
Overall Ratings

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.

7. Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse

Gressenhall, Dereham NR20 4DR England +44 1362 860563 [email protected] http://www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk/gressenhall
Excellent
72%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 448 reviews

Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse

Stand in the evocative workhouse settings, face to face with projections of staff and inmates and listen to first hand stories, often tragic, sometimes inspirational, from the people who once walked these whitewashed corridors. Visit Land Girl and Lumber Jills, old village shops, re-created cottage garden, orchard and traditional farm with rare breed livestock. Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse makes a superb setting for themed event days, family fun activities, school holiday fun and courses in traditional crafts.

Reviewed By BillyFarmer1 - Aylsham, United Kingdom

I visited (with a friend) Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, last Thursday (March 12th), my friend got in free, because I have got health issues, we enjoyed looking around many parts of the Museum, including the Museum of Norfolk Life, the Engineering Galleries, the Rural Life Gallery, the 1950's Room, the many sections of the Museum, where you could read about the Workhouse, Cherry Tree Cottage, the School Room, the Chapel and Village Row Shops, we also enjoyed looking at the Panhard Car, there was lots of interesting information, to read, there wasn't time to read everything, unfortunately, me and my friend, didn't have the time to visit Gressenhall Farm, we will definitely visit the Farm, next time, we visit Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, we went in the Mardlers Rest Cafe, where I enjoyed a cup of Tea, a Bakewell Tart and a packet of Cheese and Onion Crisps, my friend enjoyed a cup of Tea, I bought some nice items, in the Gift Shop, the staff at Gressenhall, were very friendly, I last visited Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, two years ago, with my mum and her sister, recommended for anyone interested in history.

8. Holkham Hall

Holkham Rd, Holkham, Wells-next-the-Sea NR23 1AB England +44 1328 710227 [email protected] http://www.holkham.co.uk/
Excellent
67%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,501 reviews

Holkham Hall

Holkham is a beautiful place rich in wildlife, history and heritage, with lots of things to do for all ages. With a stately home at its centre, Holkham encompasses a National Nature Reserve, a beach, a walled garden, and acres upon acres of parkland that is roamed by its resident fallow deer. Visit the Holkham Stories Experience to truly discover the history the estate and come away enlightened with one or two interesting facts up your sleeve. Children will enjoy our Woodland Adventure Play Area and ropes course, and all will be able to explore more of the grounds with cycle and boat hire available most of the year. Holkham hosts a number of events throughout the year; visit our website for full information on our visitor attractions and events.

Reviewed By E3847QJjohnd - Northampton, United Kingdom

Everything about this location is near perfect: the house is so well kept and the history is fascinating, the grounds are picture perfect and the walled garden is a must see. The facilities are exceptional: a good restaurant with reasonable prices and a well stocked shop. Staff everywhere, including those working in the grounds, were all very friendly.

9. Holkham Bay

Wells-next-the-Sea England +44 1328 713111 http://www.holkham.co.uk/nature-reserve-beach/directions-parking
Excellent
79%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 528 reviews

Holkham Bay

Reviewed By Dencroft - Hertfordshire, United Kingdom

We parked the car at Lady Anne’s drive opposite the Victors Inn and Holkham hall. £9 for the whole day. Fantastic dog friendly beach, nice walk along the beach to the beach huts at Wells where you have to cut up into the pine woods (as beach by life boat station is DOG FREE) towards the car park and beach cafe. Toilets and water for the dog provided next to the car park. You can either walk back to the car via the North Norfolk path through the woods or return back to the beach through the pines and down the steps back onto the beach. Lovely few hours of walking and taking in the beautiful views and see air!

10. Merrivale Model VIllage

Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth NR30 3JG England +44 1493 842097 http://www.merrivalemodelvillage.co.uk/
Excellent
63%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,523 reviews

Merrivale Model VIllage

Reviewed By AKY90123

Amazing for toddlers!! A warm and friendly welcome, well set up for social distancing with a one-way system, request to touch the interactive buttons with feet or elbows etc. Unlimited crazy golf course play included in entry and feeding the fish (for 20p) plus the sunshine made it a fab full afternoon out for the whole family (2 adults, toddler and infant).

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