Top Things to do in Norfolk
Things to do in Norfolk, England: The Best Outdoor Activities
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. High Ash Farm
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By UK-Hiker49 - Norwich, United Kingdom
Always a good place for a walk at any time of the year, especially in the summer when the wildflower meadows are in full bloom. All credit to the landowner who has provided this to the public and keeps it looking good, with the paths regularly mowed. Park in the Caistor Roman Town car park just across the road and you can visit that free as well!
2. Horsey Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,029 reviews
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!
3. A149
4. Mundesley Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By MymnM - Bury St. Edmunds, United Kingdom
The beach is one of our favourites time after time we visit and enjoy ideal for children and families, couples etc. Dog walkers are allowed at certain times on the designated areas. Friendly little village with a nice pub and two hotels plus two fish & chip shops if needed. Has good parking, large children's play areas catering for both younger and older kids. Surrounding countryside is very pleasant plenty of walks, plus only a fairly short distance to the broads for example, Wroxham not far. We stayed on a pleasant well kept chalet site within a short walking distance of the beach and village excellent accommodation.
5. Peddar's Way
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
A 46-mile route that starts on Knettishall Heath and follows along flat landscape across Norfolk to the sea, part of which follows an old Roman road through the countryside.
Reviewed By Roobarb-Roobarb - Minehead, United Kingdom
Congratulations to those in charge of the signposts, which were clear and frequent, and much better than those on the Norfolk Coastal Path on which we continued. The walking is pleasant and easy, through very pleasant countryside - although it has no particular highlights or memorable moments. The only downside is the difficulty of finding suitably spaced accommodation, and those places that we did find were not cheap (although all were of reasonable standard). We did both Peddars Way and the Coastal Path in one go, and were extremely lucky with the weather. However, I imagine that doing P.Way in steady rain could be extremely depressing, especially as there is no point at which one could bail out and catch the bus.
6. Norfolk Coast Path
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
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.
7. Banham Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,336 reviews
Banham Zoo is an award-winning family attraction and one of the most exciting zoos in the country with over 2,000 animals from around the world. Throughout the day there are plenty of activities to thrill and entertain families, including daily animal feeding talks and displays, one of the most exciting Birds of Prey displays in the UK, our amazing subtropical house "Eureka" with free-flying birds and butterflies, our "Penguin Cove" an enlarged and enhanced enclosure for the colony of penguins. Live "Amazing Animals!" presentations, beautiful big cats such as tigers, snow leopards and cheetahs, Free Safari Roadtrain, indoor and outdoor play areas, Zarafa Heights walkway, Sky Trek aerial trekking course & zip wire, and interactive fun activities in our Education Centre. As well as all the wonderful things to see and do, the zoo offers an excellent choice of eating facilities, a fantastic gift shop, free car parking, disabled facilities and much more.
Reviewed By Alitravels1204
What a lovely place. We went yesterday a family of five and really enjoyed our day. The staff are really helpful and friendly the animals looked really happy all areas were clean lots of sanitizering etc We especially loved the bird display Andy made it very interesting well done to you all. The only thing i would say is the gift shop is very expensive and not alot in there.
8. Holkham Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 528 reviews
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!
9. Hunstanton Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,601 reviews
Reviewed By tyketyke - King's Lynn, United Kingdom
Making the most of a mild February by driving up to the coast and taking in the sea air. There's free parking along the roadside and at lowish tide - a great circular walk along the beach and then back up to the cliff tops. See if you can find the ruins of St Edmund chapel and the legend of the howling wolf!
10. Norfolk Snowsports Club
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 96 reviews
The Snowsports Club offers you the opportunity to try skiing and snowboarding with a fun, one hour taster session or you could take a series of lessons to really get to grips with your new sport. All are supervised by our qualified instructors. Ski lessons are from 5 years of age, tubing from 6 years and snowboarding from 8, but there is no maximum age and it is never too late to learn something new! Tubing is our most popular activity and is a little like tobogganing - you sit inside a large “doughnut” shaped tube and simply whizz down the slope. Supervisors are always on hand to make sure you wear your helmets and to remind you to put on the brakes and it’s a lot of fun for all ages with no training necessary!
Reviewed By L9540NUmichellet
My daughter has been attending Junior Club for a few months and absolutely loves it, she has progressed quickly, the instructors are very friendly especially as they are all volunteers
