What to do and see in Norfolk, England: The Best Things to do

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.

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.

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.

“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.

Cromer Pier, a heritage seaside pier in the civil parish of Cromer on the North Norfolk coast was designed by Douglass and Arnott and constructed by Alfred Thorne and is owned by North Norfolk District Council. The Pier is 151 metres (495 ft.) in length and was officially opened on 8 June 1901. Awarded Pier Of The Year in 2015 by The National Piers Society. The Pavilion Theatre at the end of the pier is one of only five UK end of pier theatres and is home to The Cromer Pier Show, the only end of pier show of its kind in the world. We are famous for crab fishing with the very best spot in Norfolk for the big catch, it’s a great way to relax and connect with nature for all the family. Grab a bite to eat above the waves with our Mediterranean inspired menu in Tides, enjoy a glass or two on our unique quarterdeck patio and pop into our perfectly stocked gift shop and take a piece of Cromer home with you.

The garden is open from 3rd March to 31st October on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays from 12pm to 5.30pm. The gardens at East Ruston Old Vicarage are one of the most exciting surprises in the county, who would expect to find a verdant, sheltered garden in the prairie landscape that is north east Norfolk? Enter the garden and you are worlds away from the local landscape for here there are many gardens within the whole including a new Walled Garden, Rose Garden, Woodland Garden, Mediterranean Garden and a stunning Desert inspired by the landscape of Arizona. These areas are connected by magical avenues and areas of informal planting with some places allowed to be wildlife friendly which includes a stunning Corn Field that contains the corn field weeds of yesteryear and has been known to move visitors to tears.

Set in one of the UK's best preserved Victorian herring curing works, Time & Tide tells the story of Great Yarmouth from its Ice Age origins to the present day. Experience the heady atmosphere of a 1950s fish wharf and take the wheel of a steam drifter. Hear gripping tales of wreck and rescue and meet some of the colourful characters who made their living from the sea.Discover the town's rich maritime heritage and its development as a popular seaside resort. Wander down a tupical 1913 'Row' and see inside the homes of a local fisherman and his neighbours.Explore the smokehouses, where the lingering aroma of smoked herring is a reminder of times gone by.See website for details of of our events programme.Shop and cafe also available. For all other enquiries please see the website or telephone the museum.