Park Farm Camping

Use Park Farm Camping as a base to explore north Norfolk and Norwich, or stay close to home and explore the paths and lanes for walking and pedalling around the Wensum Valley: there are leaflets and brochures on acres’ worth of visitor attractions at the Park Farm reception.

The River Wensum is on the edge of the farm estate with free fishing for Park Farm Camping guests on the two miles where the river flows through nearby Castle Farm (not available during season from 16 March – 16 June), or cast off at the Norfolk coast about half an hour away to try your luck at landing mackerel, bass and cod.

You could pick a beach or seaside town to drive to every day of your holiday at Park Farm: the Pleasure Beach (and racecourse) at Great Yarmouth; the crabbing, funfair and zoo at Cromer; seal spotting boat trips from Morston and Blakeney, and the somewhat swanky Wells-next-the-Sea and Burnham Market, aka Chelsea-on-Sea. From Great Yarmouth, you can reach the Norfolk Broads for boating and several good golf courses.

Or just pack a picnic and explore parts of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with its miles of paths for all abilities, bridleways and cycleways. The North Norfolk Coastal Path passes through Wells, Blakeney, Cromer and Hunstanton on its 45-mile stretch from Hunstanton to Cromer, and the award-winning Coasthopper bus goes from Cromer to King’s Lynn for those who prefer to save their feet.

Inland, the city of Norwich is within about 25 minutes’ drive and worth spending at least a day at: shoppers should make their way to The Lanes, Royal Arcade and the biggest six day indoor market in England, while history fans will find plenty to see (including a peregrine falcon) at the spectacular Norwich Cathedral, voted Norfolk’s favourite building and one of the ‘Norwich 12’ – twelve listed buildings in the city.

Take some time out too to see the Grade II-listed Plantation Garden with huge Gothic fountain: it’s known as the Secret Garden as not many people find it (beside the Catholic cathedral on Earlham Road, but don’t tell anyone). To fill up afterwards, the Animal inns, Raffles restaurants or The Wine Cellar and The Lawyer pubs should hit the spot.

Other eclectic options within accessible reach of Park Farm Camping include many more historical highlights such as padding around Liz II’s pad at royal Sandringham and other old houses like Holkham Hall, and exploring old Norfolk settlements like the Georgian market town of Holt, seventh century Dereham, Nelson’s birthplace Burnham Thorpe and Fakenham (there’s a nicely modern racecourse at Fakenham too).

For family fun, take the critters to the county’s animal attractions at Hunstanton’s Sea Life Sanctuary, Pensthorpe Nature Reserve and Gardens, and the Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens at Great Yarmouth. Award-winning BeWILDerwood, a wild park for adventurous sorts, has zip wires, treehouses and jungle bridges to whirl around.