10 Best Things To Do In Norfolk
Long sandy beaches sprinkled across 90 miles of coastline, wildlife-rich nature reserves home to basking seals, and historic country estates belonging to the Royal Family – there are plenty of fantastic days out in Norfolk, and plenty of variety for visitors of all ages. And that’s before you’ve even got to the delicious fish and chips or seafood feasts in the evening…
So if you’re thinking about a short break or a family holiday in the area this year, read on to find out about our top 10 things to do in Norfolk – all tried and tested by Pitchup’s team of travel experts. And that’s not all Pitchup has to offer for visitors – we’ve also got an excellent range of places to stay in Norfolk, whether you’d like to be by the coast or soaking up some of the rural scenery. Click the link below to see what’s on offer.
See the seals at Blakeney Point
Blakeney National Nature Reserve is home to England’s biggest colony of grey seals. While the animals are here all year around, early winter is a particularly great time to visit – around 2,500 pups are born here between December and February. It’s not possible to walk to the seals’ favourite area, so the best way to catch them is on a boat trip from Morston Quay. This is a very popular Norfolk activity, especially in summer, so book in advance to secure your spot and bring binoculars for an even better view of the animals.
Navigate Norwich’s scenic streets
Could this be one of the most underrated cities in England? Norwich’s cobbled streets are dotted with more than 1,500 historic buildings, from Tudor houses to merchants’ homes. Despite the city’s compact size there are 33 medieval churches, too – more than any other city in northern Europe. Don’t miss the opulent cloisters at Norwich Cathedral and the stately gates of St Ethelbert’s and Erpingham. Other top sights to seek out include the Museum of Norwich and Norwich Castle – and of course for a real sense of history you’ll need to sip a pint in the Adam and Eve, the oldest pub in Norwich.
Sail along the waterways of The Broads
The scenery of the Broads National Park is stunning – but did you know that it’s mostly man-made? The peat pits dug in the medieval period have now formed around 125 miles of lock-free waterways, with lots of lovely views along the way.
The best way to see the scenery is by boat – either piloting your own or joining a cruise. If you’d rather stick to dry land, you can also cycle through pretty villages like Salhouse, Woodbastwick and Ranworth, where you can scale St Helen’s church for a far-reaching view of The Broads. Or save your legs by chugging along the vintage narrow-gauge Bure Valley Railway between Wroxham and Aylsham. Whichever way you decide to explore, keep an out for Norfolk’s most well-known landmarks: Dutch-style windmills.
Feast on fish and chips at Great Yarmouth
Formerly a herring industry hub, nowadays Great Yarmouth is better known as a lively seaside resort that’s popular for its lovely long sandy beach. This town has all the trappings of a classic British seaside spot, from beach huts to the Joyland amusement park. There’s also oodles to do here when the weather’s not playing ball – perhaps peep at penguins in the Sea Life aquarium or the mini buildings at Merrivale Model Village.
Whatever you get up to, it simply has to be fish and chips for dinner – there are options all along the seafront and you can either sit in or get a takeaway for supper on the sands.
Go crabbing at Cromer Pier
The world’s longest chalk reef is just off the coast at Cromer. Spanning 20 miles, it’s a fertile feeding ground for crustaceans – and the reason why Cromer crabs are so succulent. Walk out onto the Grade II listed Victorian pier and you can look down at the reef or buy a crabbing kit to see what you can catch. No luck? The town has several fishmongers and seafood restaurants where you can sample what the professionals have caught.
While you’re on the pier, head all the way to the far end to visit the pavilion theatre – it’s home to the only full-season end-of-pier show in the world, the glitzy and glamorous Cromer Pier Show.
Soak up royal history at Sandringham
Stunning Sandringham – the Royal Family’s only private home and estate in England – was Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite country retreat. And it’s easy to see why: this 20,000-acre estate is a wonderful place to relax, with wild areas as well as some beautifully maintained formal gardens with something to see in all seasons. When the royals aren’t in residence, the building and grounds are open to the public. House tours, afternoon teas and archery sessions are among the activities on offer, and there’s a weekly Parkrun as well.
For those who love a grand estate, Norfolk also has plenty of National Trust properties to tour, including Felbrigg Hall with its walled garden, and Blickling Estate, the birthplace of Anne Boleyn.
See the sun set over Hunstanton
Hunstanton – or ‘Sunny Hunny’ as it’s sometimes known – is the only east-coast seaside resort that faces west and one of the few spots in the area where the sun sets over the sea. Look across The Wash to Lincolnshire from here – on a clear day you can size up the spire of St Botolph’s Church (also known as the Boston Stump) in the distance. The striking striped cliffs and rockpooling opportunities make it a family fave. Hunstanton is also the start point for those looking to walk the Norfolk Coast Path.
Look at all the listed buildings of King’s Lynn
King’s Lynn, on the banks of the River Ouse was once part of the well-to-do Hanseatic League market trading organisation – and it now has more listed buildings than York. Along with the medieval merchants’ houses, the gorgeous St George’s Guildhall (the country’s oldest working theatre), the minster and Greyfriars Tower are among the sights to include on your walking tour. If you head to King’s Lynn on a Saturday or Tuesday, you’ll also catch the biweekly market.
Stare at the stars on a dark-sky camping trip
For a stellar stay, plan to spend the night in the open air – ideally in the Norfolk Coast National Landscape – for some wonderful stargazing. This rural area has low levels of light pollution and therefore some of the darkest skies in the UK – so much so that you might even spot the Northern Lights. There’s an even higher chance of seeing the seven stars of the Orion constellation and the Milky Way, as well as interstellar dust clouds and Earth’s nearest planets. Pitchup’s guide to dark-sky camping has some top tips on finding the best stargazing spots.
Admire the handsome Holkham Hall
One of the most jaw-droppingly gorgeous Palladian houses in England? Yes, that’s Holkham Hall, up on the north Norfolk coast. A tour of the house will have you meandering around the Marble Hall with your eyes upwards – the 50-foot-high ceiling is a nod to the Pantheon. And the grounds are just as spectacular, with a walled garden, a high ropes course and boat hire among the attractions.
Or how about a walk? In the late 18th century, Holkham Hall’s owner, the 2nd Earl of Leicester, planted three miles’ worth of trees that have now developed into a huge placid pine woodland where you can wander all the way down to the long stretch of beach and dunes beyond.
So that’s some of the best days out – what about the best places to spend the night? Norfolk is a great place for an outdoor break, with a favourable climate and lots of splendid scenery to soak up – not to mention that fantastic stargazing. Whether you like a simple budget-friendly camping pitch or a smart glamping site, Pitchup has a place for you – take a look at the full collection and see what you can find.