Things To Do In Norfolk

We’ve got a list of the must-do things to do in Norfolk – from the best landmarks to visit, outdoor activities and beaches! Some of the UK’s most beautiful walking trails are in Norfolk!

The Broads National Park

This national park has over 125 miles of waterways and is home to over 25% of the UK’s rarest plants and animals. Winding through the stunning countryside of Norfolk with quaint towns and villages along the way. Explore the lakes and rivers through peaceful cycle tracks and walking routes. Bikes are available to hire from local Cycle centres and many are close to the mooring and have a range of courses suitable for all ages and abilities. River Bure, Wroxham Broad and Salhouse Broad are just some of the stunning rivers providing routes for explorers.

Norwich Cathedral

Built with limestone shipped over from the Norman city of Caen, Norwich Cathedral was the largest building in East Anglia when it was first completed in 1145. The building is 131 metres long and 54 metres wide and dates back to the Roman era. The only exception is the spire which was replaced in the 15th century after it was hit by lightning. The cathedral holds worships and tours daily as well as special events around Easter and Christmas.

Oxburgh Hall

Oxburgh Hall is a breathtaking location, an imposing brick manor surrounded by a tranquil moat. Originally built as a statement of power and prestige by the Bedingfield family in 1482, it remains their family home to this day. There is a deep history to be learnt from the hall from religious persecution, Civil War devastation and threatened demolition. Thanks to visitors’ support, the building is currently undergoing major roof renovation to protect its future and collection. Outside, the gardens are a spectacle of colour. For visitors wanting to explore further, you can follow one of the estates walks through the woodland and along the River Gadder – keep your eyes peeled for otters!

Felbrigg Hall

Located in East Anglia’s heart, Felbrigg Hall is an elegant country home full of delights and vibrant history. From stained-glass windows in the Great Hall to a teapot belonging to Queen Mary in the Drawing Room and rich luxury exports traded by the East India Company in the Chinese Bedroom. Outside, the hall grounds are a delight for any gardening enthusiast. The flowers from the garden are used to decorate around the hall, and any fruits and vegetables grown are used in the Squire’s Pantry. Surrounded by 520 acres of woodland trails with pushchair friendly surfaces, all the family can enjoy this relaxing and tranquil day out.

Cromer Pier

Extending over 150 metres into the North Sea, with a twentieth-century Pavilion that’s home to the only end-of-pier show in Europe. Enjoy a great day out on Cromer Pier, open all year round. Experience a good old-fashioned British pier untouched by the usual commercial seaside attractions. Described as the best location for crab fishing in the whole of Norfolk, with everything you’d need to make a big catch. Tuck into delicious refreshments and take in the stunning views. If you’re lucky, you may experience the beautiful sunset along the coastline. 

Hunstanton Beach

As the only resort town in East Anglia which faces west, the beach is relatively sheltered from the sea breezes making it an excellent place to watch the sunset on an evening. In 2015, the beach received the Seaside Award for its cleanliness and beach management. The location is renowned for its striking pink and white striped cliffs, created due to a combination of Norfolk carrstone and white chalk. The shallow and calm waters are ideal for kite-surfers and bodyboarders and the rock pools are perfect for young explorers who may be lucky enough to find some creatures or fossils. Also, during peak season, a mini-train operates along the seafront.

Sea Life Hunstanton

Sea Life is one of Norfolk’s leading seal sanctuaries providing visitors with incredible close encounters and memorable adventures. The aquarium is home to over 2,000 creatures including otters, penguins and Amazonian Piranhas! Make sure to check out the seal hospital where you can see the animal care team at work and say hi to some of the new arrivals and juveniles in the nursery ward. Get up close to sharks and turtles in the underwater walkthrough tunnel and experience sensational ‘high-tech’ displays in the ‘undersea odyssey’. All tickets need to be booked before arrival. Information on ticket prices can be found here. 

Wells next to the sea

The award-winning beach forms part of the Holkham Estate and is a welcoming, stunning and family-friendly seaside destination. Wells Harbour Railway runs a miniature train carrying passengers between the town and the beach for easy travel. Alternatively, you can take one of the walking or cycle routes along the coast to take in the stunning views. On offer are a range of harbour tours and seal trips where you can see common and grey seals and their pups. The town also holds various events throughout the year, from festivals and carnivals to markets and exhibitions; there’s always something new to see. 

Dads Army Museum

If you’re a Dad’s Army fan or know someone who is, then this attraction is an essential day out. Located in Thetford, many of the outdoor locations were filmed in and around the local area. The Dad’s Army Museum is housed with an old fire station at the rear of Thetford Guildhall, which also stood in as the Walmington-on-Sea Town Hall in several episodes of the show.

Holkham Bay

Used as the location for the closing scenes of ‘Shakespeare in Love’, this beach is one of the most magnificent stretches of sand in the country. Behind the shorelines is a semi-circular basin that fills and forms an impressive shallow lagoon during very high tides. The Holkham National Nature Reserve is one of the largest in the country and features a unique variety of flora and fauna species. The landscape is rich in wildlife and walking routes and very popular with families and dog walkers.