North Norfolk Coast
North Norfolk has great natural beauty, a delightful combination of a nostalgic seaside town and a quaint seaside town, there are so many things to do…The Coastal Trail is very walkable And cycling, including beautiful towns along the way. Stiffkey’s Old Post Office Store is worth a try, while Cley has his own smokehouse, deli gallery and observatory The cobbled streets of Blakeney are lined with shops on the way to the pier, and Wiveton Hall is famous its restaurants overlooking the salt marshes.
Walsingham with its abbey, farm shop and chocolate deli is a must – why not hop on the Wells and Walsingham Light Railway and make it a memorable day-out? A trip to the historic market town of Fakenham with its weekly auction and racecourse, is also recommended. Cromer and Sheringham both enjoy a rich fishing heritage, summer carnivals and blue-flag beaches, as well as hosting The Crab & Lobster Festival each May.
Cromer Pier, recently awarded Pier of the Year, is home to the only end-of-the-pier summer show of its kind in Europe. One of the food goodies found in North Norfolk you must enjoy are the tasty fish and chips that can be devoured either wrapped in paper from Mary Jane’s or served in-style at the boutique No.1 Cromer, owned by TV celebrity chef Galton Blackiston. Sheringham, meanwhile, is home to the Little Theatre, the Muckleburgh Military Collection and the North Norfolk Railway. Here you can hop on a steam train and enjoy coastal views as you make your way to the chic Georgian town of Holt for a spot of shopping.
Childhood antics don’t get much better than crabbing from the quays at Blakeney and Wells-next-the-Sea, or hopping on a boat trip from Morston to see the seals at Blakeney Point – home to one of the largest seal colonies in the UK. Why not bring your four-legged friend too? Wells-next-the-Sea is celebrated for having the most dog-friendly beach and café in the country. What’s more, many of our cottages happily welcome well-behaved, furry family members too.
Royal Norfolk Coast
Enchanting and relatively untouched, this is an area rich in beauty, heritage and character. It’s no wonder the Queen has her country estate here at Sandringham, and why The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen it as home. Holkham Hall with its estate, nature reserve and award-winning beach is the jewel in the crown, and hosts year-round events including outdoor theatre, exhibitions and the North Norfolk Food Festival each September. Other historical stately homes include the royal estate of Sandringham, which is renowned for its annual Flower Show, and Houghton Hall, famed for its distinctive art exhibitions. Whist there, be sure to visit Heacham Lavender and Castle Rising too.
A journey along the Royal coastline will unveil hidden harbours, salt marshes, far-stretching sands and nature reserves such as RSPB’s Titchwell and Snettisham – favourites of BBC’s Spring Watch due to the seasonal mass migrations of over-wintering birds. Park up at Holkham’s beach carpark and head out on the boardwalk to meet miles of empty sands and vast skies. No wonder it’s regularly voted as one of the world’s best beaches by travel journalists and a favourite of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and Hollywood directors.
You’ll find fantastic places to eat and shop too. Think local oysters and mussels, as well as real ales, handmade cheeses and more. Enjoy incredible views out over Scolt Head Island from The White Horse in Brancaster Staithe. Stop off in Thornham and treat yourself in the wonderful deli and store, or head to Eric’s Fish and Chips for something a little different. Don’t miss the Burnhams too – great for a little celeb spotting, with the picturesque village of Burnham Market offering boutique shopping, galleries and cafes. Further west you can explore Hunstanton with its striped cliffs and water sports, and the cultural hub of Kings Lynn – the programme at its Corn Exchange is certainly worth investigating.
Norfolk Broads
Norfolk and The Norfolk Broads are synonymous with each other. These inland waterways are unique to the county and instantly recognisable. The renamed Broads National Park is a wildlife and bird watching delight, much of it designated with areas of scientific interest. A joy for those who love to sail, fish the waterways or just meander slowly in a boat, you can discover tranquillity around water that is so enjoyable, allowing you to truly relax and unwind – The Norfolk Broads will entertain and revive!
Hire a day cruiser from Broads Tours and explore the area at a serene pace, navigate the waterways and lakes and witness the unique wildlife both on the banks and in the water. Along the way, why not moor up at one of the many waterside pubs where you can sample the great local food, or stay on dry-land for a bit longer and walk many of the waterside paths and routes? Be sure to keep an eye out for the impressive Norfolk Wherry barges with their distinctive high-peaked sails. Alternatively, get closer to the waters in a canoe or kayak, where the flat open waterways provide easy navigation so you can experience the wildlife at a much closer level. The Canoe Man in Wroxham will hire out craft or take you on a bespoke nature trip where you can reach some stretches of water not accessible to larger craft.
Wroxham and Hoveton are the main centres for The Broads. Popular with tourists in the summer, they play host to a number of notable attractions, from boat-hire companies to the infamous Southern Comfort – a lively paddle steamer that takes you out on a round-trip cruise. If shopping is on the agenda then pop into Roys of Wroxham, a unique and well-loved local department store in the heart of The Broads, where you can find just about everything!
However, The Broads are not just about Wroxham and Hoveton. There are many quiet villages to enjoy and explore. South Walsham home to Fairhaven Woodland and Water Gardens has one of the prettiest stretches of water; from here you can take the small river boat for a short trip around their private Broad where you may be lucky enough to spot an elusive Kingfisher, watch the elegant Grebe or see a playful river Otter.
Ranworth and Ludham are two pretty villages. At Ludham Staithe join the river Thurne for an enjoyable walk along the banks and see the windmills at Staithe and Thurne. In Ranworth head up to the tower of St. Helen’s church for some great views across the Broad and countryside, or explore on foot via the numerous walks and pathways maintained by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Alternative destinations include the towns and villages of Salhouse and Stalham and further south look out for Rockland St. Mary, Loddon and more! The How Hill National Nature Reserve owned by the National Trust, is internationally acclaimed and has something to offer visitors whatever the season.
There are some great award winning family attractions too. Wroxham Barns, is a must for families with smaller children whilst adults will enjoy the craft stores and local produce. Active families should head towards Horning, where they will find the superb adventure park, BeWILDerwood, full of family-orientated adventures and activities, or pick up the Bure Valley Steam narrow gauge railway, which runs from Wroxham to Aylsham.
There is much to see and do in The Broads, it is truly a magical experience and one not to be missed.