A visitor's guide to Norfolk

What’s not to miss on the Broads:

Boating

Take an entire boating holiday, hire a boat for a day, go canoeing, rowing, sailing, take a boating lesson or guided trip – the options are almost endless.

Exploring

Visit traditional Broads villages like Ranworth, Horning, or Wroxham, the market town of Beccles on the River Waveney, plus the many more towns and villages in between.

Angling & birdwatching

As a National Park, the Broads offer visitors the opportunity to get close to all manner of wildlife, including wetland birds, fish and riverside animals.

Walking & cycling

Take to the Broads on two feet or two wheels for a completely different experience. You’ll find miles of clearly signposted footpaths and cycleways, including nature trails, long-distance paths and circular trips.

Norfolk’s best beaches:

Hunstanton

Head to ‘Old’ Hunstanton for a huge stretch of open sand, or ‘New’ Hunstanton for more family-friendly attractions, including the Sea Life Centre.

Holkham

Explore the dunes and golden sands, beautiful in both summer and winter, or visit the stately Holkham Hall.

Great Yarmouth, Cromer and Gorleston

Traditional seaside resorts with tons of family attractions. And of course, don’t forget to try some of the famously delicious Cromer Crab.

Brancaster, Overstrand, Holme, Wells & more

Be spoilt for choice for beaches offering breathtaking vistas and tranquil solitude.

What’s not to miss in Norwich:

Shopping

Norwich is home to a fabulous selection of high street stores, unique independent shops, and also boasts the largest undercover market in Europe.

Historical attractions

Among the historic layout of the city, not only will you find Norwich Cathedral, but also a whole host of museums, ancient pubs, medieval lanes and other ancient buildings.

Arts & culture

With a strong literary, arts and music culture, Norwich offers many art galleries including the Sainsbury Centre for the Visual Arts, museums including the Norwich Castle museum and Dragon Hall, an array of theatres, plus a busy calendar of annual festivals and arts events, such as the Norfolk & Norwich Festival each May.

Eating out

Enjoy local Norfolk produce in one of Norwich’s many tea rooms, cafés, restaurants and welcoming pubs.

Things to do with the family:

Outdoor activities

From boating on the Broads to a traditional family day out at the seaside, Norfolk’s got it covered. Thanks to a huge network of footpaths and cycleways, the flat terrain makes it perfect for a family day of exploring and getting close to nature.

Attractions

Families are spoilt for choice when it comes to attractions.
Try BeWILDerwood near Hoveton for a forest adventure, Great Yarmouth or Hunstanton Sea Life Centre for underwater fun, Dinosaur Adventure Park near Lenwade for prehistoric exploration, or Banham Zoo to see some of the world’s most exotic animals – plus so many more attractions besides.

Heritage railways

See Norfolk in a different way aboard one of the county’s heritage railways. Choose between the Mid-Norfolk, North Norfolk, Bure Valley, or the Wells & Walsingham Light Railway, or learn more about steam power in general at Bressingham Steam & Gardens.

Arts and heritage in Norfolk:

Norfolk Lavender

Enjoy a visit to the Norfolk Lavender gardens, oil distillery, National Lavender Collection and herb garden.

Sandringham

Explore the regal surroundings of the Queen’s holiday residence by visiting Sandringham House, Museum and Gardens.

National Trust properties

The stately homes of Blickling Estate and Felbrigg Hall are both within reach from Norwich, plus the grand Oxburgh Hall is not far either.

The Broads

Travel along the Broads by boat to see some of the many historic windmills that line the riverbanks.

Norwich

The county city of Norwich is packed with cultural attractions, including galleries, theatres museums, and of course Norwich Cathedral.

Food and drink to enjoy:

Cromer crab

The town of Cromer is as famous for its delicious crab as it is for its beach. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy freshly caught crab as part of your stay.

Seafood

Besides the famous Cromer crab, you’ll find stalls and shops selling freshly caught fish and seafood throughout Norfolk’s villages and towns. Cley is particularly well-known for its shellfish.

Farmers markets

Get your hands on some of the gorgeous local produce at the local markets in Norwich, Creake Abbey, Diss and many other locations across the county.

Locally brewed beer

Norfolk is littered with local breweries and pubs selling local beer on tap. Try real ales from the Fox Brewery, Woodforde’s, and Tipple’s Brewery to name a few.

Restaurant and pubs

Choose one of the many Norfolk restaurants and pubs offering locally sourced and produced food for a true taste of Norfolk.

Norfolk Food & Drink Festival

Visit the county between August and October to be part of the annual celebration of all the delicious delights Norfolk has to offer.