By Katie Thompson
When it comes to a family holiday (or any holiday for that matter!), there are few places as special as Norwich and Norfolk. Where else can you explore wild windswept beaches one day, beautiful rippling lakes the next? Throw in an urban adventure full of history and discovery, verdant green fields thriving with wildlife and memory-making attractions, and that’s your holiday sorted!
And whether it’s warm and sunny or the British weather brings a bit of rain, we’ve got so many fantastic indoor and outdoor experiences to enjoy, through the school holidays, summer and beyond. Whether you’re staying with friends and family or staying in that all-important self-catering cottage.
Keep reading for the best family holidays in Norwich and Norfolk!
Did you know Norwich is a great base for getting around? With train links to the likes of coastal towns Cromer and Sheringham in North Norfolk and Wroxham, the hub of the Broads, thanks to Greater Anglia and bus routes along field-flanked roads, you’ll soon be discovering our county’s most beautiful corners. (For Fakenham, take the X29, followed by the Coastliner to Wells and Holkham. If you’re heading East, take the Coastlink to Great Yarmouth or the 717 into Hoveton.)
Poolside Lodges is a lovely getaway just minutes from Norwich
Where to Stay:
Poolside Lodges are situated on the outskirts of Norwich in Rackheath (just 5 miles from the city centre, or a 15-minute bus journey). Perfectly placed as a base close to the city, where the Broads and coast are also easily accessible, there are 3 self-catering lodges (for up to 10 guests) to choose from, each with a hot tub and a shared seasonal outdoor pool (May – September)!
Each lodge has a contemporary yet cosy interior, so it feels like a home away from home. There’s outside space to eat your breakfast alfresco or after an early morning dip, large beds for an indulgent night’s sleep and plenty of kitchen, dining and living space so you can really make the most of your accommodation. For those slightly wetter days, we suggest a little friendly competition in the shared games room!
Make the most of Norwich’s natural side and hire a boat
What to Do:
With the City of Stories so close at hand, it would be rude not to venture in for an adventure (or two, or three!).
For the little ones, there’s Labyrinth– a play cafe during weekdays where you can make your own bear and pre-book laser tag for the weekend (other days are often available during school holidays). Here you get the best of both worlds and as it’s located next to Rose Lane Car Park, it’s super easy to get to.
On the other side of Tombland, pay a visit to Norwich Puppet Theatre. There’s usually a family-friendly show to enjoy- from original puppet plays to reimagined fairytales full of wonder- or even a puppet-making workshop where you can get hands-on!
To discover a little more about our incredible history, make sure to visit Norwich Castle. Here, you can dress up like a Roman, ride a chariot like an Iceni warrior and laugh out loud searching for hidden jokes in the natural history gallery!
When it’s sunny, we recommend getting outdoors with Go Quest. Great for larger families, all you need to do is download the app (£28.95 for 1 – 5 players) to solve the puzzles and learn plenty of fun facts!
Elsewhere, Bishy Barney Boats at Thorpe Green (a 30-minute bus ride from your accommodation), means you can see Norwich from the water and head all the way into the Broads to picturesque Brundall along tranquil waterways (from £25 for one hour).
Embrace your surroundings at Reedham Ferry Touring Park
Where to Stay:
If you’re heading into the Broads, embrace your natural surroundings at Reedham Ferry Touring Park. This rural 4-acre site is ideal for camping- whether you’re pitching a tent or parking your caravan. With views across Norfolk’s famously flat landscape, this is a peaceful spot close to charming villages, rivers and lakes.
Or for self-catering, look no further than Go Norfolk Cottages. They offer three pretty accommodation options, each with sociable open plan living, close to village amenities and great for families holidaying as a unit or with another family.
BeWILDerwood is a fantastic day out for families
What to Do:
Looking for a great day out? You won’t have to travel far!
At the heart of the Broads, there’s Wroxham Miniature Worlds– the largest indoor modelling attraction in the UK, including a fantastic LEGO collection. You’ll keep spotting something new!
Also departing from Wroxham is Bure Valley Railway. A ride on this steam train is a wonderful way to see our glorious countryside, taking you to Aylsham and back alongside the meandering River Bure, past meadowland and picturesque villages.
And just a 7-minute bus or car ride away is BeWILDerwood. Just like you might expect, this fairytale-like natural adventure park encourages everyone to get outdoors, following trails, building dens and climbing through woodland play areas.
When you’re heading east, pay a visit to Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens where you can come face to face with an array of amazing (and often endangered) Asian animals, including majestic tigers, scaly crocodiles and very noisy gibbons!
There are so many beautiful cottages dotted across Norfolk
Where to Stay:
Norfolk is blessed with over 90 miles of impressive coastline- from sandy beaches to towering cliffs and even chalk reefs. Thankfully, there are plenty of cottages dotted across the county ready for you to explore.
Kett Country Cottages offers high quality accommodation that’s fit for holidaymakers from 2 to 20 people, while Canine Cottages ensures there are cottages that truly welcome every member of the family. And if you want even more choice, Norfolk Cottages and Holiday Cottages mean you can stay everywhere from traditional Victorian coastal spots like Cromer to resorts like Great Yarmouth with its long stretch of sandy beach and the market towns of Holt and Burnham Market in North Norfolk.
What to Do:
Holkham has the best of both worlds- greenery and beaches
With so much to see and do along the coast, it’s hard to know which to choose.
Why not celebrate your holiday with a bang? Great Yarmouth’s annual free fireworks display lights up the Golden Mile every Wednesday night during the summer holidays (23 July – 27 August 2025) and it’s a breathtaking spectacle!
Cromer Pier not only offers panoramic views of the North Sea but also holds a summer show (28 June – 20 September)! This variety performance always promises brilliant vocals, thrilling acts, captivating choreography and laugh-out-loud moments.
We recommend making a day of it at Holkham. For starters, there’s the nature reserve and its breathtaking beach, home to nesting birds, grassy dunes and plenty of picnic spots. Then across the coast road is Holkham Estate. In its sprawling grounds, you can walk, run or cycle, spotting its iconic deer herd, boat on their mile-long lake, explore the pretty walled garden and grand Palladian-style house, and more!
And nearby is Thursford. Not just known for its incredible Christmas Spectacular, in the summer their Steam Engine Museum (April – September) offers enjoyment for every age.
Glamping at Pensthorpe includes 2-day entry to the nature reserve!
Where to Stay:
Less than 10 miles from Norwich and set in unspoilt countryside is the Goat Shed. Their modern holiday cottages sleep between 2 – 4 people (you can book all three for groups up to 10), with access to a nearby fitness club and the Goat Shed’s own fully stocked farm shop right next door.
If you want a night under the stars, why not immerse yourself in nature with Pensthorpe’s camping and glamping site (22 July – 31 August, 2 nights minimum, pitches from £30 per night, glamping from £130 per night for up to 4 people including 2-day entry to nature reserve)? There are 17 pitches to pre-book and 8 spacious bell-tents decorated with twinkling fairy lights. While you’re here, spend the day at Pensthorpe’s 700-acre nature reserve spotting wildlife and exploring Norfolk’s varied surroundings.
What to Do:
If you’re an animal lover, Norfolk has lots of animal-themed attractions
The Norfolk countryside is where our county’s attractions really come into their own.
ROARR! is the UK’s top dinosaur-themed park and we can see why. With outdoor trails, splash zone, high ropes and dinosaur characters (of course), as well as indoor adventure play area, this is a great destination whatever the weather.
Close by, you’ll find The Bug Parc, a totally unique attraction that houses hundreds of minibeasts, spiders, butterflies (in this year’s brand-new Butterfly House) and ants. Plus, for just £2.50pp extra, you can handle them yourself!
Sticking to the animal theme, at Banham Zoo you’ll meet over 100 species of wonderful animals, from elusive red pandas to cheeky meerkats. We recommend getting up close to the world’s tallest animal at the Giraffe House and walkway.
In Aylsham, Redwings Horse Sanctuary is home to over 70 ponies, donkeys and horses (and you can visit them for free!). Wander along meeting real-life Black Beauty Maya or mischievous Shetlands ‘The Gangsters’ before a slice of cake in the cafe!
And if you’re visiting Norwich and Norfolk for a day visit, long weekend or week-long holiday, don’t forget to check out our Travel page for how to get around and our Stay page for more accommodation!
