by Katie Thompson
With six weeks to fill, trying to find activities to occupy the whole family can be tricky during the school holidays. Luckily, there’s loads going on this summer across Norfolk to take you from July to September!
From wild animal adventures to amazing attractions for all the family, this is just a flavour of what’s on offer! If you’re here on holiday, visiting friends or family, or are locals looking for fun things to do, it’s safe to say there’s plenty for families in Norwich and Norfolk this summer. (Just don’t forget your sunhat and suncream!)
Take a look at our top picks below!
Things to Do in Norwich for Families This Summer
Will you find your way around the Maize Maze?
From July, The Goat Shed’s twisting labyrinth of towering corn stalks- aka the Maize Maze- returns! How long will it take you to race through? And in the evenings, glow stick in hand, golden hour lights up the maize for a peaceful summer evening outdoors under wide Norfolk skies (Fridays 25 July – 29 August, 5pm – 8pm, £9). If you time it right, Pizza in the Paddock is also back (Friday 25 July – 5 September, 5pm – 8pm)! Tuck into traditional Italian-style wood-fired pizzas alongside The Goat Shed’s Boer goats and Simmental cows- no matter the weather.
It’s a summer of fun and woodland magic at BeWILDerwood
Summer was made to be spent outside. And even more so in the magical woods of BeWILDerwood, where imagination and muddy knees go hand in hand. Inspired by BeWILDerwood’s newly released book ‘Minty and the Big Stink’, you can swing and slide your way along the Pongy Potions trail before watching the story on stage and meeting Minty herself!
What will you discover at Pensthorpe this summer?
There’s so much to do at Pensthorpe this summer! For starters, the ever poop-ular Poo Trail is back (23 July – 2 September). This is a facinating way (really!) to get to know the nature around us, especially when you can take part in crafts, storytelling, pellet dissection and more across the week. Then, it’s time to see if you can successfully migrate through the Migration Maize Maze (23 July – 2 September) and discover what it’s like for our bird species on their epic voyages across the globe. If you love art, then follow the Summer Sculpture Trail (7 June – 30 September), and make a note in our diary for the arrival of Peppa, Daddy and Evie Pig this bank holiday (25 August, 11am – 3.30pm)! Remember your boots for any muddy puddles!
It’s going to be a wild summer at Banham Zoo
Grab your explorer hats! It’s going to be a wild summer at Banham Zoo with their epic safari-themed activities and events. There’s all the usual excitement of Banham’s amazing animals, live theatre shows, safari road train and foam party, plus a whole lot of newness! Think brand-new lookout towers, junior ranger packs, ranger outposts and the junior ranger experience (£15pp).
And if you book before 20 July, you can use code KIDSGOFREE for up to 3 free children with every full-paying adult!
Where better to take in the sunset than Cromer Pier? Credit: Helen Vinsen
Cromer Pier is undoubtedly one of the best spots to enjoy the sunset on our gorgeous North Norfolk coastline. So, when you pair that with a DJ and drink, what could be better? Thanks to their popularity last year, Cromer Pier’s Sunset Sessions are back with extra dates for 2025!
On Fridays, lose yourself to a blend of Ibiza classics and greatest hits, while on Sundays you can take a more relaxed approach with chilled music and laid-back tunes.
It’s going to be a busy summer at Holkham!
Chances are you’ve spotted a butterfly or two flitting about this summer. With Holkham’s Nature Workshop, you can create your own moth and butterfly, all the while learning about these beautiful creatues.
And if you’re spending the day here (parking £6), then remember to check out Holkham’s very own GoGoSafari sculpture to tick off one of the Big Norfolk 5 before joining a pond dipping session (Mondays & Tuesdays, £4), taking a tractor trailer tour (£6.25) or even testing your bravery on the ropes course (open daily, 10am – 5pm, £24)! And, of course, you can’t go home without a go on the adventure play area (open daily, 10am – 5pm, weather permitting)!
Enjoy an outdoor performance in the leafy surrounds of Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden
Make the most of the balmy summer weather with outdoor theatre at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Graden. For one evening only, you can experience Immersion Theatre Company’s larger-than-life musical adaptation of The Wind in the Willows. Bring your picnic blankets as Mr Toad and his friends battle to save Toad Hall- you’ll laugh out loud at this high-energy adventure!
Pay a visit to ROARR!’s exciting Dinos in the Dark event
Just when you thought dinosaurs couldn’t get any more exciting, Dinos in the Dark at ROARR! is back for the bank holiday weekend! This is a night packed with adventure, en-raptor-ing live entertainment and t-rex-cellent fun for one night only. All your favourite attractions will be open after-dark alongside twilight tours, animal encounters, tasty street food and more!
Kids go free this August bank holiday at Bure Valley Railway
When the Norfolk countryside is at its most luscious, one of the best ways to experience it is with Bure Valley Railway. And on the August bank holiday weekend, kids go free! All you have to do is use the code AUGBHKIDS25 when you book an adult ticket and you’ll soon be chugging along Norfolk’s longest narrow-gauge steam railway and into the heart of the Broads.
Discover worlds of imagination at modelling attraction Wroxham Minature Worlds
As the largest indoor modelling attraction in the UK, Wroxham Miniature Worlds is a great day out for children and parents alike! With massive model railways, LEGO displays, doll houses and much more, if you’re looking for something different or the weather means indoor activities are your best option, take advantage of their family offers this summer.
For Norfolk natives, the Local Resident Summer Discount means you can save 40% on standard admission prices (until Thursday 31 July, use code LRSD25 with valid proof of postcode, qualifying postcodes include NR, IP, PE, CB and CO). And if you’re here on holiday, check out their Family Summer Saver (20% off until Sunday 7 September, 2 adults & 2 children £47.80, additional children £11.15, use code FAMSAVER20) and Family Afternoon Saver tickets (40% off from 2pm until Sunday 7 September, 2 adults & 2 children £35.80, additional children £8.35, use code FAMPM40)!
Get up close to The Bug Parc’s incredible creatures
This award-winning attraction is unique to Norfolk. The Bug Parc is home to hundreds of incredible insects, millipedes, spiders and butterflies. Equally as exciting as it is educational, you’ll get to see these tropical creatures up close and maybe even handle one or two (extra £2.50pp)! It’s a great attractions in all weathers with trails, soft play, ponds, tropical houses and more!
