Stunning landscapes, countryside adventures, and miles of coastline to explore. There’s nothing quite like a Norfolk holiday! To help you plan your next big family adventure, we’ve put together some of the best things to do and places to stay in Norfolk and Norwich this year. Enjoy days out on The Broads, adrenaline-fuelled forest adventures, historic halls, and awe-inspiring Norfolk and Norwich landmarks this year, all for budget-friendly prices!
A day out on The Broads
With over 300 square kilometres of National Park to explore, there’s hours of fun to be had on The Norfolk Broads. Enjoy waterside walks, adventurous cycle routes, and miles of open water. Why not hire a day-boat and explore the rivers yourself, or sit back and relax on a guided cruise? You can even book a stay on the water. With so much on offer it can be hard to know where to start!
Check out our guide to The Broads here
Norfolk Broads Direct
Outdoor adventure awaits!
Norfolk and Norwich are home to some incredible adventure parks that are just perfect for the little ones. Take a walk on the wild side at BeWILDerwood, an award-winning forest packed full of family fun – everything from treehouse adventures to boat rides, zipwires, and immersive nature experiences. Or head to Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure for hours of classic Jurassic fun! This 85-acre park, just 30 minutes’ drive from Norwich, is packed full of family-friendly activities like secret animal gardens, dino walking trails, high ropes, and a brand-new raceway. And if you’re looking for hands-on, educational family fun then visit Pensthorpe Natural Park. The former home of BBC’s Springwatch, Pensthorpe is a modern day nature reserve with over 700-acres of woodland walks, nature trails, pond-dipping and unique habitats. From Norwich all these attractions are easy to drive to.
Discover more outdoor adventures here
BeWILDerwood
Grandiose Gardens & Historic Halls
Looking for plenty of outdoor space for the kids, with a touch of peace & quiet? We’ve got you covered! Head to Fairhaven Woodland & Water Garden where you can enjoy 30 acres of ancient woodlands, waterways, and gardens. Let the little ones immerse themselves in nature before finding a quiet spot to watch the birds and enjoy some lunch. Or take a trip to Holkham Estate, a 400-year old estate boasting lakes, woodland adventure parks, zip wires, and the magnificent 18th Century Holkham Hall itself. And while we’re talking of Halls, it’d be wrong not to mention Houghton! Originally built in the 1720’s for Great Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole, Houghton Hall is now home to incredible world art, sculptures, and an award-winning 5-acre walled garden.
Discover more parks, gardens, and halls
Houghton Hall & Gardens
Beside the seaside
Nothing says ‘family holiday’ quite like a day at the beach. Thankfully, there’s an abundance of beautiful sandy beaches and Norfolk coastline on offer! Discover 3,706 hectares of sand dunes, saltmarsh, forests, and foreshore at Holkham Beach & Nature Reserve. Here you can enjoy hours of outdoor fun, exploring the beach and immersing yourself in nature. And if you’re looking for the full beach holiday experience, head to Pinewoods. Nestled behind pine-topped sand dunes at the edge of Wells beach, this unique site is home to state of the art lodges, caravans, and campsites that are just a stones throw from the seafront. Pinewoods have a great range of on-site facilities such as outdoor play areas and a café, and there’s also plenty of stunning Norfolk coastal walks nearby – perfect for wearing out the kids!
Discover more Norfolk coastal adventures
Holkham Beach & Nature Reserve
Family freebies
Keeping the kids entertained over the holidays is a full-time job, and doing it on a budget is never easy! Thankfully, there’s so many amazing free activities and adventures across Norfolk and Norwich for the whole family to enjoy. We’d recommend a trip to Whitlingham Country Park, a 280-acre site that’s perfect for walkers, cyclists, bird-watchers, and family outings. Packed full of waterways and wildlife, it’s also an educational day out too. Don’t forget to pack a picnic for a quiet lunch by the water’s edge. Whitlingham is also just a short walk or drive from Norwich city centre, where you can enjoy great free and cheap activities such as Plantation Garden (£2 per adult), Norwich Cathedral, Mousehold Heath and more! Or if you’re hoping to venture further into Norfolk, try visiting Wroxham Miniature World (kids under 5 go free) or Raveningham Gardens & Tea Room (under 16s go free).
Check out more free & cheap things to do in Norwich
Norwich Cathedral
The Victoria
Standing at the gateway to both Holkham Hall and the beach & nature reserve, The Victoria is a perfect base for a Norfolk adventure holiday. This classic English inn boasts 10 elegant rooms and restaurant offering great locally-sourced produce on its menus. For any guests with additional needs, there is a large ground-floor double room with full access and a wet room, and there’s even a few dog-friendly rooms in case the family pooch fancies coming along!
The Victoria Inn
Norfolk Mead Hotel
Situated on the banks of the River Bure, in the Broads National Park, The Norfolk Mead is a true countryside retreat. With stunning rooms, suites, and a 2AA Rosettes restaurant – all located within 8-acres of private land for guests to explore – this really is the perfect family getaway. Rooms start from £135 per night and there’s also an excellent range of cottages and Summer houses on site with their own private terrace space (from £215 a night, that works out at £53pp per night).
Norfolk Mead Hotel
Fielding Cottage
Immerse yourself in unspoilt Norfolk countryside at Fielding Cottage, a working farm that offers luxurious holiday cottages that are perfect for a big family holiday. Enjoy spacious gardens, newly-renovated guest rooms, and even an extensive farm shop on site, stocking amazing local produce. Cottages sleep between 2 and 4 guests, but group bookings can be made for up to 10 people, making this the perfect base for a Norfolk family holiday. A 5-night stay for 10 works out at £1,750 – that’s an incredible £175pp! (Please note: An additional £450 breakage deposit is required, but is fully refunded after your stay).
Fielding Cottage
There’s also a great range of budget-friendly Norfolk cottage providers to choose from. We’d recommend checking out: Kett Country Cottages, Surlingham Lodge Holiday Cottages, or Spixworth Cottages.
