Things to do Within Less Than an Hour of Norwich

12 April 2023

Things to do Within Less Than an Hour of Norwich

Planning a holiday? Want to go somewhere where you can enjoy the coast, navigable waterways, and beautiful countryside? Want all that with the wide range of activities and experiences that come with visiting a city? Well, Norwich might just be the perfect destination for you.

Full of incredible things to see, food to eat and experiences to discover, Norwich is also only a short drive, bus journey or train ride away from beautiful beaches, the sprawling Broads National Park, and plenty of countryside delights. So, if you’re planning that summer holiday break and want somewhere that has it all, look no further.

Read on to find out what you can do in less than an hour’s drive, bus ride, or train journey away from Norwich.

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The Broads National Park

One of the UK’s 15 national parks, The Broads National Park is made up of over 60 open areas of water known as Broads, and seven rivers including the Ant, Bure, Chet, Thurne, Waveney, Wensum and Yare. With pretty villages to discover and boats for hire, there’s plenty to keep you occupied.

Wroxham (19-minute drive, 27-minute by train, 30-minute by bus)

The capital of the Norfolk Broads, Wroxham is a big village with all the amenities you might need. Grab some fresh fish and chips and enjoy the sunshine or hire a boat and get out on the broads.

• Hire a day boat from as little as £13.50 for a 90-minute tour from Broads Tours and get exploring!
• Head to Wroxham Miniature Worlds for a fun family day out discovering model railways, Lego cities and more. Adults £11.95, children £8.95.
• Take a steam train ride with Bure Valley Railway and enjoy the countryside. Plus, discover the quaint market town of Aylsham. Adults £12 single, £19 return | Child £8 single, £10 return

Coltishall (18-minute drive)

A busy riverside village yet a somewhat lesser-known part of the Broads, Coltishall is a lovely spot to spend an afternoon. It marks the start of the navigable portion of the River Bure and is dotted with beautiful properties, like its thatched village church, and has a beautiful green by the river.

• Stop off for some food and drink at The Rising Sun, which looks out over the river – ideal for relaxed outdoor dining on a summer’s day.
• Sail away on The Norfolk Mead’s six-seater English Harbor Yacht! Priced at £100 for a half day, you can also purchase picnics or afternoon tea to enjoy on the water. A great way to make a lasting memory in Norfolk.
• Enjoy paddle boarding with board hire from Summer SUP Paddleboard Hire from £19.99 for a 3-hour session.

Neatishead (25-minute drive, 35-minute by train and bus) and Irstead (31-minute drive)

To get your fix of quintessentially British villages in the countryside, Neatishead & Irstead are two little gems you’ll be thrilled to discover. With gorgeous riverside residential properties, a pub in Neatishead and a medieval church in Irstead, it’s a lovely place to stop off for an hour or two.

Have a walk or cycle along the Barton Boardwalk which will take you out to view Barton Broad or Alferden Broad nature reserve!

Go a little further to find…

• Just a 25-minute drive from Norwich is BeWILDerwood, a huge and award-winning forest full of outdoor adventure for the whole family to enjoy.

Beautiful Beaches

The Norfolk coast is perhaps one of the most beautiful coastal stretches in the country. From sandy beaches to wildlife encounters, there’s something for everyone.

Great Yarmouth (34-minute drive, 40-minute by bus, 55-minute by train)

What could be better than a classic seaside holiday destination? Great Yarmouth pleasure beach has it all! Britannia Pier has its own theatre, there’s plenty of amusement arcades, and a rollercoaster! Not forgetting that its sandy beach is worthy of some dedicated time to enjoy.

• Visit Time & Tide Museum for educational fun and brilliant exhibitions. Adults £7.40 children £6.30.
• Enjoy some adventure golf at Pirate’s Cove, suitable for all ages, from £7.50.
• Order some beers or aged ales from Lacons Brewery and walk down to collect them. You can see a virtual tour of the distillery here.

Winterton-on-Sea (38-minute drive)

Winterton-on-Sea is a walker’s paradise. It’s a dog-friendly beach with miles to explore and is backed by some of the finest sand dunes in Norfolk. In fact, the Winterton Dunes National Nature Reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

See if you can spot the rare natterjack toad which makes its home here, or breeding and overwintering birds!

Go a little further to find…

• Horsey Gap – home to a colony of grey seals. A 14-minute drive from Winterton-on-Sea, or you can take the 7.5-mile coastal walk to get there. But remember to stay respectful of these wild animals and stay well back when visiting.

Cromer (45-minute drive, 55-minute by train)

Coming up on the hour mark, but entirely worth the journey, lies this gorgeous town. Another traditional seaside resort, it’s a lot smaller and more relaxed than Great Yarmouth, and ideal for a laid-back morning or afternoon exploring.

• Try some famous fresh Cromer crab from one of the nearby restaurants or try and catch your own! It’s free to crab fish off the pier.
• Visit the RNLI Lifeboat Station
• Play some golf at the putting green which overlooks the sea! Only £3.50 per game for adults or £2.50 for under 12’s.
• Discover a wide variety of wildlife at Amazona Zoo, home to 200 animals. Adults £14, children ages 4 – 16 £10.

Go a little further to find…

• Just over 45-minutes by car is Sheringham, another pretty seaside village which is home to the North Norfolk Railway. Take a ride to the Georgian town of Holt on one of its vintage steam or diesel trains. There’s even dining trains so you can book a fish and chip supper, or afternoon tea to enjoy while you travel!

Countryside

The Norfolk countryside is jam packed full of beautiful parks and walks, and unique market towns that are brilliant for getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city for an hour or so.

Aylsham (31-minute drive, 40-minute by bus)

A traditional and unspoilt market town, Aylsham has plenty of shops, pubs, and tearooms. Its marketplace is surrounded by beautiful 18^th century houses which make a walk around the town even more enjoyable.

• Plan your visit on a Monday or Friday, when the market sets up in the town from 8am – 3pm.
• Visit the nearby Blicking Hall, a National Trust property. An elegant Jacobean house, it was once home to the Boleyn family from 1499 – 1505, and its park, gardens and lake are ideal for wandering around in the sunshine, or for a winter walk when it’s cold!

Lenwade (25-minute drive, 30-minute by bus)

Situated in the Wensum Valley, Lenwade boasts a collection of fishing lakes, traditional pubs and a fish and chip shop.

• There’s a car park for Marriott’s Way here, a long-distance footpath along a disused railway line that runs from Norwich to Aylsham. Great for walking and cycling, park up and enjoy the fresh countryside air.
• ROARR! is an 85-acre park that’s the ideal location for those with a dose of dino-mania! With indoor play areas, water zones and a theatre with live dino-themed shows, there’s a whole day of fun to be had here. Check the website for tickets as prices vary depending on season.
  

  ROARR!