Family Holidays in Norwich and Norfolk
Family Holidays in Norwich and Norfolk
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, throughout 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.)
Close to the City
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!
From £151 per night, minimum 2 nights.
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.
And for the bigger kids, there’s Mulligans– perfect for when you need respite from the weather, be it too hot or too wet! This games venue boasts 18-hole pop culture-themed crazy golf, electro darts, shuffleboard and more- not to mention special family offers and tasty food.
Just north 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. Following an incredible redevelopment, you can immerse yourself in the life of a royal palace reborn- including dressing up like a medieval nobleman, observing your kingdom from the throne and marvelling at sky high views from the battlements! Plus, ride a chariot like an Iceni warrior and laugh out loud searching for hidden jokes in the natural history gallery! (Book online for the best prices.)
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). Take a picnic or stop for a pub lunch before heading back!
Into the Broads
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.
Non-electric rates from £16, electric from £22.
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.
From £650 for 3 nights, minimum 3 nights.
Elsewhere, the calm and safe surrounds of Worstead Estate’s self-catering cottages offer a relaxing getaway for families, whilst remaining well-connected to local attractions. Think cosy inside space that’s a home away from home, games rooms for switching off, and large lawns with patio dining and BBQs.
Cottages from £560 for 2 nights, minimum 2 nights.
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!
Along the Coast
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.
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.
5 miles from Great Yarmouth with its long stretch of sandy beach, Fritton Lake is tucked away and surrounded by acres of tranquil greenery. Opt for one of their red-brick holiday cottages (sleeps up to 6 people), equipped with generous inside and outside living areas, as well as access to Fritton’s water sports, free games like pétanque, footgolf and table tennis, heated outdoor swimming pool and adventure play! And if you prefer everything all in one place, how about Kids Club, bike hire or a Jeep safari?
Cottages from £592 for 2 nights, minimum 2 nights.
Holkham has the best of both worlds- greenery and beaches
What to Do
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 (10pm, 22 July – 26 August) and it’s a breathtaking spectacle!
Cromer Pier not only offers panoramic views of the North Sea but also holds a summer show (27 June – 19 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, boating on their mile-long lake, exploring 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. Then roll up to Thursford’s fantastic Adventure Play Fair! With twisting teacups, racing Didi cars, a zooming Helter-Skelter slide and the UK’s first water play fountain (inspired by Thursford’s organs no less), a few hours here will be a whirl of excitement and energy!
In the Countryside
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. (They also hold events like Pizza in the Paddock every other Friday in summer!)
From £420 for 3 nights, minimum 3 nights.
If you want a night under the stars, why not immerse yourself in nature with Pensthorpe’s camping and glamping site (21 July – 2 September)? There are 20 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 (their Summer Membership costs just £25pp for unlimited entry during the school holidays). You’ll even get the chance to enjoy after-hours access to the indoor and outdoor play areas, including the brand-new The Living Towers, made for climbing, adventure and incredible views!
Pitches from £30 per night, glamping from £130 per night (including access to reserve), minimum 2 nights.
ROARR! is just one of many of Norfolk’s wonderful family attractions
What to Do
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. And if accessibility is a high priority, ROARR! have it covered, with plenty of wheelchair-friendly attractions, dedicated spaces and detailed information.
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!
In Aylsham, Redwings Horse Sanctuary is home to over 70 ponies, donkeys and horses (and you can visit them for free!). Wander along meeting handsome horse Callisto, fluffy donkey Arya and mischievous miniature Shetlands ‘The Gangsters’ before a slice of cake in the cafe!
Heading into Breckland, immerse yourself in the towering pines of Thetford Forest with Go Ape! This is a day out made for thrill seekers, with adrenaline-inducing zip wires, obstacle courses, high ropes and segways.
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!
