Things To Do and See In Norfolk 2025

Norfolk travel information

Getting to Norfolk

Driving: Norfolk sits in the East of England, and it’s a comfortable drive from many major cities. If you’re driving into the county, here are some estimated drive times:

• London to Norfolk: 2 hours (106 miles)
• Birmingham to Norfolk: 2 hours and 20 minutes (148 miles)
• Nottingham to Norfolk: 2 hours and 20 minutes (104 miles)
• Sheffield to Norfolk: 2 hours and 40 minutes (131 miles)
• Cambridge to Norfolk: 1 hour and 10 minutes (52.7 miles)
• Manchester to Norfolk: 3 hours and 40 minutes (168 miles)

Be sure to plan your route ahead of time and book appropriate service station stops to rest up before driving again.

Train: Depending on which part of Norfolk you’re travelling to, there are plenty of trains going in and out of the county. Plan your journey using Trainline, where you can find affordable train tickets from around the UK.

Coach: The National Express runs coach services from many cities around the UK to different parts of Norfolk. Popular coach stations include:

• Norwich Bus Station
• King’s Lynn Bus Station
• Great Yarmouth Market Gates Bus Station
• Thetford Bus Interchange

Travelling in and around Norfolk

Norfolk is ideal for those who enjoy walking and cycling. Locations such as Norwich, Great Yarmouth, and King’s Lynn are good for exploring on foot, as everything is in close proximity. If you want to cycle around the area but don't have a bike, larger cities and towns have a bike hire scheme where you can pick up a bike, use it at your own leisurely pace, and return it once you're done.

If you want to pitch up and use public transport, that’s also possible, as the county has well-connected train, bus, and coach stations scattered around.

Where to stay in Norfolk

What better way to appreciate the breathtaking countryside and outdoors than booking a campsite in Norfolk to rest and relax during your trip? Popular campsites in Norfolk include:

• Norwich Club Site
• Sandringham Club Site
• West Runton Club Site

Filter through the campsite features and facilities to find a campsite that suits your needs. You’ll find handy facilities such as Wi-Fi, washing-up facilities, play areas, designated dog walks, fishing areas, on-site shops, disability access, and more.

Psst. Remember, members of the Camping and Caravanning Club have access to member-only campsites in Norfolk, as well as great discounts on campsites, camping equipment, attractions, and more. Not a member? Join today and save while making incredible memories.

Cities, towns and villages in Norfolk

Norfolk is made up of a variety of unique and beautiful cities, towns, and villages. We’ve listed some popular spots and quiet locations for those who want to avoid the crowds, wind down, and relax.

Norwich

Starting with one of Norfolk's popular cities, Norwich is a beautiful location steeped in rich history and vibrant colours. Walk through Elm Hill, a historical cobbled street painted in a mixture of colours. It has lovely examples of Tudor buildings and merchant houses. On your walk, stop by and marvel at one of the 33 medieval churches scattered around.

Norwich Cathedral is a highlight of the city. This historical treasure has been a prominent feature in Norwich’s skyline for over 900 years and continues to stand out amongst the buildings. Before visiting, view what events and services are taking place online to make the most out of your trip.

Another popular attraction in Norwich is Norwich Castle. Take a tour of the Norman castle, learn its history, and explore the museum and art gallery, which hold significant objects from the region. If you're intrigued by the city and want to know more about it, visit the City of Norwich Aviation Museum, which aims to preserve the county's aviation history.

Norwich is also a great place for nature enthusiasts to visit. Just near the city centre, you’ll find Norwich’s Secret Garden. It's called the Plantation Garden, and it was established over 100 years ago in an abandoned chalk quarry. The three-acre, Grade II listed heritage garden is a stunning place to wind down, with a huge gothic water fountain, flower beds, lawns, an Italianate terrace, and much more.

On the outskirts of Norwich sits Whitlingham Country Park, an excellent place for walkers, cyclists and birdwatchers. With over 280 acres of beautiful countryside to explore, you’ll have plenty of fun with your family, friends, partner or on a solo adventure.

While visiting Norwich, if you want to stay in a city campsite with a rural feel, our Norwich Club Site is a quiet campsite near the river. You’ll have all the luxury of staying within the city but also the peaceful escape of the beautiful outdoors.

Great Yarmouth

There’s plenty to do in Great Yarmouth, from sunbathing on the sandy beaches to exploring local wildlife or learning about the town's history. Great Yarmouth is a resort town well known for its breathtaking coast. On your visit, explore the 15-mile-long coastline, walk on sand dunes, enjoy the seaside amusement rides or take on water sports activities such as paddle boarding, surfing, kayaking, canoeing, scuba diving, sailing and more.

Cromer

Nestled in North Norfolk is the beautiful seaside town of Cromer. If you’re looking for a traditional bucket and spade holiday, this is the place to visit. You’ll find a nostalgic Victorian pier famed for its crab sandwiches, which are a must-try for foodies, sandy beaches, clear waters, and incredible walking and cycling paths. Depending on what time of year you're visiting, keep an eye out for Cromer’s Crab and Lobster Festival, an annual treat for visitors.

Sandringham

Although Sandringham is a small village in Norfolk, it leaves a lasting impact on visitors. It’s famously known for housing Sandringham Estate, a popular holiday home for the Royal Family. Our Sandringham Club Site sits on the Royal Estate, making it effortless for you to explore the grounds, gardens, and house.

If you want a change in scenery, you can still visit the seaside, which is a short drive away from the village.

Wells-next-the-Sea

Escape the hustle and bustle of city life and wind down in Wells-next-the-Sea. The charming port town has plenty to do, including wildlife watching, rock pooling and crabbing. In the summer, you can relax on the beaches or take a harbour tour on the Wells Ferry. In the winter, the town puts on the Wells Carnival, a two-week-long event where people come together to watch brightly coloured floats, marching bands, dancers, and musicians make their way through the town.

If you enjoy steam railways, hop aboard the Wells & Walsingham Light Railway, the world's longest 10¼ narrow gauge steam railway.

Discover Norfolk's beaches and coast

Norfolk is home to some of the best beaches in the UK. With a coastline that stretches for over 90 miles, you’ll get the chance to see varying coastal views, dip your feet in clear waters, build sandcastles on the golden sandy beaches, or get adventurous and try watersport activities.

The coastal county boasts several Blue Flag beaches, internationally recognised for meeting strict criteria such as excellent water quality, safety, cleanliness, well-managed amenities and services, environmental education programmes, and effective litter and waste management. Norfolk Blue Flag awarded beaches for 2024 include,

• Cromer Beach
• East Runton Beach
• Sheringham Beach
• West Runton Beach

Other popular beaches in Norfolk include,

• Old Hunstanton Beach
• Holkham Beach
• Mundesley Beach
• Sea Palling Beach
• Wells Next the Sea Beach
• Brancaster Beach

Make sure you have a fun and relaxing day at the beach by packing a picnic with all your favourite foods, a cosy picnic blanket, a water bottle to stay hydrated, and sunscreen to protect you from the sun. Remember to bring along some fun games to make the most of your day out. If you have that unsettling feeling that you’re missing something, check out our beach packing list so you know what to bring with you.

Norfolk's breathtaking countryside

Norfolk offers incredible green spaces where you can enjoy wildlife watching, walking, cycling, and much more.

The Norfolk Broads, a national park, is a prime example of stunning greenery and breathtaking waterways. Covering 303 square kilometres, it includes 63 broads and seven rivers. The park is home to a quarter of the UK’s rarest wildlife, including fen raft spiders and the swallowtail butterfly.

There are plenty of activities to enjoy in the Norfolk Broads, with boating being especially popular. Canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and surfing are also favoured by visitors and locals. Alternatively, you can hop on one of the many boat trips available and experience the park from a unique perspective.

Once you’re worn out from the adventure, find a quiet spot to lay down a picnic blanket and set up some camping chairs. You can easily spend hours birdwatching in the Norfolk Broads. Some birds to look out for include,

• Marsh harrier
• Bittern
• Kingfisher
• Bearded tit
• Common crane
• Avocet

Whether you enjoy a relaxing stroll to get your steps in or a more challenging hike, the Broads have endless footpaths you can take on. They vary in length and difficulty and have different views depending on your chosen route.

Historical landmarks in Norfolk

Norfolk is steeped in rich history and has plenty of wonderful places to visit for history enthusiasts or those looking to do something different.

Sandringham Estate

Sandringham Estate is a much-loved country retreat for the Royal Family. The gardens at Sandringham were first opened to the public in 1908 by King Edward VII. In 1977, during Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee, marking 25 years of her reign, the house itself was opened to visitors.

The Royal Family still uses the estate regularly, and the house, gardens, and museum are accessible to the public at certain times of the year. You can find the opening times here.

If you’re looking for a place to stay while visiting the estate, you won't have to search far. Our Sandringham Club Site is located on the royal estate, allowing campers to walk through the grounds, explore the area, and enjoy the spectacular views.

Houghton Hall & Gardens

Houghton Hall and Gardens were created in the 1720s for Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole. The hall is surrounded by stunning parkland, where you can spot white fallow deer that call the park home.

Visitors can also explore the award-winning Walled Garden and the world’s largest private collection of model soldiers in the Model Soldier Museum. If you enjoy wandering around sculpture parks, you’ll find an incredible permanent installation at Houghton Hall Gardens created by exceptional artists, including Richard Long, Claudio Parmiggiani, Stephen Cox, and Jeppe Hein.

After exploring the grounds, you can relax at the cosy café and pick up a treat or souvenir from the gift shop.

Holkham Hall

Surrounded by 3,000 acres of scenic parkland and rich in wildlife, Holkham Hall is a beautiful 18th-century country house nestled in Norfolk. On your visit, you can explore the Italian villa or walk through the newly renovated Samuel Wyatt Vinery. Wildlife lovers can spot deer in Holkham Park, and thrill seekers can test their nerves on the ropes course and zip wires. Throughout the year, there are different workshops and events taking place at the country house, including the famous Christmas markets, so make sure you check out what’s on before visiting.

Creake Abbey

Visit the ruins of an Augustinian Abbey Church, which tells a sad story. Located in the peaceful countryside, Creake Abbey is a beautiful disaster after a devastating 15th-century fire left most of the building in ruins. When the plague struck, the last abbot died alone, and the abbey closed in 1506.

Norwich Cathedral

As briefly mentioned, Norwich Cathedral is an iconic site to visit when exploring Norfolk. It is among the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Europe and one of the UK's most popular cathedrals.

As you walk through the cathedral, you’ll uncover its 900 years of fascinating history, from the intricate stained glass windows to the sculptures and paintings dotted throughout.

Blickling Estate

Owned by the National Trust, Blickling Estate is an incredible house surrounded by 4,600 acres of parkland. Dogs are welcome in the park but not in the house, making it a great place to set up a picnic and relax with the whole family. The gardens are the result of three centuries of planting and modelling, and you can explore the whole thing on foot or by bike. Just visit the reception to grab a map that has all the walking routes, landmarks, views, and wildlife spots.

Felbrigg Hall, Garden and Park

Another National Trust gem nestled in Norfolk is Felbrigg Hall. The 17th-century hall is home to an incredible collection of art and sculptures. It's one of the largest in the National Trust. Alongside wandering through the hall, explore the expansive gardens, which house hundreds of different plants, fruit and vegetables. If you’re looking for a longer walk, there are rolling landscapes, lakes, 520 acres of woods and waymarked trails to uncover.

Museums in Norfolk

If you want to learn more about Norfolk, there are plenty of museums to visit on your trip. Here are some popular ones.

• Model Soldier Museum
• RAF Air Defence Radar Museum
• Museum of the Broads
• Thursford steam Museum

Things to do in Norfolk for kids

Norfolk is a great place for camping with children as there are so many family-friendly attractions and activities.

Banham Zoo

Proud of its conservation and education efforts, Banham Zoo brings a range of animals from around the world together in one space. On your visit, you can meet giraffes, snow leopards, pythons, baboons, and much more. They also have events throughout the year, from Christmas markets to 5k running challenges. Children can also listen to animal talks, pet barnyard animals, or run wild in the playground.

SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth

Discover all the magical underwater creatures at SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth. There are different zones that house different creatures. You can learn all about each one, its history, what it eats, and where it lives. You’ll get to see sharks, penguins, crocodiles, jellyfish, turtles, and many more incredible animals.

Wroxham Miniature Worlds

Wroxham Miniature Worlds is the UK's largest indoor modelling attraction, with over 10,000 square feet of space filled with spectacular model railways. The attraction has different zones where you can find various types of model railways, slot car displays, a whole city made from LEGO bricks and model boats. There’s also a vintage penny arcade, interactive flight simulation and train simulation at Wroxham Miniature Worlds.

Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens

Sumatran tigers, red pandas, snow leopards, amur leopards, gibbons, otters and crocodiles are just some of the beautiful animals you’ll see at Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens. During your visit, you can watch the animals get fed and listen to the animal talks which take place by the expert keepers. If the kids want to burn off any remaining energy, there’s a playground and 3D maze which they can enjoy on the trip. All this learning will definitely leave you feeling peckish. Treat yourself to something tasty at the cafe, and before heading out, buy a souvenir to remember your incredible trip.

BeWILDerwood Norfolk

If your little ones love a bit of adventure, BeWILDerwood Norfolk is the place to visit. The award-winning family fun adventure has treehouses to climb, a sky maze, a range of slides, wobbly wires to swing from, and much more. It's the perfect place to run around, face some fears, and, most importantly, have fun!