Michelle's Guidebook
Beaches
Always plenty of seals to see. They pup between November and January. Pay and display car park, signposted. Sometimes food van present. Cliff top walk.
106 locals recommend
Horsey Gap
Always plenty of seals to see. They pup between November and January. Pay and display car park, signposted. Sometimes food van present. Cliff top walk.
Beautiful sandy beach, lifeguard patrol, local cafes, pub, amusements, pay and display car parks.
32 locals recommend
Sea Palling Beach
Beach RoadBeautiful sandy beach, lifeguard patrol, local cafes, pub, amusements, pay and display car parks.
Large open beach. Can often see seals on beach and in sea. Cliff top modern food vans and toilets. Dog friendly. Car park. Unfortunately has recently suffered some coastal erosion.
23 locals recommend
Winterton beach
Large open beach. Can often see seals on beach and in sea. Cliff top modern food vans and toilets. Dog friendly. Car park. Unfortunately has recently suffered some coastal erosion.
Lovely beach. Slipway down to beach and short walk to Happisburgh, either on beach or along cliff top. Dog friendly. Car park. Toilet. Smallsticks cafe serving lovely home made food. Lifeboat station.
8 locals recommend
Cart Gap beach
Bush DriveLovely beach. Slipway down to beach and short walk to Happisburgh, either on beach or along cliff top. Dog friendly. Car park. Toilet. Smallsticks cafe serving lovely home made food. Lifeboat station.
Sightseeing
Beautiful 900 year old cathedral, originally a Benedictine monastery. Open all year, with lovely cafe.
217 locals recommend
Norwich Cathedral
65 The CloseBeautiful 900 year old cathedral, originally a Benedictine monastery. Open all year, with lovely cafe.
Norwich Market is an attractive and vibrant mix of food, crafts, flowers, services and much more. One of the oldest and largest outdoor markets in the country, it has 189 stalls trading Monday to Saturday, with a handful open on Sundays. (See individual market stalls for opening times).
There is no dedicated parking, but plenty of car parks nearby.
114 locals recommend
Norwich Market
1 Market PlNorwich Market is an attractive and vibrant mix of food, crafts, flowers, services and much more. One of the oldest and largest outdoor markets in the country, it has 189 stalls trading Monday to Saturday, with a handful open on Sundays. (See individual market stalls for opening times).
There is no dedicated parking, but plenty of car parks nearby.
Norwich Castle is a medieval royal fortification in the city of Norwich. William the conqueror (1066–1087) ordered its construction in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest of England. The castle was used as a gaol from 1220 to 1887. In 1894 the Norwich Museum moved to Norwich Castle. The museum and art gallery holds significant objects from the region, especially works of art, archaeological finds and natural history specimens.
(The medieval keep is currently closed for a major redevelopment that will transform it to its former glory as a Royal Palace; it is due to reopen in 2024. Reduced admission prices to reflect this.)
204 locals recommend
Norwich Castle
24 Castle MdwNorwich Castle is a medieval royal fortification in the city of Norwich. William the conqueror (1066–1087) ordered its construction in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest of England. The castle was used as a gaol from 1220 to 1887. In 1894 the Norwich Museum moved to Norwich Castle. The museum and art gallery holds significant objects from the region, especially works of art, archaeological finds and natural history specimens.
(The medieval keep is currently closed for a major redevelopment that will transform it to its former glory as a Royal Palace; it is due to reopen in 2024. Reduced admission prices to reflect this.)
National trust.
A magnificent historical house that has superb grounds to walk around, a stunning lake that looks onto the house, amazing gardens, and good food at either the pub or the cafes.
About 30 minutes drive away.
239 locals recommend
Blickling Estate
National trust.
A magnificent historical house that has superb grounds to walk around, a stunning lake that looks onto the house, amazing gardens, and good food at either the pub or the cafes.
About 30 minutes drive away.
local attractions
The largest of the Broads owned by the Norfolk wildlife trust is a haven for wildlife.
Hickling Broad is situated on the Upper Thurne river system, which holds a significant percentage of the UK population of common crane as well as important breeding numbers of bittern, marsh harrier bearded tit and Cetti’s warbler. In winter large numbers of marsh harriers roost in the reedbed north east of Stubb Mill; merlin and hen harrier are also regular. Barn owl is almost guaranteed and you may see kingfisher if you are lucky. Interesting mammals include the introduced Chinese water deer, red deer and hard-to-see otters
Hickling Broad
The largest of the Broads owned by the Norfolk wildlife trust is a haven for wildlife.
Hickling Broad is situated on the Upper Thurne river system, which holds a significant percentage of the UK population of common crane as well as important breeding numbers of bittern, marsh harrier bearded tit and Cetti’s warbler. In winter large numbers of marsh harriers roost in the reedbed north east of Stubb Mill; merlin and hen harrier are also regular. Barn owl is almost guaranteed and you may see kingfisher if you are lucky. Interesting mammals include the introduced Chinese water deer, red deer and hard-to-see otters
Regarded as capital of Broads
Visit for boat hire, feed the swans, Roy's - the largest village store in world!
Close to Bure valley railway, Wroxham Barns, Bewilderwood
17 locals recommend
Wroxham Broad
Regarded as capital of Broads
Visit for boat hire, feed the swans, Roy's - the largest village store in world!
Close to Bure valley railway, Wroxham Barns, Bewilderwood
Iconic lighthouse. Does have a few open days during the year but check Internet. Car park, children's Play park, toilets and picnic benches next to the lighthouse. Located at the top of Happisburgh beach but due to coastal errosion access to the beach can sometimes be limited. Best to go to Cart Gap and walk up.
35 locals recommend
Happisburgh Lighthouse
Lighthouse LaneIconic lighthouse. Does have a few open days during the year but check Internet. Car park, children's Play park, toilets and picnic benches next to the lighthouse. Located at the top of Happisburgh beach but due to coastal errosion access to the beach can sometimes be limited. Best to go to Cart Gap and walk up.
The Pleasure Beach Great Yarmouth is an amusement park located in the seaside resort of Great Yarmouth. It opened in 1909. The largest and most popular ride at the park is the wooden roller coaster which opened in 1932. There are also around twenty four other large rides at the park, as well as children's entertainment, amusement arcades, catering facilities, sweet shops and ice cream parlours.
Great Yarmouth is about 30 mins drive away.
76 locals recommend
Pleasure Beach
South Beach ParadeThe Pleasure Beach Great Yarmouth is an amusement park located in the seaside resort of Great Yarmouth. It opened in 1909. The largest and most popular ride at the park is the wooden roller coaster which opened in 1932. There are also around twenty four other large rides at the park, as well as children's entertainment, amusement arcades, catering facilities, sweet shops and ice cream parlours.
Great Yarmouth is about 30 mins drive away.
Open on selected dates February- October. BeWILDerwood is a wild and imaginative adventure park with magical treehouses and hints of intriguing characters, bringing a curious difference to the Norfolk Broads. The setting for the book ‘A Boggle at BeWILDerwood’, by local children’s author Tom Blofeld, it’s a wonderful, mystical place.
Located about 20 minutes away.
BeWILDerwood Norfolk
Open on selected dates February- October. BeWILDerwood is a wild and imaginative adventure park with magical treehouses and hints of intriguing characters, bringing a curious difference to the Norfolk Broads. The setting for the book ‘A Boggle at BeWILDerwood’, by local children’s author Tom Blofeld, it’s a wonderful, mystical place.
Located about 20 minutes away.
walks
Good local walk and cycle path, 4.5 miles to Bengate, pick up from Stalham high street, path is along side arable farmland, disused railway and crosses Dilham canal
15 locals recommend
Weavers Way
Weavers WayGood local walk and cycle path, 4.5 miles to Bengate, pick up from Stalham high street, path is along side arable farmland, disused railway and crosses Dilham canal
Located just north of North Walsham, Bacton Wood is perfect for a day out with nature whether you are on foot, cycle or horseback.
With orienteering and walking trails, Bacton Wood is also ideal for those who just want to relax and take in the sights and sounds of rural Norfolk.
Managed sustainably for people, wildlife and timber, there are over 30 species of tree in Bacton Wood including Scots and Corsican Pine, Western Hemlock, Douglas Fir and Larch.
Dogs welcome (no toilets)
13 locals recommend
Bacton Woods Car Park
3 Wood CottagesLocated just north of North Walsham, Bacton Wood is perfect for a day out with nature whether you are on foot, cycle or horseback.
With orienteering and walking trails, Bacton Wood is also ideal for those who just want to relax and take in the sights and sounds of rural Norfolk.
Managed sustainably for people, wildlife and timber, there are over 30 species of tree in Bacton Wood including Scots and Corsican Pine, Western Hemlock, Douglas Fir and Larch.
Dogs welcome (no toilets)
Food Scene
The Swan Inn Stalham
Good pub food, within waking distance, along the high street.
14th century Inn. Award winning fine dining restaurant. Locally inspired menu.
45 locals recommend
The Ingham Swan
Sea Palling Road14th century Inn. Award winning fine dining restaurant. Locally inspired menu.
More than just a coffee shop, attached to AGMeales farm shop just 5 mins drive away. They use locally and own grown produce. Fully licenced. Breakfasts. afternoon tea, and delicious cakes (takeaway cakes available too)
Dogs welcome in patio area.
Vera's Coffee Shop
More than just a coffee shop, attached to AGMeales farm shop just 5 mins drive away. They use locally and own grown produce. Fully licenced. Breakfasts. afternoon tea, and delicious cakes (takeaway cakes available too)
Dogs welcome in patio area.
Traditional pub/restaurant, beside the river and overlooking Coltishall common. It's sister pub, Recruiting Sargeant is 5 mins away in Horstead, award winning.
12 locals recommend
Rising Sun Coltishall
28 Wroxham RdTraditional pub/restaurant, beside the river and overlooking Coltishall common. It's sister pub, Recruiting Sargeant is 5 mins away in Horstead, award winning.
Country pub, overlooking Ormesby Broad. Peaceful and great views over the Broad. Good carvery. Closed Mondays.
33 locals recommend
The Boathouse
Eels Foot RoadCountry pub, overlooking Ormesby Broad. Peaceful and great views over the Broad. Good carvery. Closed Mondays.