North Norfolk
Woodland and Wildlife. Walking and Cycling. Award winning Beaches, Villages and Country Estates. Contemporary Art. Relaxation or Adventure. North Norfolk has much to offer all year round this page provides some highlights. In the Barn, we provide more information on local attractions and ideas for day’s out. We hope this page provides some ideas to help you plan your holiday.
All year round
Close by, is the market town of Fakenham, two nature reserves, and in nearby Weasenham Woods, is Extreeme Adventure - an adrenalin junkie's paradise as it has a high ropes course, quad bike safari and an army style assault course. Pensthorpe natural park is a multiple winner of Norfolk's best large attraction, with woodland walks, wildlife, gardens adventure and indoor play. Sculthorpe is a peaceful place with a wide range of wildlife in its fen, woodland and reed habitats. A few miles outside Fakenham is The Thursford Collection - an traditional fairground with carousel rides, steam driven organs, Dickensian-style shops and cafes plus spectacular Christmas shows during November and December. For indoor adventure, try Axes and Escapes - an indoor venue for escape rooms and axe throwing. This is perfect for a rainy day (approximately 8 miles from East Barn).
Extreeme Adventure
Pensthorpe Natural Park
Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Axes and Escapes
The Thursford Collection
Thursford Wood
Fakenham museum of Gas & local History
Langham Glass
Fakenham Fairways
Fakenham Racecourse
Extreeme Adventure
Pensthorpe Natural Park
Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Axes and Escapes
The Thursford Collection
Thursford Wood
Fakenham museum of Gas & local History
Langham Glass
Fakenham Fairways
Fakenham Racecourse
Within the Region
Within fifteen miles are the beaches and coastal towns of North Norfolk, notably Holkham and Wells-next-the-Sea. Holkham Hall and Deer park is a stunning location, with many family activities, including cycling and tractor rides (it also has a great park run every Saturday morning). Holkham Beach is the winner of BBC Countryfile Beach of the Year 2018 and the new Lookout Visitor Centre highlights the diversity of wildlife to be found on the nature reserve. Go to the Beach & Coast page for details on beaches, coastal walks and wildlife by the sea. How about Lama walking in the Norfolk countryside? The Flint Gallery of contemporary art is located at the end of the Quay in the picturesque harbour village of Blakeney; it showcases fine art including original paintings, bronze sculpture, ceramics and glass and is worth a visit. There is something for everyone in the region. Here are some links to popular attractions & activities:
Holkham
Foxley Wood
Norfolk Wildlife Trust
Norfolk Lamas
Alpaca Trekking
Walk with Llamas
Wells & Walsingham Light Railway
Costal Exploration Company
The Flint Gallery of contemporary and applied Art
Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse
Walsingham Abbey
Whin Hill Cider
Walsingham Farm Shop
Holkham
Foxley Wood
Norfolk Wildlife Trust
Norfolk Lamas
Alpaca Trekking
Walk with Llamas
Wells & Walsingham Light Railway
Costal Exploration Company
The Flint Gallery of contemporary and applied Art
Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse
Walsingham Abbey
Whin Hill Cider
Walsingham Farm Shop
The Explore Norfolk web site is a great source of ideas for days out, all year round. A few highlights are listed here.
Approximately seventeen miles away is Royal Sandringham Estate, which is a great day out. The house is open to the public, and the museum houses an extraordinary collection of royal vehicles (e.g. a 1939 fire engine) and memorabilia. The Country Park is open every day and there is no charge for entry (or parking). There are two nature trails and other woodland paths to explore.
Sandringham Estate
Sherringham Park
Holt Country Park
Within North Norfolk, there are a number of stunning National Trust Estates, Gardens and Properties. Highlights below.
Blakeney National Nature Reserve
Brancaster Estate
Brancaster Activity Centre
Blickling Estate
Oxburgh Hall
For even more ideas, visit the Official Visit Norfolk web site.
Brancaster Millennium Activity Centre organizes a wide range of courses throughout the year that are mostly connected with art or wildlife. There are also activity days for children and family fun weeks that involve sailing, kayaking and mountain biking.
A little further afield is Thetford, Kings Lynn, the City of Norwich and numerous other attractions, a small sample listed below
Dinosaur Adventure
Dad's Army Museum (Thetford)
BewilderWood
A little further afield is Thetford, Kings Lynn, the City of Norwich and numerous other attractions, a small sample listed below
Dinosaur Adventure
Dad's Army Museum (Thetford)
BewilderWood
Walking, Cycling & Running
The Norfolk costal path is a 44 mile national trail, which links Peddars Way at Holme-next-the-Sea to Cromer. It takes in some of the best of the North Norfolk coast and an ideal solution is to find a starting point, walk one way along the costal path and take the Coasthopper bus service back to your starting point. This bus service runs between Sherringham and Hunstanton and calls at each village along the way. The costal path is a footpath so is out of bounds to cyclists.
See the Walking page for downloadable walking guides
The closest Park Run is at Holkham Hall. This is a one lap course through park land, taking in some historic buildings. The start is near the Ice House, next to the Lake. More locally, there is a network of country roads opposite the driveway to the Barn. Very little traffic and making for a very rewarding scenic run.
If cycling is your thing, the Norfolk Coast cycleway is a 59 mile route, inland from the coast, that links King's Lynn with Cromer (and Great Yarmouth). Fulbright and Sherringham Park estates also have some family-friendly traffic free cycle routes. Cycle hire is available in Holkham Park, which provides safe, off-road cycle tracks. Other suggestions for cycle routs can be found at: Cycle-route.com
Cycle hire is available from:
On Yer Bike
Deepdale Bike Hire
Bakers & Larners of Holt
See the Walking page for downloadable walking guides
The closest Park Run is at Holkham Hall. This is a one lap course through park land, taking in some historic buildings. The start is near the Ice House, next to the Lake. More locally, there is a network of country roads opposite the driveway to the Barn. Very little traffic and making for a very rewarding scenic run.
If cycling is your thing, the Norfolk Coast cycleway is a 59 mile route, inland from the coast, that links King's Lynn with Cromer (and Great Yarmouth). Fulbright and Sherringham Park estates also have some family-friendly traffic free cycle routes. Cycle hire is available in Holkham Park, which provides safe, off-road cycle tracks. Other suggestions for cycle routs can be found at: Cycle-route.com
Cycle hire is available from:
On Yer Bike
Deepdale Bike Hire
Bakers & Larners of Holt