Norfolk Tourist Information
Norfolk
is a fabulous county to visit with a wide variety of tourist attractions,
whether you're into relaxation, bird
watching or nature reserves, boating, stately home, the sea side or
whatever. Even Norfolk is quite flat, you can even go Skiing at the
dry slope in Norwich.
The North Norfolk coastline is a designated area of outstanding natural beauty and ranges from fabulous, uncrowded sandy beaches (many with Blue Flag awards) to pebble shores with rock pools and cliffs. A huge variety of coastal towns and villages are scattered around with each one offering something different for you to explore.
If you're a nature lover, few places in the country offer such a diverse habitat as Norfolk. The whole county of Norfolk is littered with Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
Eastward around the coast is Great Yarmouth, England's second largest seaside resort. Here the family can enjoy a traditional British seaside holiday with amusements, piers, fair-ground rides, a acclaimed circus and, of course, ice cream.
The Norfolk Broads is one of England's most recent areas to gain National Park-style status and offers a tranquil setting for a lazy day on the river; just hire a day boat and enjoy.
Here's just a few ideas to whet your appetite for a holiday or short break in Norfolk.
Norfolk Broads Boat Trips
There
are many opportunities to see the stunning Norfolk Broads. Most broadland
villages have a staithe (a local word for a mooring point) and many
local boat yard operators offer Day Boat hire. Consider our sister company, Freedom Cruisers for a great deal on Norfolk Day Boats and Cruisers for hire from our central location in Horning.
If you venture to Irstead, you can take a trip around Barton Broad on a ecologically sound Solar Powered boat, Ra. Operated by the Broads Authority, this vessel is an ideal way to see one of the best of the Broads.
Why not extend your Norfolk Holiday on a quality river cruiser from Freedom Boating Holidays. Our sister company offers a range of affordable Norfolk Broads Holidays onboard a range of self-drive boats.
See Norfolk Holiday Cottages in this area.
Great Yarmouth
Great
Yarmouth is England's second largest Seaside resort and has much
to offer a family holiday. There's the usual Seaside fun with amusement
arcades and funfair rides, a pier, renowned circus and much more.
For a more sedate look at Yarmouth, why not take a horse and carriage
ride along the promenade?
See Norfolk Holiday Cottages in this area.
Norwich
Norwich
is a fine city with hidden gems around every corner.
Boasting two cathedrals (yes, there are two!), Norwich was once the capital of the country and plays host to some fabulous sights including Norwich Castle, Elm Hill (a medieval cobbled street commonly used for film sets), the river Wensum and many shopping streets in the
See Norfolk Holiday Cottages in this area.
Cromer
Cromer
seaside popularised in the Victorian age with the advent of the railway.
Cromer is a pleasant town with a fabulous beach and pier and plenty
else to see beside. It's church has the highest tower in Norfolk and is
occasionally open for viewings.
During August, Cromer hosts a week long carnival with an evening procession.
See Norfolk Holiday Cottages in this area.
Stately Homes
Norfolk
has a number of stately homes open to the public. Some are under
National Trust ownership, others private; all are worth a visit.
Consider the National Trust properties of Blicking Hall, Felbrigg Hall & Oxburgh Hall, along with Somerleyton Hall, Mannington & Woolerton, Holkham Hall and the Queen's residence at Sandringham.
See Norfolk Holiday Cottages in this area.
Churches
Norfolk
has a massive collection of churches - probably more than any other
county. Norfolk was a popular landing place for invaders, so much
so that for a brief time, Norwich was the capital of the country. The invaders
brought religion with them and churches were constructed in even
the smallest of settlements. Today, many survive. Most have stone and flint
external facades, some are quaint with thatched roofs. Some, like St Helens
at Ranworth have bell towers that are open to the public. Others are curious
constructions like St Mary's at Burgh St Peter (pictured). All are worth
visiting whether you're religious or not.
See Norfolk Holiday Cottages in this area.
Horsey
Horsey
is a National Trust Nature reserve on the northern reach of the Norfolk
Broads. Within sight of the sea wall is this fabulous restored wind
pump. Four stories high, it is open to visitors and you can climb all the
way to the platform at the cap which offers stunning views over Horsey
mere.
Horsey itself is a small hamlet village with a beautiful thatched church.
On Horsey Gap Beach, you are likely to see a colony of seals.
See Norfolk Holiday Cottages in this area.
Beaches
Norfolk
has a hugely varied coastline. From Yarmouth in the east around to Sheringham
in the centre of the coast, the beach is mostly sandy, sometimes with little
more than sand dunes and marram grass banks separating it from the fragile
landscape. From Happisburgh around to Cromer, the coastline undulates being
mostly cliffs. Sheringham has a cobble beach which soon changes back to
sand as you head west. Holkham beach is a wonderful area. Set in a natural
bay this vast expansive beach is more like Meditarean than East Anglia.