Further afield
Norfolk has plenty of interest all year round. The Norfolk Broads is the largest wetland area in Britain and has the equivalent status to a national park. They were formed from medieval peat diggings which subsequently flooded and are a haven for wildlife, including bitterns, marsh harriers, hobbies, otters, kingfishers and the rare swallowtail butterfly. There are 200km of waterways, with six rivers and dozens of broads, all with their individual nature. Exploring by boat is the best option as most are not visible, or cannot be properly experienced, from the road. Day and weekly boat hire is availbale from many centres, including Potter Heigham. Regattas and other boating events take place over the summer as well as other traditional local events, such as carnivals and fetes. The 24 hour Three Rivers Race attracts crews from all over the world, and crowds of spectators watch them navigate the narrow bridges, especailly at Potter Heigham!
The Broads reach the sea at Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth, two busy seaside towns with something for everyone. Travelling north up the coast there are a range of different seaside resorts, including dunes and nature reserves (Winterton), blue flag beach with offshore reefs ideal for water sports (Sea Palling) crumbling cliffs and landmark lighthouse (Happisburgh) and classic Victorian seaside and crabs (Cromer).
The historic city of Norwich is the 'capital' of Norfolk, with its 900 year old Cathedral, Norman castle, museums, theatres, market place and superb shopping centres.
Farm shops and farmers' markets are a feature of everyday life, with small scale farms preserving rare breed herds, native fruit varieties and micro breweries making local beers and ciders.
There are so many things to visit locally, but to give a few examples:
Bewilderwood - fifty acres of wild outdoor adventure, with treehouses, zip wires, jungle bridges, boat trips, marsh walks and a good cafe.
Wroxham Barns Craft Centre - Craft workshops, children's fun fair and farm
Waxham Barn, vast 16th century barn open to the public
Horsey windpump, National trust owned restored windmill, where the Broads come closest to the sea. Walk from here to see the seals on Horsey beach.
Stalham - Museum of the Broads.
Hoveton Hall Gardens - beautiful woodland and walled gardens, woodland and lakeside walks.
Fairhaven Water Gardens, South Walsham - visit in June to see the vast expanse of candelabra primulas.
East Ruston Old Vicarage Gardens, near Stalham - exciting, eclectic, come away with new ideas for you own patch, plus some rare and unusual plants from the plant sales area.
The nearby City of Norwich has a splendid Romanesque Cathedral with the second highest spire and largest monastic cloisters in England. Guided tours are available from June to October.
City of Norwich Aviation Museum in Horsham St Faith, near the airport, 5 miles from Wroxham, the museum features many historic aircraft including the Vulcan Bomber plus many aircraft which flew from the numerous Norfolk airfields during the second world war.
Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery - a superb collection of paintings of the Norwich School, plus archeology, natural history and geology.
Blickling Hall - Magnificent Jacobean house with garden and park. Famed for its long gallery, fine tapestries, paintings and rare books. Parkland and lakeside walks.
Great Yarmouth Sea Life Centre - all kinds of sea creatures, from sharks to stingrays, otters to octopus, tropical fish to turtles.
Somerleyton House - originally a Jacobean manor remodelled in 1844 into the fine example of an early Victorian Hall in the Anglo-Italian style.
The Broads reach the sea at Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth, two busy seaside towns with something for everyone. Travelling north up the coast there are a range of different seaside resorts, including dunes and nature reserves (Winterton), blue flag beach with offshore reefs ideal for water sports (Sea Palling) crumbling cliffs and landmark lighthouse (Happisburgh) and classic Victorian seaside and crabs (Cromer).
The historic city of Norwich is the 'capital' of Norfolk, with its 900 year old Cathedral, Norman castle, museums, theatres, market place and superb shopping centres.
Farm shops and farmers' markets are a feature of everyday life, with small scale farms preserving rare breed herds, native fruit varieties and micro breweries making local beers and ciders.
There are so many things to visit locally, but to give a few examples:
Bewilderwood - fifty acres of wild outdoor adventure, with treehouses, zip wires, jungle bridges, boat trips, marsh walks and a good cafe.
Wroxham Barns Craft Centre - Craft workshops, children's fun fair and farm
Waxham Barn, vast 16th century barn open to the public
Horsey windpump, National trust owned restored windmill, where the Broads come closest to the sea. Walk from here to see the seals on Horsey beach.
Stalham - Museum of the Broads.
Hoveton Hall Gardens - beautiful woodland and walled gardens, woodland and lakeside walks.
Fairhaven Water Gardens, South Walsham - visit in June to see the vast expanse of candelabra primulas.
East Ruston Old Vicarage Gardens, near Stalham - exciting, eclectic, come away with new ideas for you own patch, plus some rare and unusual plants from the plant sales area.
The nearby City of Norwich has a splendid Romanesque Cathedral with the second highest spire and largest monastic cloisters in England. Guided tours are available from June to October.
City of Norwich Aviation Museum in Horsham St Faith, near the airport, 5 miles from Wroxham, the museum features many historic aircraft including the Vulcan Bomber plus many aircraft which flew from the numerous Norfolk airfields during the second world war.
Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery - a superb collection of paintings of the Norwich School, plus archeology, natural history and geology.
Blickling Hall - Magnificent Jacobean house with garden and park. Famed for its long gallery, fine tapestries, paintings and rare books. Parkland and lakeside walks.
Great Yarmouth Sea Life Centre - all kinds of sea creatures, from sharks to stingrays, otters to octopus, tropical fish to turtles.
Somerleyton House - originally a Jacobean manor remodelled in 1844 into the fine example of an early Victorian Hall in the Anglo-Italian style.
