Things to do in East Anglia in October

When is your trip?

Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Looking for a different month?

Overview

October is a good time to visit East Anglia.

East Anglia has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your October trip to East Anglia. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to October. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

Visiting East Anglia? See our East Anglia Trip Planner.
Your itinerary and your map in one view

No more switching between different apps, tabs, and tools to keep track of your travel plans.

Learn more
What users say about the app

Best events and things to do in East Anglia in October

Top experiences in October
We couldn't find any experiences in October
Holidays in East Anglia in October
October
  • Halloween (October 31)
Other notable holidays
Create your ultimate travel itinerary

Plan your itinerary, find lodging, and import reservations — all in one app.

Learn more

Best attractions for East Anglia in October

Besides the array of exciting events and activities East Anglia has to offer for travelers in October, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in East Anglia that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in East Anglia for October.
Norwich Cathedral
1. Norwich Cathedral
4.8
(7817)
Cathedral
Sights & Landmarks
Romanesque church edifice, dating from 1096, with tours plus a free visitor and education centre.
Slide 1 of 8
We visited late on a Tuesday afternoon and found the cathedral quiet and almost empty. Most visitors had departed, but the clergy and some laypersons were busying themselves to welcome parishioners for the 5:30 p.m. Evensong. By arriving late we missed the Cathedral’s free tours (the website shows the last one begins at 3:00 p.m.), so we picked up a welcome booklet instead and did our best to follow the suggested visit order. The nave is magnificent, and we marvelled at how well its strong Norman design had been integrated into the lovely fan vaulted ceiling. Two massive spiral-ribbed columns stand out. Because of the service preparations we were only able to peer into the lovely wooden choir, but we found our exploration of the impressive Presbytery and its four adjacent chapels to be fascinating. Given the time we could only do a cursory exploration of the ceiling’s treasure trove of carved medieval ceiling bosses, but we certainly plan to return to explore them more fully. Practical info: Norwich Cathedral has no entry fee, but a donation is much appreciated. An excellent list of tours, events, dates, and timings is available on the Cathedral’s website. Should one be visiting by car, note there is no parking in the Cathedral Close, but the website provides a recommendation of nearby pay parking options.
This cathedral deservedly made Norwich a proper Christian city when Normans began construction in 1096. It boasts the 2nd largest extant spire of a British cathedral (this iteration standing since 1485). The cathedral doesn’t have a peal (unlike the storied nearby St Peter of Mancroft) for which only 4 stars are given. The church has received a modern hostry and refectory in the 2000s, where modern toilets can be found as well as a three-quarters decent contracted vendor for the café, the Bread Source. The wood and glass structure makes for a pleasant space and a good entrance, where entry is subject to a voluntary donation. The close is also lovely and home to several businesses, a college, and private residences.
Beautiful place and really helpful staff! Staff arent pushy for donations which is great as many places are pushy. Free tours makes visiting very affordable. Would definitely reccommend for half a day/a full day out. We went at 11am on a Wednesday during the October half term and it wasn't busy at all. They had activities like colouring avaliable for children.
Easily the best to look at for stained glass. This place is vibrant!, well lit and all of it accessible. We travel the length of the vou try looking st cathedrals and so far this has been the best one we've seen. The people here are friendly and approachable. Fantastic parking just moments from the cathedral and be sure to keep an eye out for there cat. 10/10 would recommend visiting here.
Absolutely stunning place! 🌿 Norwich Cathedral is one of those spots where time seems to slow down. The moment you walk through the gates, you feel peace and history all around. The building itself is breathtaking — the architecture, the soaring arches, and the beautiful cloisters are simply magnificent. The atmosphere is calm and welcoming. Even if you’re not religious, it’s a wonderful place to reflect, sit quietly, or just admire the craftsmanship and beauty of centuries past. The volunteers and staff are very friendly and happy to answer questions. Don’t miss walking around the peaceful garden and the lovely café nearby — perfect for a quiet cup of coffee after your visit. It’s definitely one of the highlights of Norwich. Highly recommend to everyone visiting the city — a truly magical and inspiring place ✨
Norwich Cathedral is a truly stunning landmark and a must-visit in the city. The architecture is breathtaking, with its soaring spire, beautiful cloisters, and intricate stonework that reflect centuries of history. The interior is equally impressive, offering a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere perfect for quiet reflection. The staff and volunteers are welcoming and knowledgeable, happy to share the cathedral’s rich history. Whether you’re interested in architecture, history, or simply seeking a serene place to visit, Norwich Cathedral is an unforgettable experience.
Unfortunately couldn't spend as long here as would have liked. Understandably but without forethought closed part of this morning for remembrance day. Managed to wonder round inside afterwards and was guided expertly by 1 of the tour guides to the locations of the 2 people's graves/tombs/plots we we're looking for. Glad we went back after remembrance and most definitely worth the £5 each charity donation. The building itself is in excellent condition considering its 900 years of existence.
Beautiful large cathedral,glorious stain glass windows. Dogs allowed. A lovely inner grass area with a surprising maze in the middle. A small shop for souvenirs. It has its own cat which gave the side eye. A very modern brass font as well as the traditional one..lovely grounds to explore. Paix for parking a short walk away.
Southwold Pier
2. Southwold Pier
4.4
(10207)
Sights & Landmarks
Piers & Boardwalks
Classic pier reinvented for the 21st century with local food and quirky fun for all the family.
Slide 1 of 8
Lovely time spent along the sea front, pier and town. Pier has an unusual collection of amusement (you need coins - they have a change machine for notes) Great fish and chips shop by the pier with a lovely, young friendly couple working there when we visited. The town is very nice with a tea/coffee cafe that does some tasty and unusual pasties. There is a lighthouse actually in the town, but you need to book ahead for tours. There is also a large, and old church with 17th century graves and beautiful architecture inside and out (even though we're pagan) All in all a relaxed place to visit and relax by the seaside without masses of arcades .
A quintessential British seaside town with lovely Victorian pier, colourful beach huts, a working lighthouse. Excellent high street with very nice eateries. Home of Adnams Brewer. Would highly recommend you visit if your in the area.
A lovely Smallish Victorian pier with easy parking nearby (pay by app is available and it supports a number of different parking apps, this will avoid the queues for the cash payment ticket machine). Entry to the pier is free and there’s a number of small eating establishments on the pier. SO if you fancy the smell of the sea, it’s highly recommended. It’s a bit of a walk into the town after though
Although a bit chilly and windy we had a lovely walk on Southwold Pier. At the very end you can have your picture taken as a pirate and watch the fishermen. Had an excellent coffee and pecan pie in the cafe, which is dog friendly too!
Lots of fun. Quality food and drink and eccentric fun on this well kept pier. Makes a change from the tat you often find on seaside piers. Do try the quirky arcade cum art exhibition for fun. Also don’t miss the cheeky water sculpture.
View from our beach hut rented for the day. Lovely albeit small beach, with plenty of toilets and facilities. Pier is upmarket and well looked after. Small amusements but not dominating. Nice small town centre. Great for a day trip but imagine busy in the summer.
A well kept and upbeat pier. Some wonderful mechanical things - the clock and the sign for ‘Southwold Pier’. Had delicious fish and chips. A windy day but lots of sunshine.
Lovely little pier with lots on it, a gift shop, multiple places to eat and drink and a great view back over the town at the end. Seating booths all along to protect from the wind which is great. Only thing putting me off was how expensive the restaurants were and how busy the arcade was. It's such a beautiful spot though so the busyness was to be expected.
Pleasurewood Hills Family Theme Park
3. Pleasurewood Hills Family Theme Park
3.9
(4495)
Theme park
Water & Amusement Parks
Large family amusement park with thrill rides, animal shows and laser tag, plus a kiddie zone.
Slide 1 of 8
Great place! Yes it’s a bit run down in places but it’s great value for money and I’m sure updating it further would drive the prices up. No queues, lots to do, there’s some great rides and we went with children ages 4 through to 12 years old and they all had a great day. Even us adults had fun! Sea lion show and circus were great, It’s so nostalgic having gone every year as a child. Love seeing a lot of the rides from then are still here. Fun day out
Awesome park for the price.. Every member of staff was lovely. I ve been to so many amusement parks and I felt staff here - really kept it alive and going. Yes some rides are old and slow but they also have some amazing new ones.. There is something for everyone no mater how tall or small. Did bumper cars after a long time.. Spinning teacups.. A big shout out to the animal handler for the sea lions as well as birds of paradise. She was very passionate and kind . Just those two shows make up for the price of the ticket I think.. the animals and birds are in great shape and it shows how much they are loved. And we all loved it too.. Best ride : Shiver me timbers! Went twice on a number of the rides Parking :3£ for the whole day paid via Ringo app or the reception.
A great day out, I haven't been since I was a child so to take my kids was quite special! Only downside was the log floom was closed early on in the day for maintenance and never reopened. The park itself is great, but it looks quite tired and would benefit from some updates! I remember as a child a lovely boat ride with a story, sadly those little mellow rides for small kids don't exist. So if you plan on taking your kids, I'd aim it for 9+ so they can ride everything. As it's quite limited for smaller, young children.
We’ve been coming to Pleasurewood Hills for the past few years, and the kids always have a great time – they aren’t too bothered about the appearance. The prices are reasonable too. That said, the whole park is really in need of some TLC. The train ride was disappointing, with nothing much to see other than broken fences and “behind the scenes” areas. A lot of the rides feel quite old now, and the excitement is starting to fade. The castle, in particular, has so much potential but looks tired and run down. It feels like each year the park is getting a little worse, rather than better. The staff don’t seem especially happy, though to their credit they are still very enthusiastic and welcoming when running the rides. I really hope the park gets the love and attention it deserves – it could be amazing again with some investment and care..
Great theme park. Some nice rollercoasters, but plenty for younger kids. There was a birds of paradise show and a sea lion and seal display. Food was pretty good and plenty of toilets dotted around. Plenty of parking too.
If it wasn't for the fact that I paid to get in, I could have been an urban explorer looking around an abandoned theme park. Sorry (not sorry) this place is now an absolute disgrace - fallen from a lovely local attraction to a theme park that has been allowed to fall apart. So sad to see; lots of investment 11 years ago when we first visited but neglected since due to false promises, it seems, by 'Looping Group', the French company that bought the park some years ago. This company seem to be wringing the last possible finance from the park before it is closed. Some of the rides today were closed 'for maintenence' (which is a concern in its own right), staff were lovely, but it's pretty clear they are fed up. Plus points: 1. The park was open. 2. The staff were friendly. Negative points: 1. The park was open. Please (pretty please, with a cherry on top) someone tell Laurent Bruloy (owner of Looping Group) that his takeover of this theme park and subsequent management is the worst thing that could have happened in its history. Urbex (joke) pictures attached; these were taken today (1st August 2025 - peak season) while the park should have been in full swing.. zoom in to see the filthy condition of pretty much everything. To the person at Pleasurewood Hills whose job it is to respond to reviews; don't bother (I've read the copy/paste 'sad' to receive 1/5 etc..) forward this review to senior management before it is, truly, too late for you all.
We visited Pleasurewood Hills during half term (Halloween week) with my wife and children, and while the rides were exactly as others have said — a bit dated and uninspiring — the animal shows completely blew us away! The Sealion Show – Absolutely Incredible! We started the day at the Sealion show and honestly, I didn’t expect to be that impressed — but wow, I was speechless! These Sealions were jumping to hit targets, balancing balls, and interacting so cleverly with the trainers. The energy was electric! The trainers’ passion and bond with the animals really shone through — you can tell they love what they do and deeply care about these amazing creatures. It was the perfect start to our day! The Bird Show – Unexpectedly Brilliant! Next, my youngest wanted to see the bird show, and though I’m not usually a bird fan, I was completely won over. The presenters (the same team as the Sealions) were bursting with enthusiasm and knowledge. When one of them brought the owl around the audience so we could see it up close, my daughter’s face lit up — that moment made her entire day. We’ve seen bird shows across the UK, but none come close to this level of connection and care. Just fantastic! Creepy Cave – Hidden Gem of the Park! Later, we stumbled upon the Creepy Cave, and again I was amazed. We were greeted by Jack, who was so warm, friendly, and clearly passionate about what he does. His knowledge of the reptiles and insects was brilliant. From the frogs to the chance to hold a millipede, it was such an unexpected highlight! I was disappointed to hear it’s only open for Halloween week — it deserves to be a permanent attraction. Final Thoughts Forget the rides — the real magic at Pleasurewood Hills lies with the animals and the people who care for them. The Sealion trainers, the bird presenters, and Jack in the Creepy Cave all made our day truly special. If I could personally thank them, I absolutely would. This park should focus on what it does best — the animal experiences and shows — because they are outstanding!
We went yesterday to this place and we loved it.No waiting time to go on the rides which was amazing was able to go on all the rides over and over again. Would recommend everyone to visit this. Great value of money and lots of toilets and lots of places to have a picnic with friends and family.
Norwich Castle
4. Norwich Castle
4.3
(3455)
Museum
Sights & Landmarks
Historic Norman site hosting collections of archaeology, fine art, natural history and teapots.
Slide 1 of 8
To anyone planning a visit, I would strongly advise booking your ticket for the newly refurbished Norwich Castle in advance. This helps you skip the main queue, though you should be prepared for a short wait even with an online ticket. It's well worth it! The newly refurbished Norwich Castle is an incredible place to visit. I was impressed by the exhibits, especially the art from the Second World War, and the beautiful views from the top of the building was beautiful and blown mind. ​My only concern was with the long queue. I have a card that indicates I have a disability and can't stand for long periods. When I explained this, the first person I asked said they couldn't help. Thankfully, a second person saw my distress and was kind enough to provide a seat for me while I waited. This made a huge difference. Thank you to that helpful staff member. I hope the castle considers better ways to assist people with disabilities in the future.
Newly reopened Norwich castle 2025. Well worth the visit, it's a combination of walking around a historical castle, museum exhibits and artefacts, fine art, natural history and a WW2 exhibit. There are screenplays/shows in the great hall which briefly go over the history of the castle, and there are good views out the windows and across the battlements. All items in exhibits are labelled and described, and there are display boards around the actual castle interior explaining parts of daily medieval life or the significance of certain design/areas of the castle. There are historical arms and armour on display if after pieces for artistic reference. The well is very very deep.
It was great to see the castle after the recent renovations. It's a fine building with some great exhibits and interactive elements for children. The views from the battlements are great, especially on a clear day. It's a bit pricey and there's no senior citizen discounts, otherwise it would be five stars
What an amazing place right on our doorstep. I've lived in Norwich 10 years and never been to the castle and what a gem of a place this is. I can't say how much it's improved since it's renovation, but wow there's so much to see! From the basement to the battlement they have honestly outdone themselves. We didn't get a chance to see it all sadly as we had two toddlers, but what we did see was amazing and definitely worth the price of admission.
I brought my 1 year old daughter here today. We had a lovely couple of hours exploring and taking some lovely photos. My only criticism is that we couldn't get around the whole castle as the lifts were out of order. My daughter was on her trike, and I wasn't prepared to carry her up and down stairs. We explored the museum and what we could of the castle. Plenty of activities for children. Very friendly and informative staff :)
Went to Norwich Castle today. It has been completely restored and is great. Only negative is maybe too restored. Looks almost new. Really good museum and art gallery too.
A very popular venue for a wedding ceremony and it's easy to see why! Norwich Castle, recently referbished is a gorgeous wedding ceremony venue. Slap bang in the centre of the city, it gives stunning views of the city, and the room is beatiful. Have a peek at the images to see what your wedding ceremony could look like!
Renovation work was excellent. Museum very good- certainly the Norfolk regiment one. Not into art or taxidermy but if you are there is a lot to see. Videos in the great room are informative. A little disappointed that there are no images of before restoration and the after work- would have been great to know the transformation if never visited prior imo. Well worth a visit.
SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth
5. SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth
4.2
(6699)
Nature & Parks
Aquarium
Family-friendly exhibits with a variety of sea creatures (most offer play areas & group packages).
Slide 1 of 8
Visit the sea life centre at least once a year. We absolutely love it. Lots of information points as you walk around about the animals around you. We particularly enjoy the submarine that you can walk into and see animals much closer, including the sting rays and blue lobsters.
Ignore what it says online as its says to be there for the time you booked but getting there you get a stamp and are told you can come and go as you please! So this is great if you wanna hear all the talks or go in and out and get a coffee. Place needs a damn good clean!!! But other than that still nice to look around! The talks and feedings were great too!
My son had a lovely time touching the starfish and little waterfall, and loved the sharks. Staff were understanding of his autism and that was much appreciated, cool octopus there too! Going to take him to see the penguins next time. Prices were better too off season, only £16 pp, and a free ticket for a carer if you're on PIP, so saved £16 too. Overall good activity for kids and adults alike, but the gift shop is very expensive! Avoid at all costs if possible haha! Only a stone's throw away from places to get food and drink too, and right on the sea front, bowling alley on the nearby Wellington Pier and arcades also. Very well situated, also close to Pleasure Beach. I'd recommend it to anyone with kids.
Walk through tunnel was lovely, good for the kids to see the animals well. In the room with yellow submarine, you were about to previously purchase food and feed the fish. There was a crocodile which you don't always see at sealife centres. Option to touch a starfish too. Nice as you could pay a little extra and it got you entry to the Giant Wheel too! Gift shop is very large, took kids a long time to pick something.
Not as big as other Sealife Centre s but still plenty to see and do. The café was reasonably priced and the bathroom facilities were very clean. Ample room to change the baby.
Highly recommended to book ticket online since it has discount for blue light card or student etc. The ticket allowed you to go in and out for a day multiple times. Although I must say this aquarium is not as big as others we had been like London, Newquay, Weymouth and Birmingham. Having said that we enjoyed the tunnel watching, penguin, fresh water fish, amphibians and experience on touching star fish.
Our first visit to Great Yarmouth and to the Sea Life Centre been to Blackpool one years ago.This was a different set up bit smaller but nicely set out with Real Penguins talks were imformative and interesting Tanks clean and tidy enjoyable experience cafe clean and plenty of room with clean toilets.Can re-enter after you have left which is a bonus and makes it good value
Visited the SeaLife centre with my daughter whilst on holiday at Great Yarmouth. Bought the tickets in advance. I did get my hand stamped as they said I could enter the shop and cafe anytime that day up to 3pm. Soon as we entered there was a member of staff waiting to take photos for us to purchase at the end. It was good, not as big as the one in London tho, we saw the penguins 🐧 the sharks, loads of fishes, sea horses, octopus 🐙 (can’t believe they have 9 brains 🧠 and 3 hearts)once we came to the end we did purchase our photos they did have a deal (we got 2 photos 2 magnets and 2 small keyring sized pics for £20) then we stopped off to have a look in the gift shop. Overall it was a nice experience as this was our first time visiting the Great Yarmouth SeaLife. 👍🏻
Gorleston-on-Sea (Beach)
6. Gorleston-on-Sea (Beach)
4.7
(3217)
Beach
Outdoor Activities
Slide 1 of 8
When we read some reviews it did make us laugh or thought perhaps there was some sarcasm (I’m sure someone said squint and u could be in the Maldives). However I did see their point. What an amazing deep beach with soft sand and vigorous sea. Not to choppy not to calm. Loads of space on the beach. I could t see it ever getting packed or to busy. Parking might be an issue perhaps in high season but it would be worth the struggle. Loads of places to eat and drink. Public toilets, arcades, ice creams etc. we will be going back as the beach alone is well worth the visit.
Really lovely beach. We visited with 2 little kids and had an amazing time! Easy (free) parking on the street running alongside the coastline, easy walk down to the beach. Miles of sand, a lot of it dry and comfy to sit on, then some sections of pebbles, and as the sea goes out, more lovely sand. The beach was clean, though we did find a few bits of litter to pick up on our way out. We were there on a hot sunny day in late July, and it wasn't overly busy, loads of space to spread out and play. We arrived at 10am, and parked easily, though I suspect we'd have been a street or so further back if arriving around midday or later. No dogs on the beach (it may be that they're allowed outside of summer though?), so its safe for kids to play without fear of stepping in anything, or being knocked down by racing dogs. There's a lifeguard station, watching an area for swimming between flags, a splash pad (opens at 10am, kids loved it!), and a large pond for model boats. Adjacent to the beach, there are public toilets (near the Pier Hotel), and while a little smelly, they were fine for beachside public toilets. Outside these there are also 2 taps for rinsing feet etc. Overlooking the beach there is an arcade, an ice cream parlour (absolutely amazing!!) and a chip shop/cafe (chips were good). We also visited 2 days prior when it was raining, and had lunch in the storm house cafe (food sensibly priced and decent, nothing fancy but an easy place to stop in). The rain stopped, and we wandered the beach, toddler throwing stones at the waves, and playing in the drier sand. We had the beach to ourselves as far as we could see! I really don't think I can praise it enough, we had a great time and will be back! It's much more sedate than somewhere like Yarmouth, so if you're looking to avoid huge crowds and masses of people packed onto the beach, it's a superb place to go.
Superb beach and surroundings. Loads of stuff to do, from walking, sun bathing or even staying with your little one at the splash zone. Great choice of restaurants and bars to enjoy throughout the area. Loads of parking available at the pier parking. The beach is very sandy, however when getting closer to the water-line it gets a bit rocky and has loads of pebbles and stones. If you are a bit more sensitive when walking on rocky/pebbles, definitely recommend getting some water shoes. Water is quite wavy but at the same time it is lovely. It is a bit cold, even when outside there's 26 degrees for 2 straight days.
Great beach, miles of sand to walk and play on. Always busy. Walk on the prom plenty of benches to sit on and places to eat and drink. Worth a visit.
Wonderful place to sunbathe, enjoy a refreshing swim as the water doesn't retreat as much compared to other beaches. Really great spot since it's close to many restaurants, pubs, shops, parking, etc. The water is very clean, a bit cold even when temps are above 25 degrees on full sunny days. The overall beach is amazing, it's very sandy, however it is very rocky and has a lot of small stones/ pebbles closer to the water.
Gorleston-on-Sea is a really beautiful place. The beach is wide, clean, and never feels too crowded. The views are stunning, especially on a sunny day, and the promenade is perfect for walking or sitting with an ice cream. There are lovely cafés and fish and chip shops nearby, and parking is easy. The atmosphere is calm and friendly — perfect for families, couples, or anyone who wants a peaceful seaside day. One of the nicest spots on the Norfolk coast — always worth the visit.
I heard that this beach is quite quiet compared to the other beaches in Great Yarmouth so we decided to give it a try as we wanted to take our young toddlers to the beach for the first time. Really lovely beach and has a few shops and cafes spotted around, however we were there quite early on a Monday so not sure if more open later on / over the weekend. We also managed to find the Banksy art piece which was a nice surprise! Always wanted to see a Banksy art piece up close! Also there is another art piece that is dedicated to the film ‘Yesterday’ which I saw a few years back and had no idea that the end scene was shot here which was pretty cool to see being a film geek. There’s loads of car park choices and we choose the Pier parking which is £3 for 2 hours and can be sorted using the internet / QR code, so if you’re out and about and want more time you can just extend the time if needs be. Overall great beach if you’re looking for somewhere ‘less hectic’ seaside wise.
Beautiful beach, always a favourite.
Pavilion Theatre
7. Pavilion Theatre
4.5
(9963)
Performing arts theater
Sights & Landmarks
A 510-seater entertainment venue at the end of the pier featuring live cabaret and comedy, plus bar.
Slide 1 of 8
As one of the last remaining ‘End-Of-The-Pier’ shows in the country, this is well worth a visit. Great quality singing, dancing and entertainment provides a lovely experience for anyone visiting Cromer. There’s something for everyone and some great drinks in the bar too :) Looking forward to visiting again in the winter!
Loved this pier it’s nice to see the life boats and lots of people crabbing really enjoyed the pier
Probably the best variety show I have ever seen. Pure joy! Please be aware that this is the last surviving 'End of The Pier' show in Britain. If you want this huge piece of British culture to continue , GO! Better than therapy. The Pavilion Theatre, Cromer, Norfolk... You should be a prescribed medication.
Just returned from a brilliant night out at the Cromer Pier Show, the last remaining end of the pier summer show. And you can certainly understand why it's survived as it was a smashing night out with something for everyone. The whole cast were amazing but there must be a special mention for host Ben Nickless, who l've seen perform previously in panto where he was equally brilliant and lead vocalist Kristel Herrera, who could grace any West End stage. Well done to North Norfolk District Council for their continued investment in this amazing theatre. Oh, and go see the show, you won't be disappointed.
Absolutely brilliant. The seats were superb, comfortable with a goid view. The performance was outstanding. We've not enjoyed a night out like this for ages and I reckon it's going to be something fairly spectacular to beat it.
A fantastic little end of the pier venue. Great views from anywhere, good size bar. Was my first ever visit and will definately visit again. A real gem!
Just spent the evening at the Summer show at The Pavillon Theatre. It was brilliant! Such a talented cast and a very entertaining evening, laughing out loud to crying a a special song being sung spectacularly 💕
"Some Guys get all the Luck". The Rod Stewart story. GREAT show. If you missed it at Cromer Pier, catch it when it's in your area. You won't regret it.
BeWILDerwood Norfolk
8. BeWILDerwood Norfolk
4.6
(2632)
Theme park
Water & Amusement Parks
Adventure park with treehouses, zip wires and jungle bridges, plus marsh walks and storytelling.
Slide 1 of 8
We went on a Friday in the summer holidays. It was busy but we got there for opening and were able to see everything and do everything we wanted to before closing! Food was simple but affordable and we didn’t have to wait. The staff are superb, friendly, engaging and really helpful! Kerri who was driving our boat that day, was brilliant, kept us all safe, told us a brilliant story and pointed out all the Kingfishers and deer along the route. Highly recommend!
I highly recommend BeWILDerwood, it’s such a great place for kids (& us adults!). There’s plenty to do, slides, zip wires, adventure playgrounds, mazes, swings, balancing beams & climbing walls. We also really enjoyed lunch here, plenty of choice & reasonably priced. The staff are really lovely & helpful also. We arrived 15 minutes early to queue up & headed straight to the boat which I would recommend, when we arrived back from the boat ride it was very busy!! Definitely a full day of fun!
What a quirky little (by that we mean huge) place! Loved this magical little find! With little ones in tow who love the outdoors- this was absolutely perfect for a blend of adventure, play and some good Norfolk fresh air! The zip line, climbing wall, slides and tree huts kept them entertained for the day- we did eat at the restaurant to warm up, food was good- no complaints and wasn’t a silly price like Lots of the in resort eateries can be at these places. Price to get in is quite expensive but when you get a full day of fun and some very tired children at the end of it, it’s worth it! The boat ride into the park was also very exciting for two youngsters! Bewilderwood- much love from us for an amazing day
Great place to take younger children and a giggle or two for adults too. The site is well laid out with a huge amount of climbing and sliding options to contend with. The aerial maze was particularly good and the boat ride around the lake is a must do. Good facilities with food and drink options but also plenty of tables for picnics. Eating whilst the shows are on is a great tip and many people do it as it’s undercover so if a hot day provides shade or a wet day provides sanctuary. I would definitely recommend it for a fun family day out.
What a fantastic place. I was concerned by the ticket price but it was worth every penny. We got there for opening and it was busy but we went on everything and only had to queue for the boat ride and the bigger zip wire but everything else was easily accessible. The staff were all friendly and helpful and we had a fantastic day. Would 100% recommend to anyone looking for a fun packed day out.
Lots for the kids to do , plenty of picnic tables, food was nice and not too badly priced. Went end of October so was treated to the light walk. Great day out
Great day with my 8 year old. The various adventure areas are huge and as an adult I was able to take part too. My daughter particularly loved the drop slides, sky maze, and the boat ride with Jade (who is fantastic at their job). Lots of tree cover so would be great on a hot day. Even saw a slow worm!
Excellent place for kids who love the outdoors! Plenty of activities to get involved in as well as a selection of food places to eat. The sky bridges/climbing frames and slides were fun even for my 3yo. The prices were excellent too and we spent 5hrs there! The staff were friendly and helpful throughout. Majority of the place had paths but there were a few spots that the pram struggled.
North Norfolk Railway
9. North Norfolk Railway
4.7
(5148)
Tours
Heritage railroad
Preserved 19th-century railway station, with a souvenir shop & steam locomotives running to Holt.
Slide 1 of 8
Fantastic day out. We managed 4 rides between Sheringham and Holt and enjoyed a picnic at Holt. Refreshments are available at each station, and the kids enjoy the model railways, shops, and museums to see on the platforms. Staff were helpful and welcoming, and the railway was beautifully restored. We can't wait to come back.
I was staying in Norwich and found out the 1940’s weekend was on here so decided to visit. I caught the train from Norwich to Sheringham and caught my first steam train of the day. I got off at Holt where there was a large field with various stands selling vintage stuff and also themed entertainment. Later I caught the train to Weybourne another lovely restored old station. The carriages and engines are immaculate and the journey is pretty. Highly recommended even without the event.
I've been to Sheringham many times and never been on the railway before. It was a thoroughly charming experience. So nice to travel in the old style coaches and the station at Holt was lovely. All the staff were helpful and looked spot on.
The train ride is shorter than we imagined but the kids enjoyed spotting pheasant and other wild creatures along the route. The staff were most helpful with recommendations on which stops were worth getting off at. We went to the last stop and spent a few hours in the town of Holt. There's a small museum at the station which kids can interact with. It's a short bus ride to the town centre but a rather long walk. Would certainly recommend but perhaps wait for the bus if timings allow especially if you have young legs.
A fantastic day out for all the family, unlimited rides on some great trains through the countryside. Plenty of parking especially at Holt at only £3 . Good food to be had at the station in Sheringham . Very friendly staff and dogs welcome. Plenty to see and do , and can’t wait to visit again .
Unlimited trips on the 2 steam and 1 diesel trains through the beautiful North Norfolk countryside. Really friendly and helpful volunteers keep the railway running and the museum at Holt is packed with useful facts.
Great experience on the Steaming Sunday trip from Sheringham to Holt and back! Beautiful steam engine and a great trip down the line in the glorious November sun. Only thing that would have made it better was a little more communication from the volunteers on boarding/disembarking times, as well as finding seats.
Lovely,friendly heritage railway line that runs from Sheringham and Holt. The line is 5.25 miles long and has a total of 4 stations with one being a simple halt. The railway has a number of steam locomotives in service as well as heritage diesel locomotives including a class 37 & 31 plus a diesel electric multiple unit. The line is also know as the poppy line, its has some stunning views that go from pine trees to views across fields to the sea as you approach Sheringham. There are various facilities at the stations including refreshments,a gift shop and toilet facilities. The main engine sheds and works are at Weybourne but access to the depot is not available. There is a National Trust pathway you can join from the platform by the signal box that will enable you to view some if the engines and rolling stock in the depot. Parking is available at Sheringham which is chargeable or at Holt which is free with a suggested donation if £3. At Holt you will also find a former railwaymans cottage, it's well worth paying a visit here and has guides who can tell you the story of the folk that lived there.
Abbey Gardens
10. Abbey Gardens
4.7
(4100)
Park
Nature & Parks
Park featuring formal gardens, ruins, sports facilities, an aviary, light refreshments & toilets.
Slide 1 of 8
Stunning and well cared for gardens. Loved the accuracy of the gardening to keep things symmetrical. Borders were full and thriving. The historic ruins were fascinating. Perfect place for a walk, picnic, family afternoon.
I came here today with my little family, and we had a lovely few hours here! We loved seeing the aviary, the gardens (which are stunning!), seeing the ruins and our daughter loved the play area! Highly recommend for an afternoon out with the family.
A great place to stop for a picnic 🥪 . Some lovely ruins to explore and a beautiful flowers 💐. Be careful not to get hit by the water sprinkler. There are lots of benches all around the edges and a few tables near the gate. I loved looking at the birds. 🦜🐦🦜
The sheer history of this place is awe-inspiring and simply stunning! The combination of a beautiful cathedral, well cared-for gardens and the Abbey ruins makes it a perfect place to explore, relax and learn more about history, allowing you to imagine just how vast and powerful the abbey was in its heyday!
Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds is absolutely beautiful and such a joy to visit. The gardens are perfectly maintained, full of colour and seasonal blooms, with peaceful paths to wander and plenty of seating to take in the views. The historic Abbey ruins add a fascinating sense of history and make the setting even more special. It’s a wonderful spot for a relaxing stroll, a picnic, or simply to enjoy some quiet time in stunning surroundings. Truly one of the highlights of Bury St Edmunds
Abbey Gardens absolutely stunning flower displays. Beautiful walk around the Gardens. A great place to visit.
Beautiful to.walk amongst the history. Definitely recommend
Gardens are always well looked after. Pilgrims cafe was also excellent
Wells Next The Sea Beach
11. Wells Next The Sea Beach
4.7
(3535)
Public beach
Outdoor Activities
Slide 1 of 8
Stunning beach. Tide goes out very far and comes racing back as fast. Hence the alarm call. Quite an expanse of sandy beach with a lovely woods behind to provide variety for a return to the car park. Dog friendly. Toilets by car park. Accessible. There's a good bus shuttle service from the car park to the High St.
Absolutely love Wells-next-the-Sea beach! 🌊 It’s one of the most beautiful and peaceful places I’ve ever been to. The wide sandy beach seems endless, and when the tide is low, it feels like you’re walking on the edge of the world. The colourful beach huts look amazing against the golden sand — they make the whole place feel like a postcard. The air is fresh and salty, the views are breathtaking, and the atmosphere is calm and relaxing. It’s perfect for long walks, watching the sunset, or just sitting quietly and listening to the waves. Every time I come here, I feel recharged and inspired. Truly a magical spot on the Norfolk coast 💙
Great place to visit for all the family. Crabbing kits sold with bait in pretty much all the shops or you can hire right by the Quay both options are very reasonably priced. Mile walk to the beach or you can get a bus which runs every 10min, 2 adults and one child £5 single.. fantastically clean beach and the Quay entrance and low tide is about 2ft deep when low tide so great spot to do some paddling safely..
Another lovely beach. Paid parking but when we reached the beach it said no dogs. It was not well sign posted and a kind man told us to walk along under the trees to left left and up some steps over the dunes and we would be on the dog friendly part of the beach. Had he not helped we would have left. Once on the beach it was lovely…huts along the edge and some nice time spent.
What a lovely place to visit for a day. The main street is brimming with individual little shops selling all of the things we want but don't need, candles, throws, pottery, clothing, there's something for everyone. It seems quite popular as it was very busy when we visited. The Fleece pub is nice with a good sized beer garden. The walk to the beach is quite a way but worth a visit with the coloured beach huts etc. Quite a little gem and well worth a couple of hours.
Although I have been to Wells Next The Sea before in the past this was the first time I had ever been to the beach as it's quite some distance from the town and didn't realise it was even there, having said that, don't expect it to be a quiet place as I have been on many many beaches all around the country and Channel Islands and this beach was without a doubt the busiest I have ever seen, although it was August Bank holiday weekend so I can't comment on what it's like normally but on the day I was there it was rammed with people, still a very enjoyable day out though, this is also the first beach I've seen which appears to be in two halves separated by what is basically a river (when the tide is out) which some people were swimming across to reach the much less populated side of the beach, it's interesting to see a beach split like this. Much of the sand here is perfect for sand castles with a mix of textures although some parts of the beach look to contain sticky clay so maybe avoid those areas (mainly where the RNLI vehicles regularly travel across the sand). There's also a beautiful pine forest walk right next to the sand (behind the beach huts) which is very sandy and hilly so may not be for everyone but if you can manage walking up sand hills it's definitely worth it. There's a lovely cafe with a large outdoor seating area here too where we stopped for an ice-cream to top off our day out. I'll definitely be back at some point!
Gorgeous beach with beautiful sands. Plenty of space and worth walking down the beach a bit to get more space as it can be busy. There are plenty of safety warnings to help you have a safe and fun visit.
North Norfolk has got the best beaches. Again, absolutely amazing and huge beach. We loved colourful beach huts, pinewoods and you can even spot the seals. Facilities are closed by, you’d be pleased to know.
Jimmy's Farm & Wildlife Park
12. Jimmy's Farm & Wildlife Park
4.5
(5102)
Wildlife park
Sights & Landmarks
Wildlife park with tapirs & a reptile house, plus casual eateries & a shop selling farm produce.
Slide 1 of 8
Jimmy's is a wonderful day out for all ages. The park was much bigger than I expected and there's so much to see. My only slight grumble is there wasn't a lot of seating, especially in shaded areas and we happened to visit on a very hot day! To be fair, we did visit during the Summer holidays, so it was very busy. I recommend downloading the app before your visit. It is really helpful. You're able to see what's happening on the day you visit, plan your day and it stores your tickets for easy access. We will definitely come back again.
Had a wonderful day out at Jimmy's wildlife park with my wife and two dogs. The only place dogs can't go is the butterfly and reptile enclosures. So much to see and a lovely environment. Ample activities for kids and buying animal feed gives you the chance to get close to a lot of different animals. We saw the bears... although sleepy as we passed and watched a couple enjoying an 'experience' and feeding the brown bears. Thoroughly recommend. 10/10 The shops are great too.
Website does not do it justice, the FARM section is pigs but the rest is a fine selection of a small scale zoo. Powerd wheelchairs available but we had our own and it copped just fine, its hard pac mostly and the off road bit was 1 little section which wont be there once they complete the other enclosure its only temporary. Amazing place, great for family and Adults, they offer wedding packages too, food and drink prices relevant to the times.
After watching the ch4 episode on the Brown 🐻, we decided to make the journey from South Yorkshire to Ipswich Suffolk. Very good visit, had around 3 hours+ on site, only animals we didn't see were the Wolf's & Coos otherwise a good place to visit. There was quite a bit of work going on so it'd be nice to visit again next year once it's all completed. Staff we came into contact with were very nice and helpful, we managed to be at the Polar Bear 🐻's when May have a talk on the P/Bears only to find 2 of them were from The Yorkshire Wildlife Park 7 miles from where we live in Doncaster...👍👍👍👍
We had our wedding at Jimmys farm this past weekend and it was without a doubt the best day of our lives. The rangers at the park were incredible happy to talk to all of our guests, our lemur experience was the best! The food was sensational all of our guests raved about it, in particular the roast beef course, and the venue was beautiful. Huge shout out to our wedding planner at Jimmys Claire, who had only been working at Jimmys for a few weeks before helping with our wedding but helped with everything and reassured us at every point. What an amazing day and venue xxx
Had an absolutely brilliant time at Jimmys yesterday. Such a beautiful and big place and you can clearly see that the animals have the best care. We fed Diego the brown bear and the experience was absolutely amazing. A huge thank you to May his keeper who went above and beyond spending time with us and chatting. Highly recommend and will definitely be going back!
Excellent park. The park is well laid out and easy to get to. It gets busy so book your spot and get in early or suffer the overflow parking (which is not far from the entrance). Good food at the restaurants and lots of places to explore. All the animals are easily viewed and petting is allowed on e of them (goats, donkeys, etc. ). No - you can’t pet wolves or polar bears :). Have fun!
Travelled from Scotland, just to visit the farm, was not disappointed. This place is totally amazing. The talks about the animals were educational & fun. Seeing the wolves was a highlight for me. Looking forward to seeing the new enclosure open, hopefully with a tiger or two? Keep up the great work. Highly recommend
Africa Alive
13. Africa Alive
4.5
(3727)
Zoo
Outdoor Activities
Sprawling, Africa-themed wildlife discovery centre, with 80 species such as rhino, lion and ostrich.
Slide 1 of 8
Visited today with my daughter and grandson. Perfect place for families. Lots of animals & birds to see. Large sandpit and play area for the little ones to play in. Went into the gift shop after and the prices of items were quite reasonable compared to other zoos we have visited. The price to get in was really cheap. Highly recommend
An absolutely fantastic day out, it was our first visit here and my toddler loved it. There was so much to see, the enclosures and park as a whole are really nicely designed, with plenty to see and do for all ages. The staff were very helpful and friendly, with a particular shout out to George who was leading the hourly talks and was extremely knowledgeable and more than happy to chat after each one to answer any questions. Excellent value for money, one of the best out of the zoos I've visited in recent years and highly recommended!
I visited with my wife and toddler as a family day out for his second birthday. The zoo itself is lovely, with large enclosures and loads of animals to see. Unfortunately, possibly due to the time of year, only one cafe was open. This filled up very quickly at midday with very few tables inside, which wasn't helped by a sudden rain shower. There are plenty of outdoor picnic tables and places to eat if you bring in your own food, which may be necessary outside peak season. We purchased the tickets online the night before, as recommended on the website, this gave us a small saving and meant we went in quickly upon arrival. For the size of the site, it's good value for money and would recommend it as a family day out for those in the area. My only criticism would be the signs for the car park could be bigger and clearer. Upon arrival, there was a car boot sale open in the same area with big, bold signs for parking, which resulted in me going into the wrong car park.
Great zoo. Lots to see and the staff seem very interested and knowledgeable in what they do. You can pay extra for "experiences" . We got to feed the giraffe's and also gave the red river hogs some enrichment play. There are toilets and a place to eat. There is also a small outside play park. Seemed plenty of places to park .
The park is lovely. Size is good for little legs, forest walk is beautiful and the price with the half term offer was super reasonable!!! BUT I took one star off because we hated the food. We ate in the main restaurant and the food was just disgusting. It's all greasy stuff. Not a fresh veg in sight but even as a treat it was too greasy to be finished! If we had to do it again we would take our own packed lunch! Staff is lovely though and it's a nice day out!
Amazing trip, toilets clean, staff friendly, accessible for all, and the pulled pork loaded tater tots are a must try. The animals are obviously well cared for, with their keepers extremely knowledgeable. Will definitely visit again.
Really cool place for a family day out. Lots of animals to catch a glimpse of, mini golf, safari train ride, playground, cafes. Also, the price to enter is acceptable for what's on offer. Highly recommend to visit.
Fantastic family day out. We got to see all the animals none were hiding, Throughly enjoyed our day. Playground was disappointing. There is a large sandpit area which is great if you take spare clothes.
Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach
14. Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach
4.3
(6313)
Amusement park
Water & Amusement Parks
Free-entry fun park by beach with rides and activities, including a roller coaster and ghost train.
Slide 1 of 8
My new favourite Amusement Park not in Staffordshire or Lancashire! No ride queues and I went on a Saturday in summer! Granted i was with the group which got an extra 2 hours, but still...
Came today. we paid for a card on entry. Easy to use, and you can top up/check balance in lots of places in the park. Most rides are for young kids, nothing too extreme. The wooden roller coaster and monorail were good. Staff seemed friendly, especially the lady at the entrance. Excellent customer service 👍
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Had an amazing day at Great Yarmouth Beach – perfect for a fun family outing! The soft sand and lovely sea made it such a relaxing experience. It wasn’t too busy, which was a nice surprise, and the atmosphere was great. We enjoyed some fresh fish and chips by the sea – absolutely delicious and full of flavour! The only downside was the number of seagulls (they really love the chips!), but it didn’t spoil the day. All in all, a fantastic spot for some seaside fun. Highly recommended!
We visited here on a Wednesday evening, for the late opening hours, in late July and arrived at half five, meaning we could take advantage of the late evening wristband pricing (£17 for 5 until 9:30). There are also fun cards at £5 or £10 which offer 5 or 10 ride credits and can be topped up inside the park. However suspect the latter are a false economy if you have more than 2 or 3 rides - especially in the evening, as most main rides are 4 or 5 credits. There was a fair size of queue to the ticket booth but it moved quickly and probably only took 5 to 10 minutes to get to the entrance. There is a good range of flat rides and four coasters, with all costers being aimed at family-friendly. The wooden roller coaster is the oldest in the UK and has a brake man riding on the train. While not the smoothest or comfiest ride, it is good to ride a bit of history. The remaining three are Family Star, a short spinning wild mouse and two small kiddy coasters. The flat rides are good variety, with spinning and drops and also a gyro swing. What struck us was that the park was relatively quiet for school holiday season and queues were short. The ride throughput would be increased further if the very slow wristband scanning was not performed - not really sure why this is needed as takes a got 10 seconds to read each one, based on our experience. Food offerings are OK - there is a large hot food stall that does hotdogs (not so good), burgers (better) and loaded fries (decent) amongst other offerings. All in all, worth a visit even in peak summer as really never felt busy and plenty of ride opportunities.
Went as a family. You can get 5 credits to get in and use on one ride if going with a group of kids. The food hall and bar are great. The rides make it more like a smaller fair rather than a pleasure beach like Blackpool but still great.
A Fantastic Day Out at Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach! We had an amazing time at Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach! There’s a perfect mix of classic rides, family-friendly attractions, and thrill-seeking roller coasters. The historic wooden roller coaster is an absolute must-try – a true blast from the past! The park was clean, well-organised, and the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful throughout the day. Entry with the wristband is great value for money, especially if you’re planning to go on lots of rides. It’s also right by the beach, so we could enjoy the rides and then relax with some fish and chips on the seafront. Plenty of food options, clean toilets, and seating areas made it comfortable for families. Whether you’re visiting with kids, friends, or as a couple, it’s a great spot for some good old-fashioned fun. Highly recommend – we’ll definitely be back next summer!
I couldn't really find anything to fault here yesterday with three bored kids. Despite it being a Peak Season Sunday all the queues were very short, just a couple of minutes. A little longer for the big coaster but even that was less than ten minutes. Every ride looked to be well staffed, no litter in sight. The guy manning the Dodgems literally couldn't have been more helpful and friendly, he gave the impression he genuinely wanted to be there. Over the course of the day my lads went on about thirty(!) rides each, so they got superb value from their 'all rides' wristbands. The only thing I could ask was for some concessions for Blue Light card holders, other than that, an easy five stars!
So its the end of summer,the rain is biblical, but Great Yarmouth still saved a little magic for us. Rainbows over the beach. Oh, and a cheeky ice cream. The great British summer delivers.
Old Hunstanton Beach
15. Old Hunstanton Beach
4.7
(2335)
Beach
Outdoor Activities
Long beach backed by both cliffs & dunes, known for its immense expanse of sand at low tide.
Slide 1 of 8
Spent many a happy hour walking down the beach with the dogs over the years. Best experienced when the tide is not in as there's lots of space then. It's especially lovely first thing in the morning when the sun is rising and no one else is around. It can get a bit busy near the beach entrance near the cafe and lifeboat station. But walk 5 minutes and you'll have plenty of space. You can also do some lovely beach walks on the sand to Holme.
Nice and quiet beach. Dog friendly. Stretches quite far so there’s plenty of space. When tide out it’s quite far to get to the water and the beach can be a quite rocky or with seashells. Quite few jellyfish and dead crabs. There’s a public toilet (nice and fairly clean) and 24h car park we paid £10 for a whole day. Next to car park there’s a cafe shop. But if you walk further on the beach to the right, there’s really nice pub we were there in Friday so had live music, waffle van, fresh bake pizza place/van, really nice.
One of the easiest beaches to access. Quite a gentle slope to the beach compared with other beaches. Once you’re on the beach, turn right and you’ll soon be in almost total isolation. Huge open spaces. Check the tide times, it does make a difference. Lovely for dogs. Very clean and litter free. Big car park with amenities. Nice cafe.
Old Hunstanton Beach is a peaceful and beautiful spot with soft sand, sand dunes, and stunning cliffs. Perfect for quiet walks, watching the sunset, or exploring during low tide. Dog friendly and rarely crowded. A lovely place to relax and enjoy nature by the sea.
The dog loved it. Check the tide times or the sea will be miles away and the beach will be covered in broken shells to get to it which are impossible to walk on without any shoes.
A very pleasant place! The sea tide is quite small, so you can enjoy the water all day long. There’s a beautiful cliff and a lovely coastline with plenty of attractions around. Free parking is available, and the prices are reasonable. The sunset view is stunning. The beach has copper-colored sand mixed with stones, so I recommend wearing beach shoes.
Amazing cliffs, brilliant rock formations and rock pools, there's even a shipwreck! A dog friendly magical place 😊
Lovely sandy beach, easy access from carpark, tide was in when we got there, interesting to see how fast the tide goes out
National Trust - Blickling Estate
16. National Trust - Blickling Estate
4.7
(6435)
Heritage building
Sights & Landmarks
Lavishly decorated 17th-century stately home with painted ceilings and notable ornamental gardens.
Slide 1 of 8
Our visit was only to the house and we very much enjoyed our time there. Blickling comes as a bit of a surprise as one heads north from Aylsham, as there is little to broadcast its presence. One looks to the right, and suddenly there it is, beautifully framed by its massive, manicured hedges and impressive side buildings. Much of its current design dates from the early 1600s when it replaced the home of Anne Boleyn’s birth (and apparently her ghost still returns to visit each year on the anniversary of her execution). Inside, the house is filled with many magnificent portraits, with the baleful one-eyed glare of Field Marshall Sir Robert Rich greeting the visitor just inside the front door. On the ground floor the dining room, with its massive mantlepiece, is magnificent, and one can learn about the restoration of beautifully painted Victorian ceiling in the Brown Drawing room. Upstairs, the late 18th Century yellow and black Print Room is fascinating, but it is the plaster ceilings in the Long Gallery, South Drawing Room and the tapestry-decorated Upper Ante Room that are truly spectacular. Be sure to look up, as well as learn how the huge plaster pendant in the latter room has recently been preserved (Blickling has been at the forefront of pioneering new conservation methods). Finished with the house and looking for something else? There is the great little Royal Air Force Oulton Museum onsite, which shows how this stately old home supported local World War 2 efforts. Practical info: The Blickling car park is a good size, with overflow parking to the northwest. Two cafés are in close proximity to the house, and The Bucks Arms, with its pub, restaurant, and accommodation is located just off the car park. One may also take home a taste of Blicking, as some Walled Garden produce is available at a donation station by the welcome office. Allow 2-2.5 hours to visit the house, and add another 30-45 minutes for the RAF museum.
A beautiful building with interesting architecture. A lake with lots of wildlife. Kingfishers, otters, ducks, swans etc. Lovely colourful gardens, with fountains. Many walks through gardens and wooded areas. Plants can be bought at the shop, aswell as "National trust" hats & clothes. (Near car park). A book shop is also in the main building. There are facilities for food and drink. Public toilets and also seating areas around the grounds. Disabled access to most places. A car park is nearby and a pub. It's a great place to visit for adults and children.
We were fortunate to visit on a sunny day, which made the experience all the more enjoyable. The National Trust staff were helpful and welcoming throughout. The craftsmanship of the woodwork inside the house was truly impressive and beautifully preserved. The garden was equally delightful, meticulously maintained and a pleasure to explore. A memorable visit that reflects the care and dedication of everyone involved.
We visited whilst in holiday in Norfolk. The house was stunning, beautifully furnished. The gardens were also stunning. There was a walk around the lake which we didn't have time for but looked like it would be divine. The kids enjoyed the RAF museum and the huge bookshop. The cafe was great and they also had a really good summer activities for the holidays.
This must be one of the top NT properties Interesting house and gardens. Park walks recommended. We did the multi use trail all around the estate around 4 miles. Then after food the lake walk around 2 miles. Both excellent. The cafe was good. House volunteers excellent
Beautiful house and estate, very well maintained both inside and out. The staff are super friendly and knowledgeable and on hand to talk about the history. It would definitely be worth visiting the gardens in the spring and summer.
Most famous as the place where Anne Boleyn spent time while growing up and is rumoured (but not proven) to have been born here. The estate was gifted to the National Trust in 1940 by the last owner, having gone through a number of hands one of which was John Hobart the 2nd Earl of Buckingham who was ambassador to Russia in Catherine the Greats time, who decorated parts of the hall in honour of this. The hall has the largest collection of books in any National Trust property so is deemed a treasure house. Having visited today all rooms open was a fabulous site to see. Some magnificent decoration of the ornate ceilings. Most definitely worth a visit. It’s a definite treasure. There is also the garden and extensive grounds for walks to while away the hours.
Lovely national trust, we were able to go round the house and lots of volunteers able to provide information. We were lucky enough to be there on a day they were doing library conservation work which was so interesting. Lovely grounds and lots of benches for picnics. Good size cafe, we went with a baby in buggy, wasn’t able to take buggy round the house as there was lots of stairs, but about to take buggy easily round cafe, shop and the grounds. Would go again
Planning a trip to East Anglia?
Save all the best places to visit with WanderlogDownload the travel planning app everyone's been raving about
  • Itinerary + map in one view
  • Live collaboration
  • Auto-import hotels and reservations
  • Optimize your route
  • Offline access on mobile
  • Optimize your route
  • See time and distance between all your places
Learn more
Get the iOS app from the App Store
Get the Android app from Google Play
0 places saved to your trip to East Anglia