North Norfolk is one of our favourite holiday destinations, and we even managed to spend 2 weeks there in 2020 between lockdowns! It is the land of big skies! Burnham Market is a good hub, easily in reach of so many interesting places to visit. It is a beautiful village, and quite trendy these days, but surrounded by sleepier villages, coast and countryside.
Best known for....
The main emphasis is on lovely shops, delis and eateries, but a real gem is Pentney House and hat shop. Downstairs has the most incredible array of gifts, children's toys and curios, while upstairs is the best stocked Hat shop I have ever been in. A real Aladdin's cave.
Wonderful local produce and seafood, including Crab and Mussels in season.
Holkham Hall is a magnificent estate just a few miles away with an imposing Hall, gardens and children's activities including a ropes course.
The North Norfolk Coast with it's huge, wild beaches is close by, and Holkham beach, Brancaster and Wells Next the Sea are the best known
Worth seeking out...
Burnham Thorpe is close by, where Horatio Nelson was born, and the church is worth a visit.
Hindringham Hall and gardens (HHA) is a true gem, tucked away in the country near Thursford. Limited opening days.
Walsingham is the hub of a series of quaint villages famous for a shrine to our lady, and annual processions. The Abbey ruins and garden can be explored and have amazing displays of snowdrops in early spring.
Houghton Hall and gardens have regular Art Exhibitions.
Thursford Steam museum has an impressive collection of steam powered machinery and fairground rides. It is most famous for it's Christmas spectacular!
Sandringham House and Gardens are open when the Queen isn't there!
Norfolk is famous for it's historic and interesting churches. 659 in total! Three of our favourites are: All saints, Burnham Thorpe, the village where Horatio Nelson was born; St Nicholas in Blakeney; St Mary in Sandringham - quite silvery!
For families
In addition to many of the things listed above, a few ideas for families are:
Wells-next-the-sea and Hunstanton have a full range of family attractions.
Pensthorpe Natural park combines wildlife with trails and playareas
Walks and Nature
Please check opening days and times and seasonal recommendations.
Recommended walks include:
Long distance paths include the Norfolk Coast Path and Peddars Way
Lots of local walks especially on the coast, along wild saltmarshes, mysterious creeks and beaches. Holkham Beach, Thornham and Brancaster all have circular routes.
Blakeney has creekside walks too, and, with Morston Quay, is a centre for boat trips to see the seals on Blakeney point. Tide dependent!
Hunstanton cliffs are a spectacular colour when viewed from the beach!
Birdwatchers are well served by RSPB Titchwell reserve and RSPB Snettisham, where at certain times of year you may see spectacular murmurations of thousands of waders, as well as winter geese. It is best at dawn or dusk though!
Norfolk Wildlife Trust have a great reserve at Cley-next-the-sea.
Sculthorpe Moor Nature reserve is another excellent spot for walks and wildlife.
Information!
Lots of parking options, mostly paid. Campervans and smaller motorhomes can park in the daytime on some car parks, but buy 2 tickets if you take up more than one space.
Tourist Information centres are at Burnham Deepdale and Walsingham.
Places to eat £ under £10pp ££ £10-20pp £££ over £20pp
Lots of great places to eat, so these are just our favourites and recommendations of friends! As usual, please check opening times, prices and current reviews.
£ Tilly's Cafe Burnham Market,
££ Thornham Deli, Creake Abbey Cafe, Wells Crab House, Victorious Bistro Walsingham, Great Walsingham Barns cafe, The Chequers at Binham
£££ Socius, Burnham Market
Take away
Eric's Pizza and Fish and Chips, Thornham
Accommodation
Plentiful accommodation of all types in the area, with an emphasis on self catering and B&B accommodation. Campers are well served in the area.
We are campervan owners ourselves, and we ask you, please, if you visit the area in a campervan or motorhome, please only dispose of your rubbish, grey waste and toilet waste in proper, designated facilities. Doing anything else gets all campers a bad name, and will only result in it becoming harder for all of us to access lovely places. Leave only Footprints!
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