Norfolk is a county of contrasts in all respects, the flat and scenic Norfolk Broads with their pretty navigable waterways seem worlds away from the seaside resorts dotted along the 90 miles of coast.
During a holiday in Norfolk you can experience all this in the same week. Hire a little motor cruiser or hop on a guided tour to glide along the network of waterways of the Broads, mooring up for a bite to eat in pretty village here and there, or stopping to admire the iconic windmills. The broads are thronging with wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled for otters, bitterns, kingfishers, herons, cranes, swallowtail butterflies and more. It’s also a great spot for fishing, and with some of the broads being tidal, the saltwater adds another habitat which supports yet more bird, plant and water life. If boating doesn’t appeal, you can walk or cycle your way around, there are plenty of places to hire bikes.
Another beautiful landscape to explore is Norfolk’s forests of coniferous softwood in Breckland. Here, you’ll also find ‘pingos’, shallow ponds which were formed naturally when hillocks collapsed after the last ice age. You can discover these ponds and their inhabitants at Thompson Water. Thetford forest is a lovely place to explore on foot or by bike, and there are numerous historic sites dotted around the Breckland area, including the hill fort and Dad’s Army Museum at Thetford, Oxburgh Hall and Grimes Caves Neolithic flint mine.
Then there’s the seaside resorts of Great Yarmouth, Cromer, Wells-next-the-Sea and Hunstanton. Each one offers something a little different, from clifftop Cromer with its Victorian pier, to bustling Great Yarmouth and its ‘golden mile’ of amusements.
A day trip to the city of Norwich is a must for shopping, fantastic attractions, food and nightlife.
With so much to see and do, you’ll need a comfortable and spacious base for your group holiday. Take a look at our large houses in Norfolk to find your perfect home-from-home.