Norfolk Countryside and Villages - Things To Do
Norfolk’s countryside is truly breathtaking with rolling countryside and picture-postcard views at every turn. There is also more than a hill or two to disprove the common perception that this is a flat landscape! Chocolate-box villages, ancient churches and cosy hostelries extend a warm welcome to all, while country fayres and busy local stores confirm that this is a county with community life at its heart.
One of the UK's most important farming regions here you’ll find a calendar crammed with farmers’ markets and auctions where you can buy everything from valuable antiques and house clearance collectables to locally-reared livestock and freshly-harvested fruit and veg.
There are a number of market towns which will cater for every need, whether you’re passing through or spending your holiday nearby. And of course there is the counties capital city of Norwich where you can take in a show, shop until you drop or simply stroll along cobbled lanes and admire architecture which tells the story of a settlement that’s been important since Roman times.
Visit some of the popular family attractions that abound in this area – steam railways, animal parks, National Trust properties and working museums offer plenty of options for days out with a difference but one of the joys of a self-catering getaway is that you don't actually have to do anything and simply enjoying your cottage can be enough to recharge your batteries.
The Norfolk Countryside really does play host to heritage, history and charm in equal measures. Enjoy fresh air and fabulous views while making use of the region’s multitude of walking and cycling routes. The Marriotts Way, Weavers Way and Peddars Way all offer miles of off-road experience, plus local rest and refreshment stops. And a number of National Cycle Routes criss-cross the area, featuring a good choice of quiet lanes and an alternative view of Norfolk’s countryside and villages.
Animal lovers are spoilt for choice, with a range of wildlife parks and zoos where visitors can get ‘up close and personal’ with creatures from all continents. Choose Banham Zoo in the south of the county or visit Pensthorpe, home of BBC’s ‘Springwatch’ series, for sightings of feathered friends including the Marsh Harrier, Avocet, Lapwing and Bittern. Just a few miles away, Sculthorpe Moor is home to a Hawk and Owl Trust reserve where you might also spot the otters that use its waterways. And for a really different day out, don’t miss the Dinosaur Adventure Park at Great Witchingham – life-size dinosaurs lurk in the woods and a new indoor play centre provides wet weather fun for all.
History abounds here, with grand National Trust halls at Blickling and Felbrigg, and Wymondham Abbey all worth a visit. Learn more about the heritage of the region with a trip to the Gressenhall Working Life Museum near Dereham, or take a trip back in time on the Bure Valley Railway at Aylsham.
