Group Days Out & Itineraries in Norfolk

Norwich

Norwich: Itinerary One

• Start your day with a taste of Norwich's heritage at Dragon Hall, the only Medieval trading hall known to survive in Western Europe or Norwich Castle, now the county's principal museum.
  
  
• Enjoy a tasty lunch overlooking the River Wensum at Table Table at the Norwich Nelson Premier Inn.
  
  
  
• Spend the afternoon discovering why Norwich is one of the top 10 places to shop in the UK. Highlights include Jarrolds, the nation's favourite department store, and Colman's Mustard Shop & Museum in the art nouveau Royal Arcade.
  
  
• After an early dinner at the George Hotel, take in a show at the Norwich Theatre Royal - they offer a varied programme of performances all year round and big discounts for groups.
  
  

Norwich: Itinerary Two

• One of the best ways to discover Norwich is to take a guided walking tour of the city with a Blue Badge Guide or hop on and off the City Sightseeing open top bus to visit the city's main attractions.
  
  
• After a busy morning, enjoy a delicious lunch at the Maids Head Hotel in the historic Norwich Cathedral Quarter.
  
  
• Head to the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, less than 3 miles from the city centre, and discover an outstanding collection of contemporary and world art, and the café has great tea and cake!
  

Coast

Coast: Itinerary One

• A morning at Holkham Hall will be time well spent. As well as a splendid Palladian hall set in rolling parkland, you'll find a museum, lake cruises, shop and café.
  
  
• After lunch at Deepdale Café, head back east along the coast to Sheringham, a popular seaside resort and also home to the North Norfolk Railway. Hop on the train for a 10½ mile round trip that will take you through an area of North Norfolk designated as being of outstanding natural beauty.
  
  

Coast: Itinerary Two

• If stately homes are your passion, head to West Norfolk for Sandringham or Houghton Hall. Best known as the country home of HM The Queen, Sandringham also boasts 60 acres of beautiful gardens and a fascinating museum of estate history and royal memorabilia, whilst Houghton Hall has an amazing 20,000 model soldier collection and an award-winning 5-acre walled garden.
  
  
• Offering freshly baked bread, rolls and cakes, Bircham Windmill is a great light lunch stop.
  
  
• Watch the master craftsmen at work at Langham Glass or head north and finish off your day with a trip to see the seals in their natural environment. Trips can be taken from Blakeney Point with Beans Seal Trips (pictured).

The Broads

The Broads: Itinerary One

• Start your day by exploring the stunning 15 acre garden at Hoveton Hall Gardens or the unique shops and craft studios at Wroxham Barns.
  
  
• Enjoy a delicious lunch and stunning views at The Waterside at Rollesby - the Broads' newest dining and leisure experience.
  
  
• Take the 9 mile scenic trip from Wroxham to Aylsham on the Bure Valley Railway, Norfolk's longest narrow gauge heritage steam railway.
  
  
• Before leaving Aylsham, head just a few miles north for tea and cake at the Jacobean mansion that is the National Trust's Blickling Hall.
  
  

The Broads: Itinerary Two

• Just 10 miles north east of Norwich, take to the water with a boat trip from Wroxham with Broads Tours.
  
  
• Enjoy a leisurely shore-side lunch at the Waterside Grill & Brasserie at Hotel Wroxham.
  
  
• Make the short journey to South Walsham and discover the unique gardens and wildlife at Fairhaven Woodland & Water Garden and don't miss the fabulous homemade cakes in the Kingfisher Tearoom.
  

Seaside

Seaside: Itinerary One

• Take a guided heritage coach tour of Great Yarmouth or visit the Time & Tide museum to explore the town's history from herring port to seaside resort.
  
  
• Enjoy a leisurely walk along the famous golden mile and discover the charming miniature world of Merrivale Model Village or curiosities from bygone days and a Victorian themed tearoom at Yesterday's World.
  
  
• For an action packed evening of excitement and entertainment, head to Yarmouth Stadium, East Anglia's premier greyhound racing venue.
  
  

Seaside: Itinerary Two

• In West Norfolk explore the Victorian seaside resort of Hunstanton (affectionately known locally as ‘Sunny Hunny') with its attractive parks and gardens, fun packed Oasis Sports & Leisure Centre and panoramic views across The Wash.
  
  
• Head east to Cromer for lunch at the Virginia Court Hotel before enjoying the hugely popular Seaside Special show at the Pavilion Theatre on the pier.
  
  

Countryside

• Spend the morning getting back to nature at Pensthorpe Nature Reserve & Gardens, the host of BBC Springwatch, just outside Fakenham, or exploring the fascinating museum at Gressenhall Farm & Workhouse.
  
  
• Enjoy a light lunch at the Mid Norfolk Railway cafe in Dereham before making the short drive to Thursford, home to an amazing collection of steam engines, mechanical organs, fairground memorabilia and the most popular Christmas show in England of all time!
  
  
  

Spring breaks

Imagine wide blue skies, the song of the cuckoo and the smell of spring flowers - natural Norfolk comes to life in Spring so refresh yourself with a visit during the early months of the year. There are also some unique events held during this time.

• Visit Pensthorpe Nature Reserve & Gardens, host of the BBC's popular Springwatch programme in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Be amazed by the hundreds of species of bird and enjoy the beautiful gardens with their mass of stunning spring bulbs.
  
  
• Fairhaven Woodland & Water Garden boasts 131 acres of beautiful ancient woodland, water gardens and a private broad. See spectacular primulas, an abundance of other Spring flowers and enjoy a relaxing boat trip on the broad.
  
  
• Every May the Norfolk & Norwich Festival sees some of the world's finest performers come to Norwich for one of the UK's leading international arts festivals, with classical and choral music, jazz, world music, dance, comedy, ‘left-field' events and outdoor spectaculars.
  
  
• It's the perfect group attraction all year round but visit Wroxham Barns in Spring and you can bottle feed the lambs!
  
  
• Visit the National Trust's Sheringham Park and admire the splendid sea of vibrant colours from the mass of rhododendrons and azaleas.
  
  
• Enjoy all the fun of the fair at the King's Lynn Mart (February), which marks the opening of the Norwich and Eastern Counties section of the Showmen's Guild travelling season.

Celebrate Summer

With summer in full swing, Norfolk is buzzing with places to go and things to see and do, come rain or shine. There's of course the attraction of our wonderful heritage coastline and traditional seaside resorts but why not plan your visit to coincide with one of these gems from Norfolk's busy summer calendar.

• Held every year, The Royal Norfolk Show (June/July) is the largest two day agricultural show in the country and a thoroughly entertaining day out.
  
  
• A week of fun and celebrations will mark the Cromer Carnival each August.
  
  
• With its long and illustrious maritime tradition, King's Lynn hosts a popular bi-annual Hanse maritime festival.
  
  
• Boasting a royal patronage, the annual Sandringham Flower Show (July) is one of the most prestigious horticultural events in the East of England.
  
  
• The bi-annual Holkham Country Fair (July 2013) is one of the biggest events in North Norfolk with one of the finest examples of Palladium architecture, Holkham Hall, as its backdrop.
  
  
• Norfolk Lavender is England's oldest lavender farm and this fragrant attraction holds a Lavender Festival in July every year.

Autumn Treats

The nights might be drawing in but Norfolk still has lots to offer with pretty autumn colours complementing the wonderfully warm Norfolk welcome. Join in one of the many festivals, or explore the vibrant colours in one of Norfolk's gardens.

• Take the opportunity to explore a traditional tall ship when the annual Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival sails into town at the beginning of September. It's a riot of colour and maritime music, with performances from shanty groups, folk bands, choirs and brass bands.
  
  
• Heritage Open Days (early September) are a big deal in Norfolk, with hundreds of events taking place around the county. In fact Norwich boasts the largest programme of events of any city in England and Wales, outside of London.
  
  
• Tickle your tastebuds at the EDP Bidwells Norfolk Food Festival (September/October) with hundreds of fun foodie events held around the county. Don't miss the Battle of the Bangers Sausage Competition!
  
  
• The gardens at Blickling Hall, Bressingham, Sandringham, Somerleyton and Holkham are awash with vibrant colours at this time of year.
  
  
• See if you can spot a white fallow deer at Houghton Hall before taking a tour of this magnificent Palladian mansion.
  
  
• The annual Autumn International Literary Festival at the University of East Anglia attracts a glittering array of writers and is a must for literature lovers. The popular King's Lynn Poetry Festival is also held each year at the end of September.
  

Winter Wonders

Norfolk is the perfect destination for groups to visit in winter - it's not only home to the ultimate Christmas musical extravaganza at Thursford but a whole host of other events and attractions are on offer to really help you get into the festive spirit.

• The Thursford Collection holds a Christmas Spectacular each year during November and December. Book early for the most popular Christmas show in England of all time!
  
  
• The annual Festival of Swans at WWT Welney Wetland Centre celebrates the return of 9,000 migratory Whooper and Bewick's swans to the Welney wetlands every November.
  
  
• NORWICHRISTMAS - Norwich's Christmas extravaganza (November / December) has an annual trail or big attraction, plus Christmas events and markets showcasing beautiful hand crafted quality gifts and wares, predominantly local and unique for Christmas.
  
  
• The Bure Valley Railway, North Norfolk Railway (Poppy Line) and the Mid-Norfolk Railway all offer Mince Pie and Santa Specials throughout the festive season and Broads Tours offer special Santa Cruises on the Norfolk Broads.
  
  
• Enjoy the magical Christmas lights of our traditional market towns. Holt has a particularly impressive display and Wymondham has its own Dickensian themed evening to celebrate the switch on.
  
  
• Christmas shopping in Norwich is not to be missed - the city is one of the UK's top 10 shopping destinations.

Great Gardens

Norfolk is famous for its gardens.You'll witness everything from traditional walled gardens and parkland to the most exotic plants in hidden away gardens! Here is just a very brief guide.

Day 1:

• Peter Beale's Roses features 2.5 acres of beautiful rose gardens including the majority of Peter Beale's world-famous collection.
• Bressingham has two famous gardens: ‘Foggy Bottom' and Alan Bloom's Dell Garden, which has over 5000 kinds of hardy perennials.
• Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden has over 73 hectares (180 acres) of beautiful woodland, water gardens and a private broad in the heart of the Norfolk Broads as well as a restaurant and gift shop.
• Just outside Swaffham, Gooderstone Water Gardens & Nature Trail is a beautiful watery oasis of secret corners, ponds and flowing waterways, spanned by 13 bridges.

Day 2:

• Hoveton Hall Gardens boast 10 acres of rhododendron and azalea filled woodland, and the famous ‘Spider' Walled Garden.
• Blickling Hall's beautiful gardens include a massive yew hedge and lakeside walks.
• The Exotic Garden hidden in the depths of Thorpe, just outside Norwich, includes bananas, cannas, gingers and other sub-tropical plants.

Day 3:

• Felbrigg Hall is a 17th century house which has a beautiful walled garden, an important collection of Colchicums, extensive wood and parkland and many beautiful walks.
• Sandringham House and Gardens has 600 acres of parkland with magnificent rhododendrons in season, King George VI's North Garden by Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe and the Royal Gardens flower and plant stall.
• The perfume from the lavender, herbs and fragrant meadow at Norfolk Lavender (pictured above) in summer is an unforgettable experience.
• Houghton Hall is home to an award-winning 5 acre walled garden which includes a double herbaceous border, formal rose parterre and new 'Waterflame' fountain.

Discover Norfolk's gardens

Norfolk's Heritage

Few places have a heritage as long, varied and fascinating as Norfolk - whether it's Medieval buildings, prehistoric ruins, spectacular mansions or industrial heritage, there's something for all interests. This three day tour is a good introduction to the heritage of Norfolk.

Day 1:

• Norwich is the UK's best preserved Medieval city. The majestic 900 year old Norwich Cathedral is simply unmissable.
• Norwich Castle (pictured above) - which houses the city's museum and art gallery - Dragon Hall, Guildhall and the Assembly House are other fascinating ancient buildings which must be explored.
• A visit to the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts offers the opportunity to explore the heritage of other lands through its Africa, Pacific and American collections.
  

Day 2:

• The famous ruins of the Augustinian Priory, Walsingham Abbey, are bordered by beautiful riverside walks.
• Gressenhall Farm and Workshouse is a remarkable museum of Norfolk life and is full of nostalgic exhibits.
  

Day 3:

• The Seahenge gallery at the Lynn Museum tells the story of this fascinating 4,000 year old timber circle and the Town House Museum explores life in the Middle Ages to the 1950s. Close by is one of the town's magnificent Medieval guildhalls and the Tales of the Old Gaol House attraction.
• True's Yard Fishing Museum is housed in two restored fishermen's cottages, and records Lynn's fishing heritage. You'll find reminders of its maritime past in the magnificent architecture throughout this famous port.
• Holkham Hall, near to Wells-next-the-Sea, is one of Britain's most spectacular Palladian mansions where visitors can tour the Hall enjoy the Bygones Museum, lake cruises and a deer park.
  
  

Find out more about Norfolk's Heritage

Superb Shopping!

From large department stores to mall country craft centres, Norfolk has something for everybody's shopping bag! Whether you're buying a gift or fancy treating yourself, you're sure to snap up a bargain...

Day 1:

• Explore the cobbled lanes and alleyways of Great Yarmouth and you'll turn up a treasure trove of small antiques and crafts shops, many with a distinct maritime theme.
  
  
• Market stalls crowd the square every Wednesday and Saturday all year round, and on Friday's too during the summer, at the busy market place.
  
  
• Wroxham Barns is a delightfully restored collection of 18th century barns in beautiful Norfolk countryside, and is also one of East Anglia's finest rural craft centres.
  
  

Day 2:

• Norwich is 'the' place to shop in Norfolk and is one of the UK's top 5 shopping cities. With the beautiful art nouveau Royal Arcade, two shopping malls The Mall and Chapelfield and a host of fascinating independent shops, it's not hard to see why.
  
  
• Chapelfield is home to the region's only House of Fraser and boasts a mix of designer names as well a selection of restaurants.
  
  
• For small, unique bookshops, galleries, crafts, jewellers and boutiques, head for the Norwich Lanes and Elm Hill, Norwich's most famous Medieval street, as featured in the film Stardust.
  
  

Find out more about shopping in Norwich

Day 3:

• The pretty Georgian market town of Holt is home to Bakers and Larners. Described as ‘East Anglia's answer to Fortnum & Mason' the store sells everything from fine food and garden tools to books and clothes.
  
  
• Dereham holds markets on Tuesday and Friday. The Factory Shop has discounted fashion, footwear, bags, jewellery and more.
  
  
• The Vancouver Quarter in King's Lynn is home to top high street names. The town also boasts two market places: the elegant Georgian Tuesday Market Place holds markets on Tuesdays and Fridays and the Saturday Market is smaller but just as lively.
  
  
• The High Street in King's Lynn is pedestrianised, with many antiques, crafts and gift shops down the narrow lanes and alleys off the main roads.