Family fun - great days out for all the family
A day out in Norfolk can be fantastic fun for all the family whatever your age. Norfolk has many places that will appeal to young children making it the ideal place to visit for families. Have a gigantic adventure as you search for dinosaurs or make time to play and meet new friends at one of the friendly activity centres. And if you've got teenagers, Norfolk is certain to have somewhere for them too. Enjoy the thrill of some awesome rides at one of our theme parks or learn to horse ride around the Norfolk coast. There are some great places for everyone to enjoy - from hearing Granddad's memories as you explore Gressenhall Museum to shared discoveries at one of the excellent zoos. Maybe let the grandparents take the kids out for the day so mum and dad can have a well earned rest!
Jump to: For all the family // Memories of yesterday // Animal Magic // Fun at the races // Something different!
Days out if it rains
Norfolk is one of the sunniest & driest counties in the UK, but find out what to do if there's a shower!
Fun for all the family
There are some fantastic places that the whole family will enjoy with activities that cater for everybody. Fritton Lake Countryworld is excellent value and is certainly a full day out. Explore the lake in either a rowing boat or pedaloe and admire the beautiful surrounding woodland from the water. There is also 9 hole golf course, an adventure playground and pony rides. If you like ponies and other animals take a trip to Pettitts Animal Adventure Park. Meet Jet and Pinky, the Pettitts Pigs, along with many other animals and birds including miniature donkeys, racoons, reindeer, parrots and their very own snowy owl, Hedwig! And it's not just the animals that everyone will love - take a ride on the miniature railway, climb aboard the pirate ship and then explore Robin Hood's adventure playground. Snettisham Park, set in the glorious countryside in West Norfolk, has a fantastic deer safari and a farmyard where children can bottle feed the tiny, adorable newborns. For a massive adventure visit Dinosaur Adventure and search for the awesome creatures that roamed the land millions of years ago. If after all that rushing around you need a rest then let the circus entertain you at The Hippodrome in Great Yarmouth. With daring trapeze acts that will take your breath away, hilarious clowns and the fantastic water spectacular, this is a great way to keep everyone amused for an afternoon.
Memories of yesterday's Norfolk
There are some lovely places in Norfolk where the generations can find some shared ground. A visit to Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse is sure to bring back some memories for the older visitor, while children will love to hear what life used to be like - before the age of computers and all mod cons. In the heart of the Norfolk countryside, the museum is dedicated to the lives of ordinary Norfolk people and has some terrific displays including a 1950s room packed with artefacts that some of the visitors are sure to recognise! You can also discover the touching story of the workhouse and visit the rare breed's farm to see some very cute black pigs.
For 100 years of British history, take a trip to Yesterday's World in Great Yarmouth. This extensive museum covers the era from Queen Victoria's reign to the 1960s and with spectacular light and sound shows the past is brought to life. Browse the old fashioned sweet shop, have fun in the Hall of Mirrors and then enjoy a good old fashioned English cream tea in the café.
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Animal Magic
Everyone loves a visit to the zoo and Norfolk has some great places where you meet some of the world's most amazing animals. Get stripes before your eyes when you see the zebras at Banham Zoo and then see the Red Kangaroo bounding around. Learn all about penguins and tigers at the feeding talks, then all climb aboard the safari train to round off the day! Go pony mad at Redwings Horse Sanctuary, near Great Yarmouth, where you can see rescued ponies, horses and donkeys. The centre is free to enter and dogs are welcome too - so this really is a place for the whole family.
A visit to The Playbarn is perfect for little ones. With activities both indoor and out, this is a great place come rain or shine. Inside they can jump, bounce and climb round the soft play area, and pretend they're at the seaside at Beach Barn. Outside they can meet the farm animals, take a tractor ride and tackle the children's maze. All in all there will be plenty to keep them occupied for hours! Another great place for children is Wroxham Barns, where they can visit Junior Farm to meet many special farm animals and cuddly friends. With hands on activities such as egg collecting it will be a fantastic experience for them. Wroxham Barns also has a funfair and a lovely selection of arts and crafts shops.
Find out more about animals, zoos and wildlife in Norfolk
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Fun at the races
Whether you're passionate about horses or greyhounds or maybe even cars, then you will love to visit one of our race tracks. For some family fun visit Yarmouth Stadium, where you can watch the greyhounds racing and maybe have a little flutter. See the dogs and experience the excitement of the races. And at certain dates throughout the year the stadium brings all the excitement of motor racing action with stock cars, Rookie Bangers and many others. The Norfolk Arena will have you gasping as you watch exhilarating stock car and banger racing, while the Anglia Karting centre allows all ages to experience the fun of go-karting on their 625m track. If horses are more your thing then Great Yarmouth Racecourse is for you. Visit on one of their family fun days for face painting and children's entertainment.
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Something different!
For something really different, visit the Ecotech Centre, near Swaffham. Take the 300 steps to the top of the tower for some fantastic views across the Norfolk countryside and discover exactly how wind power works. There is also a café for a little rest after all that exercise, a shop and gardens.
Another of Norfolk's many treats has to be the Norwich Puppet Theatre, one of only two dedicated puppet theatres in England. Children can get creative at one of their workshops making all sorts of puppets, then watch the puppeteers in action at one of the shows such as Snow White. A truly magical experience.
Related pages on Visit Norfolk
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- Adventure & Theme Parks
- Days Out if it rains
- Days Out outdoors
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- Railways and Tours
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