What’s your view of Norfolk, the bit on the mid-Eastern coast of the United Kingdom that bulges out into the North Sea? You probably know it’s where the Norfolk Broads are… you possibly remember the reference in David Bowie’s Life on Mars? It’s where the Royal Family spent their Christmases. probably know it’s where England’s greatest naval hero was born. If you believe Noel Coward, it’s ‘very flat’.
Sheringham, set beneath the Beeston Bump in north Norfolk.
It’s all of those things, except the last one. Anyone shopping in Norwich, cycling in south Norfolk or walking along the Norfolk Coast Path at Beeston Regis will testify that it undulates quite nicely, thank you.
It’s very much a place apart from the rest of the country; it’s a place you don’t go through to get anywhere else; and yet it’s also a place that’s only 90 minutes away from many urban centres, including London. With a fully-dualled A11, meaning uninterrupted two and three land road from pretty much anywhere in the country all the way to Norwich, it’s never been easier to Visit Norfolk!
Norfolk is about bucket and spade and end-of-the-pier, candyfloss and fish and chips, but it’s also strolling with dogs on wide open, empty beaches, warming mugs of hot chocolate, candy-coloured beach huts and big bowls of mussels with frites in cosy gastropubs.
Happisburgh, part of the Deep History Coast, where the first evidence of humans in the UK was found.
Uniquely, we have the Deep History Coast, home of the oldest and best-preserved mammoth skeleton ever found (some bones have hyaena teeth marks!) and where 850,000 year old human footprints were found, the earliest evidence of man found outside the Great Rift Valley in Africa. This means that not only is Norfolk the cradle of British civilisation, it’s also the destination for the first tourists ever to come to the UK!
Norfolk is all about big skies, stunning vistas and far-off horizons on which you can always spot a Saxon or Norman church tower, but it’s also racing through forest trails on bikes, clambering through woodland adventure parks and kitesurfing in the tumbling waves.
It’s the sum of the parts that makes Norfolk so unique when it comes to choosing a holiday or short break here. There’s something to suit all tastes, interests and pockets.
The Broads National Park consist of 125 miles of navigable, lock-free waterways.
We believe we have the best and most diverse tourism offering of any county in the country. We have fabulous natural capital: beautiful coast and countryside, unique Broadland (the only National Park with a city in it!), Brecks and Fens, space to kick back and relax.
Norwich skyline with its iconic Norman castle and cathedral.
We have a city famous for shopping, culture and history. We have superb seasonal food and drink, and a brilliant range of attractions and things to do. We’re proud of our Royal county status. And let’s not forget that Norfolk is also the combined driest/sunniest county in the UK!
Seals at Blakeney Point.
And don’t worry about the time of year. In Norfolk there’s always something to do, whether it’s travelling back in time in one of our award-winning museums or taking a sea trip to see the seals at Blakeney in Spring; cycling through the Fens or taking a trip on a wherry in the Broads National Park in the Summer; kicking the leaves in Thetford Forest or enjoying a romantic city break in Norwich in Autumn; singing along at the festive Christmas Spectacular at Thursford or experiencing the migrating geese at Welney wetlands in Winter.
So the ingredients are in place for a fantastic visitor experience. Now you just have to choose your accommodation. We have hotels to suit every pocket, from boutique to budget; we have B&Bs and boats; we have holiday parks and space to park your caravan; we have camping and glamping; we have pods in the forest and yurts in the fields.
In fact, you could say we have it all. Now it’s time to come and Visit Norfolk.
