Warm and relaxing... visit Norfolk in September
For those without school age children, September is a great time to visit Norfolk: the weather is good, the sea is warm, everything is still open but the pace is a little less frenetic. September is a great time to relax in Norfolk.
Here’s our top 12 things to do…
We're not hibernating yet
There are still lots of events taking place!
Don’t miss the Maritime Festival and Out There Festival in Great Yarmouth, the 1940s Weekend at Sheringham and Holt with the North Norfolk Railway and Deepdale Festival.
The Noth Norfolk Food & Drink Festival is at Holkham Hall on August 31 and September 1.
The Cromer Pier Show runs until September 21 and there's an amazing Henry Moore at Houghton Hall until September 29. Viking: Rediscover The Legend is at Norwich Castle until September 8. See the highlights.
There's also the Eastern Festival of Racing at Great Yarmouth. Dress up for day 3 - it's Ladies Day!
You live a busy life with a hectic schedule. You’re tired all the time and stressed. If you tick those two boxes, then you need to spend time in Norfolk. Come and recharge your batteries, find some balance and calm, where there are no distractions, and rediscover a state of being comfortable, healthy and happy in stunning surroundings.
Anyone can do it and it doesn’t have to cost anything. Better still, do it with friends or family.
Slow you down in Norfolk...
And the wildlife is very much awake too!
.JPG "Otter on the River Yare by Mark Ollett")
Talking of hibernation, the wildlife hasn’t gone to sleep just yet! Migrating birds will be starting to arrive, there are spectacular deer ruts and, if you’re quiet and look carefully, you might see otters out on the Broads.
Take a boat out on the Norfolk Broads
Did we mention the Broads? Now’s a great time to take a boat out on to the unique 125 miles of lock-free waterways - it’s the best way to see them properly. Hire a day boat or a cruiser for a long weekend, mid-week break or a full week. Depending on your likes, you could head into the wild northern Broads or, in the south Broads, take in Great Yarmouth and Norwich.
Top 10 magnificent museums
Just in case inclement weather descends from somewhere else, like Wales or Scotland, then step into one of our top 10 museums where you might find anything from the Snapdragon and a mummified cat, to the history of the herring industry and a replica of Seahenge. Find our top things to do if it rains here.
Rich heritage of churches and cathedrals
No county in Britain is richer in its historic churches than Norfolk - there are over 650 of them, every one of them with a treasure to discover and a fascinating story to tell. In fact, it's said you can't see a horizon in Norfolk without there being a church spire in it!
In the city, explore the magnificent Norman cathedral or take in the skyline view from the Catholic cathedral. In the countryside, look out for the fabulous wool churches or plague churches.
Head out to the 90 miles of coast
It’s a great time to be enjoying our coast. We have brilliant beaches, our top 10 are here, and many beaches are dog-friendly. There's also our secret beaches. The water might be a trifle cold, but you could always kitesurf at Hunstanton or learn to paddleboard. Almost our entire 90 miles of coast have a walking path, so you can enjoy the cliffs, seashore, salt marshes and tidal creeks at your own pace. Park up, walk as far as you want and then get the Coastal Hopper bus back.
Get the seal of approval
Blakeney Point is home to the largest seal colony in England during Winter, but in September it’s very much worth a boat trip from Morston Quay to see these delightful, inquisitive and friendly animals. And because of the longer days, there are two trips a day, unlike Winter.
Enjoy our Downton Abbeys
Imagine you’re starring in Downton Abbey by visiting one of the county’s many stately homes, of which we have more than you can shake a stick at. Take your pick from Blickling, Felbrigg, moated Oxburgh, Houghton, the Royal Family’s Sandringham and Palladian Holkham.
Explore our Seven Natural Wonders
As the weather in September is still good, how about exploring Norfolk’s Seven Natural Wonders, including the most important chalk river in Europe, the unique Brecks and Cromer Ridge, the highest point in East Anglia.
Enjoy great gardens
Norfolk has a huge collection of gardens, from small higgledy-piggledy cottage gardens to wonderfully relaxing water gardens and magnificent stately home gardens. You can't beat wandering around someone else's garden and enjoying the rewards of all their hard work!
Spectacular woodland colours
September is also a great time to head out in the county’s woodlands, from Thetford Forest and Sheringham park to the great country estates of Felbrigg, Oxburgh, Blickling and Holkham. Have a fungi foray, see wild horses or just take in the spectacular brown and golden hues of Autumn.
Fab visitor attractions awaiting you...
If you have pre-school children then Norfolk has SOOOO many visitor attractions to enjoy. For the wild ones, we’d recommend Pensthorpe and BeWILDerwood, but there’s fabulous fun to be had at Banham Zoo, Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure and many more. And Norfolk also has a range of steam railways… choo choo!
Walk in the footsteps of mammoths
Did you know that Norfolk was the last part of the UK to be joined to the Continent by land? And did you know that the largest and best-preserved mammoth skeleton ever found was uncovered in Norfolk? And that the first tourists ever to come to the UK came to Norfolk? If not, it’s a great time to explore Norfolk’s Deep History Coast.
So there you have it… a many great reasons to visit Norfolk in September! What are you waiting for?
