Norfolk Autumn best things to do

Now it’s cooler, there’s no better time to put on the hiking boots and stride out. Norfolk has many inter-connecting long distance walks – and as the county is pretty flat they’re quite easy-going! There’s even an interactive map of the county’s trails.

Walking in Norfolk

Head to the coast and it’s likely it’ll just be you, the shoreline, the sea and sky – and perhaps your partner, the kids and a dog or two! Take a walk along crunchy shingle at Blakeney Point, in the dunes at Winterton-on-Sea, Horsey and Sea Palling or head out onto the wide expanses of Wells, Holkham or Brancaster.

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Best beaches for dogs

We reckon Norfolk is the birdwatching capital of the UK and now’s the perfect time to see thousands of birds as they migrate south from the Arctic. V-shaped squadrons of pink-footed geese from Iceland and Greenland are the things to see along the north coast at Titchwell and Cley and there are waders in The Wash at Snettisham. At Welney swans and ducks start to arrive for the winter – go along for the wild swan feeds at sunset.

Birdwatching in Norfolk

Look out for special events tied in to the time of year – Gressenhall Farm & Workhouse has a wonderful Apple Day, and the Broads Authority, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Fairhaven Gardens, Forestry Commission and others put on Fungi Forays and guided nature tours. It's also Norfolk Trail's Walking and Cycling Month.

What's On in Norfolk

Spend a day in our Fine City, just bimbling. Do a spot of shopping in two excellent malls and in more independent shops than you can shake a stick at, particularly in The Lanes; wander medieval cobbled streets; take in museums such as The Castle and Bridewell; explore The Forum, the Cathedral and its grounds, Europe’s largest undercover market; sample local food in one (or two) of our fabulous restaurants and delis. Make that two days!

Explore Norwich

Take a trip on a heritage railway – we have quite a few in Norfolk, all of whom do Santa Specials. We recommend the North Norfolk Railway from Sheringham to Holt – you won’t forget the stunning scenery.

Norfolk railways

You thought New Hampshire was famous for its Autumn colours, but what about Thetford Forest and The Brecks. Everywhere you look you’ll see a fabulous canopy of oranges, golds and browns. Other places to visit in Autumn for glorious colour are Pensthorpe, The Walks in King’s Lynn, Mousehold Heath in Norwich, Sheringham Park, and the estates of Felbrigg, Blickling, Holkham and Houghton.

Explore the Brecks

Find one of the many coastal pubs that serve steaming bowls of fresh north Norfolk mussels. Yes, you can call them moules et frites if you wish. Scoop the meat from the shell and dunk your bread into the garlicky, creamy broth. Uhm… Oh! And be sure to try the local beer – we have more microbreweries than any other county and the best malting barley in the country.

Food and drink in Norfolk

Head to Holkham Hall to see a deer rut – this is the time of year when stags use their antlers to fight rival males to attract females. Did you know that red deer are our largest land mammal? Now you do. Or enjoy a leisurely meal at the Gunton Arms and watch the deer through the windows.

Holkham Hall

Explore one of Norfolk’s fine stately homes, like Blickling Hall and Estate – indulge in heritage and history, and then take a walk around the grounds. Just imagine you’re in Downton Abbey!

Norfolk's stately homes

Discover more about Norfolk's amazing heritage and history by visiting our fabulous museums, including Norwich Castle, Time & Tide at Great Yarmouth and Gressenhall.

Museums in Norfolk

There's great wildlife to be enjoyed throughout the county during the Autumn. We've got the Norfolk Wildlife Trust to choose their top ten... 

Autumn wildlife