Fall for Norfolk in Autumn - top things to do outdoors
Autumn is the time when the leaves turn golden brown, the hedgerows are full of free fruit, the annual bird migration begins and you can wrap up in woolens, scarves and hats to brave the world. The pace has slowed down and you can always find a solitary spot or a warm fire and a hot chocolate - it’s a great time to be in Norfolk.
Here's our top things to do...
Take a walk
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.
Head to the coast
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.
Birdwatching capital of the UK
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.
Lots of special events
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 time for Norfolk Trail's Walking and Cycling Festival.
Discover our Fine City of Norwich
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!
Take a heritage railway ride
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.
Extravagance of Autumn colour
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.
Eat mussels in a cosy pub
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.
See the wild deer
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.
Explore our Downton Abbeys
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!
Visit our top 10 museums
Discover more about Norfolk's amazing heritage and history by visiting our fabulous museums, including Norwich Castle, Time & Tide at Great Yarmouth and Gressenhall.
Amazing Autumn wildlife
.JPG "Otter on the River Yare by Mark Ollett")
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...
The best overall climate in the UK...
Yes, Norfolk has the overall driest/sunniest climate in the UK, but sometimes a little precipitation blows in from elsewhere, like Wales or Scotland. But don't worry! There's still lots to do indoors. And when it's dry again you can head back outdoors!
