Gardens and National Trust properties
A selection of the beautiful gardens and historical National Trust properties here in Norfolk.
Sheringham Park
This beautiful and expansive National Trust Park property is almost on our doorstep (a couple of minutes by car or a 10 minute cycle ride).
Famed for it’s Rhododendrons (usually at their best in late May), this is a diverse park with both wooded areas, pine forest and open grass areas. Wooden towers are strategically located to view the magnificent canopies (as shown right).
The highest tower provides a spectacular 360 degree view. On a clear day, Blakeney Point can be easily identified. It’s a simply glorious place. Complete with car park, a café and educational facilities.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-sheringhampark
Mannington Hall, near Saxthorpe
Discover the beautiful gardens and hall, home to Lord and Lady Walpole.
Felbrigg Hall
One of the finest 17th Century houses in east Anglia with over 520 acres of rolling landscape, woods and nature trails.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-felbrigghallgardenandpark
Holkham Hall
One of Britain’s most impressive stately homes which also hosts open-air concerts in the Summer months. Holkham has a magnificent sandy beach with tall sand dunes and was the location for the film ‘Shakespeare in Love’.
Priory Maze and Gardens, Sheringham
10 acres of hedge maze with gardens, a plant shop and tearooms
Blickling Hall
One of England’s finest Jacobean houses, famed for its beauty and infamous resident, Anne Boleyn. The estate has many romantic buildings, an extensive park and well-manicured gardens. The Hall hosts a large variety of events, exhibitions and workshops all year round.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-blicklinghallgardenandpark
Cycle Hire
Cycle hire is available through Huff & Puff cycles, details available on request.
Historical Norfolk
Baconsthorpe Castle
Ruins of a fortified 15th Century Manor House with moat.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.12259
Binham Priory
Ruins of an ancient Priory which hosts classical music concerts during the summer months.
The Muckleburgh Collection
The UK’s largest privately owned military Museum.
The Castle Museum, Norwich
This famous landmark was built over 900 years ago by the Normans and is one of the finest examples of this archetypal style of castle. It has an art gallery, a museum and offers lots of interesting things to see and do for all the family.
For Nature Lovers
Discover the local wildlife and plants in North Norfolk.
Blakeney Point Seal and boat trips
Catch a boat from Morston and sail out to the tip of Blakeney Point to see the seals. A great experience, not to be missed.
Cley Spy
Pensthorpe Nature Reserve & Gardens
An award wining attraction for nature-lovers. With nature trails, bird watching spots, lakes and acres of gardens for you to discover. Pensthorpe has been host to the BBC’s SpringWatch and AutumnWatch television programmes.
For children
Not forgetting the beach of course…
Hill Top Outdoor Centre, Sheringham
Provides adventurous, fun-filled activity days for children. Booking is essential. Hill top is only a 5 minute car journey from the barns.
http://www.hilltopoutdoorcentre.co.uk/adventure_days.html
Bewilderwood
A wild, imaginative outdoor tree-house adventure park.
The Dinosaur Adventure Park, Weston Park
Norwich
The historic city of Norwich is dominated by its magnificent Norman cathedral which boasts the largest cloisters in England. It has the second tallest spire in the country and is one of the greatest art treasures of medieval Europe.
Norwich is a proud city with many ancient buildings and city wall ruins that makes it the most complete Medieval city in Britain. During this period in history, Norwich was at the time one of the greatest cities in England. Even today, as East Anglia’s regional capital city, Norwich offers a diversity of historical interest coupled with modern amenities.
With this in mind Norwich is a great place for a night out with an endless variety of stylish restaurants, bars, cafés, pubs, nightclubs, cinemas and theatres. There are lots of things to see and do whether you enjoy classical music, live rock or stand up comedy. Norwich’s many arts venues will provide a good night out for everyone.
In stark contrast to the City’s medieval buildings, the Tourist Information Centre is located in the award winning Forum. This venue hosts many cultural events, all of which are free of charge.
These include art exhibitions and children’s events with entertainment in summer and an outdoor ice rink at Christmas. The Forum is home to the regional BBC studios and Norwich’s public library. Opposite is the church of St Peter Mancroft, the largest church in Norwich.
Norwich has many parks and gardens, all of which are kept in an impeccable condition. There are plenty of pretty floral displays throughout the city. One place you must try and visit is the Victorian Plantation Garden. This garden can be found in the centre of the city and is a peaceful place of calm and beauty.
Another park to discover is the Castle Gardens. During the summer months it often features an outdoor cinema and theatre events. Chapelfield Gardens is located next to the recently developed Chapelfield Shopping Centre. It has a working bandstand and over the summer season is one of the central venues for the Norfolk and Norwich Festival, the International Arts Festival for the East of England.
Holt
Holt is a beautiful Georgian Town surrounded by woodland parks, popular with tourists throughout the summer months. The town was burnt down in 1708 but was rapidly rebuilt to its original splendour.
The grand market place in the centre of town has an ornate cross of ‘Clipsham’ stone which commemorates the war dead. Away from the market place are streets with lots of unusual shops and boutiques. There’s even a Christmas shop that is open all year round and plenty of gift shops to browse through. Holt has an wide choice of quality pubs and cafes to eat and drink in. This includes the award winning café and deli, Byfords which has an interesting menu with something to suit everyone.
In the south of the town is the Holt Country Park which has a variety of walks to suit most people and is great fun for all the family.
The North Norfolk Railway, the ‘Poppy Line’ runs from Holt Station to Sheringham via Weybourne. This is a ‘must see’ for all steam train enthusiasts and offers a pleasant way to view the stunning Norfolk countryside.
Holt is a beautiful place at Christmas, well known for it’s Christmas lights. During the month of December the town is transformed into a spectacular winter wonderland.
