Top Arts & Cultural Venues in North Norfolk

North Norfolk has a wide range of arts and cultural venues offering activities to suit all ages and interests. Home to many artists and crafts people, there are plenty of exhibitions as well as festivals, shows, fairs and concerts to enjoy year-round. Here's our top arts & culture venues in North Norfolk.

Cromer Pier. The Cromer Pier Show is the last end of the pier show in the world and is one of the few true live variety shows in Britain. The Summer and Christmas shows are often sell-outs, all set in a traditional theatre standing over the sea.

Sheringham Little Theatre. This cosy and charming theatre is set in the heart of Sheringham, an award-winning coastal resort. The Little Theatre offers entertainment all year-round with shows, music, films, celebrity evenings and art exhibition, for all the family.

Wells Maltings. After receiving a £5m renovation in 2018, this arts, heritage and community complex hosts a series of exciting events. Choose from music, film, comedy, drama, dance, art, poetry, talks, heritage, family and community activities and much more! Enjoy the new state-of-the-art theatre and cinema, café and bar, Visitor Information Centre, box office and a gift shop.

Blickling Estate. Blickling Hall sits amongst magnificent gardens, flanked by ancient yew hedges. The last private owner, Philip Kerr (until his death in 1940) used the house for entertaining prominent guests. Photographs, sounds and objects help to tell his story. Outside, the formal gardens, woods and lake are the result of three centuries of inspired planting. Take a tour around the house and grounds as well as enjoy exhibitions, events and the famous annual Classic Ibiza outdoor concert in the summer.

The National Trust Felbrigg Hall. Felbrigg Hall, set in gardens and woodland, is home to a large collection of artefacts original to the families that lived there and made Felbrigg their home, revealing layers of a personal history. The Victory V, a personal war memorial planted by the last squire in memory of his brother killed in Crete in 1941, accentuates the important sense of unity created between family and estate over the centuries. Regularly hosting exhibitions, there is plenty to see and do at Felbrigg.

Holkham Estate. A National Nature Reserve, Holkham Hall is a great place to see open-air performances. Throughout the summer, there is a programme of events including concerts, open-air cinema, fairs and festivals. The year ends with some spectacular Christmas events including opera, candlelight tours and plays. Throughout the year, visitors can enjoy the Field to Fork exhibition, which tells the story of Holkham’s unique farming history, crop production, gamekeeping and conservation and how this all contributes to producing the food on forks.

Houghton Hall & Gardens. Houghton Hall, built in the 1720s for Britain's First Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole is a beautiful example of Palladian architecture with interiors by William Kent. The Hall is home to the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley. The parkland surrounding the house is home to white fallow and other exotic deer. The five-acre award-winning Walled Garden includes a spectacular double-sided herbaceous border, kitchen garden with arches as well as a formal rose parterre. Over the years, an impressive collection of contemporary sculptures and other works by world-renowned artists has been exhibited, such as Richard Long, Anya Gallaccio, Zhan Wang, Stephen Cox, Rachel Whiteread, Jeppe Hein and Phillip King. You can also look round the largest private collection of model soldiers in the world at the Toy Solider Museum.

Wroxham Barns. Wroxham Barns isn’t just home to a Junior Farm, fun fair and award-winning restaurant, but is also home to many makers of heritage crafts. Pop along to the inspiring stores and studios, owned by local experts who are passionate about what they do. You can book a workshop, get hands on with crafts or commission a bespoke piece from one of the craftspeople.

Norfolk and Norwich Open Studios. For two weeks in May/June each year Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios celebrates the county's artists and their achievements, when they open their doors to the public to exhibit, sell and talk about their work. The event has established itself as one of the largest and most successful open studios schemes in the country. Visitors have the opportunity to see new art, meet artists, and buy original artworks directly from their creators. There are also art trails around the county and artistic demonstrations too.

Alby Crafts & Gardens, between Aylsham and Cromer. Alby Craft Centre comprises a beautiful set of traditional North Norfolk farm buildings, built in 1850 by William Howe Windham of Felbrigg Hall. The buildings were converted into a craft centre, maintained gardens, tea room, gallery, gift shop and workshops. The individual workshops are occupied by artists, craftsmen and artisans, creating and selling their wares.

Langham Glass, Fakenham. Established in 1979 by Master Glassmaker Paul Miller, Langham Glass is one of the oldest and most experienced glassmaking businesses in the UK. The visitor centre is open all year round, including the glasshouse where you can see a team of glassmakers using age old techniques to create the finest handmade crystal.

Art galleries. There are many fine art galleries in North Norfolk. Bircham Gallery in Holt, is an independent gallery exhibiting a superb collection of contemporary and modern British art. Burnham Grapevine in Burnham Market Burnham Market, displays an eclectic mix of contemporary paintings and ceramics as well as exhibitions during the year. Garden House Gallery in Cromer, is a former brick and flint listed fisherman’s cottage. Its small facade opens out into six rooms housing a vibrant mix of artwork and gifts, made by local artists.