Make a Break for North Norfolk

If you’re looking for a break to escape the hustle and bustle, the coastal destination of north Norfolk is perfect for getting away from it all.

Want to make a break for it? North Norfolk is only around three hours from London by train or car, but it will feel a world away once you’re there.

And you could escape sooner than you think! Scroll down to enter our prize draw with The Grove in Cromer to win a night in a luxury hotel suite, a few minutes from the beach.

Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, north Norfolk is renowned for its spectacular coastline and wildlife, miles of glorious beaches (three with Blue Flag status), the Deep History Coast, market towns and pretty villages, as well as a beautiful hinterland of rolling countryside.

Sheringham.

EXPERIENCES IN NORTH NORFOLK

Whatever time of year you visit, there are lots of experiences to enjoy. With 45 miles of coastline and the Broads National Park, watersports, such as surfing, SUP and boating (either hire a boat or take a chartered trip), are great ways to enjoy and explore the coast. 

Coastal Exploration Company.

North Norfolk is also well known for festivals celebrating its history, tradition and heritage which take place in all seasons, including a Viking festival, crab and lobster festival, town carnivals and live music events. There is a broad range of concerts and shows from folk music, to opera concerts as well as variety shows, and also outdoor festivals in the grounds of stately homes.

Classic Ibiza at Blickling Hall.

In autumn and winter, there are dark sky events to star gaze, Christmas markets and fairs, Santa visits and experiences, pantomimes and shows, as well as wildlife experiences, all unique to north Norfolk. You can take a boat trip to Blakeney Point to see the largest seal colony in England - an experience not to be missed! 

Beans Boat Trips.

PLACES TO GO AND THINGS TO DO IN NORTH NORFOLK

North Norfolk's history is unique and intriguing. The wealth of landowners has left a legacy of stately homes and halls. Holkham Hall is one of the finest Palladian houses along with Houghton Hall & Gardens, the home of Britain’s first Prime Minister. The National Trust’s Blickling Hall, Anne Boleyn's birthplace and Felbrigg Hall are fascinating to explore and of course there's Sandringham, the Royal family's country retreat since 1862. 

Holkham Hall.

Visit the many historical buildings and places of interest dating back to the 11th century including the ruins of a medieval priory in Walsingham, which was a place of pilgrimage. You can also walk in the footsteps of Britain's most famous naval commander, Horatio Nelson, born in Burnham Thorpe. And for a journey back in time, north Norfolk has a rich railway heritage and there are steam and light railways for visitors to enjoy.

North Norfolk Railway.

North Norfolk's unique Deep History Coast is home to the earliest evidence of humans in Britain with footsteps left by the UK's first tourists nearly a million years ago. The UK’s biggest mammoth skeleton remains were found at West Runton and a 500,000 year old flint handaxe was discovered in Happisburgh. You can explore the area along the Deep History Coast Discovery Trail along the clifftops of the north Norfolk coast. Download the free app which is triggered at the eleven discovery points along the way, and you can see what the landscape looked like hundreds of thousands of years ago. Have a go at fossil hunting and rock pool rummaging and you may come across your own piece of history.

West Runton beach.

For a real taste of north Norfolk, make sure you try the local seasonal food and drink. With its long coastline and rich agricultural heritage, the area is awash with local food producers, independent delis, fantastic gastro pubs with their own micro-breweries and restaurants serving menus created from locally sourced ingredients. Farmers’ markets and food festivals are great for trying out local produce.

From the coast, you can look forward to samphire, seabass, mussels, cod and the famous Cromer crab. From the farmlands, you can enjoy a wide variety of vegetable crops, seasonal fruits, award-winning cheesemakers and dairies, local specialist producers, butchers and game dealers, making the north Norfolk food experience unique. There is a vast choice of fantastic places to eat, from fish and chip restaurants, to fine dining, to award-winning gastro pubs. 

STAYING IN NORTH NORFOLK

There is an amazing range of accommodation to suit your needs whether it’s boutique hotels, charming pubs with rooms, beautiful self-catering cottages and welcoming B&Bs. Or if you’re looking for activity breaks, there’s golf resorts and spas, and there are boating breaks along tranquil waterways with plenty of places to stop off along the way.

The Harper.

For family breaks, there are cottages by the coast (or tucked away in the countryside) for a home away from home, and holiday parks with pools, evening entertainment and activities as well as miles of walking and cycling trails on the doorstep to explore. Or get closer to nature and pitch up at one of the many camping and glamping sites to sleep under the stars. And with dark sky discovery sites in north Norfolk, you may well spot the northern lights. Wherever and whenever you decide to visit, you can be sure of warm welcome; so much so, you won't want to leave!

Deer's Glade.