Top Things to do in Norfolk
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What to do and see in Norfolk, England: The Best Gardens
A holiday in Norfolk is not a glamorous break. While the Norfolk Broads of East Anglia are a beautiful part of the UK, they represent a relaxing rural getaway rather than a high-powered city-break. Although its reputation is mostly rural, with people associating the county mostly with the wetlands of the Norfolk Broads, there are also towns such as Norwich and King's Lynn to visit, both of which provide shopping opportunities, nightlife and entertainment. Norfolk also contains a large stretch of coastline, and seaside destinations such as Cromer and Great Yearmouth mean there are great beaches to be found as well. Many areas of the Norfolk Broads and the coastal region are sites of outstanding natural beauty, and are also protected as bird reserves, so take a pair of binoculars on holiday. There are also popular wildlife attractions such as Banham Zoo, with a great collection of big cats, and Great Yarmouth's Sea Life Centre, one of the biggest of its kind in the country, complete with tropical sharks and conger eels. And of course, if any of your family are interested in boating, you'll need to rent a boat and explore the waterways of the Broads themselves!
Restaurants in Norfolk
1. Stody Lodge Gardens
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 32 reviews
2. Hoecroft Plants and Gardens
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
3. Norwich cathedral herb garden
4. The Plantation Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 444 reviews
A beautifully restored Victorian garden of 3 acres which is run by volunteers for the benefit of the community. All your entrance fees go the the upkeep of the garden, new plants etc. On Sundays in summer teas are served to musical entertainment. PLEASE NOTE: TOILETS are only open when there are volunteers on duty...on Sundays in the summer and for special events. Please see our website for details of events. Refereshments and toilets are available at St. John's Cathedral Narthex next door. We regret we have NO PARKING, but there is a pay and display carpark next door.
Reviewed By francesl566 - Cambridge, United Kingdom
Beautiful gardens. An oasis of calm and refreshment and a treat for the eyes. Highly recommend a visit.
5. Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,041 reviews
Reviewed By JazzofNorfolk
This is such a wonderful zoo. It's a lovely size, it's big enough for a day out but you will be able to see most of the animals. There is a play part for kids and a picnic area in the middle with tables although we enjoy bringing a blanket and sitting on the grass. The animals seem well looked after. We have been several times recently and if it's raining you can explore the indoor swamp house with crocodiles etc and there's another indoor bit too with birds and fish (our toddlers favourite bit). The snow leopards are amazing and if you're lucky enough to be at the top of the tiger enclosure when one comes up to sleep on the ledge you can get so close you can feel the power and strength of these incredible animals. The gibbons and meerkats are funny. There is a lot to see. Well worth the reasonable price and places like this really need our support so definitely go for a visit. We got a season ticket which also entitled you to money off a few other local attractions in the area including Amazonia in Cromer. We've been about 8 times over the past 6 months! We love it.
6. Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 525 reviews
Enjoy a relaxing and peaceful day out away from the hustle and bustle in our 130 acre organic woodland garden with our exclusive broad. Wander the 3 miles of fully-accessible paths, take a trip on our boat Primrose then enjoy a cream tea or light lunch in our eco-tearoom before browsing around our giftshop. Open all year round except Christmas day Fairhaven is a garden for all seasons whether you visit us in Spring to see the spectacular primula display, in Summer to enjoy our events, in Autumn to appreciate the amazing autumnal colour or Winter to view the wildlife. 2021 Entry prices: Adults - £7.95 Concessions - £6.95 Children - £4.15 Dogs - 30p 2018 Boat trip prices: (Currently Unavailable due to Covid) 20 minute Broads trip Adults £3.85 Children £2.80 Dogs 50p each (only two dogs per trip permitted). St Benet's Abbey trip Adults £6.95 Children £4.85 Dogs £1 each (only two dogs per trip permitted.)
Reviewed By williamwalker890 - Sheffield, United Kingdom
Visited on a lovely June day during the week. The car parking is free and entrance fee is reasonable, because we decided to have the day there we also booked the 50 minute boat trip which was excellent being a small launch seating only 12 you had a relaxing trip, the grounds which are mobility friendly in most of the 3.5 miles of paths, with plenty of seating/benches along all the pathways with picnic areas to relax at. The area is dog friendly, plenty toilet stops. At the entrance there is a cafe and a plant for sale area.
7. Merrivale Model VIllage
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,523 reviews
Reviewed By AKY90123
Amazing for toddlers!! A warm and friendly welcome, well set up for social distancing with a one-way system, request to touch the interactive buttons with feet or elbows etc. Unlimited crazy golf course play included in entry and feeding the fish (for 20p) plus the sunshine made it a fab full afternoon out for the whole family (2 adults, toddler and infant).
8. Houghton Hall & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 456 reviews
Houghton Hall in Norfolk was built in the 1720s for Britain's First Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole. An example of Palladian architecture and interiors by William Kent. It is currently home to the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley, Walpole's descendant, and his family. Situated in traditional parkland, the house is surrounded by white fallow deer. An award-winning five-acre Walled Garden includes a spectacular double-sided herbaceous border, a kitchen garden with arches and espaliers of apples and pears as well as a formal rose parterre. An impressive collection of contemporary sculpture and other works by world-renowned artists such as Richard Long, Anya Gallaccio, Stephen Cox, Jeppe Hein, Rachel Whiteread, Phillip King, Henry Moore, James Turrell are displayed in the grounds. There is a model soldier museum, gift shop, pop-up exhibition Contemporary & Country in the stables as well as this year's art installation of works by Anish Kapoor. Due to COVID all tickets must be pre-booked.
Reviewed By Norfolknewby-1
Although we live only a short drive away, this was our first visit to Houghton Hall and thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon strolling around the spacious grounds and appreciating the Anish Kapoor and other exhibits. All the staff were very friendly and available to offer help if needed. The highlight for us was the magnificent Sky Mirror, lucky to see it on a sunny day which produced the best reflection and light. The mirror works in the main hall were also amazing, in complete contrast to the traditional paintings and furnishings but it worked! Enjoyed a nice lunch and coffee in the Stables courtyard but would suggest if possible a few more tables and seating provided as several customers having purchased their food, were having to wait for a table. Quite understandable as the courtyard is a beautiful place to sit and linger! The formal gardens again were wonderful and plenty of space, were particularly impressed by the ‘Waterflame’ feature
9. East Ruston Old Vicarage Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 955 reviews
The garden is open from 3rd March to 31st October on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays from 12pm to 5.30pm. The gardens at East Ruston Old Vicarage are one of the most exciting surprises in the county, who would expect to find a verdant, sheltered garden in the prairie landscape that is north east Norfolk? Enter the garden and you are worlds away from the local landscape for here there are many gardens within the whole including a new Walled Garden, Rose Garden, Woodland Garden, Mediterranean Garden and a stunning Desert inspired by the landscape of Arizona. These areas are connected by magical avenues and areas of informal planting with some places allowed to be wildlife friendly which includes a stunning Corn Field that contains the corn field weeds of yesteryear and has been known to move visitors to tears.
Reviewed By JoHelenM1964 - Rugby, United Kingdom
Visited on a sunny day in May. The Vicarage gardens have been very cleverly designed so each area has its own unique feel, and at each turn you almost feel you are in a "secret" garden. The planting is stunning and there are plenty of benches to sit on to rest and admire the well thought out design. The woodland area is a sudden contrast to the herbaceous borders. The entrance price may at first seem a little high - but once you pass through the ticket office you realise it is definitely worth the cost. Fabulous tea shop here and great plant shop also.
10. Natural Surroundings
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