Norfolk Holidays Guide

Thinking of taking a cottage holiday in Norfolk and want to find out what this part of East Anglia has to offer?  Read Country Cottages Online’s Guide to Holidays in Norfolk, and discover what this area offers, from beaches and unspoilt coastline, to the North Norfolk countryside and the Norfolk Broads.
 

 

Thinking of Booking a Self-Catering Holiday in Norfolk?

Whether you want to rent a holiday lodge, a rural retreat or a riverside cabin, Norfolk is home to a great range of holiday accommodation options.  We can help you find a great place to stay.

Holiday Cottages in Norfolk

What Does Norfolk Offer for Self-Catering Breaks?

Norfolk is one of East Anglia’s best loved areas and a great choice for a self-catering holiday in England.  There is much to fall in love with on a cottage break in Norfolk, whether on a family holiday or romantic break.

Let us guide you on what makes this part of East Anglia one of the best for self-catering holidays.  Norfolk’s best loved attractions include:

• Thetford Forest
   

• The Norfolk Broads
   

• Norfolk Coastline with its beautiful sandy beaches

Holiday Ideas for Norfolk Include

Breaks in Thetford Forest

Thetford Forest in Norfolk with its wild untamed appearance, is a great place to escape to.  This lowland forest features pines, heathlands and broad leaf trees, and is also home to Lynford Arboretum.  Holidaymakers can enjoy walking, wildlife watching and cycling in the forest on the many forest trails.

Visit Forestry England's High Lodge is a great place from which to discover some of the best of the forest.  You can hire bikes here, and there are a great variety of trails, a children's play park and mountain bike trails too. For rest and refreshments there is an onsite cafe.

The nearest town to Thetford Forest is Thetford.  The town of Thetford has a number of historic buildings and is an attractive place.  However, the town is not without its social problems.  Some holidaymakers therefore prefer to head for some of the pretty villages around the town rather than the town itself.  If it is pretty Norfolk villages you are after, don't miss Great Hockham near Thetford Forest.

Holidays in the Norfolk Broads

One of Norfolk’s best attractions are the Norfolk Broads.  This area is known as a water wonderland which is best explored by boat.  There is an impressive 125 miles of waterways to explore!

Experience Norfolk from the water, either on a rowing boat, a canoe or on a motor boat.  There are also various boat tours you can take to guide you on some of the best of the area.

Enjoy bird watching on the water from a boat, and enjoy spotting other wildlife like dragonflies and butterflies, or rent a riverside cottage and enjoy the scenes from the riverside.


  

Holidays by the Norfolk Coast

•    The Norfolk coast has some superb wide sandy beaches for free family fun.

•    Cromer with its long stretch of sandy shores, pier, shops, restaurants and historic charm is a popular Norfolk seaside town.

•    Another popular coastal town is Sheringham with its long stretch of sandy beach is popular for obvious reasons.  Sheringham also offers a good selection of shops, restaurants and an attractive promenade.  You can also take a steam train ride from Sheringham along the north Norfolk coast and enjoy the scenery - something everyone enjoys on a sunny day. 

•    Wells next the Sea is particularly attractive with its pleasant village green and a number of interesting shops.  

•    Winterton-on-Sea offers a long stretch of sandy shores and is a popular spot for spotting seal pups in season.

•    When going to the coast bring your own buckets and spades. There are nature reserves for some wildlife or bird spotting, all activities suited to families with children.

For more ideas and inspiration read our guide to holidays in the Norfolk Coast AONB.
 

Top Towns in Norfolk for Holidays

Some of Norfolk’s most popular towns for breaks and day trips include:

•    Cromer

•    Norwich

•    Sheringham

•    Wells-next-the-Sea

Norfolk’s Top Attractions 

Various tourist attractions, stately homes and gardens, historic villages and towns all contribute to making Norfolk an interesting location for a self catering holiday in England.

• BeWILDerwood – for fun with the kids in the forest, this family attraction is a great place to discover.  From the Sky maze to zip wires, feel like a child again in this woodland wonderland.
   
• The city of Norwich with its collection of shops (particularly the attractive independent shops along ‘the Lanes’, restaurants, the Cathedral quarter and the castle.
   
• The Norfolk Broads National Park – for awe inspiring scenery and experiences.

Things to do on holiday in Norfolk

• Cycling - Norfolk's flat terrain and quiet country lanes are ideal for cycling. Bring you bicycle or hire one at the various cycle hire locations.
   
• Walking – Enjoy walking through charming villages and towns, down country footpaths and through forest trails.
   
• Wildlife watching including bird watching and seal watching.
   
• Visit Norfolk’s attractions

 We trust that you have found our guide on things to do and see in Norfolk useful.

Find and book an attractive and comfortable holiday cottage for your stay in Norfolk and look forward to a pleasant break away from everyday life.