Five fabulous family days out in Norfolk

Looking to entertain the children but unsure where to start? This list of the best family days out in Norfolk is here to help. From farm parks and heritage railways, to nature reserves and soft play areas, there’s plenty to do keep you occupied!

For more information, including where to visit, what to do and when to go, check out Laurence Mitchell’s guide to Norfolk.

BeWILDerwood

BeWILDerwood describes itself as a ‘curious treehouse adventure park’. Certainly, it’s designed to exercise and stimulate the mind as much as the body. It’s a magical place for children – forest folk like Mildred, the vegetarian Crocklebog who lives in Scary Lake, and the Twiggles, litter-hating goblin-like figures, are BeWILDerwood residents, as is a giant spider called Thornyclod.

BeWILDerwood’s environmental pedigree is certainly impressive too. The treehouses, ropewalks and boardwalks are all built from sustainable wood, while the 50 acres of marshland and woodland that make up the site are entirely pesticide-free, guaranteeing that no harmful chemicals leak into the broads. In 2021, BeWILDerwood was recognised as a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice award winner for Amusement and Theme Parks, making it the perfect choice for a day of classic, family-friendly fun.

Snettisham Park Farm 

Snettisham Park Farm is a working farm that offers hands-on activities likely to appeal to children. Animals include what you would normally expect on a farm, plus deer and, even more exotically, llamas.

Deer safaris feature a 45-minute commentated tractor and trailer ride, and there are a number of farm trails to be enjoyed for children of all ages. Whether you visit during the school holidays or simply during a free weekend, this Snettisham Park Farm promises family fun in abundance.

Holkham Beach

No question, Holkham Beach is one of the finest in all of England: a wide swathe of glistening sand backed by dunes and a thick stand of Corsican pines; the sea, a softly lapping presence or a thin line on the horizon, depending on the tide. 

Whatever the state of the tide, this picturesque sandy beach is great for bathing, and it’s about as safe as it gets for children. There is plenty of sand for everyone – the beach is a vast expanse that stretches as far west as the dunes at Gun Hill next to Burnham harbour creek, and east to The Run at Wells-next-the-Sea. 

While on the north Norfolk coast, don’t forget to visit Holkham Hall. Built in the 18th century, this Palladian mansion can be enjoyed by families seeking a picturesque walk through the estate’s extensive grounds.

Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery

Norwich Castle stands on a hill above the city centre, its Norman keep a serious square building that serves as the city’s historical museum these days. Inside the Castle Museum, there’s the usual dungeon display to frighten sensitive souls, as well as galleries devoted to archaeology and natural history.

An interesting room dedicated to the Iceni-Roman conflict in East Anglia has, as well as displays of Iceni bling – huge gold torcs – from the Snettisham Treasure, a virtual Roman chariot ride to delight children.

Wells & Walsingham Light Railway  

Within Norfolk, there are short preserved heritage railways, offering visitors of all ages the chance to experience an interesting, slow way to travel. One example, the Wells and Walsingham Light Railway, plies the eight miles between Wells-next-the Sea and Little Walsingham.

The service operates between March and October and takes 45 minutes with halts made at Warham St Mary and Wighton en route. The Signal Box Café next to the signal box at Wells is handy for a cake and a cuppa while you are waiting.