Planning a weekend in Norfolk? Norfolk is a county in East Anglia England with many picturesque seaside villages that are home to long sandy beaches, sand dunes, colorful beach huts, and the best mussels you’ve ever had. If family walks on pristine beaches, salty air on your face, and locally sourced food are on your holiday list, a weekend in Norfolk England ticks all the boxes. Although Norfolk might sound like it only appeals to adults, there are many fun things to do in Norfolk with kids and amazing places to eat, too!
In this post discover 10 ways to have fun with kids on a weekend in Norfolk, where to stay, the best places to enjoy amazing seaside food, and more tips for a family weekend in Norfolk.
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Fun Things To Do With Kids In Norfolk
Despite the age of your kids, Norfolk offers a range of activities that are fun for the whole family. Most activities revolve around nature and the beach, so it’s ideal to visit when it’s not raining. In addition to most of these activities being free, here are the highlights of what to do in Norfolk UK, including a few options for a rainy day.
Brancaster Beach
With wellies and warm coats on for unpredictable (or predictable 🙂 weather, you can explore this seashell beach haven for miles. Literally.
Be sure to keep track of how far you want to walk. Brancaster Beach doesn’t loop so at some point you have to turn around and retrace your steps. What started as a 2-mile walk for our family of four turned into a round trip 5-mile one. 😳
Despite walking further than we probably should have with kids, it wouldn’t have lead to finding and saving a purple crab on the beach, a dead flounder (most fascinating for kids), and all sorts of fun sea life.
The morning that was meant for only 2 hours on Brancaster beach turned into a 3-hour adventurous one but is a highlight of our 2 days in Norfolk. Be sure to hit Brancaster Beach in the morning. It’s really this gorgeous!
Brancaster Beach Norfolk
Lavender Tour In Heacham
Immerse yourself in a sea of lavender during a Norfolk Lavender Tour. In addition to the tour, there is an animal and play park for the kids and gift shop to purchase something lavender for home.
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Burnham Market
Spend an afternoon shopping in Burnham Market. This village is so cute with its colorful shops lining the street, telephone booth book exchange and swank places to drop in for a drink.
Be sure to visit these Burnham Market shops:
- The best shop for kids is The Hat Shop. They sell more JellyCats than any store we’ve ever seen, making it a perfect place for kids to find a soft souvenir. Upstairs is where the most impressive hat options are on display. Photos aren’t allowed and it’s a great opportunity to have a wander alone while the kids test out which JellyCat they love most.
- For unique home decor, visit Norfolk Living at No 55 The Townhouse.
Burnham Market Phone Booth Book Exchange Norfolk
Hoste
After a fair amount of walking and shopping, the kids will love you for stopping in for a drink at the Hoste. You don’t have to be an overnight guest to enjoy a pub spot by the fire or read local Norfolk news in the tall swanky velvet chairs by the reception. Accents of all accords make this boutique hotel a fun and welcoming spot.
Dalegate Market
Dalegate Market is a small shopping market with a few seaside stores. If you’re seeking a Norfolk crab souvenir or didn’t manage to score one in Burnham Market, this is a great quick stop for a look.
Burnham Overy Staithe
Burnham Overy Staithe offers a postcard view of colorful boats resting on the marshlands. It’s a nice place to stop to take photos of the kids. That backdrop!
Burnham Overy Staithe
Holkham Hall
Holkham Hall is an 18th-century mansion on a 25,000-acre estate. The sheer massive size of Holkham Hall Park is stunning and it’s unexpected to immediately see deer as you enter. In fact, you might have to stop the car to let them cross the road. Deer are everywhere on the estate!
Holkham Hall itself requires tickets but a great option for a rainy day. If you prefer to stay outside, the use of the park can be enjoyed for a small parking fee. In addition to the deer and the estate to enjoy a walk, there is a zip line on the estate’s playground, a gift shop, and other structures that are fun for kids to climb.
Deer at Holkham Hall
Holkham Beach
Holkham Beach might be my favorite beach in Norfolk. The massive size of this beach alone will take your breath away. There is something about the green seagrass flowing along the sand dunes and the grand nature of it all that is stunning.
Things to do at Holkham Beach with kids
- Stop at the visitor center to identify wildlife and birds to be on the lookout for. Also, free toilet facilities are located here.
- Take turns jumping the sand dunes (not me but my husband gave it a go – hilarious!)
- Hop through the tidal pools
You’ve likely heard or seen Holkham Beach before – it’s been a filming location for Hollywood films like Shakespeare in Love and Annihilation.
Holkham Beach Norfolk
Wells-Next-The-Sea
For colorful beach huts, definitely go to Wells-Next-The-Sea on your weekend in Norfolk.
The seaside beach huts are the first things you see once you park and walk past the lifeboat station. Impossible to miss, the beach huts line the entire seashore to the bend.
Take in the colorful array of huts to find your favorite one or simply people watch for a bit. We witnessed a group going for a cold November’s fall swim! 🏊♀️
Beach Huts on Wells-Next-The-Sea
More fun things to do in Norfolk with kids at Wells-Next-The-Sea:
- Pop Inn Amusement offers an abundance of 2p games. One 5£ note will last ages for kids under 10.
- Eat fish and chips along the quay as the locals do.
- Enjoy Norfolk homemade ice cream.
- Shop for a quintessentially British seaside gift.
Sandringham Estate
Sandringham Estate is the countryside home of Her Majesty The Queen. You can explore the house, view classic cars, and even stay the night. Between the Transport Museum and the Natural Play Area, there are many options for kids and adults to enjoy at Sandringham.
Outdoor exploration aside, visiting Sandringham Estate is a fun thing to do in Norfolk on a rainy day. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the entrance.
Where To Eat In Norfolk
For off-the-charts food experiences that also offer kid-friendly menus, these restaurants are the best places to eat during a weekend in Norfolk with kids. Locally sourced, unique, farm or sea-to-table (which I didn’t even know the term until visiting Norfolk) is what you’ll experience in Norfolk. Highly suggested to make reservations in advance as most, if not all of these restaurants in Norfolk, are booked up fast.
With so many amazing places to eat in Norfolk, you might want to pack some stretchy pants for your weekend in Norfolk, too! 👖
And if you plan to visit Norfolk in the fall, be sure to experience Norfolk Restaurant Week. Norfolk Restaurant Week happens the first week of November.
White Horse Brancaster
Enjoy the most impressive pot of mussels and fish and chips at White Horse Brancaster. The food is fantastic and the views exceptional. We can’t wait to go back.
Top things to do in Brancaster: Beach + Mussels
The Lifeboat Inn Thornham
After an active day of activities, a cozy spot for dinner at The Lifeboat Inn in Thornham does not disappoint. Keeping up with the sea theme, the salmon and prawn skewers are the best. Kids enjoy the fish and chips.
The Lifeboat Inn Thornham
The Victoria Inn
The Victoria Inn’s entire menu is locally sourced. Menu options include anything from venison to sea bass and the kids menu theme carries on with fish and chips (which my kids love!).
Although the Inn itself is quite upscale, it’s a cozy restaurant with a relaxed vibe. There were a number of families enjoying lunch, to include dogs.
Victoria Inn Holkham
Tips For A Successful Weekend In Norfolk
For a successful weekend in Norfolk with kids, use these tips for getting there, where to stay and what to pack for a visit any time of year.
Getting To Norfolk
A trip from St Albans to Norfolk by car is 2 hours. From London, Norfolk is just under a 3-hour drive or 4 hours by train.
Where To Stay In Norfolk
The Ship Hotel: Main Rd, Brancaster, King’s Lynn PE31 8AP
After extensive research, we stayed at The Ship Hotel in Brancaster. The Ship Hotel offers family rooms, is across the street from the road to access Brancaster Beach, home to a fabulous pub, and the local bus is easily accessed by a short walk down the street. It offers all the amenities for a family seeking convenience but with a whole lot of charm.
With an impressive ship replica mounted on the side of the hotel and internally decorated with everything nautical, it’s hard to not fall in love with this hotel if you love the sea.
Fab place to stay in Brancaster: The Ship Hotel
What To Pack For Your Norfolk Weekend
Regardless of the time of year you visit Norfolk, these items are what we were extremely grateful to have in the boot of our car for each activity:
- Wellies! Everyone will need them for the various walks, puddles, and other wet places the kids will want to explore. Make sure to pack spare shoes, a towel to wipe and dry off and a towel or blanket to protect the boot from all the sand.
- Raincoats…it’s by the sea. Must always prepare for getting wet!
- A water jug to keep in the car for filling up collapsible water bottles in between long walks.
- Collapsible water bottles for each family member. This way the kids can clip or carry their own collapsible water bottle in a pocket once it’s empty!
For more things to do with kids in Norfolk, use this travel guide for Norfolk and Suffolk which recommends what to do around and even on the water.
Final Tips For Things To Do In Norfolk On A Weekend With Kids
Before you leave, be sure you complete your weekend in Norfolk by:
- Trying local gins
- Eating Wells-dressed-crab, sea bream, and Brancaster mussels served in the biggest pot you’ve ever seen
- Enjoy at least 1-2 long walks on the beach
- Find a crab and have your kids name it (ours was Brancaster Jr 🦀)
- Fly on the kid’s zip line at Holkham Hall Park
- Run through a Norfolk lavender field
While trips focused on history and literature in England are fascinating, a weekend in Norfolk focused on family time, food, and nature is pretty amazing, too. Till next time!
Looking for more UK travel ideas? Try these.
- St Albans Travel Guide 2020: The Ultimate Bucket List For A Day Out(side)
- Things To Do In Stratford-Upon-Avon
- Cornwall: A Summer Weekend in Newquay With Kids
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