Short Breaks in Norfolk
Norfolk is a wonderful rural county that has been blessed with big skies, a fantastic coastline, and beautiful beaches. But Norfolk is not all about the coast, as there are the Norfolk Broads, nature reserves, and so many small quaint towns and villages with their flint and brick houses to discover. It’s a paradise for bird lovers as so many different birds visit during the year, and for walkers and cyclists as there is a maze of winding roads and footpaths criss-crossing the county. And if you want culture and history, make sure you visit bustling Norwich, once the second-wealthiest city in England after London. Your hardest decision is which of the exciting short breaks in Norfolk to choose!
Norfolk is a boon for lovers of history and architecture, too. It has an abundance of stately homes and gardens to explore, from the Royal Family's retreat of Sandringham, to Holkham Hall, Houghton Hall, Blickling Hall, Felbrigg Hall, Oxburgh Hall, Mannington Hall, and Hindringham Hall to name but a few. You’ll also find glorious gardens, ruined castles and religious buildings dotted around. There are just so many interesting attractions.
The Windmill at Cley-next-the-Sea © essentially-england.comAnd don’t forget Norfolk is “Nelson’s County”, celebrated as the birthplace and home of the great seaman Lord Nelson. Visit the aptly named Lord Nelson pub in pretty Burnham Thorpe and you can walk on the same stone floor and sit on the same bench as the great man!
Another thing we love about Norfolk are the many little farm shops selling freshly picked fruits and vegetables. If you visit from late May onwards, then you can guarantee fresh produce to buy or be served as part of your meal. Asparagus and strawberries around May/June are our favourite.
Short Breaks in Norfolk
Well, now’s the difficult bit as there is a wide selection of short breaks in Norfolk to choose from, and if you’re like me, you would want to take several breaks. Perhaps I would be better off if I just moved there!
Here are some ideas...
Norfolk - Royal Sandringham & the Broads
5 Days / 4 Nights
Travel
Make your own way to/from your Norwich hotel.
Visit
- Guided tour of Norwich.
- Sandringham Estate.
- Sheringham & North Norfolk Railway.
- Blickling Hall & Norfolk Broads cruise.
Great Yarmouth, Norfolk Broads, & Royal Sandringham Estate
5 Days / 4 Nights
Travel
Coach travel to Great Yarmouth hotel & back from various pick-up points.
Visit
- The Royal Family's Sandringham Estate.
- Optional extra day out in historic Norwich.
- Norfolk Broads cruise.
Big Blue Sky and Golden Sand at Blakeney Point © essentially-england.comCycling Breaks in Norfolk
Norfolk is a wonderful place to cycle, particularly if you avoid the school holiday periods. There are many small, quiet roads and they are generally in good condition and don't get too steep!
Contrasts of Norfolk Cycling
8 Days / 7 Nights
Travel
Make your own way to/from your Kings Lynn hotel.
Visit
- Bike hire included.
- Kings Lynn to Old Hunstanton via Castle Rising & Sandringham (34km/21 miles).
- Old Hunstanton to East Rudham via Burnham Market (53km/33 miles).
- East Rudham to Holt via Holkham Hall, Wells-next-the-Sea, & Binham Priory (50km/31 miles).
- Choice of routes from Holt to North Norfolk Coast.
- Choice of routes to explore the Norfolk Broads area.
- Holt to Kings Lynn via Walsingham & Houghton Hall (61km/38 miles).
Highlights of Norfolk Cycling
6 Days / 5 Nights
Travel
Make your own way to/from your Kings Lynn hotel.
Visit
- Bike hire included.
- Kings Lynn to East Rudham via Castle Rising, Sandringham, & Houghton Hall (56km/35 miles).
- East Rudham to Holt via Holkham Hall, Wells-next-the-Sea(great fish and chips!), & Binham Priory (50km/31 miles).
- Choice of routes from Holt to the North Norfolk Coast & Sheringham/Cromer area.
- Or choose to cycle towards Wroxham and the Norfolk Broads area.
- Holt to Kings Lynn via Thursford & Walsingham (61km/38 miles).
Blickling Hall © essentially-england.comSpecial Interest Short Breaks in Norfolk
Great Little Trains of Norfolk
5 Days / 4 Nights
Travel
Coach travel to Great Yarmouth hotel & back from various pick-up points.
Visit
- Bure Valley Railway trip between Aylsham and Wroxham.
- Norfolk Broads paddle boat cruise.
- Optional extra day out in historic Norwich.
- The seaside resorts of Cromer, Sheringham, and a historic train journey on the North Norfolk Railway to Holt.
Norfolk Country Music Break
5 Days / 4 Nights
Travel
Return coach travel to Warner Leisure Corton Village from various pick-up points.
Visit
- Adult only hotel.
- Dance/listern to live country music every night.
- Aldeburgh and its blue flag shingle beach.
- Admire the culture of Norwich on an optional extra day out.
- Coach tour of the beautiful Norfolk Broads area.
Stately Homes & Seaside Castles of Norfolk
5 Days / 4 Nights
Travel
Coach travel to Kings Lynn hotel & back from various pick-up points.
Visit
- Oxburgh Hall & Castle Rising.
- Blickling Estate, Sheringham, & North Norfolk Railway,
- Afternoon tea & guided tour of Sandringham.
- Holkham Hall & Hindringham Manor Gardens.
- Hoveton Hall & Wolterton Hall.
- Mannington Hall.
Private Gardens of East Anglia
5 Days / 4 Nights
Travel
Return coach travel from London to your Norwich hotel.
Visit
- RHS Hyde Hall & Beth Chatto Gardens.
- Wyken Hall & Vineyards & Helmingham Hall.
- Raveningham Hall & East Ruston Old Vicarage Gardens.
- Place for Plants at East Bergholt & Marks Hall.
Heritage Railways of East Anglia
4 Days / 3 Nights
Travel
Return coach travel to Norwich hotel from various pick-up points.
Visit
- East Anglian Railway Museum & trip on the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway.
- Train journey on the North Norfolk Railway & Sandringham Estate.
- Train rides on the Mid-Norfolk Railway & Bure Valley Railway, & Norfolk Broads cruise.
- Bressingham Steam and Gardens.
Special Houses & Gardens of North Norfolk
5 Days / 4 Nights
Travel
Make your own way to/from your hotel in Kings Lynn.
Visit
- Houghton Hall and Gardens & Sandringham Estate.
- Holkham Hall & Walsingham Abbey.
- Hoveton Hall Gardens & Hindringham Hall & Gardens.
- Themed evening lecture from guest speaker.
- Guided tours.
We love Norfolk and have had a number of cycling holidays there. And now we're lucky enough to live even closer, so that we can have wonderful days out there exploring the history and countryside. It's a great place to visit and we strongly recommend going outside of the school holidays as it is less crowded.
For even more short breaks in Norfolk click here.
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