Image by Eamonn McCabe / Eamonn McCabe

Norfolk

Big skies, sweeping beaches, windswept marshes, meandering inland waterways and pretty flint houses combine to great effect in Norfolk. They say the locals have 'one foot on the land, and one in the sea', and you’re never far from water here, whether it's beside the windmill-framed rivers of the tranquil Norfolk Broads or the wide, birdlife-rich sands of the shore. Inland, the bustling city of Norwich offers a fine castle and a cathedral, a lively market and some truly excellent places to sleep and eat.

Explore Norfolk

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Norfolk.

  • Historic Building

    Sandringham

    Both monarchists and those bemused by the English system will have plenty to mull over here, at the Queen's country estate. It's set in 25 hectares of…

  • Cathedral

    Norwich Cathedral

    Norwich's most impressive landmark is a magnificent Anglican cathedral. Its barbed spire soars higher than any in England except Salisbury's, while the…

  • Museum

    Norwich Castle

    Crowning a hilltop overlooking central Norwich, this massive 12th-century castle is one of England’s best-preserved examples of Anglo-Norman military…

  • Museum

    Museum of Norwich

    Stay on your best behaviour: 14th-century Bridewell is a former house of correction, a 'prison for women, beggars and tramps'. Displays here explore…

  • Wildlife Reserve

    Holkham National Nature Reserve

    Beach, dunes, salt marsh, grazing marsh, pinewoods and scrub – a high number of habitats pack into 37-sq-km Holkham Reserve. It's easily accessed from the…

  • Historic Building

    Blickling Hall

    Largely remodelled in the 17th century for Sir Henry Hobart, James I's chief justice, Blickling Hall began life in the 11th century as a manor house and…

  • Historic Building

    Houghton Hall

    Built for Britain's first de-facto prime minister, Sir Robert Walpole, in 1730, Palladian-style Houghton Hall is worth seeing for the ornate staterooms…

  • Gallery

    Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts

    The region's most important centre for the arts is housed in the first major public building by renowned architect Norman Foster. Its eclectic collections…

  • Nature Reserve

    Cley Marshes

    One of England's premier birdwatching sites, Cley Marshes has more than 300 resident bird species, plentiful migrants and a network of walking trails and…

  • Museum

    Museum of the Broads

    Learn about the traditional Broads' boats (called wherries), the marshmen who gathered reeds and sedge for thatching, and local history and lifestyles at…

  • Castle

    Castle Rising

    There's something bordering on ecclesiastical about the beautifully embellished keep of this castle, built in 1138 and set in the middle of a massive…

  • Museum

    Lynn Museum

    High points here include a large hoard of Iceni gold coins and the Seahenge Gallery, which tells the story behind the construction and preservation of the…

  • Museum

    Henry Blogg Museum

    Tap out a message in Morse and spell your name in semaphore flags – hands-on gizmos add to the appeal of this excellent museum, as do the well-told tales…

  • Nature Reserve

    Titchwell Marsh

    The marshland, sandbars and lagoons of Titchwell Marsh Nature Reserve attract vast numbers of birds. In the spring, listen out for the booming call of the…

  • Beach

    Wells Beach

    Fringed by dense pine forests and undulating dunes, Wells' sandy shore stretches for miles to the west, with brightly coloured beach huts clustering…

  • Heritage Railway

    Bure Valley Steam Railway

    This narrow-gauge steam train runs between Aylsham and Wroxham and is an ideal way to see some hidden parts of the Broads. Trains operate different…

  • Museum

    Stories of Lynn

    A £2-million revamp has seen archive sources converted into multimedia exhibits, so you'll experience the stories of local seafarers, explorers, mayors…

  • Museum

    True's Yard

    Housed in two restored fishers' cottages – the only legacy of the district's once bustling, fiercely independent fishing community – this museum explores…

  • Museum

    Toad Hole Cottage

    This tiny cottage was home to an eel-catcher and his family and is restored in period style, showing how they lived and the tools they used to work the…

  • Heritage Railway

    Wells & Walsingham Railway

    The longest 10.25in narrow-gauge railway in the world puffs for 5 picturesque miles from Wells to the village of Little Walsingham, the site of religious…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Norfolk.

  • Activities