Culture & Heritage

Holkham Hall, Holkham

This magnificent Palladian-style house near Wells has been the home of the Earls of Leicester for centuries. Set in a 3,000-acre deer park, Holkham Hall includes a striking marble hall and beautifully decorated staterooms. Elsewhere, explore the estate footpaths, the stunning beach, and don't miss the Lookout Cafe (photo) overlooking Holkham's nature reserve.

Burnham Market

Not only will you find a traditional post office, butcher, baker, hardware shop and a fish shop, but the upmarket village of Burnham Market has 30 highly original independent and specialist shops. For designer clothing visit Gun Hill Clothing, for stylish furniture and gifts for the home pop into Norfolk Living, and for contemporary art take a look at the Fairfax Gallery.

Norfolk Lavender, Heacham

Down the road from Brancaster, at Heacham, near Hunstanton, you’ll find the home of Norfolk Lavender, where you can see the world-famous lavender gardens, the lavender oil distillery and the national lavender collection and herb garden. The gift shop has a wide range of Norfolk Lavender products and plants.

Sandringham Estate, King's Lynn

The much-loved country retreat of the Royal Family, Sandringham is where the Queen spends every Christmas and New Year. Surrounded by a vast estate of some 20,000 acres, the Grade II-listed house and gardens are open to visitors free of charge every day of the year.

Walsingham

Famous as a pilgrimage centre and for its religious shrines in honour of the Virgin Mary, Walsingham lies just to the south of Wells-next-the-Sea. Apart from Walsingham’s historic abbey, known for its dazzling carpets of snowdrops in February, there is a wealth of historic buildings to see and admire. While you’re here, visit the museum and the delightful wildflower meadows.

Cromer

Often described as the ‘gem of the Norfolk coast’, Cromer is one of East Anglia’s most popular resorts. The distinctive tower of the town’s church overlooks Cromer’s old fishing village and the resort is also renowned for its classic Victorian pier.

Blickling Hall, Blickling

One of the region’s great Jacobean houses, Blickling Hall is reputedly where Anne Boleyn was born. Her headless ghost is said to manifest itself on the anniversary of her execution – 19 May. First sight of Blickling Hall leaves a lasting impression and a tour of the house and its fine park is surely one of the highlights of a visit to Norfolk.

Great Bircham Windmill

One of the last remaining windmills in Norfolk, this striking example stands on that Norfolk rarity, a hill, so expect fine views across rolling fields towards the coast once you have climbed the five floors. Sails turn on windy days and you can visit the adjoining bakery, take tea in the café and hire a bike.

Shopping in Norwich

One of the best-preserved medieval cities in the country, Norwich is a top shopping destination with lots of independent retailers and smart restaurants. For something slightly unusual visit Colman’s Mustard Shop and Museum in the Royal Arcade. Discover how it all began and then visit the shop for a wide selection of mustard pots and spoons. Look out, too, for St Gregory’s Antiques and Collectables in Pottergate, just the place for that rare item or quirky find.

Langham Glass, Fakenham

Experience a fascinating demonstration of glass making with informative live commentary, watch as molten crystal is transformed into glass using traditional methods and then create your own glass masterpiece alongside the expert glassmakers. Don’t leave without visiting the shop and café.

Pinkfoot Gallery, Cley-next-the-Sea

Close to Cley Marshes, this well-respected gallery specialises in Modern British Nature Art and there is always a wide range of striking and very distinctive work by Norfolk-based artists, from semi-abstract to the realistic, from oils to prints and porcelain.

Houghton Hall, Houghton

Built by Robert Walpole, Britain’s first Prime Minister, Houghton Hall was constructed in the 1720s and is acknowledged as one of the country’s finest Palladian-style houses. In its day Houghton Hall was the scene of political entertaining on an unimaginable scale.

Thursford Collection

It’s probably not what you’d expect to find in the depths of North Norfolk, but lovers of musical instruments will be quickly drawn in. Among the treasured items here at Fakenham are a Wurlitzer cinema organ, fairground carousels and various barrel and street organs. Book early for the fabulous, very extravagant Christmas spectacular shows.

Norfolk Broads

Think of the Norfolk Broads and the picture that springs to mind is usually one of a complex network of navigable rivers and man-made waterways. In fact there are 125 miles of them and an assortment of picturesque, sleepy villages to discover in this wonderfully spacious natural landscape.

Mannington Gardens, Itteringham

Expect to see a wide variety of plants, trees and shrubs surrounding a splendid medieval moated manor house on a visit to Mannington Gardens, which can be found to the south-west of the Gunton Arms at Thorpe Market. There are also scented plants, dazzling roses and herbaceous borders to catch the eye.

Holt

This timeless little market town is a shopper’s paradise. Explore its back alleys and you’ll find an assortment of galleries, delis, boutiques and individual shops. The Mews Antiques Emporium is crammed with goodies.

Glandford Shell Museum, Holt

Glandford's Shell Museum in the the peaceful Glaven Valley just outside Holt is the oldest purpose-built museum in Norfolk and houses the finest seashell collection in the UK. As well as thousands of exquisite seashells, the Museum also contains fossils, birds' eggs, pottery, local archaeological finds and much more.

Norwich Cathedral

A beautiful Norman building set in the largest close in England. Originally a Benedictine foundation, it possesses the largest monastic cloisters in England and is of great architectural and artistic interest. Special features include nave bosses depicting scenes from the bible from the Creation to the Resurrection, and a Saxon bishop's throne.

Birdscapes Gallery, Glandford

Norfolk’s stunning wildlife has long been immortalised by well-respected East Anglian-based artists and on display in the excellent gallery at Glandford, near Holt where you can buy some striking and very distinctive work, including paintings, prints and sculptures.

Heydon Village

Heydon is a most attractive estate village, built around a charming green where time seems to stood still, at the end of a dead-end lane. Heydon Hall (not open) dates from 1581 and has an E-shaped front. Visitors are allowed to walk in the park. The village has a thriving pub, tea room, a bakery, and artisan shops in converted barns.

Holkham Village

Adjacent to the drive to Holkham Hall is the old stables complex, now home to the Courtyard Gift Shop where you will find an eclectic mix of paintings, jewellery and ceramics and local foodstuffs. Across the lane is Adnams Wine Cellar and Kitchen Store for exclusive wines, bottled Adnams beers and high quality kitchenware, and a short stroll away you’ll find Occotillo, a lifestyle shop focusing on themed collection of textiles, ceramics and homeware.

Burnham Thorpe

This peaceful little village beside the River Bure near Burnham Market was the birthplace in 1758 of Lord Nelson - his father Edmund was village rector until his death in 1802. The font in which he was christened is in the 13th-century All Saints Church, alongside a lectern and rood made from the timbers of HMS Victory

Felbrigg Hall, Felbrigg

Described by the National Trust, who manage it, as boasting a surprising mixture of opulence and homeliness, Fellbrigg Hall, near Norwich, is one of Norfolk’s finest houses. Outside is a productive walled garden and glorious rolling parkland with a lake, 520 acres of woods and miles of waymarked paths.

Oxburgh Hall, Oxborough

Moated Oxburgh Hall, near Swaffham, usually leaves a lasting impression on its visitors. This architectural gem dates back to 1482 and inside lurks striking and intriguing features, including needlework by Mary, Queen of Scots. Surrounding Oxburgh are 70 acres of gardens, streams and woodland walks.

Horsey Windpump, Norfolk Broads

You don’t have to be interested in the mechanics of drainage systems or the architecture of windpumps to appreciate a visit to Horsey, on the coast between Caister and Cromer. The views from this famous landmark across to Horsey Mere and the evocative landscape of the Norfolk Broads are unforgettable.

Castle Acre Priory, Castle Acre

Castle Acre Priory was founded in 1090 and is the oldest Cluniac priory in England and probably the finest monastic remains in East Anglia. Look for the decorated 12th century west front, 16th-century gatehouse and prior’s lodgings.

Sheringham Park, Sheringham

Created 200 years ago by the visionary landscape gardener Humphrey Repton, Sheringham Park has more than 80 species of rhododendron and azalea. Explore the numerous trails on the 1,000-acre estate, listen for birdsong or keep an eye out for passing steam trains on the nearby Poppy Line.

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Last updated: 01.02.21

Photo credit: Britain Express (David Ross - Burnham Thorpe Church); Unsplash