Never Been To Norfolk!
Where To Go And What To Do In Norfolk This Summer
My husband suggested we go to Norfolk for our beach holiday this year. I’ve never been to Norfolk, and have no idea what to expect. He remembers going as a child, riding donkeys on the beach and looking cockles at the seaside with his Grandfather. I did not have the heart to tell him that things may have changed a lot since then. Having learned from past experience, I didn’t want to book our beach holiday based on his childhood memories. So I put my “Googles” on and did web surfing on my own. I was delighted by my discoveries.
Family Fun
There is plenty going on in Norfolk during the school holidays, as well as all year round. There are beaches, festivals, aquariums, amusement arcades, wildlife parks and museums. Quaint seaside resorts and towns are scattered along the entire coastline. Sheringham, Hunstanton and Wells are very popular. They have been on the list of favourite seaside destinations for over 200 years. I think we’ll all enjoy a trip on the world’s longest 10¼” narrow gauge steam railway which runs along the scenic route from Wells to Walsingham.
Great Yarmouth
Our children are going to love Great Yarmouth; I think I’ll be exhausted after a few days there. The beach looks great, and it won’t be easy to drag the kids away from the amusement arcade on the pier. I’d like to take them to the Sea Life Centre and the Nelson Museum, but I think they will be more interested in MB’s Funhouse and Merrivale Model village. I know that they will want to visit the Pettitts Animal Adventure Park. Actually there is so much to do I think they will be spoilt for choice. Hubby will be happy too, there is dog racing at Yarmouth Stadium.
Festivals
Norfolk is full of festivals this summer. Our kids are quite creative so I think BeWILDerwoods Curious Treehouse Adventure Park will on the list. They are holding a fancy dress parade and the Boggle Band will be joining in. Mildred’s Musical Puppet Parade is being held from the 23rd – 28th July. Great Yarmouth have free summer firework displays every Wednesday for the six weeks over the summer holidays, they start at 10pm, I’m sure we’ll all enjoy that.
Water Sports
My family all enjoy water sports, so I was delighted to read that Wells is a great place to go sailing, windsurfing and kayaking. We will definitely take a boat tour out of the harbour to see the seals.
Blue Flag Beaches in Norfolk
My “surfing” paid off; Norfolk ticked all the holiday boxes for my kids and my husband. But could Norfolk give me the beautiful beaches I wanted? … Absolutely! Five beaches, Sheringham, Cromer, Sea Palling, Mundesley and Hunstanton, were awarded Blue Flags in November 2011. This award is given to beaches that are guaranteed as one of the best in the world. Most Norfolk beaches are vast and tranquil and backed by grassy dunes, a perfect picnic spot. The beaches are sandy and the water is shallow. My husband will be able to take the kids crabbing in the rock pools whilst I relax and enjoy the sunshine.
Norfolk offers everything my family is looking for. There’s a broad selection of great accommodation options for every family. Holiday planned and booked. The donkeys are still found giving rides on old Hunstanton beach. Perhaps things haven’t changed so much after all. I wonder if my husband will remember the place where his Grandfather took him to look for cockles because I’d like him to take me there too.