Norfolk is one of the best counties in England for a summer holiday. With miles of sandy coastline, the iconic Broads, ancient forests, wildlife parks and some of the UK’s most-loved family attractions, there is genuinely something for every age, interest and budget.

Whether you are staying for a week, planning day trips from home, or just looking for ideas to keep the kids busy through the long summer break, this guide covers the very best things to do in Norfolk during the summer holidays – from big family attractions and coastal adventures to wildlife encounters, heritage days out and hidden gems.

Many of the attractions featured here are members of Norfolk & Suffolk Tourist Attractions (NSTA), which means you can often save money with exclusive vouchers and family discounts.

Jump to: 🎡 Family Attractions  |  🐼 Wildlife and Animals  |  🌊 Coastal Days Out  |  🚴 On the Water  |  🏛 Heritage and Culture  |  🌿 Gardens and Outdoors  |  ⛈ Rainy Day Ideas  |  🎉 Summer Events  |  🎯 Save Money

Norfolk’s family attractions are some of the best in the East of England, with something to suit every age from toddlers to teens. These are the ones that reliably deliver a proper full day out – arrive early, wear comfortable shoes, and bring snacks.

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1. Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure 🦖

📍 Lenwade – approx. 30 mins from Norwich
Best for: ages 2 to 12

One of Norfolk’s biggest and best-loved family attractions, Roarr! is a full day out built around dinosaurs, adventure and outdoor fun. Expect life-sized T-Rexes, a massive outdoor adventure trail, high ropes, splash zones and indoor play – all set across acres of woodland and open space.

In summer the splash zones come into their own, so pack a towel and a change of clothes for younger children.

💡 Top Tip: Arrive when the gates open in summer – the car park fills up fast on hot days and popular weekends.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Roarr! page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: roarr.co.uk

👉 Pair it with: A stop at Wroxham Barns on the way back for farm animals, food and a browse of the craft shops.

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2. BeWILDerwood 🌲

📍 Hoveton – approx. 25 mins from Norwich
Best for: ages 3 to 11

A magical woodland adventure park built around treehouses, zip wires, wonky bridges and outdoor storytelling. There are no screens, no plastic rides and no queues for rollercoasters – just proper outdoor imagination play in a beautiful Broads-edge setting.

Summer is the best time to visit, with full storytelling sessions running all day and the outdoor areas at their most accessible.

💡 Top Tip: Join a free storytelling session – they run throughout the day and the kids who engage with the story get far more out of the whole visit.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our BeWILDerwood page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: bewilderwood.co.uk

👉 Pair it with: Wroxham Miniature Worlds just down the road — outdoor adventure in the morning, incredible indoor model railways in the afternoon.

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3. Wroxham Barns 🐖

📍 Hoveton – approx. 20 mins from Norwich
Best for: ages 1 to 8

A family farm and craft village with seasonal events, animal petting, a funfair, mini golf and a great tearoom. Wroxham Barns has a gentler pace than the bigger attractions and is ideal for younger children or as a half-day add-on alongside a Broads visit.

The summer funfair runs through the school holidays and the junior farm gives little ones hands-on time with the animals.

💡 Top Tip: Combine with a Bure Valley Railway trip from nearby Aylsham for a brilliant full day on very little budget.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Wroxham Barns page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: wroxhambarns.co.uk

👉 Pair it with: Broads Tours at Wroxham for a river cruise before or after.

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4. Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach 🎢

📍 Great Yarmouth – on the seafront
Best for: ages 4 and up, teens and adults

One of the oldest seaside funfairs in the UK and still one of the best. The wooden rollercoaster is the only surviving one of its kind in the country, and alongside it you will find traditional rides, modern thrills, arcades and classic seaside atmosphere in full swing.

Summer evenings here, with the lights on and the seafront buzzing, are a proper Norfolk holiday memory.

💡 Top Tip: The wooden rollercoaster is a must – go on it at least twice. Evening visits are less crowded and the atmosphere is better than peak afternoon.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Pleasure Beach page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: pleasure-beach.co.uk

👉 Pair it with: Sea Life Great Yarmouth and the Elizabethan House Museum for a full Great Yarmouth day out.

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5. Hirsty’s Family Fun Park 🎃

📍 Hemsby – approx. 15 mins from Great Yarmouth
Best for: ages 3 to 12

A seasonal family fun park that comes alive in summer with go-karts, play zones, hay bale towers, and outdoor activities across a working farm setting. Less polished than the bigger attractions but genuinely great fun and excellent value.

Summer is peak season here and the outdoor activities are at their best in warm weather.

💡 Top Tip: Go on a weekday if you can – weekends in peak summer get very busy and the queues for go-karts build up quickly.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Hirsty’s page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: hirstysfamilyfunpark.co.uk

👉 Pair it with: A beach visit at Hemsby or Caister – both are minutes away and free.

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6. Sea Life Great Yarmouth 🐠

📍 Great Yarmouth – Marine Parade
Best for: ages 2 and up

Walk through an underwater tunnel, meet the rays, watch the green sea turtle and explore tropical tanks packed with colour. One of Norfolk’s best indoor options and a reliable choice when the weather turns.

Summer opening hours are extended and it is one of the few Great Yarmouth attractions that works just as well on a rainy day as a sunny one.

💡 Top Tip: Ask staff about feeding times on arrival – they are genuinely fascinating to watch and happen at set times through the day.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Sea Life Great Yarmouth page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: visitsealife.com/great-yarmouth

👉 Pair it with: Pleasure Beach for a full Great Yarmouth day, or Elizabethan House Museum for something more cultural.

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7. Sea Life Hunstanton 🐡

📍 Hunstanton – on the seafront
Best for: ages 2 and up

Otters, seals, sharks and tropical fish on the west Norfolk coast, with the added bonus that Hunstanton is one of the only east coast beaches where you can watch the sun set over the sea. A great anchor for a day on the north Norfolk coast.

💡 Top Tip: Combine with fish and chips on the seafront and a walk along the striped cliffs for a proper Norfolk coastal day.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Sea Life Hunstanton page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: visitsealife.com/hunstanton

👉 Pair it with: Bircham Windmill inland for bread baking and goats – a full west Norfolk day sorted.

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8. Wroxham Miniature Worlds 🏛

📍 Wroxham – approx. 25 mins from Norwich
Best for: ages 4 and up, model enthusiasts of all ages

The UK’s largest indoor model railway attraction, with Lego cities, slot cars, dolls’ houses and retro arcade machines alongside extraordinary railway layouts. Brilliant on a rainy summer day and genuinely impressive even for adults who think they are too cool for model trains.

💡 Top Tip: Look out for themed spot-and-find trails during the summer holidays – they add an extra layer of fun for younger visitors.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Wroxham Miniature Worlds page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: wroxhamminiatureworlds.co.uk

👉 Pair it with: BeWILDerwood just up the road – outdoor adventure in the morning, indoor wonder in the afternoon.

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9. The Shoebox Experiences ⏳

📍 Norwich – location revealed on booking
Best for: ages 10 and up, families with older children

A brilliantly original underground adventure combining escape room puzzles, local history and immersive theatre. Hidden beneath Norwich, it is unlike anything else in the region and genuinely surprising even for people who think they have done everything Norwich has to offer.

💡 Top Tip: Book well in advance in summer – spaces are small by design and it sells out weeks ahead during school holidays.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Shoebox Experiences page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: shoeboxexperiences.org.uk

👉 Pair it with: Norwich Castle Museum and a walk around the Norwich Lanes for a full city day out.

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🐼 Wildlife and Animal Days Out

Norfolk is brilliant for animal lovers, with everything from big cats and exotic wildlife to rescued horses and hands-on insect encounters. These are the best wildlife and animal days out across the county this summer.

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10. Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens 🐯

📍 Near Great Yarmouth – approx. 15 mins drive
Best for: ages 3 and up

Tigers, crocodiles, red pandas and snow leopards in a peaceful wildlife park with raised walkways, shaded paths and plenty of space to explore at your own pace. Thrigby is quieter than the big commercial zoos but every bit as impressive, and the tree-top tiger walk is one of the best wildlife viewing experiences in the region.

Summer is ideal here – the big cats are most active in the cooler parts of the day and the wooded setting keeps temperatures down even on hot afternoons.

💡 Top Tip: Arrive early and head straight to the tigers before the main crowds build up. Late morning is when they tend to be most active.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Thrigby Hall page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: thrigbyhall.com

👉 Pair it with: Sea Life Great Yarmouth or Pleasure Beach for a full day in the Great Yarmouth area.

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11. Pensthorpe Natural Park 🦅

📍 Near Fakenham – approx. 45 mins from Norwich
Best for: all ages, especially nature-loving families

An award-winning wildlife and nature reserve with walking trails, lakes, bird hides, wildflower meadows and one of the best children’s play areas in Norfolk. Pensthorpe strikes a rare balance between genuine nature reserve and family day out, and it rewards visitors who take their time.

Summer brings the reserve to full life with wildflowers, wading birds and the outdoor play areas at their best. The indoor Hootz House play barn is also there as a backup if the weather turns.

💡 Top Tip: Pick up a wildlife spotting trail sheet at the entrance and work through it as you walk – it genuinely changes how much you notice.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Pensthorpe page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: pensthorpe.com

👉 Pair it with: Thursford Collection is just 10 minutes away for a complete change of pace after your nature walk.

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12. Watatunga Wildlife Reserve 🦜

📍 Near Kings Lynn – approx. 45 mins from Norwich
Best for: ages 5 and up, wildlife enthusiasts

A genuinely unique wildlife reserve focused on rare and endangered ungulates – deer, antelope and similar species – set across beautiful West Norfolk countryside. Watatunga is not a conventional zoo and is all the better for it. The guided safari experience feels genuinely special and is unlike anything else in the region.

💡 Top Tip: Visits are guided rather than self-led, so check times and book ahead. Summer slots fill up quickly.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Watatunga page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: watatunga.co.uk

👉 Pair it with: Bircham Windmill or the beaches at Hunstanton for a full west Norfolk day.

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13. Redwings Horse Sanctuary – Aylsham 🐴

📍 Aylsham – approx. 30 mins from Norwich
Best for: all ages, free entry

A free-to-visit sanctuary where you can meet rescued horses, ponies and donkeys in a peaceful countryside setting. Redwings Aylsham is one of those rare days out that costs nothing and delivers something genuinely moving – the stories behind the animals make this more than just a petting experience.

💡 Top Tip: Check the website for any scheduled grooming sessions or guided talks during the summer holidays – they add real depth to the visit.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Redwings Aylsham page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: redwings.org.uk

👉 Pair it with: Bure Valley Railway departs from Aylsham – a steam train ride makes a perfect second half to the day.

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14. Redwings Horse Sanctuary – Caldecott 🐎

📍 Caldecott – approx. 20 mins from Great Yarmouth
Best for: all ages, free entry

The second Redwings site in Norfolk, near the Suffolk border, with free entry and a similarly relaxed and rewarding atmosphere. Friendly donkeys, open paddocks and beautiful countryside make this a lovely low-key morning or afternoon out, especially for younger children who love animals but find bigger attractions overwhelming.

💡 Top Tip: Combine both Redwings sites in a single day if you are based in the south of Norfolk – they are different enough to be worth visiting separately.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Redwings Caldecott page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: redwings.org.uk

👉 Pair it with: Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens is 20 minutes away for a full wildlife day in the Great Yarmouth area.

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15. The Bug Parc 🐛

📍 Lenwade – approx. 30 mins from Norwich
Best for: ages 4 and up, curious kids and brave adults

A hands-on insect and arachnid experience where you can get up close with tarantulas, giant millipedes, stick insects and all manner of fascinating creatures. The Bug Parc is a brilliant alternative to the bigger attractions – smaller, more personal, and genuinely educational in a way that sticks with children long after the visit.

💡 Top Tip: Book a handling session in advance – the chance to hold a giant spider or millipede is the highlight and slots fill up during summer holidays.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Bug Parc page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: bugparc.com

👉 Pair it with: Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure is just down the road in Lenwade – a dinosaur and bug double bill is a brilliant day for curious children.

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16. Amazona Zoo 🐆

📍 Cromer – 10 mins walk from the beach
Best for: ages 2 and up

A South American-themed zoo hidden in the heart of Cromer, home to jaguars, monkeys, flamingos, tapirs and a tropical house. Amazona is one of Norfolk’s best-kept secrets – compact enough to do comfortably in a few hours but packed with genuinely impressive animals in well-designed enclosures.

Its location makes it perfect for combining with a beach visit – zoo in the morning, Cromer seafront and crab sandwiches in the afternoon.

💡 Top Tip: The jaguar enclosure is at the far end of the zoo – do not rush through and miss it. Go slowly and you are more likely to catch them active.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Amazona Zoo page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: amazonazoo.co.uk

👉 Pair it with: Cromer beach and pier for lunch and a proper seaside afternoon – the zoo and seafront together make one of the best value days out on the north Norfolk coast.

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17. Banham Zoo 🐵

📍 Banham – approx. 40 mins from Norwich
Best for: all ages

Over 2,000 animals across a large and well-maintained site with daily keeper talks, big cat enclosures, and a strong conservation focus. Banham is one of the best full-day zoo experiences in the East of England and reliably delivers for all ages.

💡 Top Tip: Check the daily talk schedule when you arrive and plan your route around it – the big cat talks in particular are not to be missed.

👉 Pair it with: Bressingham Steam and Gardens is 20 minutes away for a completely different afternoon.

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🌊 Coastal Days Out

Norfolk has some of the finest coastline in England, from the wide sandy beaches of the north coast to the traditional seaside buzz of Great Yarmouth. Here are the best coastal days out to plan this summer.

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18. Holkham Beach and Nature Reserve 🦥

📍 Holkham – approx. 10 mins from Wells-next-the-Sea
Best for: all ages, dog owners, nature lovers

One of the most stunning beaches in England, backed by pine forest and vast dunes with wide open sands that never feel overcrowded even on busy summer days. Holkham beach is the kind of place that stays with you – big skies, clean air and a genuine sense of space that is hard to find on the more popular stretches of coast.

The Holkham Estate sits just behind the beach with walled gardens, a cafe and walks through the deer park, making this an easy full day without spending much at all.

💡 Top Tip: Park at the main Holkham car park and walk through the pinewoods to reach the beach – the approach through the trees makes the moment you first see the sand genuinely spectacular.

👉 Pair it with: Holkham Hall and Gardens for a full estate day out, or head to Wells-next-the-Sea for lunch and the famous beach huts.

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19. Wells-next-the-Sea Beach and Pinewoods 🌲

📍 Wells-next-the-Sea – approx. 35 mins from Fakenham
Best for: families, all ages

Candy-coloured beach huts, a long sandy beach backed by pinewoods and a charming harbour town just up the road. Wells is one of Norfolk’s most iconic summer destinations, combining a beautiful beach with great food, coastal walks and a town well worth exploring.

💡 Top Tip: The beach is around a mile from the town. You can walk along the raised bank beside the harbour or use the seasonal bus service, subject to current operating times.

👉 Pair it with: Holkham Hall and Gardens is 10 minutes away – a beach morning and estate afternoon makes a brilliant full day.

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20. Cromer Pier, Beach and Town 🦀

📍 Cromer – approx. 40 mins from Norwich
Best for: all ages

Cromer is classic Norfolk seaside at its best. A Victorian pier, a proper sandy beach, the famous Cromer crab, an independent high street and Amazona Zoo just minutes away. It is one of those towns where you could easily spend two days and still find something new.

Summer brings the Cromer Pier Show to life – one of the last surviving end-of-pier variety shows in the country and well worth booking for an evening out.

💡 Top Tip: Go to the end of the pier and watch the lifeboat station – if you are lucky you might see a launch or return, which is genuinely exciting.

👉 Pair it with: Amazona Zoo in the morning and Cromer seafront in the afternoon for one of the best value days on the north Norfolk coast.

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21. Hunstanton Beach and Seafront 🏖

📍 Hunstanton – approx. 45 mins from Kings Lynn
Best for: families, all ages

Hunstanton is the only east-facing seaside town in Norfolk where you can watch the sun set over the sea – a genuinely special moment on a clear summer evening. The beach is wide, sandy and well-served with facilities, and the striped chalk and carstone cliffs behind it are unlike anything else on this stretch of coast.

Sea Life Hunstanton sits right on the seafront, making this an easy combination of beach and attraction in a single visit.

💡 Top Tip: Walk north along the beach to the cliffs for the best views and some natural rock pooling at low tide.

👉 Pair it with: Sea Life Hunstanton on the seafront or Bircham Windmill inland for bread baking and goats.

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22. Sheringham Seafront and Town 🚢

📍 Sheringham – approx. 30 mins from Cromer
Best for: families, couples, all ages

A traditional seaside town with a proper beach, a good high street, a steam railway that rolls right into the town centre and coastal walks in both directions. Sheringham feels unhurried in a way that some of the more popular spots do not, and it is all the better for it.

The North Norfolk Railway departs from Sheringham station, making this the natural starting point for a steam train day out along the Poppy Line.

💡 Top Tip: Walk the coastal path towards Cromer for stunning clifftop views – even a short stretch gives you some of the best scenery on the north Norfolk coast.

👉 Pair it with: North Norfolk Railway for a steam train trip to Holt and back.

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23. Great Yarmouth Central Beach and Seafront 🎡

📍 Great Yarmouth – on the east coast
Best for: families, all ages

Classic British seaside in full summer swing. Great Yarmouth’s seafront is loud, colourful and brilliant for families who want a proper bucket-and-spade beach day with arcades, donkey rides, ice cream and entertainment all within easy reach. It is unapologetically old-school and that is exactly the point.

💡 Top Tip: The beach is at its best early morning before the crowds arrive – get there for 9am in summer for a genuinely peaceful couple of hours before it gets busy.

👉 Pair it with: Pleasure Beach and Sea Life Great Yarmouth for a full day on the seafront.

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24. Gorleston Beach 🏄

📍 Gorleston – just south of Great Yarmouth
Best for: families, locals, all ages

A wide, clean sandy beach that locals rate above Great Yarmouth itself for a relaxed family day. Gorleston has a paddling pool, pitch and putt, a pavilion cafe and far less of the commercial bustle of the town to the north. If you want a proper beach day without the arcade noise, this is the one.

💡 Top Tip: The clifftop cafe above the beach has great views and decent cake – worth the short walk up for a mid-afternoon break.

👉 Pair it with: Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens is 15 minutes away for a wildlife morning before a beach afternoon.

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25. Horsey Gap and Seal Watching 🦭

📍 Horsey – approx. 20 mins from Great Yarmouth
Best for: nature lovers, all ages

While the main seal pupping season runs from November to January, grey seals can often be spotted hauled out on the beach at Horsey throughout the summer months. Combined with the dunes, the windpump and the peaceful stretch of coast, Horsey is one of those places that feels genuinely off the beaten track even in peak summer.

💡 Top Tip: Stay behind the rope barriers at all times – the seals look relaxed but will move into the sea if approached, which stresses them unnecessarily.

👉 Pair it with: Broads Tours at Wroxham for a full nature day across the Broads and coast.

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🚴 On the Water

The Norfolk Broads is one of the most unique landscapes in the UK and summer is the best time to explore it. Whether you want a guided river cruise, a steam train alongside the water or a self-guided paddle, here are the best ways to get out on the water this summer.

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26. Broads Tours by Norfolk Broads Direct 🚤

📍 Wroxham – approx. 30 mins from Norwich
Best for: all ages, including young children and grandparents

Scenic river cruises along the Norfolk Broads from Wroxham, with guided commentary, open-top viewing and a genuinely relaxing way to see the Broads without needing any experience or equipment. Broads Tours runs daytime trips and occasional evening cruises through the summer, and it is one of those experiences that works for every age in the family.

The boats are comfortable and accessible, making this a brilliant option for mixed-age groups or anyone who wants to experience the Broads without getting behind the wheel of a hire boat.

💡 Top Tip: Sit on the upper deck if the weather is good – the views of the reed beds, windmills and wildlife from the top are far better than from inside.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Broads Tours page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: broadstours.co.uk

👉 Pair it with: Wroxham Barns just up the road for farm animals and food before or after your cruise.

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27. Bure Valley Railway 🚂

📍 Aylsham to Wroxham – approx. 30 mins from Norwich
Best for: all ages, train enthusiasts, families

A beautiful 15-inch gauge steam railway running nine miles through the heart of the Broads between Aylsham and Wroxham. The route follows the River Bure for much of the journey, giving passengers views across the water meadows and Broads landscape that you simply cannot get from a car.

You can ride the full return journey or hop off at Wroxham and combine it with a Broads Tours river cruise for one of the best value full days out in Norfolk.

💡 Top Tip: Book a combined train and boat ticket if you can – arriving at Wroxham by steam train and then boarding a river cruise is a genuinely brilliant way to spend a summer day.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Bure Valley Railway page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: bvrw.co.uk

👉 Pair it with: Broads Tours at Wroxham for a steam train and river cruise combination that covers two of the best Norfolk Broads experiences in a single day.

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28. Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden 🚣

📍 South Walsham – approx. 30 mins from Norwich
Best for: all ages, garden lovers, nature enthusiasts

A beautiful mix of woodland gardens, waterways and a private broad, with boat trips running through the summer months that take you into parts of the estate you cannot reach on foot. Fairhaven is one of those places that feels completely removed from the bustle of the summer holidays – peaceful, green and genuinely restorative.

The summer boat trips onto the private broad are the highlight and well worth timing your visit around. The tearoom is excellent and the gardens are at their most lush through July and August.

💡 Top Tip: Check boat trip times before you arrive and plan your garden walk to finish at the broad in time for the next departure – the private broad is the part of Fairhaven most visitors remember most.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Fairhaven page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: fairhavengarden.co.uk

👉 Pair it with: Broads Tours at Wroxham for a full day on the water across two very different Broads experiences.

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29. Canoeing and Paddleboarding on the Broads

📍 Various locations including Wroxham, Coltishall and Beccles
Best for: ages 8 and up, active families

The Norfolk Broads is one of the best places in England for a first paddleboarding or canoeing experience, with calm waterways, stunning scenery and plenty of hire options available across the network. Several independent operators offer half-day and full-day hire from different launch points, with no experience necessary for most routes.

Early morning paddles are the best time to see wildlife and the water is usually at its calmest before the hire boats get moving.

💡 Top Tip: Bring a dry bag for phones and valuables and wear clothes you do not mind getting wet – even calm water has a way of finding you eventually.

👉 Pair it with: Broads Tours for a guided river cruise if the paddleboarding leaves younger members of the group wanting more time on the water.

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30. Hoveton Hall Estate 🌿

📍 Hoveton – approx. 25 mins from Norwich
Best for: garden lovers, couples, families

Peaceful walled gardens and lakeside walks on the edge of the Broads, with water features, woodland trails and seasonal colour running right through the summer. Hoveton Hall is quieter than the bigger attractions and rewards visitors who take their time – the lakeside walk in particular is one of the most scenic short walks in the Broads area.

💡 Top Tip: Visit in July for the walled garden at its most colourful – the herbaceous borders are at their peak through mid-summer.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Hoveton Hall page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: hovetonhallgardens.co.uk

👉 Pair it with: BeWILDerwood is just down the road – gardens in the morning and woodland adventure in the afternoon is a great combination for families.

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🏛 Heritage and Culture

Norfolk has a remarkable depth of history, from medieval castles and Victorian railways to Cold War bunkers and immersive underground adventures. These are the best heritage and cultural days out to plan this summer, with something for every age and interest.

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31. Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery 🏰

📍 Norwich city centre

Best for: all ages

One of the finest regional museums in England, housed in a genuine Norman royal castle that dominates the Norwich skyline. Inside you will find everything from ancient Egyptian mummies and natural history collections to fine art, local history and temporary exhibitions that change through the year.

The castle keep itself is worth the visit alone – the views from the top across Norwich are some of the best in the city, and the scale of the building only becomes clear once you are inside it.

💡 Top Tip: Ask about any guided tours of the keep running during your visit – they add real depth to what you see and are often included in the entry price.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Norwich Castle page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: museums.norfolk.gov.uk

👉 Pair it with: The Shoebox Experiences for a completely different take on Norwich history, or a walk around the Norwich Lanes for lunch and independent shopping.

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32. North Norfolk Railway – The Poppy Line 🚂

📍 Sheringham to Holt – approx. 30 mins from Cromer

Best for: all ages, families, steam enthusiasts

A beautifully preserved steam railway running five miles through the north Norfolk countryside between Sheringham and Holt, with vintage carriages, a working signal box and stations that feel genuinely unchanged from the 1950s. The Poppy Line is one of the best heritage railways in England and summer is peak season with a full timetable and regular special events.

Sit on the right hand side heading out from Sheringham for glimpses of the sea between the trees, and allow time to explore both Sheringham and Holt at either end of the line.

💡 Top Tip: Holt is a brilliant market town with independent shops, cafes and a deli worth visiting – take the train out and spend an hour or two exploring before heading back.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our North Norfolk Railway page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: nnrailway.co.uk

👉 Pair it with: Sheringham beach for a coastal morning before your afternoon steam train, or Amazona Zoo at Cromer for a full north Norfolk day.

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33. Thursford Collection 🎤

📍 Thursford – approx. 15 mins from Fakenham

Best for: all ages, music lovers, steam enthusiasts

Home to the world’s largest collection of steam engines and fairground organs, Thursford is one of those places that is genuinely hard to describe until you have been. The Wurlitzer organ rising from the floor and the sound of the mechanical fairground organs filling the hall is an experience that stays with you long after you leave.

Most people associate Thursford with its famous Christmas Spectacular, but the summer opening is well worth a visit in its own right and far less crowded than the winter season.

💡 Top Tip: Time your arrival for a Wurlitzer organ demonstration – check the schedule on arrival and plan your visit around it as it is the undisputed highlight of the day.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Thursford Collection page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: thursford.com

👉 Pair it with: Pensthorpe Natural Park is 10 minutes away for a complete change of pace – steam engines in the morning and wildlife in the afternoon.

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34. City of Norwich Aviation Museum ✈

📍 Near Norwich Airport – approx. 15 mins from Norwich city centre

Best for: ages 5 and up, aviation enthusiasts, families

Climb aboard military aircraft, sit in cockpits and explore Norfolk’s rich aviation history across a collection of over 20 aircraft spanning decades of flight. Run largely by volunteers with a genuine passion for the subject, the museum has a warmth and depth that bigger, more commercial attractions often lack.

The outdoor aircraft are accessible whatever the weather and the indoor displays cover everything from the Battle of Britain to Cold War operations from Norfolk bases.

💡 Top Tip: Talk to the volunteers – many have direct connections to the aircraft on display and their stories bring the exhibits to life in a way no information board can match.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Aviation Museum page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: cnam.org.uk

👉 Pair it with: Norwich Castle Museum for a full history day in and around Norwich.

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35. The Shoebox Experiences ⏳

📍 Norwich – location revealed on booking

Best for: ages 10 and up, families with older children and teens

An underground adventure combining escape room puzzles, local Norwich history and immersive theatre in a genuinely original format. The Shoebox is unlike anything else in the region – small group, booking essential, and the kind of experience people talk about for weeks afterwards.

Perfect for older children and teens who find conventional museums too passive, and brilliant for adults who want something genuinely different from a city day out.

💡 Top Tip: Book well ahead in summer – sessions are small by design and sell out weeks in advance during the school holidays.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Shoebox Experiences page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: shoeboxexperiences.org.uk

👉 Pair it with: Norwich Castle Museum for a full Norwich history day at two very different ends of the heritage spectrum.

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36. Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse 🚜

📍 Gressenhall – approx. 30 mins from Dereham

Best for: ages 6 and up, families, history lovers

A unique museum set in a real Victorian workhouse with a working traditional farm, heritage buildings, costumed characters and hands-on activities running through the summer holidays. Gressenhall does history in a way that connects with children as well as adults – it is active, atmospheric and genuinely moving in places.

The farm side of the visit is especially good in summer with animals, seasonal crops and outdoor space that makes this a proper half-day or full-day out.

💡 Top Tip: Check what costumed events and living history sessions are running during your visit – the summer programme often includes extra activities that are not part of the standard admission.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Gressenhall page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: museums.norfolk.gov.uk

👉 Pair it with: Bressingham Steam and Gardens for a steam engine afternoon after your morning at the workhouse.

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37. Langham Glass 🔥

📍 Langham – approx. 10 mins from Holt

Best for: all ages

Watch skilled glassmakers shape molten glass right in front of you in live demonstrations that run throughout the day. Langham Glass is one of those experiences that sounds niche but wins over virtually everyone who visits – the speed, skill and heat involved in the process are genuinely captivating, and the gift shop is one of the best in north Norfolk.

💡 Top Tip: Arrive in time for a demonstration rather than just browsing the shop – seeing the glass made in front of you completely changes how you look at the finished pieces.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Langham Glass page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: langhamglass.co.uk

👉 Pair it with: North Norfolk Railway at Sheringham for a steam train afternoon after your morning at the glassworks – Holt station is just minutes away.

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38. Bressingham Steam and Gardens 🌸

📍 Bressingham – approx. 30 mins from Diss

Best for: all ages, garden lovers, steam enthusiasts

Ride on several miniature steam railways, explore beautifully landscaped gardens and visit the Dad’s Army exhibition all in a single day. Bressingham is one of those rare attractions that works equally well for a steam-obsessed six-year-old and a garden-loving grandparent, which makes it ideal for mixed-age family days out.

The gardens are at their most spectacular through the summer months and the steam rides are a highlight for younger children.

💡 Top Tip: Do not miss the Gallopers carousel – it is over 100 years old and still running, which is a remarkable thing to see and ride.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Bressingham Steam page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: bressingham.co.uk

👉 Pair it with: Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse for a full heritage day across two of Norfolk’s most distinctive attractions.

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🌿 Gardens and Outdoor Escapes

Norfolk has some of the most beautiful gardens and outdoor spaces in England, from grand estate grounds and peaceful woodland gardens to wildflower meadows and coastal nature reserves. These are the best places to slow down and enjoy the Norfolk countryside this summer.

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39. Holkham Hall and Gardens 🏛

📍 Holkham – approx. 35 mins from Fakenham
Best for: all ages, garden lovers, heritage enthusiasts

One of the finest Palladian mansions in England set within a vast estate of parkland, walled gardens, a deer park and lake walks that stretch for miles. The hall itself is open for tours in summer and the estate grounds are a destination in their own right – you could spend a full day here without repeating yourself.

The walled garden is particularly impressive in summer with kitchen garden beds, cutting flowers and a peaceful atmosphere that feels completely removed from the busier coastal spots nearby.

💡 Top Tip: Combine a hall tour with a walk through the deer park to the beach – it is one of the great Norfolk days out and covers coast, countryside and heritage in a single visit.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Holkham Hall page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: holkham.co.uk

👉 Pair it with: Holkham Beach is a 20 minute walk through the deer park – estate in the morning, beach in the afternoon is a genuinely perfect summer day.

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40. Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden 🗻

📍 South Walsham – approx. 30 mins from Norwich
Best for: all ages, garden lovers, couples

A tranquil mix of ancient woodland, waterways, a private broad and beautifully maintained gardens that are at their most lush and green through the summer months. Fairhaven is one of those places that people return to year after year – it changes with the seasons and always rewards a slow, unhurried visit.

Summer brings the boat trips onto the private broad, which are the highlight of any visit and access a part of the gardens you simply cannot reach on foot.

💡 Top Tip: The tearoom is excellent and the scones are well worth saving room for – plan to finish your garden walk there rather than rushing off afterwards.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Fairhaven page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: fairhavengarden.co.uk

👉 Pair it with: Broads Tours at Wroxham for a full day on and around the water in the heart of the Broads.

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41. Hoveton Hall Estate 🍀

📍 Hoveton – approx. 25 mins from Norwich
Best for: garden lovers, couples, families

Walled gardens, lakeside walks and woodland trails on the edge of the Norfolk Broads, with seasonal planting that peaks through July and August. Hoveton Hall is quieter than the bigger estate gardens and has a genuinely intimate feel – the kind of place where you can wander without a map and keep finding new corners.

The kitchen garden and herbaceous borders are at their best in high summer and the lakeside walk is one of the most scenic short routes in the Broads area.

💡 Top Tip: Visit in July for the walled garden at its most colourful – the borders are planted for peak summer interest and the cutting garden is particularly impressive.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Hoveton Hall page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: hovetonhallgardens.co.uk

👉 Pair it with: BeWILDerwood is just down the road – peaceful gardens in the morning and woodland adventure in the afternoon works brilliantly for families.

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42. Pensthorpe Natural Park 🦅

📍 Near Fakenham – approx. 45 mins from Norwich
Best for: all ages, nature lovers, families

Award-winning wildlife trails, wildflower meadows, bird hides and lakeside walks set across a stunning nature reserve that is at its most alive through the summer months. Pensthorpe is one of those rare places that works as both a proper nature reserve and a great family day out – the children’s play areas are excellent and the wildlife watching is genuinely rewarding for adults.

The wildflower meadows are spectacular in July and the bird hides give you the chance to see species you would struggle to find anywhere else in Norfolk.

💡 Top Tip: Take the full trail rather than the short loop – the far end of the reserve near the lakes is where the best wildlife sightings tend to happen and most casual visitors do not make it that far.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Pensthorpe page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: pensthorpe.com

👉 Pair it with: Thursford Collection is 10 minutes away for a completely different afternoon – nature in the morning, steam engines and fairground organs after lunch.

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43. Bircham Windmill 🌾

📍 Great Bircham – approx. 25 mins from Kings Lynn
Best for: all ages, especially younger children

One of the last working windmills in Norfolk, with the chance to climb the mill, watch the sails turn, bake your own bread and meet the resident goats in the paddock. Bircham Windmill is a genuinely hands-on rural experience that connects children with where food comes from in a way that is memorable and fun rather than worthy.

The tearoom is excellent and the bread baking sessions are the highlight – booking ahead is recommended as they fill up quickly in summer.

💡 Top Tip: Book a bread baking session before you arrive rather than hoping for a walk-in slot – they are the most popular part of the visit and summer demand is high.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Bircham Windmill page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: birchamwindmill.co.uk

👉 Pair it with: Sea Life Hunstanton is 20 minutes away for a coastal afternoon after your rural morning.

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44. Go Ape Thetford Forest 🌳

📍 High Lodge, Thetford – approx. 40 mins from Norwich
Best for: ages 6 and up, active families, teens

Climb, zip and swing through the forest canopy on one of Go Ape’s most scenic and well-designed high ropes courses. Set in the ancient pines of Thetford Forest, the experience combines genuine physical challenge with stunning surroundings – and the Nets Adventure ground alongside it is brilliant for younger children who are not yet ready for the full course.

Thetford Forest itself is one of the largest lowland pine forests in England and well worth exploring beyond the Go Ape site, with cycling trails and walking routes spreading out in every direction.

💡 Top Tip: Book your time slot well in advance in summer – Go Ape fills up weeks ahead during the school holidays and walk-ins are rarely available in peak season.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Go Ape page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: goape.co.uk

👉 Pair it with: Ancient House Museum in Thetford town centre for a quieter afternoon after the exertion of the forest.

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⛈ Rainy Day Ideas for Norfolk

Even in summer, Norfolk weather has its own agenda. The good news is that the county has a brilliant range of indoor attractions that are just as enjoyable on a wet Tuesday as they are on a sunny weekend. These are the best rainy day options to keep in reserve this summer.

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45. Sea Life Great Yarmouth 🐠

📍 Great Yarmouth – Marine Parade
Best for: ages 2 and up

Already featured in our family attractions section, Sea Life Great Yarmouth earns a second mention here because it is one of the most reliably good rainy day options on the east coast. Fully indoor, genuinely fascinating and well worth a couple of hours when the weather closes in.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Sea Life Great Yarmouth page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: visitsealife.com/great-yarmouth

👉 Pair it with: Elizabethan House Museum just along the seafront for a full rainy Great Yarmouth day.

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46. Sea Life Hunstanton 🐡

📍 Hunstanton – on the seafront
Best for: ages 2 and up

The west Norfolk rainy day answer. Sea Life Hunstanton is fully indoor and sits right on the seafront, making it an easy pivot if your beach plans fall apart in the morning. Otters, sharks, tropical fish and a strong conservation message make this more than just a wet weather backup.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Sea Life Hunstanton page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: visitsealife.com/hunstanton

👉 Pair it with: Bircham Windmill inland if the weather improves by afternoon – bread baking works whatever the weather.

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47. Wroxham Miniature Worlds 🏛

📍 Wroxham – approx. 25 mins from Norwich
Best for: ages 4 and up

The UK’s largest indoor model railway attraction is one of the best rainy day destinations in Norfolk, full stop. The level of detail in the layouts is extraordinary and children and adults alike tend to spend far longer here than they expected. Retro arcade machines, Lego cities and slot cars add extra depth beyond the railways.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Wroxham Miniature Worlds page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: wroxhamminiatureworlds.co.uk

👉 Pair it with: BeWILDerwood if the weather clears in the afternoon – indoor wonder in the morning, outdoor adventure when the sun comes back out.

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48. Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery 🏰

📍 Norwich city centre
Best for: all ages

A rainy day in Norwich with the castle museum available is no hardship at all. The collections are extensive enough to fill a full morning or afternoon and the building itself is worth exploring even before you get to the exhibits. A great anchor for a Norwich city day when the weather is not cooperating.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Norwich Castle page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: museums.norfolk.gov.uk

👉 Pair it with: The Shoebox Experiences for a full indoor Norwich history day that covers two very different ends of the heritage spectrum.

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49. The Shoebox Experiences ⏳

📍 Norwich – location revealed on booking
Best for: ages 10 and up

The underground, fully indoor nature of The Shoebox makes it one of the best rainy day options for families with older children or teens in Norwich. The experience runs regardless of weather and the immersive format means you will not be thinking about what is happening outside for a second.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Shoebox Experiences page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: shoeboxexperiences.org.uk

👉 Pair it with: Norwich Castle Museum for a full indoor day in Norwich city centre.

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50. The Bug Parc 🐛

📍 Lenwade – approx. 30 mins from Norwich
Best for: ages 4 and up

Fully indoor and completely weather-proof, The Bug Parc is one of the most unusual rainy day options in Norfolk and one of the most memorable. Tarantulas, giant millipedes, stick insects and all manner of fascinating creatures in a hands-on environment that genuinely absorbs children for hours.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Bug Parc page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: bugparc.com

👉 Pair it with: Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure is just down the road in Lenwade – if the weather clears after lunch the outdoor dinosaur trail is a great second half to the day.

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51. Langham Glass 🔥

📍 Langham – approx. 10 mins from Holt
Best for: all ages

A rainy morning at Langham Glass is genuinely no hardship – the glassmaking demonstrations are fascinating, the workshop is warm and the gift shop is one of the best in north Norfolk. A natural stopping point on a wet north Norfolk day and easy to combine with other indoor options in the area.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Langham Glass page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: langhamglass.co.uk

👉 Pair it with: Thursford Collection for a full north Norfolk indoor day – glassmaking in the morning, steam engines and fairground organs in the afternoon.

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52. Time and Tide Museum 🚢

📍 Great Yarmouth
Best for: ages 5 and up, history lovers

A top-class local history museum set in a former Victorian herring curing works, with a recreated Victorian street, the story of the Great Yarmouth herring industry and a strong sense of place that makes this one of the most atmospheric museums in Norfolk. Fully indoor and genuinely absorbing, especially for older children and adults.

🎯 NSTA Member: Check for exclusive discounts and family offers on our Time and Tide Museum page
🌐 Plan Your Visit: museums.norfolk.gov.uk

👉 Pair it with: Elizabethan House Museum nearby for a full Great Yarmouth indoor history day.

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🎉 Summer Events in Norfolk

Alongside the attractions, Norfolk has a packed summer events calendar running right through July and August. From outdoor theatre and steam galas to racing days, food markets and family festivals, there is almost always something happening across the county to add to your summer plans.

Rather than list specific events here, which change from year to year, the best place to find what is on during your visit is the NSTA events page, which is updated regularly throughout the summer with events from across the membership.

A few things worth looking out for across the summer:

• Steam galas and special running days on the North Norfolk Railway and Bure Valley Railway
• Outdoor theatre and summer shows at Holkham Hall and Fairhaven
• Flat racing fixtures and family fun days at Great Yarmouth Racecourse
• Seasonal themed events at Roarr!, BeWILDerwood and Pensthorpe
• Food and drink markets and makers events at Wroxham Barns

💡 Top Tip: Check the individual attraction websites and the NSTA events page a week or two before your visit – many summer events are added close to the date and booking ahead is often essential.

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🎯 Save Money This Summer with NSTA Vouchers

Planning a Norfolk summer holiday can add up quickly, especially with children in tow. That is where the Norfolk and Suffolk Tourist Attractions voucher scheme comes in – a free way to save money at some of the best days out across Norfolk and Suffolk.

NSTA members regularly offer exclusive discounts, family deals and money-off vouchers through the scheme, covering many of the attractions featured in this guide. Signing up takes less than a minute and the vouchers are delivered straight to your inbox.

Current offers include savings at attractions across Great Yarmouth, the Norfolk Broads, north Norfolk and beyond – with new vouchers added throughout the summer season.

Sign up for free Norfolk and Suffolk attraction vouchers here and start saving on your summer days out.

You can also download the full NSTA brochure for a complete guide to member attractions, offers and inspiration across both counties.

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🗺 Plan Your Norfolk Summer

Whether you are based in Norwich, staying on the coast, exploring the Broads or visiting from further afield, Norfolk has enough to keep families, couples and all ages busy through the entire summer holidays and beyond.

Use these pages to keep planning:

• Browse all NSTA member attractions
• Find attractions near you on the map
• Check what is on this summer
• Get your free vouchers and family discounts
• Explore 101 things to do in Norfolk
• Planning a Suffolk summer? See our Suffolk summer holidays guide

Written by the Norfolk and Suffolk Tourist Attractions team. We work closely with trusted NSTA members to bring you honest, up-to-date guides to the best days out across Norfolk and Suffolk. Learn more about us.