TOP things to do in Norfolk with kids

Last Updated on 30/04/2025 by Ting Dalton

If you’re looking for a staycation but want a huge spectrum of different scenery, towns and coastline then a holiday in Norfolk should be top of your wishlist. With a National Park, picturesque waterways, stunning beaches and historic market towns, there really is something for the whole family. But what to see and do first – especially if you have little ones to consider?

We’ve loved exploring Norfolk – and there are tons for families to do – for adventure seekers, beach lovers and for those who like to get close to royalty. And my particular favourite – being able to see seals at Horsey Bay. Norfolk is huge, so here are the top things to do in Norfolk with kids if you’re stuck for ideas.

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There are treetop adventures, jungle bridges, mazes and zip wires and at BeWilderwood in Hoveton. If you don’t know what Twiggles and Boggles are, you’ll soon discover it on a visit to this magical forest adventure for the whole family – and there’s no excuse for grown-ups not to get involved, from marsh walks, storytelling and face painting, a fun day out is guaranteed.

BeWILDwood, Horning Road, Hoveton, Norfolk, NR12 8JW; Tickets from £16.50 per adult and £14.50 per child

Heading to the beach

One of our favourite things to do in Norfolk with kids is spending lots of time by the sea. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Norfolk coastline spans from Great Yarmouth all the way north to Hunstanton – one of three unique beaches in the UK that are on the east coast but actually face west. With 93 miles of sandy coastline, you’ll be spoiled for choice. On our Norfolk holiday, we managed to get to quite a few coastal towns including those that are across in the border in Suffolk.

Cromer

Cromer is a popular spot – and while the Pavilion Theatre on the pier holds annual shows, the beach itself is sandy, flat and perfect for paddling. And, of course, it’s imperative that you try the infamous Cromer crab before you leave. There is also plenty of parking in the main part of town – but try and get there as early as possible to avoid queuing. It is busy in Cromer, especially during the summer season.

We had the most delicious seafood lunch at Rocky Bottoms. It has the most wonderful views across the coastline. Their menu has fresh seafood including Cromer crab, oysters and fish and chips. The restaurant is situated just outside of Cromer – and you can’t book in advance – so turn up early to get a table.

Winterton-on-Sea

If you’re looking for a little more seclusion, then head to Winterton-on-Sea which is considered probably one of the best in Norfolk. We definitely found it less busy than other seaside resorts. It has a wide, sloping beach which is fantastic for sandcastles and picnics, while there is a great cafe nearby.

Aldeburgh Beach

Aldeburgh Beach is one of Suffolk’s most famous hangouts. This is mostly a pebbly beach, which means you and the kids won’t get completely covered in sand. There’s plenty to do in the area – from eating seafood and visiting the numerous art galleries to wandering the colourful streets of Aldeburgh. We spent our day mooching along the high street and eating some amazing fish and chips from the famous Aldeburgh Fish and Chip shop.

Top tip: The queues for Aldeburgh Fish and Chips can get long. So either go early or head to the sister fish and chip shop The Golden Galleon which is two minutes down the High Street. It’s owned by the same people and has the same delicious food, but it’s usually empty in comparison.

Lowestoft Beach

For a lively afternoon, head to Lowestoft Beach. This golden sandy beach is backed by a fun promenade featuring beach huts and cafes. Here you can watch people practice watersports such as paddle-boarding, surfing, windsurfing and more.

Southwold Beach

Southwold Beach has been awarded the Blue Flag for its great water quality and cleanliness. It’s a very safe beach where to take your little ones for a paddle. And we absolutely loved it here. We spent a good day exploring the sand dunes and paddling in and out of the sea. If you’re looking for those perfect ‘beach hut’ photos then this is the place to go! It also has the most amazing seafood beach hut restaurant called Sole Bay Fish Company. It’s a good walk but well worth it for the delicious food.

Hide in Dens at Oxburgh Hall

There are several National Trust sites in Norfolk including Blickling Estate – which covers 4,600 acres of woodland, parkland and farmland. If you’re looking for children’s trails then Oxburgh Hall, a few miles from King’s Lynn, is a must-see. This 15th-century moated manor house is not only surrounded by beautiful gardens, but there is also plenty of activities including mini-beast hunting and den building.

Oxborough, near Swaffham, Norfolk, PE33 9PS; Tickets from £6.10 per adult and £3.05 per child

The Top Things To Do With Kids Norfolk | My Travel Monkey — Image: A Mum’s Gone To…

Go wild at Pensthorpe

With four gardens, Pensthorpe Nature Reserve is home to many habitats and species of birds, mammals, invertebrates and plants. It was also where the popular BBC series Springwatch was based for several years back in 2008-2010. Not only can you discover all this by walking the trails, but there is also a huge indoor and outdoor play area which will keep the kids extremely happy.

Pensthorpe, Fakenham NR21 0LN; Tickets from £10.95 per adult and £9.95 per child

Explore the Norfolk Broads

The Norfolk Broads is a National Park with over 125 miles of navigable manmade lock-free waterways and is surrounded by stunning countryside and picture-perfect postcard towns and villages. It’s home to over 25% of the rarest animals and plants living in the UK. There’s plenty to do here: hire bikes, enjoy a picnic, go for a ramble or visit one of the many pubs – we had a delicious lunch at The Ferry Inn – where we moored our rented boat [see below] and stopped off for a bite to eat and a drink.

Playing Knights at Norwich Castle

The historic town of Norwich is teeming with fascinating attractions including several museums and one of England’s greatest cathedrals – one of the best examples of Romanesque architecture in Europe. However, for little ones, a visit to Norwich Castle means there is ample opportunity for some imaginary play. Not only are there tours of the keep, battlements and dungeons, but lots of activities including mystery plays and criminals on trial in the courthouse.

Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery, Castle Hill, Norwich, NR1 3JU; Tickets from £9.50 per adult and £8.10 per child

Hiring a boat on the Norfolk Broads

Do you fancy spending some time on the water? Hiring a boat on The Broads for a few hours is a fantastic experience which allows you to explore the park further and see it from a different perspective. We loved our time on the Norfolk Broads – and the children loved being able to steer the boat.

There are various boat hire locations along the waterways. To rent a vessel you don’t need to hold a license – the staff will tell you all you need to know for your first experience on the water. Dogs are allowed on boats and some vessels are wheelchair accessible. A good company such as Herbert Woods, where we hired our day boat, provide buoyancy aid that fits little ones and they also give you a map and suggest routes to make it easy for you to explore.

Make sure to book ahead if you’re thinking of sailing the Broads as it can be busy during high season.

Feel like royalty in Sandringham Estate

If you love all things royal, head to Sandringham Estate, Her Majesty The Queen’s much-loved country retreat, for a decadent afternoon tea or brunch. You will be able to stroll around the gorgeous estate to visit some of the rooms and the kids can play in the lush Royal Park and the fancy playground. The 243-hectare property is dog-friendly and can be explored on foot and by bike on the beautiful waymarked trails. We loved our day trip here – and even got to feed the royal carp.

Sandringham Estate, Sandringham PE35 6EN; Tickets from £13 per adult and free for children

Seeing seals at Horsey Beach

For a fantastic wildlife watching experience, head to Horsey Beach, where you can observe seals in their natural environment. The best months to see the pups are mid-November, December, January, and early February. In the summer you can spot the seals bobbing in the sea. We saw several during our time on Horsey Beach and we even got to swim with them which was an exhilarating experience, particularly when they were trying to go in between my legs!

You can park at the Horsey Bay car park and follow the sign-posted path, which takes you along and on top of the dunes. There are two viewing platforms – one that’s 10 minutes away and one that’s about 20 minutes away. The paths are flat and wide, so pram friendly. Parking is also available at the National Trust Horsey Windpump site and in the village.

Horsey Beach, Great Yarmouth, NR29 4EQ

Where to stay in Norfolk

There are many accommodation options in Norfolk, including cottage and self-catering properties. SALT Norfolk has a wide choice of boutique coastal retreats which span the entire Norfolk coastline. Not only do they offer luxurious and unique bases to explore all Norfolk has to offer but they also have been personally selected and are suited to families, couples or larger groups. Do check out their website to find out more.

Top Nine Things To Do In Norfolk With Kids

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