_Which is the nicest part of Norfolk

Which is the nicest part of Norfolk? That’s like asking a parent who their favourite child is! Well, there are distinct parts of Norfolk and all are very different so it’s very difficult to say what’s best. All of them are great, depending on what you want to do, and all are great for walking and cycling. So let’s talk you through them all...

Broads National Park

The Broads National Park is unlike any other… 125 miles of navigable, lock-free waterways that are best explored by boat. You can hire day boats or take one out for a whole holiday. There are great riverside villages to explore, pubs and restaurants to moor up at, and amazing wildlife to enjoy.
It's the only National Park that was part man-made, and it’s the only National Park with a city in it. Talking of which…

Norwich, The City of Stories

Norwich is bustling, vibrant and very walkable. The best-preserved medieval city in the country has at its heart the largest permanent covered market in Europe, with superb shopping at High Street brands and a huge range of local independent stores, particularly in The Lanes.

Discover the city’s history at The Bridewell Museum of Norwich, take in a show at one of many theatres, and don’t miss the Norman Castle and the magnificent Cathedral.

The Norfolk Coast

The Norfolk Coast runs from The Wash all the way around to Great Yarmouth with an amazing array of landscapes and wildlife. Visit the largest seal colony and some of the best nature reserves for bird spotting in the UK. There are huge swathes of unspoilt sandy beaches, towering cliffs at Sheringham, shingle spits, marshes and wetlands, and amazing prehistoric finds.

The coast is punctuated by seaside Cromer with its Victorian pier, charming Wells-next-the-Sea with its 200 higgledy-piggledy colourful beach huts, stunning coastal views at Sheringham Park and the magnificent Holkham Hall and beach. Unsurprisingly, this is a protected National Landscape.

Head inland for the lovely Georgian town of Holt, and the National Trust run Blickling Hall and Felbrigg Hall.

Great Yarmouth

Great Yarmouth is the best seaside resort town on the east coast, with its unrivalled Golden Mile of family-friendly amusements, attractions and entertainment.

There are great things to do, including the water spectacular at The Hippodrome, myriad rides at The Pleasure Beach, amazing marine wildlife at The Sea Life centre, strolling around The Venetian Waterways and you can learn about the town’s maritime history at the award-winning Time & Tide Museum.

Gorleston-on-Sea with its promenade and sandy beach is worth exploring, as is Burgh Castle Roman fort, the largest remaining Roman building in the British Isles.

Royal Norfolk

Royal Norfolk has Sandringham, whose hall and gardens are open most of the year. If you like that, try Houghton Hall as well or Holkham Hall with its Palladian house and magnificent beach. Visit King’s Lynn to see the UK town with the most graded buildings, including the stunning Custom House and Guildhall, and discover Castle Rising Castle. Find the statue of King John – he set off from here to cross The Wash and lost the Crown Jewels.

Nearby is WWT Welney, best visited in winter to see the migrating whooper swans from Iceland.

The Brecks

The Brecks is a unique landscape that’s got the best climate in the country. Enjoy walking and cycling in ancient heathland, spotting Deal Rows and Pingoes or red deer, discover market towns such as Swaffham, Thetford and Wymondham.

Best of all, explore the massive Thetford Forest. Here you’ll have almost 16,000 acres of pines to play in. Head to High Lodge where you’ll find masses of waymarked walking and cycling paths as well as things to do such as archery and Go Ape aerial ropes.

Take your pick… you’ll be very welcome.