When choosing a family holiday, it’s always a huge help to have recommendations on local attractions to help you pick the best destination. If you’re thinking of holidaying in the UK this year, check out this guest post from Diane Pearce of holiday cottage rental website Bimblebox, which is packed with suggestions for family fun in Norfolk. Enjoy!
There is a lot to be said for UK staycations. They require far less planning, there is no need to remember your passport and, generally speaking, they are significantly less pricey than a holiday abroad. Although adventuring abroad certainly has its unique benefits and can provide amazing experiences, when you factor in the price of flights, taxis, food, insurance and immunisations, the costs can really stack up. To make the most out of your limited time off, why not uncover and explore the hidden gems in your own backyard?
There are a lot of counties in the UK worth a mention, but Norfolk in particular is a beautiful place steeped in history and culture. On top of this, it is also a minefield of family-friendly adventures just waiting to be discovered and enjoyed. Below we have collated just a few of the most exciting things to do in Norfolk for adults, children and families.
Dinosaur Adventure Park (Lenwade)
You might not know that we are lucky enough to have our very own Jurassic park right here in the UK. Although the ancient animals may not be alive, the venue does offer 85 acres of parkland, a year-round activity program, karting tracks, a dinosaur trail, and a maze. Dinosaur Adventure Park was the winner of the “Best large Attractions in Norfolk 2013” and is possibly one of the best days out that families can have in the area. If you are in Norfolk, you don’t want to miss out.
Bewilderwood (Hoveton)
This is a great place to visit if you are looking to add a bit of magic and mystery to your family days out. Bewilderwood will provide an experience like no other, with magical treehouses, exciting zip lines, imaginative stories, marsh walks, and boat trips. To get your children excited for the day, you can read them A Boggle at BeWiLDerwood; the park was the inspiration for the local story’s setting.
Sea Life Centre (Great Yarmouth)
Everyone loves sea creatures, and Sea Life Centre Great Yarmouth is a great place to discover more than 1,500 aquatic animals. There are a huge array of things to do, including getting a manicure from cleaner shrimp in the rock pool, holding crabs and starfish, and getting up-close and personal with african dwarf crocodiles.
Paintballing Ltd (Tretford)
Everyone loves paintballing, and Paintballing Ltd is the UK’s number one paintballing company! Located deep in the Thetford Forest, this epic paintballing experience provides the ideal day-out activity. Due to the nature of the forest, there are an unbelievable amount of creative hiding spots you can use to get a leg up on your opponents! Paintballing Ltd offer four custom built game zones in Thetford: Fuel Dump, Lodge, Tanktastic and Holy Grail.
Norfolk Snowsports Club (Norwich)
Norfolk Snowsports Club have a wide range of activities for people of all ages, including snow tubing which has become increasingly popular at the club. Snow tubing, sometimes known as “bumper tubing”, is similar to sledding, where donut-shaped rings are used to propel you down a hill. Due to the lack of friction, controlling speed or direction is almost impossible, but you’ll be in for a thrilling ride!
Happisburgh Owl Barn (Norwich)
After the excitement of the activities above, Happisburgh Owl Barn will be a calmer, but fascinating, location to visit. Anyone with a love of birds will have an incredible time getting up close and personal with a wide variety of beautiful, tame owls.
Where to stay in Norwich
These are just a few of the many exciting Norfolk adventures you can explore. The list is extensive, and in order to enjoy your time in the area to the fullest you will want a cosy, private home away from home. A self-catered cottage gives you a high degree of freedom and comfort. You’ll have your own space and, importantly, you won’t be confined to a hotel with noisy next door neighbours to contend with in the early hours of the morning. There are a great many cottages available and, if you pick the right one, you might even be able to bring your pet along to make your holiday a true family experience.
Diane Pearce is an entrepreneur who has been buying and letting holiday cottages for 15 years. She is passionate about providing last-minute getaways to those seeking a retreat. She now owns Bimblebox, a popular holiday cottage rental website that exists to provide beautiful and affordable escapes to remember.
Guest post
The post Top Picks for family fun in Norfolk appeared first on Growing Family.