West Norfolk is a diverse region with stunning coastlines, welcoming countryside, and brimming with culture. From St. George's Guildhall where Shakespeare is highly likely to have performed, to the wetland of Welney, to the market town of Downham Market and unique 17th Century village of Burnham Market, not forgetting The Sunday Times' best beaches. It's all here in west Norfolk. We've put together a list of 50 things to do in west Norfolk.
West Norfolk is a diverse region with stunning coastlines, welcoming countryside, and brimming with culture. From St. George’s Guildhall where Shakespeare is highly likely to have performed, to the wetland of Welney, to the market town of Downham Market and unique 17th Century village of Burnham Market, not forgetting The Sunday Times’ best beaches. It’s all here in west Norfolk. We’ve put together a list of 50 things to do in west Norfolk.
Parks and Outdoors
Take a walk or have a picnic and enjoy Norfolk naturally with some of the most beautiful parks and outdoor spots both on the coast and in the countryside.
1. Beaches – West Norfolk has some of the prettiest beaches in the country, including a great selection stretching from the fairground in Hunstanton to the Burnhams.2. Castle Acre – Beautiful historic priory built in 1090. Explore the priors lodgings, ruins of the priory and cloister.3. Castle Rising Castle – The Keep is set in 12 acres of grounds, which are a pleasant place for picnics and, has some of the largest ramparts in Britain being in places 120 feet from top to Bottom. The village of Castle Rising is beautifully preserved and features a fine Norman church and an important 17th century Almshouse.4. Church Farm – A great family day out. Lots of friendly farm animals, large indoor and outdoor play areas, pedal tractor trail, tractor rides, animal encounter sessions and lots more!5. Hunstanton – The elegant resort of Hunstanton is the ideal base to enjoy Norfolk’s superb coastline.6. Norfolk Lavender – World famous lavender gardens and oil distillery, national lavender collection and herb garden.7. NWT Grimston Warren – Formerly a commercial conifer plantation, this heathland and mire is benefiting from an ongoing restoration programme.8. NWT Roydon Common – NWT Roydon Common is the largest remaining heath in West Norfolk. Catch the stunning views of blooming purple heather on the reserve in August and early September.9. Shouldham Warren – Remnants of an historic spring on top of the hill are indicated by a Rhododendron Avenue, there is also a World War 2 rifle butt close to the entrance. Good Autumn colours.10. Wild Ken Hill – We’re making nature fun and inspiring through a mixture of school visits, open days for our local residents, and guided tours and workshops.11. The Walks – An historic urban park in the heart of King’s Lynn. The Walks is the only surviving 18th century town walk in Norfolk.12. Watatunga – Situated amongst 170 acres of woodland, grassland and lakes, Watatunga provides a unique environment for over twenty types of ungulate and rare bird species to roam at their will.13. Creake Abbey – Creake Abbey is located two miles south of Burnham Market on the north Norfolk coast within easy reach of the beaches at Brancaster, Holkham and Wells next the Sea. With historic monastic ruins at its heart,14. WWT Welney – A wetland nature reserve of 1,000 acres attracting large numbers of ducks and swans in winter and waders in spring and summer plus a range of wild plants and butterflies.15. Snettisham Farm Park – A 329 acre working farm providing unique deer safari tractor and trailer rides, friendly farm animals, a Visitor Centre with tearoom and small gift shop.
Museums
Discover the history of west Norfolk, King’s Lynn, and Downham Market at the engaging and interactive museums. Some of the museums are free during the winter.
16. Discover Downham – The Discover Downham Heritage Centre is run by the Downham Market & District Heritage Society.17. Lynn Museum – Enjoy this delightful museum which tells the story of West Norfolk. Step back in time as you walk through Seahenge, the astonishing Bronze Age timber circle that is the museum’s stunning centrepiece, and learn about the people who meticulously crafted these mysterious timbers.18. RAF Bircham Newton Heritage Museum – The Heritage Museum was established to conserve and display the memorabilia of the former RAF station and its satellite airfields. The Heritage Room was first opened in 2005 and is open to the public on a regular basis.19. Stories of Lynn – 800 Years of King’s Lynn. A timeline of objects immerses you into the history of Lynn. An exciting game teaches you about the Hanseatic League, a group of powerful trading towns and cities around the Baltic and North seas. Hanse merchants traded in Lynn, and their imprint on the town is visible to this day.20. Guildhall – The Guildhall of St George is Britain’s oldest working theatre and now operates as an arts centre, theatre and creative hub, with a programme of local events, performances and concerts.21. Captain Fawcetts Barbershop Museum – Two galleries display a film show and hold exhibitions. The new museum extensions show the last surviving smokehouse in King’s Lynn. The cottages and smokehouse are grade II listed.22. Trues Yard – Two galleries display a film show and hold exhibitions. The new museum extensions show the last surviving smokehouse in King’s Lynn. The cottages and smokehouse are grade II listed.
Attractions
Come rain or shine, kids or no kids, young and older there’s something for everyone in west Norfolk. Visit the only seal sanctuary in west Norfolk at the Sea Life Centre, Bake some bread at Bircham Windmill, or learn all about King’s Lynn with the Town Guides.
23. SEA LIFE Hunstanton is Norfolk’s only seal sanctuary open to visitors and is home to over 2,000 creatures, from tiny shrimps to Amazonian Piranhas!24. Dobbies Soft Play – Come and join in the fun at our Little Seedlings soft play, book your session online today. Simply click below to select your preferred store and a time-slot for your visit. For full details of prices and age ranges by store see below.25. Farmer Freds – State-of-the-art indoor play centre for kids 0-12 years, providing a stimulating 3D play experience.26. Groundworks Gallery – GroundWork shows the work of contemporary artists who care about how we see the world. With exhibitions and creative programmes we explore how art can enable us to respond to the changing environment and imagine how we can shape its future.27. Little Sharks – Little Sharks is a underwater themed, soft play and sensory room in King’s Lynn, with aims to be one of the best children activity centres in the county. Built from the ground up with the aim of providing enjoyment and sensory learning for babies, toddlers and children up to the age of 12.28. Octoputts – Come and visit the best indoor crazy golf centre this side of Norfolk. We have a fantastic range of courses, street food vendors and events throughout the year. Octoputts is fun for all the family!29. Town Guides – Nine hundred years of maritime trading history are preserved in the historic core of King’s Lynn. Fine houses, medieval churches and guildhalls, secret courtyards and hidden alleys remain to be discovered with the King’s Lynn Town Guides.30. Denver Mill – Set in the grounds of the iconic Denver Mill, the Denver Mill Cafe is a fantastic location for all abilities – it is set on the National Cycle Route 11 and surrounded by circular footpaths. The site is the perfect base location for all explorers to explore Norfolk and the Fens.31. Rainbow Amusement Park have a wide range of rides as well as other complimentary attractions and food and drink outlets. They offer all the fun of the fair! There is something for everyone!32. Bircham Windmill – A family run attraction with something for everyone. Bake some bread, climb the mill, tearooms, bakery, shop, garden and animals.33. Walpole Skaters – Skaters Roller Rink in Wisbech has been in business for over 30 years. There are only 4 skating rinks in the country that have a purpose built wooden maple floor and our very own ‘Skaters’ is one of them! Not only that but we also have a Skate Shop, a Cafe with a full menu of hot and cold food and so much more!34. Golf – Don’t forget to bring your clubs – west Norfolk has a good variety of golf courses, with many offering pay and play for visitors. Established and esteemed golfing clubs in the area include the Denver Golf Centre, Heacham Manor Golf Course and Golf Clubs in King’s Lynn, Hunstanton, Brancaster (the Royal West Norfolk), and Ryston.35. Fishing – West Norfolk is the perfect destination for all anglers, from the beginner to the well-experienced, for great all-year-round fishing.36. West Acre Theatre – Home to Westacre Theatre Company, is situated in rural West Norfolk, near the town of Swaffham, thirty five miles west from Norwich. Operating in a converted Chapel which serves as a flexible studio space seating 80, the theatre offers a year-round programme of in-house productions, visiting companies, concerts, workshops, cinema screenings and many other events.37. Watersports – West Norfolk is the ideal place for a holiday full of activity! The sea provides a vast playground to enjoy a variety of sports, from…38. Woodland Spa – Leave behind the noise of everyday stress and distractions, and come and enjoy the tranquil and calming space that we have created. Each group will have exclusive use of the Woodland Spa area, and it’s stunning views over the rolling countryside.39. Adrian Flux Arena – The Adrian Flux Arena is one of the premier venues in the United Kingdom and offers excellent facilities to make your visit enjoyable. We are home to the King’s Lynn Stars Speedway team & Trackstar Racing.40. Hourglass Escapes – Feel The Adrenaline Our rooms are built to create an authentic experience with the sights and sounds you’d expect from the real world.41. Creake Abbey Shops – Creake Abbey is located one mile north of the village of North Creake and three miles south of Burnham Market, it has flourished in to a rural retail complex housing boutique shops, a framers and gallery, hairdresser plus Food Hall.
Historical Places
Home to some of the most stunning stately homes and historical buildings. Visit Houghton Hall, Oxburgh Hall, Peckover House, or Red Mount in the Walks. There’s lots to choose from and each venue has it’s own activities, trails, and much more.
42. Holkham Hall – Explore acres of parkland with a stunning stately home, tranquil Walled Garden and fascinating Holkham Stories Experience. With cycle an boat hire, ropes course, delicious food and drink, tempting shopping and a multitude of amazing events.43. Houghton Hall – Palladian Mansion built for Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole. Award-winning 5-acre walled garden, Deer Park, Model Soldier Museum, Contemporary sculptures, Café & Gift Shop.44. Oxburgh Hall – No one forgets their first sight of Oxburgh. Home to the Bedingfeld family since 1482 this stunning red-brick house charts their precarious history from medieval austerity to neo-Gothic Victorian splendour.45. Red Mount – Visually, the chapel is a dominant element of the registered landscape which lies north-west through west to south of the structure; adding visual interest/focal points to three of the main walks as well as to intervening open landscape.46. Sandringham – With generations of history linked to the British Monarch since 1862, Sandringham Estate remains the private country retreat to Their Majesties The King Charles III and Queen Camilla.47. Peckover House – Step inside the home of the Peckovers, a family of Quaker bankers who lived here for 150 years. Delve into their lives and enjoy the sensory delights of this wonderful two-acre garden.48. Hanse House – We have created the perfect gallery and exhibition space on the first floor of the Hanse House complex. Located in the historic quarter of King’s Lynn and on the quayside, Hanse House is perfectly situated to take advantage of visitors to the town; both locals and tourists alike.49. Bexwell Church – The First Thousand Years in the village of Bexwell, a mile or so east of Downham Market, stands ‘the church of St. Mary the Virgin. There are no records to show precisely when it was built; if there were, the people of Bexwell might by now have celebrated the thousandth anniversary of the inauguration of their church.50. The Minster King’s Lynn – One of the largest town churches in the country. Founded in 1101 and partially rebuilt in 1741 after the spire collapsed onto the nave in the storm. Look out for the flood level markings by the west door. Open daily.
*All information is accurate at the time of this blog post being published (9/8/24).
Plan your visit
Accommodation
Whatever the type of accommodation in west Norfolk you are looking for, we have a great deal to offer you – from country house hotels to seafront guesthouses, converted barns to farmhouses – you’ll find a great range of places to stay in the region to suit all tastes and budgets.
Food and Drink
The food scene in west Norfolk has exploded the last five years with amazing cafes, restaurants, and pubs popping up, along with some old favourites. Whether you’re looking for a cafe to catch up with a friend over fabulous coffee and delicious treats, or for a full meal in a village pub or a date night worth restaurant Downham Market and the surrounding villages have something for you.
Getting to west Norfolk
west Norfolk is easily accessible from anywhere in the world with fantastic rail links from London and major airports, along with a diverse network of bus routes and roads.n
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