Places to see in Norfolk and the Norfolk Broads

Here are some of our favourite places to see in North Norfolk, from historical houses to wonderful wildlife and scenic gardens. They’re all within reach of Barsham Barns holiday cottages. We’re sure you’ll find plenty of your own ideas as well…

• Best Historic Houses & Gardens in Norfolk
• Our Favourite Norfolk Attractions
• Top Ten Norfolk Gardens

Best Historic Houses & Gardens in Norfolk

1. Blickling Hall

Blickling Hall, Norfolk

This is a magnificent Jacobean house with a garden and park. The Hall is famed for its long gallery, fine tapestries, paintings and rare books.

There’s parkland and lakeside walks plus a sunken garden to discover. Reputedly home to the headless ghost of Anne Boleyn! There are various events all year round and it’s open from April to October.
01263 738030
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/blickling-estate/

2. Holkham Hall

Superb Palladian house and ancestral home of the Earls of Leicester. Set in acres of parkland Holkham Hall has cafes and shops and events all year round.
01328 710227
www.holkham.co.uk

3. Sandringham House

Sandringham is the country house of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh. The main ground floor rooms are open to the public and house collections of porcelain, jade, furniture and family portraits. There’s a glorious 60-acre garden, garden folly, Queen Mary’s summerhouse, parterre, rock, alpine gardens, water and woodland.
01553 612908
www.sandringhamestate.co.uk

4. Oxburgh Hall

Oxburgh Hall is a moated and turreted Tudor house built in 1482. There are panoramic views from the top of the medieval gatehouse. Rich interiors, embroidery by Mary Queen of Scots and 16th century priest hole. It has 18 acres of French parterre, herbaceous borders, kitchen garden, orchard, woodland walks and wilderness area.
01366 328258
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/oxburgh-hall

5. Houghton Hall

Houghton Hall is an early 18th century house built for Sir Robert Walpole. It has 350 acres of rolling parkland, a collection of 20,000 model soldiers and militaria, heavy horses, gift shop and picnic area. There’s also a spectacular 5 acre walled garden, herbaceous borders, landscaped parkland, rose and sunken garden and parterre.
01485 528569
www.houghtonhall.com

6. Felbrigg Hall

Felbrigg Hall has remarkable Stuart architecture and a fine Georgian interior. It has a prolific library and Grand Tour collection. Outside there’s a stunning walled garden, orangery and orchards. There are plenty of lakeside, parkland and woodland trails to explore. Events are held here throughout the year.
01263 837444
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/felbrigg-hall

7. Castle Rising Castle

If you’re looking for a real Castle then this 12th-century keep with magnificent earthworks is just what you need!
01553 631330
www.castlerising.co.uk

Our Favourite Norfolk attractions

1. Tales of the Old Gaol House

Experience an atmospheric visit to the old cells, hear tales of local witches, murderers and highwaymen or try out the stocks in the old market square.
Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn
01553 774297

2. Bircham Windmill

Windmill museum, tearoom, gift shop, bakery, garden and play area. There’s also fresh bread for sale.
01485 578393
www.birchamwindmill.co.uk

3. Langham Glass Factory

Located in East Rudham, near Fakenham, you can watch glassmaking at the Langham Glass Factory and listen to glassmakers as they demonstrate their skill. There’s also a video, glass information area and marble-based games tables.
01485 529111
www.langhamglass.co.uk

4. Go Ape!

High wire forest adventure course in Thetford Forest with rope bridges, tarzan swings and zip slides. Trek from tree to tree through the forest canopy!
0870 458 9187
www.goape.co.uk

5. Iceni Village

The Iceni Village at Cockley Cley near Swaffham is a representation of a typical Iceni settlement of 2000 years ago. Walk through the gateway and experience the atmosphere of Iron Age Norfolk.
01760 724588

6. Cromer Museum

Cosy Victorian fisherman’s cottage with recreation of 19th century life in Cromer. It has a geology gallery of amazing fossils found in Norfolk, childrens’ workshops, natural history walks and Victorian Living History days.
01263 513543
www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk

Top Norfolk Gardens

1. African Violet and Garden Centre

Chelsea award winning nursery specialising in African violets, trees and shrubs with a café and visitor centre. Located in Terrington St Clement, near King’s Lynn.
01553 828376
www.africanvioletandgardencentre.com

2. Bressingham Gardens

Not far from Diss are these five gardens covering 15 acres with an arboretum, herbaceous borders, dell, scent and woodland gardens.
01379 686900
www.bressinghamgardens.co.uk

3. East Ruston Old Vicarage

This is a fantastic private garden 1.5 miles from the North Sea. It has a large variety, including exotic, Dutch, Californian and sunken designs.
01692 650432
www.e-ruston-oldvicaragegardens.co.uk

4. Mannington Hall Gardens

Located in Saxthorpe is this heritage rose garden surrounding a medieval moated manor.
01263 584175
www.manningtongardens.co.uk

5. Norfolk Herbs

Dillington, near Dereham
Countryside nursery and specialist growers of culinary, medicinal and aromatic herbs. Set in beautiful wooded valley renowned for wildlife.
01362 860812
www.norfolkherbs.co.uk

6. Norfolk Lavender

England’s premier lavender farm at Heacham also has herb and fragrant meadow gardens.
01485 570384
www.norfolk-lavender.co.uk

7. Priory Maze and Gardens

A rich variety of plants set in ten acres of natural beauty at Beeston Regis with hedge maze, herbs, roses, water, wildflower and woodland garden.
01263 822986
www.priorymazegardens.co.uk

8. Sheringham Park

Designed by Repton in 1812, Sheringham Park in Upper Sheringham has 20 hectares of specimen trees and rhododendrons, a garden folly, temple and landscaped parkland.
01263 820550
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheringham-park

9. Walsingham Abbey

Tranquil river and woodland walks in Little Walsingham with a spectacular display of snowdrops in spring. Very close to the Barsham Barns holiday cottages in North Barsham.
01328 820259
www.walsinghamabbey.com