Norfolk Days Out

Spring time in Norfolk is a great time of year. All across the country trees are blossoming, crops peeking out from under their winter beds, daffodils colour the hedgerows and the snow gently falls to the ground. What? Snow? Yes, just last weekend Norfolk was treated to the wondrous site of fresh crisp snow all across the county - a real ‘Spring’ Wonderland.

Memories of Christmas at Thursford come flooding back.

We are not complaining, that first covering of snow is a fantastic site and everything is enhanced by the whitening. It just seems a bit on the strange side when the hayfever has since set in with itch eyes, runny noses and sneezing. I fear we may have created the first snowman with a pollen allergy.

Our snowman, Berti, is a fine chap proudly guarding the house with his top hat made of snow. The signs of hayfever however are already strong in poor Berti. His eye’s began to water as soon as the sun came out, his nose is a mess and the sneezing as caused his top hat slip. I feel for the feller.

Driving round the county we see this is not an uncommon problem. Each village in Norfolk has it’s own collection of under the weather snow sneezers.

Norfolk Days out has decided to set up the first online support group for Snowmen With Hayfever. Post your support for the S.W.H. below.

Happy Easter.

The are many beautiful holiday cottages to let in North Norfolk. Enjoy the picture perfect Norfolk villages of Bircham Newton, Brancaster, Brancaster Staithe, Burnham Deepdale, Burnham Market, Burnham Norton, Burnham Thorpe, Burnham Overy, Choseley, Docking, Heacham, Holme, Houghton, Hunstanton, North and South Creake, Ringstead, Stanhoe, Syderstone, Thornham, Titchwell, Warham and Wells-next-the-Sea.

We are often emailed asking what the best way is to experience North Norfolk and our vote has to go to these charming cottages.

Many of the cottages that are available to let in North Norfolk are well loved second homes.

These cottages enable you to discover the breathtaking beauty of North Norfolk and its Coast, at your pace, in your own time. Relax in comfort and please yourself what to do, with no fixed mealtimes.

When you’ve found the cottage for you don’t forget to search the site to find out what there is to do in your area. Map’s, reviews, ratings and video guides are all available on the main site.

Aerial Britain - The Norfolk Coast Path And Norfolk Broads (NTSC) DVD AERIAL BRITAIN Aerial Britain - The Norfolk Coast Path And Norfolk Broads (NTSC) Designed to appeal to tourists and locals alike, this programme comprises aerial photography and narration detailing the history and traditions of the area. starring AERIAL BRITAIN Region: Region 2 (UK / Europe) Special Features

Easter comes earlier each year and so close to Christmas you may not be ready for the long 2 weeks ahead. To help you out this Easter holiday we have got the top 10 Norfolk Easter holiday kid pleasers. Don’t forget to search the main site for other ideas and always check opening times before you set off.

1 The Norfolk Shire Horse Centre
The object of this centre is to bring together a collection of different breeds of draft horses. Some originated in this country and some are European breeds.

2 Dinosaur Adventure Park
What better way could there be than to spend a day out with your family at Norfolk’s Top Family Attraction, Dinosaur Adventure? Giving them a full day of discovery, activity and entertainment.

3 Wroxham Barns
Junior Farm, Children’s Funfair, 12 Craft Studios and table service restaurant, it’s well worth a visit.

4 Inspire Discovery Centre
Housed in one of Norwich’s finest old medieval churches, inspire is a different kind of museum, one where children and adults can explore science through fun hands-on activities.

5 The Playbarn
The Playbarn is a fun packed indoor and outdoor centre especially designed for children aged 7 or under.

6 Sheringham Little Theatre
The Little Theatre offers an incredibly large range of entertainment all year round.

7 Bewilderwood
BeWILDerwood is a huge forest adventure crammed full of fun things for kids from 1-81 to see and do.

8 North Norfolk Railway (Poppy Line)
The North Norfolk Railway offers a 10.5 mile round trip by steam train (vintage diesel trains on some journeys) through a delightful area of North Norfolk designated as being of outstanding natural beauty.

9 Bure Valley Railway
Norfolk’s longest fifteen inch gauge line runs between the ancient market town of Aylsham and Wroxham, the ‘Capital of the Norfolk Broads’ with country stations serving the villages of Brampton, Buxton and Coltishall.

10 The beach
Great fun for kids at any time of year no matter what the weather - only adults like it when it’s hot.

Feed Shark

The coastal town of Blakeney can be found on the North Norfolk coast marking the half way point between Sherringham and Wells.

Those that are brave enough to thread their cars down the narrow streets to Blakeney Quay and rewarded with the wondrous views over Blakeney Salt Marshes. There is ample parking on the Quay giving you immediate access to the marsh walks or to Blakeney town centre itself.

The salt marshes are a haven for bird lovers and you more than likely to see Common Tern, British Pallas’s Warble, Yellow-breasted Bunting, English Arctic Warbler, Snowy Owl, and Pallas’s Grasshopper Warble.

For those that like to take it all in by foot there are a number of well trodden paths to follow, the main one being the walk along the quay itself. They quay walk cut’s straight through the marshes giving you great views all round.

After your walk you might like to reward yourself with a variety of refreshments that the town has to offers - from local sea delicacies, hot pastries to good old fashion ice-cream. There are a number of pubs, cafes and restaurants to if your looking to eat.

Blakeney also serves as a base for the famous North Norfolk seal trips where you can catch a boat and be taken out to the sand banks where you will find many a seal chilling out on their own private islands.Let us know your Blakeney experiences.

At this time of year the Norfolk holiday makers are still thin on the ground. It’s a great time to visit some of Norfolk’s fine attractions before the summer sun seekers arrive. Choose wisely because many venues are still closed for the winter. Search the site and check out opening and closing times.

If you stick to the free, open-air locations you should find there’s plenty to do. The National Trust stately homes grounds are good for walks and the beeches are open 24/7 although I’d wrap up warm. If your looking to get out of the wind then why not loose yourself among the thousands of trees in Thetford.

For kids try Holt Country Park which has a fantastic playground as well as a series of gentile strolls for parents. If you can’t make it to Holt then you’ll find a set of swings and a slide in any Norfolk village.

Another site to look out for is the Bluebell, Snowdrop and Daffodil walks that many local land owners lay on at this time of year. You have to be quick though as those ambassadors of spring don’t hang around for long.

A favourite of spring for me has to be the still and tranquil Norfolk Broads on a cold, frosty morning. Make the effort to visit Cockshoot Broad one early morning, sit in the bird hide watching the harrier, heron or great crested grebe and you’ll be rewarded with an inner calm for the rest of the day.