Norfolk Days Out

Now the summer sun has arrived in Norfolk it’s time to hit the beach. But which one? With over 100 miles of coast on offer you may be wondering where to start. To help, we’ve compiled the top 5 beaches that Norfolk has to offer.

1 Horsey. The remoteness of Horsey beach is it’s greatest charm. The approach track is challenging but worth persevering as the reward is the classic golden sand, blue sea with the dune back drop keeping the real world at bay. The National Trust do a good job preserving this gem of a beach and uncharacteristically for them the car pack is free!

2 Cart Gap. A little unknown beach just down the road from Happisburgh which holds a well deserved a place in our the top 5. A favourite for water sports enthusiasts with a slip way so you can drive your jet ski right up to the drink - if thats your thing, dude.

3 Great Yarmouth. So it’s a little cheesy and not Brighton but Yarmouth has buckets of good, old fashioned seaside fun. Fish and chips, piers, fun pack, arcades, sealife centre, horse rides, ice creams and one of Norfolk’s largest stretch of beach. They call it the ‘Golden Mile’ and it guarantees to make you smile.

4 Hunstanton. ‘Sunny Honey’ in the far north of Norfolk is probably the easiest beach to get to with a car park the size of several football pitches and then just a short hop, skip and a jump to the sea. Lot’s of sand so you’ll have no problem finding space for your sand castle village.

5 Holkham. The trendiest Norfolk beach. You may well have seen Gwyneth Paltrow grace the sands in the film Shakespeare in Love. It also boasts the hugest of huge walks from the start of the beach to the sea - make sure you take a pic-nic.

It has to be said that the Royal Norfolk Show 2008 has been a huge success. The weather held out with the record crowd enjoying bright worm sunshine with a gentile breeze.

The exhibits and entertainment was vast. There was every type of cow, sheep, pig, chicken, goat and rabbit on show, all fascinating the children and grown ups.

The food hall was packed to the rafters and the most fantastic cooking smells drifted over the show ground. The food hall also played host to Norfolk Chef Galton Blackiston who was on stage cooking for the crowds.

As usual there were many fine places to grab a spot of lunch with the appeal of a pint of Woodfords Wherry and a hog roast ever popular.

The Grand Area played host to many spectacular performances, the highlight being The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery with their swards swishing, cannons blasting and horses galloping.

Prince Harry drew the crowds and national press. He help celebrate the 100th year of the Norfolk Show holding a Royal title.

Also on show were many tractors, cars, helicopters, formula 1 racing cars and a speed boat.

So as the Norfolk Show 2008 draws to a close we are already looking forward to the 2009 event

Enjoy the Norfolk Show 2008 video guide

The 2008 Royal Norfolk Show will soon be upon us. 25th and 26th of June sees the largest two day agricultural show in the county at The Norfolk Show Ground.

Along with the fine exhibits of every breed of agricultural animal the Grand Ring hosts such exhibitions as a display by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and performances by the Bolddog Lings Freestyle Motocross team.

There are plenty of trade stands, fun stalls and entertainment for all ages. Be sure to get your pint of Woodfords Wherry and Hog Roast.

Other things to look out for at the show:

Food Hall and Cookery Theatre
Demonstrations & Displays
Bandstand Schedule
Childrens Activity Area
The Gardeners Show
Local and Rural Crafts
Art Exhibition
Countryside Area
Dog Show

The Walled Garden at Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk is a wonderfull collection of colour, shapes and smells. It has that magical ’secret’ felling that you get when you enter well thought out high wall enclosed garden.

The layout is geometric and when you look down the long paths the shapes and colours are a feast for the eyes.

Half the garden is plants and flowers with the other half sprouting veg, herbs and a few chickens. The centre piece is a relaxing water full and the garden also boosts a well populated dove house.

Hope you enjoy the Felbrigg Hall Walled Garden video guide.

Bressingham hosts it’s fun filled ‘A Day Out with Thomas’ this June. If you have a mini engine driver in the making in your family steam over to Bressingham Steam and Gardens in Norfolk on 7th, 8th, June or 15th and 18th August.

Don’t forget to make time to ride the steam gallopers and walk the world-renowned gardens. A great Norfolk day out for kids.

Click to see the Bressingham Steam and Gardens video guide.