20 things to do in Norfolk in winter

 

Looking for things to do in Norfolk? Norfolk is one of my favourite places in the UK. It’s wide open beaches, stately homes and plethora of fresh seafood make it a great holiday destination year round – even in the colder months! Winter in Norfolk is a bit special. It’s not always quieter around New Year, but the rest of the time it’s usually much less populated on walks giving access to some fabulous uninterrupted scenery!

 

Below are 20 things to do in Norfolk with the family in wintertime!

 

1. Take a stroll on a wide sandy beach!

You have so many beaches to choose from: Cromer for its lighthouse and Pier, Wells-next-to-Sea for its candy-coloured beach huts, Brancaster for its shipwreck, Holkham because it goes on for miles. The list goes on and on! Just don a warm coat, hats, gloves and scarves and go for a bracing walk on the beach.

 

 

2. Visit a Victorian Pier

Cromer’s heritage seaside Pier opened in 1901 and is a local landmark. The Pavilion Theatre at the end of the pier is one of the UK’s best-loved seaside attractions and one of only five end of pier theatres in the UK. It provides a wide variety of entertainment throughout the year and is home to the Cromer Pier Show. The pier also has a working RNLI Lifeboat station, a café and bar and is the perfect place to go crabbing or fishing.

 

 

3. Check out a working lifeboat station

The RNLI Cromer Lifeboat Station at the end of Cromer Pier is an active RNLI lifeboat station that is free to visit. You can walk around the viewing platform and check out an all-weather lifeboat to get an idea of what this important charity that saves lives at sea does.

 

 

4. Go crabbing

Cromer Pier is one of the best spots for Crabbing in Norfolk. What better place to go crabbing than where the famous Cromer crabs are caught! Another popular place is on the sea wall in Wells-next-the-Sea. Crabbing is a great family activity – all you need is a line, weight, bucket and some bait (bacon, mackerel or squid.). You can usually find all this in the local gift shops. Then stake your place and with a little patience you will be rewarded with wriggly crabs!

 

 

5. Walk the cliffs at West Runton

The West Runton Cliffs east of Sheringham in Norfolk are a Geological Conservation area and the perfect place for a windy walk up and down the Norfolk Hills. You can go just a little way, or take them all the way up or down the hills of (experienced walkers only).

 

 

6. Go bird watching!

NWT Cley Marshes is Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s oldest and best-known nature reserve. Their new eco-friendly visitor centre is free and has an excellent shop, café, courtyard and viewing deck. The view to the marshes is spectacular and there are plenty of binoculars to see the birds (ask for a list of what you are likely to see).  It’s a nice place for lunch or a piece of homemade chocolate cake.  There is also a great walk from here where you can do a circuit down to the pebbly beach, along it for about 1/2-mile, then back. The pebbles are gorgeous and smooth! Then have a browse in Cley, there’s a lovely art gallery and picnic shop.

 

 

7. See the seal pups at Blakeney Point

Blakeney Point is one of the largest seal colonies in England with more than 2,000 seal pups born each year. Grey seal pups are born November – January and you can take a boat trip out to see them (just remember to wrap up warm!) Trips run regularly from Blakeney Harbour throughout the winter, but are tide dependent and make sure to book to ensure a place. Beans Boat Trips have been a family run business for more than 50 years and are a very popular and safe way to enjoy a close up view of the wildlife without disturbance. This is a Norfolk must-do!

 

 

 

8. Walk the Stiffkey Freshers

A bit further and there’s the Stiffkey Freshes, where you can walk from the car park in Stiffkey (just beyond the Red Lion pub) over foot bridges to cross the marsh, then out across the sands towards the seals. The tide has to be out, but you can sneak a good look at the seals that you¹d otherwise have to take a boat trip for.  Always check the tide times before you go!

 

 

9. Walk amongst the pine trees at Holkham

Holkham was voted Best Beach in Britain in 2016, and I have to agree! It’s a firm favourite in my family. You get to the wide sandy beach by walking on a boardwalk through tall pine woods. In the 19th century the  2nd Earl of Leicester planted the distinctive belt of pine trees in the nature reserve to stabilise the sand dunes and reclaim the land from the salt marsh. The pines now tower overhead and make a lovely setting for a winter walk. After making your way through the woods, make sure to walk on the expansive white sand beach to the sea. Access to the beach is via Lady Anne’s Drive at Holkham village. BIG NEWS: There are now much-needed bathrooms in the new visitor centre! Yippee!

 

 

 

10. Check out the beach huts at Wells-next-the-sea

Holkham Beach is joined with Wells-next-the-Sea. You could walk there or drive the 5 minutes by car. Park at the car park and walk up the steps by the Beach Café, go over the bridge and admire the 100 or so candy-coloured beach huts. Then walk the mile or so until you reach the sea. It’s a great place to fly a kite too.

 

 

11. Have lunch in a car park!

I’m not joking! The funky Wells-next-the-sea Beach Café is a great place to get a bite to eat and warm up by the roaring wood-burning stove after a bracing walk on the beach. They have a special winter weekend menu including soup, chilli, mac ‘n’ cheese, vegetable tagine. My daughter liked the humous falafel wrap.  Then check out the Joules shop just opposite (yes, in the middle of a car park). It’s the trendiest car park I’ve ever seen!

 

 

12. Take the Coasthopper

Leave the car at home and take the Coasthopper bus service and discover the north Norfolk coast.  It’s a great way to visit the villages and seaside towns along the north Norfolk coast including Cromer, Sheringham, Cley-next-the-sea, Salthouse, Blakeney, Wells-next-sea, and then through a sister service to Holkham, Burnham Overy Straithe, Thornham and Hunstanton.

 

 

13. Stay in a listed Edwardian hotel overlooking the sea! 

You could imagine The Cliftonville Hotel in an Enid Blyton novel. Edwardian architecture mixes with old-fashioned seaside fun. It’s the type of place you leave your key with reception, have a full English breakfast and order dinner while sipping a G&T next to a roaring fire to be moved into the main dinning room when your starters are ready. They have the best artisan gin menu I’ve seen for years. Plus Cromer makes a great base to discover north Norfolk.

 

 

14. Ride the Cromer to Sheringham Railway 

The North Norfolk Railway has a 10 and a half mile trip led with a heritage engine and rewards riders with fabulous views of the Norfolk coast. Hours during winter are limited, but there are special holiday activities that include sherry and mince pies.

 

 

15. No. 1 Cromer for Best Fish and Chips

Downstairs is the best fish and chips in Cromer (served with a cute bucket and spade for kids). “Upstairs at No. 1” is small plates and fabulous views of the sea and Cromer pier. It’s Galton Blackison’s latest restaurant and a Cromer jewel. We tried Popcorn cockles with spiced salt and chili vinegar, Pork Belly Tacos (pork belly, pineapple and sweetcorn salsa, chili sauce and pork scratching) and Steamed Prawn Dumplings with a soy and ginger dipping sauce. 

 

 

16. Treat yourself at Morston Hall for an amazing Michelin Starred meal!

The North Norfolk coast has become very Farrow and Ball and has a few Michelin starred restaurants to match. Morston Hall is Galton Blackiston’s creation and has a 7 course tasting menu that changes every day. I’ve not been there, but I have it on very good authority that it makes a memorable meal.

 

 

17. Fall in love with Felbrigg Hall

Felbrigg Hall is a 17th-century English country house. This National Trust managed property is known for its original Jacobean architecture and fine Georgian interior. There’s a walled garden, orangery, café, shop and 800 acres to explore.

 

 

18. Visit where Anne Boleyn is said to have lived as a child

Blickling Hall is a stately home which is part of the Blickling estate. Prepared to be wowed by this breath-taking red-brick mansion surrounded by ancient yew tree hedges and set in 4,600 acres. The Boleyn family owned the original hall around the time of Anne’s birth and many historians agree that it is likely she spent part of her early years here. In addition to the impressive house, there are gardens and parkland to discover. Don’t miss!

 

 

 

19. Check out where the royal family spends Christmas

The Sandringham Estate is the Queen’s Norfolk retreat and one the most well-known stately homes in the country. There are 60 acres of manicured gardens and a museum stocked with royal items.

 

 

20. Eat Cromer Crab!

The season is officially ends in November, but restaurants do get some deliveries of this famous crab from local shores, which is big on flavour due to the high amount of nutrients in the waters in this region. Bolton’s Bistro in Cromer was one of the first to feature the crab on its menu!

 

Watch our video! The Modern family goes to Cromer!

 

 

IF YOU GO

This is Cromer website https://www.thisiscromer.co.uk

The Cliftonville Hotel, 29 Runton Rd, Cromer NR27 9AS +44 01263 512543 https://www.cliftonvillehotel.co.uk

Boltons Bistro Restaurant Alfred Rd, Cromer NR27 9AS +44  01263 512543 https://www.cliftonvillehotel.co.uk/boltons-bistro

No. 1 Cromer 1 New St, Cromer NR27 9HP +44 01263 515983 https://www.no1cromer.com

Moreston Hall The St, Holt NR25 7AA +44 01263 741041 https://www.morstonhall.com

RNLI Cromer Lifeboat Station, Cromer Pier, The Esplanade, Cromer NR27 9HE, England https://www.cromerrnli.org.uk

Cromer Pier Cromer, Norfolk NR27 9HE +44 01263 512495 cromer-pier.com 

No.1 Cromer 1 New Street, Cromer, Norfolk NR27 9HP +44 01263 512316  no1cromer.com 

Beans Boat Trips Morston Quay, Morston, Norfolk NR25 7AA +44 01263 740038 beansboattrips.co.uk 

Cley Marshes Visitor Centre Cley next the Sea, Holt NR25 7SA +44 01263 740008 https://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife-in-norfolk/nature-reserves/reserves/cley-marshes

Blakeney to Stiffkey Coastal Walk, Norfolk https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/blakeney-national-nature-reserve/trails/blakeney-to-stiffkey-coastal-walk

Wells-next-the-Sea Beach Cafe Beach Road, Wells-next-the-Sea NR23 1DR +44  01328 713055 https://www.holkham.co.uk/stay-eat/beach-cafe

Joules of Wells Beach Beach Rd, Wells-next-the-Sea NR23 1DR 07392 198102 https://www.joules.com/store-locator/store/joules-of-wells-beach

Sheringham Park  Wood Farm, Sheringham NR26 8TL nationaltrust.org.uk 

North Norfolk Railway Station Approach, Sheringham Station, Sheringham, Norfolk NR26 8RA + 44 01263 820800 nnrailway.co.uk 

Felbrigg Hall  Felbrigg, Norwich NR11 8PR +44 01263 837444  OPEN SAT 10 am https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/felbrigg-hall-gardens-and-estate

Blickling Blickling, Norwich NR11 6NF https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/blickling-estate

Sandringham Estate  Sandringham PE35 6EN https://www.sandringhamestate.co.uk/

 

Pin it for later: Norfolk in Winter

 

 

Planning to visit Norfolk? Read my other articles!

 

Things to do in Norfolk with kids: 9 Must-Dos!

 

Family Itinerary: North Norfolk Coast and the Broads

 

Norfolk: Sykes Sandy Loft in Hunstanton

 

Potters Resort: A traditional British seaside holiday

 

 

Disclosure: Our stay at The Cliftonville Hotel was provided for the purpose of this review. All opinions remain my own.