Whether you are an avid foodie, culture vulture, adventure seeker, activities driven, beach lover or you just love your relaxation; Norfolk has something in store for you!

Norfolk is the combined sunniest and driest county in the country so summer is a wonderful time to visit North Norfolk. The warmer weather, lighter days and fantastic scenery make it perfect for enjoying activities with friends or family. There are lots of family-friendly attractions, walking and cycling routes, beaches and history and heritage waiting to be discovered.

The north Norfolk coast has award winning and Blue Flag stunning beaches, many within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, great for building sandcastles, swimming, walking and playing beach games. Take your pick from the dramatic white sands at Wells-next-the-Sea and Holkham, the tidal marshes at Scolt Head and Blakeney, traditional seaside resorts at Sheringham, Cromer, Mundesley and the colourful cliffs at Hunstanton.

We have given a curated list of activities below for all different types of travellers:

Activity seekers:

Norfolk broads: From guided tours, riverside walks, birdwatching and paddleboarding adventures, there’s something for everyone at the Broads National Park. It’s incredibly peaceful and relaxing to spend time by the water.

Hiking and cycling: Thetford Forest, with 18 thousand hectares of Forestry England woodland, is a great day out for all the family. With cycle and walking trails, an adventure playground, cafe, themed short trails to engage kids as well as a Go Ape course. They have bike hire too or you can bring your own.

Walking: When the weather isn’t so nice and you can’t bask in the sun, it’s helpful to have an alternative to keep you active. Luckily in North Norfolk there is a very good coasthopper bus which stops at all the villages along the coast. This means that you can park, enjoy a walk and catch the bus back or visa versa. The bus adds a bit of excitement for children so why not pick your spot, walk about 3 miles and finish off with some fish and chips, or a pub lunch as a treat!

Crabbing: One of the most popular activities to do in Norfolk in summer is to go crabbing. Whoever you go with, you’ll always enjoy this activity. Buy yourself some bacon and a crabbing line and net (but I always think it’s more fun to see if you can get the crab in the bucket without a net), head to Cromer pier and away you go. The best time to catch crabs is on an incoming tide as that’s when they’re feeding.

Sheringham Park: Although Spring is the most beautiful time to visit this park with all the rhododendrons and azaeleas out in full bloom, if you’re visiting Norfolk in the summer then Sheringham Park is a great way to spend time. You can easily spend all day here.

Wildlife lovers:

Norfolk has such a varierty of wildlife habitats. The ancient woodlands, chalk rivers, fens, broads, farmland, marshes, wetland and sandy beaches means the area is home to many fish, birds and mammals. Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a protected landscape covering 450 km² of coastal and agricultural land, the stunning north Norfolk landscape and flora changes throughout the season making each visit special.

Seal spotting: take a visit to Horsey Gap on the East Coast or book a boat trip from Morston (near Blakeney) for a guided visit to the seals on Blakeney point. You almost can’t come to Norfolk in summer without seeing the seals! I lived here for a long time without taking a visit to see them, and I had no idea what I had been missing – it’s an incredibly exciting outing.

Birdwatching: North Norfolk is a birdwatchers' paradise with rare birds often paying a visit due to north Norfolk’s proximity to the European continental mainland, and there is a wealth of nature reserves to get up close to unique species. In Spring, watch birds of prey dancing in the sky and at nature reserves you can see wading birds with their colourful breeding plumage pass through on their way to the Arctic. Reedbeds, woods and hedgerows are filled with the songs of the newly-arrived swifts and warblers. Local speciality species seen in Spring include breeding marsh harrier. Summer is a wonderful time to visit the coastal nature reserves of Cley, Holme and Titchwell Marsh.

Butterflies: Head to Holkham woods to see the famous ‘Hairstreak’ - green, purple and white-letter hairstreaks, the Fritillaries - dark green and silver-washed. Purple emperor’s can be seen in Sheringham Park and Foxley Wood is a hotspot for white admiral, meadow brown, ringlet, purple hairstreak and silver-washed fritillary.

Relaxers and glampers :

Glamping: Our recommendation for a truly relaxing visit to Norfolk is to settle into your holiday accommodation, get the hammock out, arrange a delivery of fresh local produce and book an onsite massage or sauna session to soothe your muscles. Bring a good book, listen to the sounds of birdsong and enjoy stargazing around the campfire. Every holiday needs some form of relaxation and we have the perfect spot for you in North Norfolk; enjoy the natural surroundings and magical woodland fun at Round the Woods.

Foraging: Holt Country Park is located in North Norfolk in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is home to a number of species within its mixed native deciduous and Scots Pine woodland. This rich habitat offer a fabulous place to learn about edible plants and fungi growing all around us in the UK. You can book foraging tours here in an AONB.

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden: If it’s a warm, sunny day, head to Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden in the heart of the Broads. This award-winning organic garden is spread out over 130 acres and is filled with ancient woodland, water gardens and a private Broad. There are over 3.5 miles of paths that meander through the gardens. Summer is a fantastic time to visit as you’ll see hydrangeas, philadelphus and many wildflowers in full bloom. After exploring, enjoy a cream tea or a light lunch at the eco-tearoom. The gardens have various events running throughout the summer months, so keep an eye out on their website.

Culture vultures:

Norwich is a wonderfully historic place, an ancient city that lies at the heart of rural East Anglia. It was the Anglo Saxons who first made their homes beside the river Wensum, and it was from one of these settlements, which bore the name Northwic, that the city got its name. The settlement grew and grew and merged with others to become the largest walled town in medieval England. Because of this rich history, there are lots of fantastic medieval buildings and streets to explore, making it a perfect day out. Enjoy the sights, architecture and artisan cafes along the way and go back in time to find out more about this quaint and higgledy-piggledy city, Norwich.

Holkham hall: With a stunning location on the north Norfolk coast and at the heart of a thriving 25,000 acre estate, Holkham Hall is described as an exceptional place, rich in history, architecture and wildlife. Find out more information, including events and things to do.

Picture postcard villages:
Holt - The historic Georgian town of Holt is a charming rural north Norfolk town surrounded by parks. Close to the coast and with shops and places to stay, Holt is an ideal holiday destination.
Heydon - Heydon is a delightful discovery, off the beaten track but with a collection of small artisan businesses, the village is an idyllic example of unspoiled, rural England. You can wander through the village or walk in the parkland.
Cley-next-the-sea has beautiful windmills, quaint tearooms, and stone cottages.
Walsingham has farm shop, Walsingham Abbey, and is steeped in history with a long history of religious pilgrimage and is home to the ruins of two medieval monastic houses.

History & royalty at Sandringham Estate: This Queen's country retreat with stunning gardens, house & royal parkland. Sandringham Royal Park now spans nearly 243 hectares for visitors to enjoy. Planted with a mixture of evergreen and deciduous trees, mainly Corsican and Scots Pine mixed with Oak, Sweet Chestnut and Birch, and supports an abundance of animals, birds and plants. The Royal Park is open daily throughout the year to walk or cycle and is dog friendly.

Cathedrals and museums: Explore the city’s cathedral and museums followed by a wander of the historical streets, all topped off with lunch at a delicious local cafe. If this sounds like something you’d enjoy we’ve got the perfect itinerary for you.

Beach lovers:

North Norfolk beach

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

What better place to be than on one of the many Norfolk beaches during the summer months. The tides on some of the North Norfolk beaches go out for what seems like miles, giving you ample space to enjoy the vast skies and endless swathes of sandy beaches. On the east coast the tide doesn’t go out quite so far, but they are still wonderful beaches. Some of them truly are the best beaches in the UK.

Cromer: Cromer is a Victorian seaside town, and the beach is fantastic, particularly when the tide is out. It has the famous Pier with the Pavilion Theatre at the end, as well as the lifeboat station. This is a commerical beach in the summer months and is patrolled by lifeguards. You can also have surfing lessons here. More on the beach here: www.roundthewoods.co.uk/blog/popular-norfolk-beaches

Holkham beach: A must-see. Walk through a pine woodland to reach the vast sandy beach peppered with sand dunes. Holkham beach is probably the most well-known beach in Norfolk. It is used for a backdrop to many a film as well, as the Household Cavalry using it for one week a year in July to exercise their horses. You'll find huge swathes of sand here and loads of space.

Sheringham beach: There is excellent swimming and surfing to be had and lifeguard service is on duty from spring bank holiday weekend to the end of the school summer holidays in September. The beach completely disappears at high tide - which gives you a chance to have a look round the lovely seaside town.

Find out more about popular North Norfolk beaches

Foodies:

There’s an foodie scene - We all need to eat food to survive, it’s pretty essential! However when you’re surrounded by fresh and delicious ingredients it’s hard to resist indulging in delicacies. Basing a holiday on discovering local food can be a real highlight and Norfolk has a treat in store for you, with local food producers, farms and farm shops in abundance.

Cromer crab: Norfolk is famous for the sweet-tasting crabs which live on the unique chalk reef stretching along the north coast just out to sea. Cromer crabs are brown crabs that are caught off the Northern coast of Norfolk around Cromer village. The chalk shelf and nutrient-rich waters in this region make for a particularly flavoursome, tender and fragrant crab.

Asparagus: This delicacy has a short season to be enjoyed so be sure not to miss out. There are local farms in the area with honesty shops selling fresh asparagus as well as road side stalls. Snap off the tough lower stalks and blanch, steam or roast in olive oil and butter.

Samphire: This coastal plant is found around the salt marshes of the North Norfolk coast and can often be bought in bunches from farm shops and outside homes on the coastal road in late spring and summer. It’s saltiness is delicious when paired with seafood but also goes well with new potatoes and lamb. Give it a good clean in fresh water and remove any roots and tough stems before blanching or steaming for a few minutes.

Mussels: Another shellfish delight is mussels, in season from Autumn to early Spring. Served with cream, white wine and fresh herbs or a tomato sauce it’s simply delicious, if not a bit messy (keep a bowl of water handy for finger dipping!). Brancaster and Blakeney are great spots to enjoy the fresh catch from the fishing boats.

Cheese: If you’re a cheese fan you’ll be in for a treat with Mrs Temples cheese or Fielding Cottage goats cheese. Both can be bought from farm shops locally (see a selection of our favourites below).

Cockles: Skiffkey cockles are renowned and have a blue colour which comes from local mud and sand. They can often be found at seafood stalls and fishmongers and are best served with vinegar.

Mustard: Colman’s of Norwich Mustard might not be made in Norfolk anymore, after over 160 years of being produced locally but we still have a thriving mustard industry. Mint and mustard seed for this traditional British condiment are both grown locally and there are several small mustard producers.

Discover more on Delicious Norfolk foods and which restaurants to visit.

Summer Activities In North Norfolk for all travellers