Rainy Days in North Norfolk
Did you know that Norfolk is one of the sunniest counties in the UK, I quote Visit Norfolk ‘Norfolk is also the combined driest/sunniest county in the UK!‘ but we can’t guarantee that this will ensure sun filled holidays with no chance of rain... So, what to do when it’s just too soggy to go to the beach?
My children grew up believing that soft play and cinemas were only open if it was raining and having that in mind there are great options for both.
Farmer Fred’s Play Barn is a huge soft play area, if your little darlings need to burn off some energy then this is the perfect place. They also serve really good home made wholesome food, non of the normal stuff that you would turn your nose up at and the hot chocolates are amazing if you aren’t counting calories.
The cinema I’m recommending is Fakenham Cinema, it is really good value, small, clean and most importantly comfortable. I have never paid more than £5 for a seat even for new box office releases. The building is a beautiful old cinema in the centre of the market town, you can park for free at Tesco and walk up. The only down side is that you can’t book online and you have to pay cash.
One of my most favourite, completely quirky and a little bit bonkers places to go is the Shell Museum in Glandford near Holt. It’s dog friendly and costs £2.50 for adults and just 50p for kids. We usually plan a trip around lunch, as the Art Cafe which is about 50 yds away and has yummy vegetarian food.
Pensthorpe is usually a somewhere I would recommend as a full day outside, so much to do and see, but they also have Hootz House which is a new addition. I have been reliably informed that it lives up to Pensthorpe’s claims of ‘an epic indoor adventure for the whole family’. There is an over and under fives area, and they serve drinks and sandwiches.
The Sea Life Centre on Hunstanton seafront is a good way to pass a couple of hours if need be. It’s quite expensive, and better to buy tickets on line or search for discount codes. The whole experience is quite interactive and there are various feeding times with the penguins and things.
I really love Mables in Burnham Market, they have an old fashioned sweet shop downstairs and a ceramic pot painting cafe upstairs. And they deliver the finished products all over the UK so no need to panic if you’re just here for a few days on holiday, and what a great souvenir! One thing I have learnt is that there is no way in this world you can leave with out buying a bag of sweets and if your kids are as indecisive as my daughter it could take a while to pick!!
Thursford is a great day out for all the family, it has a collection of steam engines of all varieties including fair ground rides and mechanical organs. There are daily shows so worth checking what’s on at different times of the year. Christmas really is spectacular!
High Altitude is an enormous indoor trampoline park in Norwich, and a fabulous way to completely exhaust your kids!
Holkham Hall is an 18th century Palladian style house, built by the first Earl of Leicester and still residence to the Coke family. There is some fabulous things to see and lots of interesting things to find out but possibly more of a grown up outing. Having said that Holkham is brilliant at Easter and Christmas with bringing the house alive with the theme and I have taken my children many times.
Norwich Castle is a fabulous interactive experience, very reasonably priced and a selection of tours to choose from. The first time I went was with my kids to waste an hour, it was such a shame as we didn’t have nearly long enough - we’ve had to return as there is so much to see and do. A great day out, and some great places to have lunch in Norwich too.
So rain or shine North Norfolk is always the perfect spot! Book your dog and child friendly holiday in North Norfolk now - www.northnorfolkholidaycotts.co.uk
