Beside the seaside…

Start your Norfolk break with a day at Old Hunstanton beach, picture perfect with its white sand dunes and pretty beach huts. When the tide’s out you can wander for miles, espying shells, crabs and starfish in pool pockets that the sea has left behind on its retreat.

Once you’ve caught up your vitamin D intake, paddled or plunged (depending how athletic you’re feeling), take a gentle stroll to The Lodge nearby for lunch. With a range of bar snacks, specials and its legendary burgers and ribs, The Lodge is perfect whatever your appetite. With an emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients you can enjoy an authentic Norfolk dining experience in stylish yet relaxed surroundings.

Every day on the beach is special in our book, but watch out for the annual RNLI (stationed nearby) Sandcastle Competition in early August (see local press for details) which is tons of fun.

Set the sat nav:

The Lodge, Old Hunstanton, Norfolk PE36 6HX.
01485 532896 or email: info@thelodgehunstanton.co.uk

On your bike

Bring your own or rent (March-October) some wheels at Holkham and explore as many of the 25,000 acres as your energy levels permit.

Take a picnic (available from Briarfields and The Lodge) and stop by the lake where you can hire a kayak, canoe or rowing boat in the summer months and work up an appetite before you eat. Let the kids run off energy at the nearby woodland play area, while you linger over lunch.

Then take a tour of Holkham Hall which is as much an historical snapshot of Norfolk with its magnificent Marble Hall and Green State Room, as it is a lived-in family home, currently residence of the 8th Earl of Leicester.

Set the sat nav:

Holkham Hall, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk NR23 1AB.
01328 710227 or email: enquiries@holkham.co.uk

Branta Cruises, Steinvora, Brancaster Staithe, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE31 8BU
tel: 01485 211132, mob 07775 728904

French’s Fish & Chip Shop, 10 The Quay, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk NR23 1AH.
tel: 01328 710396, email: mailbox@frenchs.co.uk

Life on a wave

If you’ve had your fill of sandcastles, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the coast. A Blakeney seal trip (April – October) with Beans Boats is synonymous with Norfolk holidays, but for a more exclusive experience book a trip with Branta Cruises from Brancaster Staithe Harbour. Skipper Jon has lived and worked the harbour all his life and will share his expert knowledge of the birds, wildlife and landscape as he takes you on a tour along the creakes to nearby Scolt Head Island on his Orkney day boat, Laura May.

From here, head along the coast to Wells-next-the-Sea and enjoy lunch at the award-winning French’s Fish & Chips. Eat in or sit on the harbour wall and take in the view over the mud flats, and when you’re done why not dabble in an afternoon of crabbing. Pick up a line and some bait from a kiosk and see how big your catch is – maybe it’ll make a tasty supper, or maybe you’ll pop the tiddlers back to grow fatter for another day…

Set the sat nav:

Beans Seal Trips, Morston Quay, Morston NR25 7AA.
tel: 01263 740038 or email: info@beansboattrips.co.uk

Back to nature

Head inland today and enjoy one of the region’s finest nature reserves at Pensthorpe, just outside Fakenham. Follow a trail around the lake and 660 acres of woodland, wetland and farmland, a conservation area that’s teeming with wildlife including flamingos, cranes and red squirrels. Little ones will adore WildRootz adventure park ­– join ‘Hootz’ the owl and build a den and splash through streams or head inside if the weather’s less than favourable and explore Hootz House instead.

Enjoy lunch at the café and if little ones are starting to tire, take Pensthorpe’s Wensum Discovery Tour and see what wildlife you can spot from Pensthorpe’s Land Rover and trailer. All aboard!

Set the sat nav:

Pensthorpe Natural Park, Fakenham Road, Fakenham,
Norfolk NR21 0LN.
tel: 01328 851465 or email: info@pensthorpe.com

Retail therapy

Norfolk’s market towns are a welcome diversion when you fancy some retail therapy – there are plenty to choose from, including pretty Burnham Market with its exclusive boutiques and just a short drive from lunch spot Creake Abbey. But don’t overlook Fakenham which has held a Market Charter since 1250. Today, market day is Thursday when a local auction and flea market also take place. Additionally, on the fourth Saturday of each month (not always the last Saturday) there’s also a Farmers’ Market from 8.30am-12pm, which coincides with a Craft Market in the Parish Church from March – December.

For the perfect antidote to bargaining, after lunch head to Walsingham Abbey and enjoy the spectacular ruins of its medieval Priory. If you’re lucky enough to be in the area in February you will catch the amazing display of snowdrops which attracts visitors from around the world.

Set the sat nav:

Walsingham Abbey, 10 Common Place, Walsingham NR22 6BP.
tel: 01328 820510

Arts & crafts movement

It comes as no surprise that Norfolk’s stunning scenery has inspired creatives through the ages, and there are plenty of places to see and buy work from local artists. Start your tour at Old Hunstanton’s Le Strange Old Barns Antiques Arts and Crafts Centre where around 200 paintings, mainly watercolours, are on display. From here mosey along to Burnham Market where you will be spoiled for choice at the Fairfax Gallery, Burnham Grapevine Gallery and Pocock’s the artmonger.

And if you still hanker after more artwork, head to Holt where The Red Dot Gallery has a fine collection of contemporary artwork.

Set the sat nav:

Le Strange Old Barns, Golf Course Road, Old Hunstanton, Norfolk PE36 6JG, tel: 01485 533402

Fairfax Gallery, 54 Market Place, Burnham Market PE31 8HD, tel: 01328 730001

Burnham Grapevine Gallery, Overy Road, Burnham Market PE31 8HH, tel: 01328 730125

Pocock’s the artmonger, 21 North Street, Burnham Market PE31 8HG, tel: 01328 730370

The Red Dot Gallery, 2 Lyles Court, Lees Yard, Holt, Norfolk NR25 6HS

Well-rested week

As the week draws to a close, choose a gentler pace and after breakfast at Briarfields, head to neighbouring RSPB Titchwell to enjoy this outstanding bird-filled destination. One of the best places to see wildlife in the UK, take a walk from the visitor centre past reedbeds and lagoons to a sandy beach. Depending on the season you’ll enjoy ducks, geese and waders in autumn and winter, and marsh harriers, bearded tits, avocets and terns in summer. Even if you’re not a twitcher, enjoy the board walks and views which are simply stunning. Children are able to pond dip during the summer holidays, but call ahead for details of seasonal events.

Set the sat nav:

RSPB Titchwell, King’s Lynn PE31 8BB, tel: 01485 210779