Thank you for all your very helpful destination suggestions on my recent post about taking a short break. James has been travelling with work a lot recently and so with an aversion to airports we’ve decided to stay closer to home and head to Norfolk for a break. I really took heed of what you said about travelling to family-friendly cities with a little one, and our family post on Wednesday afternoon goes into this a little more.

We went to the North Norfolk coast last autumn but just for a day trip so it left me eager to explore the area more. It was the first time we’d ever gone to that part of the world. A friend who regularly did the five hour trip to Cornwall had fallen in love with the Norfolk the year before. With just a two hour trip from our house it seemed the ideal location to get some vitamin sea.
I’ll give you a bit of a run-down of what we did last time. That’s not to say we won’t repeat some of it. (What can I say? I have a thing about beach huts).

Our Last Visit

  • Last time we spent an hour or so in Burnham market, dipping into the traditional shops, delis and the interiors shops for a lovely mooch around. We dropped into North Stree Bistro for a drink. Would highly recommend this place as the dinner menu looked great and the decor was insta-friendly.
  • We lunched at The White Horse at Brancaster Staithe overlooking the salt marshes in an area of natural outstanding beauty. The food was delicious and there was a great bustling atmosphere.
  • We then drove about twenty minutes to Wells-Next-Sea. My magpie tendencies drew me to Nomad and the Bowerbird where I wanted one of everything. We decided to do the walk up to the beach huts and along the coast, then I was going to treat myself to a few bits and pieces. As you might have guessed the shop was closed when we got back. It’s only fair I go back.
  • As it was late October dusk began to creep in early and so we headed home. We drove past Holkham on the way home and a visit to the deer park was added to my wish-list for the return trip.

    This Year’s Wish List

    So this time we’re hoping to spend three full days in East Anglia’s finest.

  • Eric’s Fish and Chips in Thornham with a much more hipster menu than your usual chippie. Gruyere and spinach arancini anyone? –
  • A trip to the deli and coffee shop at Thornham Deli. I’ve heard good things about the interiors shop here too.
  • Long walks along the beach in the low tides.
  • A trip to Holkham Hall, maybe with a picnic? Has anyone done the walk from Holkham to Wells-next-the-Sea?
  • We’re considering a boat trip from Morston Quay to Blakeney Point to see the seals in their own habitat.
  • It’s recently been recommended we book to the dining train on the traditional steam engines that run between Sheringham and Holt. The dates don’t seem to match up with when we’re intending to go but maybe we should go for a trip on the train anyway?
  • Has anyone else fallen in love with North Norfolk? What are your recommendations for places to visit and things to go in East Anglia?