Exploring Norfolk’s Historic Landmarks with Kids

Norfolk is a county in Eastern England with a rich history and a plethora of historic landmarks to explore. From castles to churches, there are plenty of places to visit with the family for an educational and exciting day out. We’ve rounded up the best of Norfolk’s historical landmarks, so that you can plan a great day out for the whole family.

Castles of Norfolk

Norfolk is home to an impressive array of castles, each with its own story to tell. The most impressive of these is the majestic, 900-year-old Castle Rising. Built by William d’Aubigny in 1138, the castle is perched atop a natural limestone hill and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Inside, visitors can explore the keep, towers and dungeons, as well as the castle’s richly furnished rooms, including the King’s Chamber.

For something a little closer to home, head to Norwich Castle. Built by the Normans in the 11th century, the castle is now a museum and is full of interactive exhibits perfect for kids. Visitors can explore the dungeons, scale the Norman keep and explore the royal apartments. The castle is also home to the unique museum of archaeology, which features an array of objects from the county’s past.

Finally, don’t miss the chance to explore the ruins of Baconsthorpe Castle. This 15th-century castle was once the home of the Heydon family and is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument. While the ruins are in a state of disrepair, visitors can still explore the keep, the gatehouse and the grounds and imagine life in the castle in its heyday.

Churches of Norfolk

Norfolk is home to some of the most impressive churches in the UK. The most stunning of these is Norwich Cathedral. This 11th-century building is a stunning example of Norman architecture and is one of the largest cathedrals in the country. Inside, visitors can explore the vast nave, the cloisters and the ancient crypts, as well as the ornate chapels and the beautiful stained glass windows.

Also worth a visit is the 900-year-old Wymondham Abbey. This stunning building was once a Benedictine monastery and is home to a rich collection of artifacts, including a 15th-century Book of Hours and a 16th-century altar cloth. Visitors can also explore the abbey’s grounds, which are home to a variety of wildlife.

Finally, don’t miss the chance to explore Cromer Parish Church. This 13th-century building is one of the oldest churches in the county and is home to a wealth of history, from ancient tombs and monuments to its iconic spire. Visitors can also explore the church’s museum, which is home to a variety of artifacts from the church’s long history.

Museums of Norfolk

Norfolk is home to a variety of museums perfect for a family day out. One of the most popular is the Norwich Castle Museum. This museum is home to an impressive collection of artifacts, from ancient Egyptian mummies to Roman coins. It also features interactive exhibits, such as a virtual tour of the castle and a hands-on history lesson.

Also worth a visit is the Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse. This museum is an insight into rural life in the 18th century and features a recreated village and a working farm. Visitors can explore the village, the farm and the workhouse, as well as the museum’s collection of artifacts, from tools and clothing to toys and photographs.

Finally, don’t miss the chance to explore the Time and Tide Museum. This museum is dedicated to the history of Great Yarmouth and is home to a wealth of interactive exhibits, from a recreated Victorian street to a life-size model of a trawler. Visitors can also explore the museum’s galleries, which are home to a variety of artifacts from the town’s past.

The Norfolk Coast

Norfolk’s coastline is full of stunning scenery, from sweeping beaches to rugged cliffs. One of the most impressive places to visit is Blakeney Point. This National Nature Reserve is home to a wealth of wildlife, from seals and seabirds to rare plants and insects. Visitors can explore the nature reserve on a guided boat tour, or take a stroll along the cliff-top path and take in the stunning views.

Also worth a visit is the coastal town of Wells-next-the-Sea. This quaint town is home to a stunning beach, which is perfect for swimming, surfing and rock-pooling. Visitors can also explore the town’s picturesque harbour and take a stroll along the quay, admiring the colourful boats and fishing boats.

Finally, don’t miss the chance to explore the Norfolk Broads. This network of rivers and lakes is home to an array of wildlife, from marsh harriers to kingfishers. Visitors can explore the area on a boat tour and take in the stunning scenery, or take a leisurely stroll along the network of footpaths.

Norfolk Wildlife Parks

Norfolk is home to a variety of wildlife parks, perfect for a fun family day out. One of the most popular is Banham Zoo. This zoo is home to an array of exotic animals, from tigers and lemurs to elephants and rhinos. Visitors can explore the zoo’s enclosures, as well as its collection of interactive exhibits.

Also worth a visit is the Africa Alive! Wildlife Park. This park is home to an array of African animals, from lions and cheetahs to giraffes and zebras. Visitors can explore the park’s enclosures, as well as its collection of interactive exhibits, such as the African Adventure Playground.

Finally, don’t miss the chance to explore the Wildwood Discovery Park. This park is home to an array of native British animals, from badgers and foxes to otters and owls. Visitors can explore the park’s enclosures, as well as its collection of interactive exhibits, such as the Animal Play Barn and the Nature Trail.

Norfolk’s Historic Houses

Norfolk is home to a variety of historic houses, each with its own story to tell. One of the most impressive is Holkham Hall. This 18th-century Palladian mansion is home to an impressive art collection, as well as a spectacular landscape garden. Visitors can explore the house’s grand rooms, as well as its vast grounds, which feature a lake, a lake garden and a deer park.

Also worth a visit is Blickling Hall. This Jacobean mansion is the former home of Anne Boleyn and is now a museum. Visitors can explore the house’s grand rooms, as well as its vast grounds, which feature a lake, a walled garden and a deer park.

Finally, don’t miss the chance to explore Felbrigg Hall. This 17th-century mansion is surrounded by a stunning landscape garden and is home to a wealth of history, from ancient tombs to ancient artifacts. Visitors can explore the house’s grand rooms, as well as its beautiful gardens, which feature a lake, a walled garden and a deer park.

Norfolk’s Gardens

Norfolk is home to a variety of stunning gardens, perfect for a leisurely day out. One of the most impressive is Houghton Hall. This 18th-century estate is home to a stunning landscape garden, as well as a variety of rare plants and trees. Visitors can explore the estate’s grounds, which feature a lake, a walled garden and a deer park.

Also worth a visit is Holkham Hall. This grand estate is home to an impressive landscape garden, as well as a variety of rare plants and trees. Visitors can explore the estate’s grounds, which feature a lake, a walled garden and a deer park.

Finally, don’t miss the chance to explore Sheringham Park. This 19th-century estate is home to a stunning landscape garden, as well as a variety of rare plants and trees. Visitors can explore the estate’s grounds, which feature a lake, a walled garden and a deer park.

Norfolk’s Beaches

Norfolk is home to a variety of stunning beaches, perfect for a fun family day out. One of the most popular is Cromer Beach. This beach is home to a wealth of activities, from swimming and surfing to rock-pooling and sandcastle-building. Visitors can also explore the beach’s pier, which is home to a variety of shops, cafes and restaurants.

Also worth a visit is Great Yarmouth Beach. This beach is home to a wealth of activities, from swimming and surfing to rock-pooling and sandcastle-building. Visitors can also explore the beach’s pier, which is home to a variety of shops, cafes and restaurants.

Finally, don’t miss the chance to explore Hunstanton Beach. This beach is home to a wealth of activities, from swimming and surfing to rock-pooling and sandcastle-building. Visitors can also explore the beach’s pier, which is home to a variety of shops, cafes and restaurants.

Norfolk’s Country Parks

Norfolk is home to a variety of stunning country parks, perfect for a leisurely day out. One of the most popular is Thetford Forest. This forest is home to a variety of wildlife, from deer and foxes to badgers and birds. Visitors can explore the forest’s trails and take in the stunning scenery, or take a leisurely stroll and admire the beauty of nature.

Also worth a visit is Foxley Wood. This ancient woodland is home to a variety of wildlife, from deer and foxes to badgers and birds. Visitors can explore the woodland’s trails and take in the stunning scenery, or take a leisurely stroll and admire the beauty of nature.

Finally, don’t miss the chance to explore Weeting Heath. This heathland is home to a variety of wildlife, from deer and foxes to badgers and birds. Visitors can explore the heath’s trails and take in the stunning scenery, or take a leisurely stroll and admire the beauty of nature.

Norfolk’s Breweries

Norfolk is home to a variety of award-winning breweries, perfect for a fun family day out. One of the most popular is the Wolf Brewery. This brewery is home to an impressive range of beers, from traditional ales to craft lagers. Visitors can sample the brewery’s award-winning beers, as well as its selection of locally-produced ciders.

Also worth a visit is the Norfolk Brewhouse. This brewery is home to an impressive range of beers, from traditional ales to craft lagers. Visitors can sample the brewery’s award-winning beers, as well as its selection of locally-produced ciders.

Finally, don’t miss the chance to explore the Woodforde’s Brewery. This brewery is home to an impressive range of beers, from traditional ales to craft lagers. Visitors can sample the brewery’s award-winning beers, as well as its selection of locally-produced ciders.

Norfolk’s Waterways

Norfolk is home to a variety of waterways, perfect for a leisurely day out. One of the most popular is the Norfolk Broads. This network of rivers and lakes is home to an array of wildlife, from marsh harriers to kingfishers. Visitors can explore the area on a boat tour and take in the stunning scenery, or take a leisurely stroll along the network of footpaths.

Also worth a visit is the River Wensum. This river is home to a variety of wildlife, from otters and kingfishers to herons and ducks. Visitors can explore the river on a boat tour and take in the stunning scenery, or take a leisurely stroll along the riverbank and admire the beauty of nature.

Finally, don’t miss the chance to explore the River Yare. This river is home to a variety of wildlife, from otters and kingfishers to herons and ducks. Visitors can explore the river on a boat tour and take in the stunning scenery, or take a leisurely stroll along the riverbank and admire the beauty of nature.

Conclusion

Norfolk is home to a wealth of historic landmarks, perfect for a fun family day out. From castles and churches to wildlife parks and beaches, there is something for everyone to explore. So why not plan a great day out for the family and explore Norfolk’s rich history and stunning scenery?