England’s fourth-largest county by space, and but not even within the prime 20 by inhabitants, Norfolk is likely one of the nation’s most rural and various areas. With landscapes various from the distinctive and delightful wetlands of the Broads – East Anglia’s solely nationwide park – to the seashores and marshlands of the north Norfolk coast, to not point out Norwich, one of many nation’s most historic cities, you actually might spend a really glad few weeks right here discovering all of it.

Most individuals don’t have that lengthy, nevertheless, so you should be selective – and this information will assist. Make sure you discover the lengthy and diverse coast (and never simply within the north), which is house to a few of England’s greatest sandy seashores in addition to thriving colonies of gray seals. And don’t miss the distinctive community of rivers and lakes that make up the Broads – house, by the way, to 25 per cent of Britain’s rarest wildlife species – whereas leaving time for the woods and heathlands of the Brecks, formally England’s driest area.

The most effective time to journey to Norfolk

When to go to will depend on the place you’re going. The north Norfolk coast is truthfully higher outdoors of peak summer time, a time when the principle street by the area may be gridlocked at occasions. The Broads can get tremendous busy in summer time, however it’s often straightforward to flee the crowds, particularly within the lesser-visited southern Broads.

Norwich is a pleasure at any time of 12 months, however livelier through the annual Norwich & Norfolk Competition every Could. Costs throughout Norfolk drop significantly through the winter months, which occurs to be a stunning time to expertise the area’s seashores, particularly in December and January when the seal pups are born.

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The place to remain in Norfolk

A chic and really peaceable small country-house resort simply 10 minutes from King’s Lynn, offering simply the form of relaxed, weekend-in-the-country really feel you could be searching for. The good-looking Georgian manor home has 31 rooms and suites, divided between the principle home, a dozen or so rooms grouped round a courtyard backyard, and 5 luxurious cabins (every has a non-public terrace looking over the orchards). The spa lays on a number of remedies and has a stunning pool surrounded by floor-to-ceiling home windows, along with a steam room, a sauna, and an outside scorching tub.

A number of miles from picturesque Blakeney and simply footsteps from Morston Quay in north Norfolk, Morston Corridor sits surrounded by lovely gardens, an oasis of calm in what is usually a busy spot through the summer time months. The rooms are very comfortable certainly, divided between the principle home and an annexe within the backyard, and you may tuck into the on-point cooking from chef-patron Galton Blackiston’s regionally sourced menu, which is completely different every single day.

Looking over the salt marshes of the north Norfolk coast, Titchwell Manor is likely one of the greatest locations to remain – and to eat – in an space that’s not in need of contenders. Divided between a essential constructing, a cottage annexe and a steady block, it homes 26 boutique rooms, that includes super-king beds, personal patio areas and freestanding baths. A pair even have their very own terraces with personal scorching tubs, but when that’s not fairly personal sufficient, you possibly can at all times go for a shepherd’s hut within the backyard, with its personal bathe room, dwelling space, scorching tub and woodburner. Work up an urge for food on the Norfolk Coast Path earlier than eating on the resort’s famend three-AA-rosette restaurant – or simply decide up some fish and chips from its sister enterprise, Eric’s.

The most effective seashores in Norfolk

Most individuals namecheck Holkham Bay when discussing Norfolk seashores, and who can blame them? It’s an unlimited sandy stretch backed by a aromatic pine forest, and can be inside strolling distance of one of many county’s nicest seaside resorts in Wells-next-the-Sea.

A private favorite is Winterton-on-Sea on the jap coast (not removed from Nice Yarmouth), which is dog-friendly all 12 months spherical and backed by a formidable set of dunes all the best way to the seal colonies of Horsey and Waxham, the place there are extra nice sandy strands. To the south of right here, Nice Yarmouth is certainly one of Norfolk’s trio – with Hunstanton on the different finish of the county and Cromer in between – of “kiss-me-quick” resorts, all of them nice locations in their very own proper.

The place to eat

The Bure River Cottage restaurant in Horning, on the coronary heart of the Broads, could also be just a few miles from the coast, however it’s the very best fish and seafood restaurant for miles round. In Norwich, it is best to attempt the meals at Benedicts in Norwich’s Lanes, a relaxed but high-end venue run by chef Richard Bainbridge, who used to work with Blackiston at Morston Corridor – itself house to certainly one of Norfolk’s few Michelin stars (the opposite is within the possession of one other former Morston Corridor chef, at Meadowsweet in Holt).

The Ingham Swan within the Broads, a former pub with rooms that makes an amazing place to remain, additionally impresses, as does the superb Duck Inn in Stanhoe, north Norfolk.

The place to drink

Norwich used to have a pub for every single day of the 12 months, and nonetheless has one for no less than each week. Going across the county, a number of the greatest are Brisley Bell, west of Norwich, which is sited proper on the village inexperienced and is a good place for a drink, a meal or an in a single day keep. Equally, the Gunton Arms, north of Norwich on the best way to the coast, is ready on a non-public property the place you possibly can cease for a tipple and superb meals cooked over an open hearth. It additionally has rooms if you wish to keep over, plus a set of British modern artwork.

Within the Broads, name in on the Woodforde’s brewery faucet, The Fur & Feather, whereas down within the south the Locks Tavern in Geldeston is correct on the Waveney River, which kinds the border between Norfolk and Suffolk. Greatest reached by ferry from the city of Beccles, it’s a much-loved neighborhood pub in the midst of nowhere, identified for reside music and different occasions.

The place to buy

There’s nowhere higher to buy than the Norwich Lanes, a set of slender streets in which you’ll be able to browse fascinating shops, purchase a present, or window-shop for designer outfits, in addition to seize cup of espresso or a chunk to eat. Norwich can be house to the nation’s largest and longest-running open-air market, and the most effective unbiased bookshops you’ll discover wherever, the well-known E book Hive (a favorite of creator Margaret Atwood).

The right way to get round

Norfolk is a big county, and its distances are often greatest coated by automotive. There are two helpful practice traces: the Bittern Line, which connects Norwich and Sheringham through Cromer, and the Wherry Line, which connects Norwich with components of the Broads and runs to both Nice Yarmouth or Lowestoft. In any other case, buses hyperlink Norwich with main cities within the neighborhood, and the county as a complete is in fact an incredible vacation spot to tour by bike – good and flat, with quiet roads and many good pubs alongside the best way.

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