As the nights draw in and the chill hangs in the air, it starts to get difficult to find things to do. However, when it comes to the wonderful county of Norfolk, you’re spoilt for choice!
From watching the geese arrive for winter to singing carols at Felbrigg Hall, there is something to suit all budgets and tastes.
www.lovetoeattotravel.com/ has compiled a list of the top 50 things to do this winter in this charming and beautiful county.
1.Sip a mug of tea (or a hot toddy!), savour fish and chips and watch the world go by on the Quay in Wells-next-the-Sea
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2. Watch the floodlit feeds and admire the winter gardens at Pensthorpe Natural Park, Fakenham
3. Try your hand at making your very own goats cheese ready to serve at Christmas at the Fielding Cottage farm and combine your course with a stay in one of their luxury cottages in Honingham.
4. See the Cinderella panto at Norwich Theatre Royal
5. With over 200 animals and birds, explore South America and their indoor play area, Jungle Tumbles, at Amazona Zoo in Cromer.
6. Have a bracing walk on beautiful Holkham beach and do some dune running and jumping if you’re feeling fit
7. Follow your walk with a delicious supper at The Victoria Hotel, Wells-next-the-Sea
8. Watch the geese arriving for the winter at RSPB Titchwell Marsh, on the North Norfolk coast
9. See the Thursford Christmas Spectacular, in Thursford, near Fakenham
10. Pop into the Goat Shed at Honingham to peruse the local produce and pick up some award-winning goats’ cheese.
11. Crack your Christmas shopping list in Norwich with many independent stores to choose in the Norwich Lanes.
12. Join the Christmas celebrations at Holkham Hall in all its splendour. Guests can experience candlelit tours, go on a guided Deer Discovery Walk, as well as receiving a visit from Father Christmas and his elves
13. Sing carols in the Courtyard at Felbrigg Hall, Norwich, Norfolk
14. Make some delicious homemade soup with local, organic fresh vegetables bought from the North Walsham Farmer’s Market which is open from 9am – 12pm on the 2nd and 5th Saturday of each month
15. Eat a pie from Great Walsingham Farm Shop, Walshingham
16. Take a refreshing walk along the Norfolk Coastal Path, one of 12 national trails which follows the North Norfolk coastline between Hunstanton and Hopton.
17. Enjoy the Santa Special train from Sheringham to Weybourne Station and meet the man himself!
18. Settle in for a film and popcorn at Cinema City in Norwich.
19. Relax in the spa at Congham Hall, Grimston, near Kings Lynn
20. Place a bet at the Fakenham Races, Fakenham
21. Eat fresh local seafood with views over the saltmarshes at The White Horse in Brancaster Staithe
22. Wave to the Royal Family at Sandringham Church on Christmas morning
23. Sample the 30 rums at The Jolly Sailors at Brancaster Staithe
24. Take the kids ice-skating at Oasis Leisure in Hunstanton
25. Have afternoon tea and cake at the Assembly House, Norwich
26. Go bird-spotting at the Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Cley Marshes, in Cley-next-the-Sea
27. Join one of the escorted Beans boat trips from Morston to see the seals off Blakeney point
28. See for yourself whether Blickling Hall is haunted by the ghost of Anne Boleyn
29. Take the family to BeWILDerwood adventure park in Hoveton for a day of climbing treehouses, jungle bridges and zip wires
30. Try posh fish and chips with a twist at The No.1 restaurant in Cromer, which is owned by Michelin-star chef Galton Blackiston
31. Watch the Speedway, a motorcycle speedway team who compete in the British Elite League, Kings Lynn
32. Book a countryside cottage for your family this winter with Fielding Cottage Norfolk Holidays – relaxing rural retreat just 20 mins from Norwich.
33. Cycle the Marriotts Way, a 26-mile footpath, bridleway and cycle route from Aylsham to Cromer
34. Take a tour around St Georges Distillery, the home of The English Whisky Company. It’s the first distillery in England in over 100 years, and part of Norfolk’s heritage, based just off the A11 at Roudham.
35. Have a pint of local ale by the open fire at the Gunton Arms in Thorpe Market, near Cromer
36. Experience the delight of fresh Norfolk shellfish with spectacular views over the salt marshes at Cookies Crab Shop, Salthouse, near Holt
37. Visit Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts – an inspirational public art museum in a world-class Norman Foster building at the University of East Anglia (UEA).
38. Explore the foodie delights of the Creake Abbey Food Hall, North Creake, Norfolk
39. Enjoy Christmas shopping at the Deepdale Christmas Market at Burnham Deepdale
40. Go fossil hunting on The Heritage Coast at East Runton
41. Have a stone skimming competition on the pebble beach at Cley-next-the-Sea
42. Test your nerve with a morning of kite boarding or karting on the seas and sands at Brancaster beach
43. Go for a boxing day dip with the North Norfolk Beach Runners at Cromer
44. Discover the Britons Arms, one of five remaining thatched buildings in the city of Norwich (c1420). They have a replica wood burning stove for winter days! Try their home cooked food in the heart of medieval Elm Hill.
45. Have round of golf at the championship golf course at Barnham Broom Golf and Country Club.
46. Take a free tour around Norwich Cathedral. In beautiful grounds it’s an awe-inspiring, welcoming building with spectacular architecture, magnificent art and a fascinating history.
47. Go rope swinging in the woods backing onto Wells Beach, Wells-next-the-Sea
48. Take your dog for a farm walk with Centre Paws and visit their new Blackberry Tearoom near Wymondham.
49. Enjoy lunch at a cosy country pub such as the Wiveton Bell
50. Find hidden treasures at an antique store
