Norfolk is one of those rare counties where a family holiday never runs short of ideas. Between the vast skies of the north coast, the gentle waterways of the Broads, and a city centre packed with history, there is enough here to fill a fortnight without repeating a single day. Here is a thoroughly tested guide to the best family days out in Norfolk, with practical details to help you plan each trip.
BeWILDerwood: Treehouses, Zip Wires and Mud
Tucked into ancient woodland between Wroxham and Horning, BeWILDerwood is Norfolk's most beloved family attraction and it earns every bit of that reputation. Children clamber through treehouses connected by wobbly rope bridges, hurtle down zip wires, navigate a hedge maze, and bounce on giant spider-web trampolines. There is a dedicated Toddlewood area for under-fives with smaller slides and gentle climbing frames, so even the youngest adventurers have their own space.
The park runs seasonally from February half-term through to October. Booking online in advance is strongly recommended, especially during school holidays, as sessions do sell out. There are on-site food outlets including the Munch Bar and Cosy Cabin serving hot food, drinks, and locally sourced snacks, though you are welcome to bring a picnic too — there are plenty of tables dotted around the woods. Wear old clothes and wellies; the mud is half the fun.
Address: Horning Road, Hoveton, Norwich, Norfolk NR12 8JW
ROARR! Dinosaur Adventure
Formerly known as Dinosaur Adventure Park, ROARR! sits in the grounds of Weston Park near Lenwade, about fifteen minutes north-west of Norwich. Life-sized dinosaur models lurk among the trees along a woodland trail, and there are indoor and outdoor play areas, a Dippy's Splash Zone water play area for summer days, and a high ropes course for older children.
The Dinosaur Trail itself is genuinely atmospheric — the combination of dense woodland and realistic models creates proper Jurassic Park atmosphere. The indoor Dinomite play centre is enormous (the largest in Norfolk), making this a solid option even in poor weather. Allow at least three to four hours for a full visit.
Address: Weston Park, Lenwade, Norwich, Norfolk NR9 5JE
Pensthorpe Natural Park
Just east of Fakenham, Pensthorpe combines beautiful gardens designed by Piet Oudolf with a nature reserve, adventure playground, and conservation breeding programme. Children can get close to flamingos, red squirrels, and an impressive collection of wildfowl. The WildRootz outdoor adventure play area is excellent — think climbing towers, balance beams, water play, and den building amongst the trees.
Pensthorpe is where the BBC filmed Springwatch for three series (2008–2010), and the landscapes are genuinely stunning in every season. The on-site cafe is above average for an attraction of this type, with locally sourced food and proper coffee. This is a particularly good choice for families who want a mix of nature, learning, and active play.
Address: Pensthorpe, Fakenham, Norfolk NR21 0LN
Messing About on the Broads
No family visit to Norfolk is complete without a trip on the water. Wroxham, the self-proclaimed capital of the Broads, is the easiest place to hire a day boat. Several operators line the riverbank near Wroxham Bridge, including Barnes Brinkcraft and Wroxham Launch Hire. You do not need a licence or any prior experience — the hire companies give you a thorough briefing before you set off.
A gentle half-day cruise downstream from Wroxham towards Salhouse Broad or upstream to Coltishall is perfect for families. Pack sandwiches, binoculars, and a fishing net, and keep your eyes peeled for kingfishers, herons, and the occasional otter. Hourly hire starts from around forty pounds, with half-day and full-day rates available. Electric boats are quieter and increasingly popular.
For families who would rather not skipper their own vessel, Broads Tours runs scheduled river trips from Wroxham with commentary — a relaxing option for younger children.
Boat hire base: Wroxham Bridge, Norwich Road, Hoveton, Norfolk NR12 8DA
Hunstanton and the SEA LIFE Sanctuary
Hunstanton is Norfolk's only west-facing seaside resort, which means you get proper sunsets over the sea — a novelty on England's east coast. The beach itself is sandy and family-friendly, with the famous striped cliffs of white chalk, red chalk, and brown carstone providing a dramatic backdrop.
The SEA LIFE Hunstanton Sanctuary sits right on the seafront and combines a small but well-kept aquarium with a seal rescue and rehabilitation centre. Children can watch seals being fed, walk through an underwater tunnel, and learn about marine conservation. It is not the largest Sea Life centre in the country, but the rescue work gives it genuine heart. Allow around two hours for a visit.
Afterwards, walk along the promenade to the amusement arcades or head south to Old Hunstanton for rock pooling at low tide.
SEA LIFE Address: Southern Promenade, Hunstanton, Norfolk PE36 5BH
Beach Days: Wells, Holkham and Cromer
Norfolk's north coast has some of the finest beaches in England, and three stand out for families.
Wells-next-the-Sea has a wide sandy beach backed by pine woods, with colourful beach huts that are possibly the most photographed in Britain. The walk from the town to the beach takes about fifteen minutes along a raised bank, or you can take the Beach Bus (Easter to October). RNLI lifeguards patrol from July to September.
Holkham Beach, just along the coast, is vast and wild — at low tide the sand stretches for what feels like miles. It is part of the Holkham National Nature Reserve and is superb for kite flying, sandcastle building, and wildlife spotting. The car park is at Lady Anne's Drive and there is a cafe at the entrance.
Cromer, on the north-east coast, offers a classic seaside pier, excellent crab sandwiches, and a town beach with good rock pools. The pier show is a proper old-fashioned end-of-the-pier variety performance and runs throughout the summer.
For all beaches, check tide times before you go. Norfolk's tidal range is significant and some beaches become very narrow at high water.
Banham Zoo
Run by the Zoological Society of East Anglia, Banham Zoo sits in the south of the county between Attleborough and Diss and houses over two thousand animals across nearly fifty acres of parkland. Highlights include snow leopards, giraffes, Shire horses, penguins, and a walk-through lemur enclosure where the animals roam freely around you.
The zoo has invested heavily in conservation and education, and the keeper talks throughout the day are genuinely informative. There is a large indoor soft play area, plus outdoor adventure play, a train ride, and seasonal events. The zoo opens daily from 10am, with last admission varying by season. Book online for discounted rates.
Address: Kenninghall Road, Banham, Norfolk NR16 2HE
Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery
Perched on its mound in the centre of Norwich, the castle is a Norman keep that has been transformed into one of the best regional museums in England. A major renovation has made all five floors fully accessible, from the basement dungeons to the rooftop battlements with panoramic views across the city.
For children, the highlights include the natural history gallery with its impressive taxidermy displays, the Anglo-Saxon and Viking galleries with hands-on activities, and the regular family events that run during school holidays — everything from craft workshops to costumed character sessions. Dungeon tours are a guaranteed hit with older children.
The museum is right in the city centre, so you can combine it with lunch at Norwich Market (one of the largest outdoor markets in England) and a walk along the medieval lanes of Elm Hill.
Address: Castle Hill, Norwich, Norfolk NR1 3JU
Wroxham Barns
If you are already in the Broads area, Wroxham Barns is worth a stop, particularly for younger children. This family attraction combines a Junior Farm where children can feed and handle animals with an outdoor Fun Park featuring go-karts, a jumping pillow, mini golf, and barrel rides. There are also craft workshops in converted barns where you can watch woodturners, potters, and other artisans at work.
It is a pleasantly low-key attraction that works well for a half-day visit, and the on-site food is decent.
Address: Tunstead Road, Hoveton, Norfolk NR12 8QU
Rainy Day Options
Norfolk weather can be unpredictable, so it pays to have a wet-weather plan.
ROARR! Dinosaur Adventure has the enormous Dinomite play centre, which alone justifies a visit on a rainy day. Norwich Castle Museum is an obvious all-weather choice, and you can easily spend three hours inside. SEA LIFE Hunstanton is mostly indoors. For something different, try Hollywood Bowl Norwich at Riverside or the Playzone soft play centres in Norwich and Great Yarmouth.
The Forum in Norwich — the striking glass-fronted building on Millennium Plain — has a free exhibition space, a cafe, and often runs family-friendly events. It is also right next to the library, which has an excellent children's section.
Quick Tips
- Book ahead: BeWILDerwood, Banham Zoo, and ROARR! all offer cheaper tickets online, and BeWILDerwood sessions can sell out in peak season
- Tide tables: Check before any beach visit — the Norfolk coast has a significant tidal range and some beaches disappear at high water
- Broads boats: No licence needed for day hire, but arrive early in summer as boats go quickly, particularly at weekends
- Pack layers: Norfolk's coast is exposed and even summer days can turn breezy, especially at Holkham and Wells
- Parking: Beach car parks fill up fast on sunny days; arrive before 10am at Wells, Holkham, and Cromer in peak season
- Blue Flag beaches: Several Norfolk beaches hold Blue Flag or Seaside Award status — check the latest listings for the cleanest swimming spots
- Combination days: Pair BeWILDerwood with a Broads boat trip from Wroxham, or Norwich Castle with the market and Elm Hill — both make excellent full days