Norfolk Courtyard

Explore

Foulsham is ideally located close to Holt, Burnham market, Walsingham,
Wells next-the-sea, Holkham and Norwich.

Perfect sandy beaches

Easy access to over 60 miles of perfect sandy beaches, picturesque marshland and big skies. Local seal trips and plenty of good crabbing for children!

For more information on Norfolk beaches visit:www.norfolkbroads.com/guide/beaches.htm

Bird watching

Described as the ‘bird watching capital of Britain’ with many major nature reserves including nearby Pensthorpe and Titchwell. From Avocets to Warblers, Bitterns to Oyster Catchers and colourful Kingfishers, the Wash is England’s largest tidal estuary and one of the country’s most important winter feeding areas for waders and wildfowl. Witness the mass migration of geese or even our resident barn owl!
For more information visit the official website for bird watching in Norfolk
www.birdsofbritain.co.uk/reserves/norfolk.htm
Pensthorpe Nature Reserve www.pensthorpe.com

Nearby towns and villages

North Norfolk boasts an exceptional wealth of picturesque towns and villages set within its rural landscape.
Below are just a few within easy reach:
Aylsham (25 mins) Traditional Norfolk market town, near Blickling Hall
Blakeney (20 mins) Small picturesque harbour town with estuary views
Brancaster (25 mins) Perfect, easy access sandy beach

Burnham Thorpe (20 mins) Nelson’s birth place
Burnham Overy Staithe (25mins) Fine coastal estuary with good walks
Burnham Market (20 mins) Chic Norfolk, good eateries and shopping!
Castle Acre (20mins) one of the largest and best preserved monastic sites in England
Cley Next the Sea (25mins) Quaint coastal fishing port from long ago. Windmill, galleries and deli!
Cromer (35 mins) Traditional old seaside town with good cliff-top walks, museums and views
Holkham (20 mins) Vast sandy beach. Nearby Holkham Hall, Victoria pub, bygones museum and The Real ale brewery
Holt (20 mins) a lovely georgian town with many fine individual shops, including Byfords delicatessen and winebar, Bakers and Larners (Harrods-style) department store
Pensthorpe Nature Reserve (10mins) view link
Reepham (15mins) small, pretty Norfolk town with interesting shops and deli
Norwich (25 mins)a stunning cathedral city with good shopping, museums, theatre and eateries. Lots to see and do
Sandringham (25mins) The Queen’s country residence. House and grounds open
Sheringham (25mins) a delightful seaside town with steam railway and great ice cream!
Walsingham (15mins) a medieval town with historic shrine, buildings and farm shop
Wells next-to-Sea (20mins) Famous fishing town, with 200 beach huts and great fish and chips!

Thursford Christmas Spectacular

The ultimate Christmas musical experience is simply one of the most exciting Christmas Spectacular shows. With Christmas songs, carols, dazzling dancers, beautiful costumes, outstanding music and singing from a cast of over one hundred, people travel hundreds of miles to attend year after year! visit: www.thursford.com

Fakenham Racecourse

The fun and excitement of horse racing, just a short drive away with regular race dates throughout the year. For
race times visit: www.fakenhamracecourse.co.uk

Birdwatching and Wildlife Photography

Guided birdwatching tours for novice and more experienced birdwatchers wanting to experience Norfolk birds
and wildlife. Trips, workshops and advice on Digital SLR photography for birds, butterflies and dragonflies. For
more information visit: www.norfolkbirding.com

Cycling

Being a gentle landscape, Norfolk is ideal for exploring on bike. For the more adventurous Foulsham is actually on The National Cycle Network Route 1, Harwich to Hull. This is one of the finest cycle routes in the country, following minor roads just inland from the busy coast road. Cyclists are rewarded with spectacular views on a journey with plenty to explore - including Sandringham. The route is fully signed and benefits from a map pack that includes circular routes (18 to 40 miles) off the main Cycleway. OS landranger 132 North West Norfolk, King’s Lynn & Fakenham; Landranger 133 North East Norfolk, Cromer & Wroxham; Landranger 143 Norwich &
The Broads

Golf

There are many major golf courses in Norfolk including top-class courses at Hunstanton, The Royal West Norfolk at Brancaster and Sheringham.
For more information, visit: www.golftoday.co.uk/clubhouse/coursedir/norfolk1.htm

Walking

There are many stunning walks all along the North Norfolk coastline. In addition, there are many local walks including the Marriot’s Way, a circular walk using the old railway tracks to Reepham and back. Beyond that, the Norfolk Coast Path National Trail combines two contrasting paths. The trail follows the line of a Roman road and the famous Peddars Way.

Country Houses

Norfolk hosts many exceptional country houses from Sandringham House (the Queen’s country residence, with acres of glorious gardens, woodland and lakes), to Holkham Hall with magnificent parkland, deer park and spectacular beach. Blickling Hall, Felbrigg Hall, Houghton Hall, Oxburgh Hall and Mannington medieval moated manor are all within easy reach. Remember to bring your National Trust card with you!

The City of Norwich

Norwich has been voted in the top 5 best places to shop with 40% of it’s shops being independently owned.

There is plenty to see and do in close proximity in this beautiful city. Norwich was the largest walled medieval city in England, it was twice the size of London, and the most complete medieval city in Britain with 1,500 historic buildings. It is dominated by it’s magnificent Norman cathedral boasting the largest cloisters in England, the 2nd tallest spire in the country and an amazing 1,200 stone roof bosses. Norwich school in the grounds of the close was attended by navel hero Lord Nelson. It now has an award winning restaurant. The castle was built in 1067 following the request of William the Conqueror to have fortification in the city. 98 Saxon homes were demolished to make way for the castle. In 1220 it was used for a gaol until 1887. It was then purchased as a
museum and opened in 1895. It remains a museum and art gallery.

Other museums in Norwich are the Bridewell Museum of trade, Strangers Hall built in 1320 home of merchants and mayors in it’s heyday. Dragon Hall a grade 1 trading hall built in 1430 and one of Norwich and Norfolk’s most important buildings. Inspire, is housed in a medieval church where you can experience science and technology through hands on activities.

Elm Hill with it’s timber framed houses, dormer windows and Georgian facades is the oldest historical street in Norwich. It is one of the prettiest parts of the city with many small independent shops and is known for it’s medieval cobbled street. The royal arcade was built in 1899. It’s shops were surmounted by Art Nouveau Doulton ceramic tiles. These were produced by WJ Nearby who produced the tiles for the food hall of Harrods.

Norwich market is unique in Britain. It has over 190 stalls and is the largest Mon–Sat open market in the country. There has been a market in Norwich since Saxon times and it’s been on the current site for longer than any of the buildings that surround it. It was completely refurbished in 2006. Jarrolds an independent department store with 240 years of trading and 7 generations of family ownership is located in the city centre. There are also The lanes and 2 shopping centres.

The river Wensum winds around Norwich and links the city to the Norfolk Broads. It is part of the Norfolk Broads National park. Norwich developed around the huge double bend in the river and this acted as a natural defence on the fourth unwalled side. The Sainsbury centre for visual arts at the University of East Anglia was opened in 1978 following a donation of art works from Sir and Lady Sainsbury. It now houses 1,700 objects from different cultures around the world spanning 5,000 years.

What else?

Where do we start? We have up to date information on a wide range of fine and wet weather activities including:
Ice skating
Adventure parks
Dry slope skiing and snow tubing
Dinosaur park
Garden visits
Artists’ open studios
Painting and craft workshops
Castles
Farmers’ markets
Seal trips and boat hire
Canoeing
Award-winning museums
Quaser Laser fun
Steam railways
Boat trips
Nature reserves
Horse riding
Sealife Centre
Cycle routes
Walking and coastal paths
Good places to eat