Three wonderful dwellings designed and developed around the need for high quality self-catering accommodation
Swan Lodge Barns NR25 7EA
Located off Cley Road approximately two miles north of Holt, 100m after the right hand turning marked to Salthouse. A grey slate "SLB" sign marks the private gravel driveway that leads to the gated courtyard. From within Holt take the road opposite the Kings Head pub, adjacent to the Barclays Bank.
Approximately 1.5 miles south of Cley, just after the farm building and Swan Lodge Cottage on the left, on the dead straight section of road. From within Cley, turn off the coast road at the sharp turning by Picnic Fayre, sign posted towards Holt, continue along this road past the church and up the hill, around the right hand corner, for one mile.
Attractions
Cley Marshes Visitor's Centre, Cley NR25 7SA
Perched on the North Norfolk coast, the Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Cley Marshes has a well-deserved reputation as one of the UK's best bird watching sites. The pools and scrapes attract water birds in their thousands, and no matter what the season there is always something to see. The award-winning visitor's centre has a cafe and shop as well as a remote-controlled wildlife camera and audio-visual presentations about the changing coastline. On the nature reserve, discover the audio trail and hearing system in the hides, and enjoy the wonderful sounds as well as the spectacular sites. Tel: 01263 740 008
For more information: www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/cley.aspx
Houghton Hall, PE31 6UE
The residence of Great Britain's first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole with magnificent interiors designed by William Kent in the early 18th Century. Houghton Hall has received the "Garden of the Year Award" from Christies and the Historic Houses Association in recognition of the renovation of the 5-acre walled garden. Tel: 01485 528 569
For more information: www.houghtonhall.com
Langham Glass, Fakenham NR21 7RL
Many thousands of visitors every year come to witness the ancient craft of glass making - a craft that has changed little in the past three hundred years. Watch fascinating demonstrations of glass making with informative live commentaries. Create your own glass masterpieces alongside experienced glassmakers. Have your child's hand cast in glass as a memento of the day or let your child paint their very own piece of glass. The site features a large factory shop and relaxing tearoom with delicious homemade cakes. Tel: 01485 529 111
For more information: www.langhamglass.co.uk
The Muckleburgh Collection, Weybourne NR25 7EG
The UK's largest privately owned Military Museum. The Collection has grown to over 120 tanks, guns and vehicles in addition to thousands of other items. The vehicles on display have come from far and wide; Russia, Norway, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Belgium, Holland, Eire, Syria, Kuwait, Israel, the Falkland Islands, the United States and Iraq. Most of The Collection's vehicles have undergone restoration to ensure they are kept in working order. There is a Restaurant and Shop and visitors have the opportunity of seeing a tank demonstration and of enjoying a bumpy coastal ride in an American Gama Goat personnel carrier. Private tank drives are available. A children's play area and picnic site give all members of the family an exciting day out. Tel: 01263 588 210
For more information: www.muckleburgh.co.uk
Hillside Shire Horse Sanctury, West Runton NR27 9QH
Hillside was founded by Wendy Valentine to help and campaign for animals in need, in particular those that are suffering in the intensive farming industry. Since opening 1995, with just 20 acres of land the centre has grown and is now home to over 1000 animals living on 300 acres of land. The sanctuary has five breeds of Heavy Horses, horse and blacksmith displays, an indoor area for wet weather plus children's play and activity centre, and a souvenir gift shop and cafe. Tel: 01603 736 200
For more information: www.hillside.org.uk
Crabbing on Blakeney Quay, Blakeney NR25 7NE
A perfect way to spend a few hours with young children, or those who are young at heart ! All you need is some bait (bacon, old fish bits etc), a crab line, bucket and a net (some in the outside store shed). The best time to go is on an incoming tide as this is when the crabs naturally feed. At high tide the water can be deep so it might be advisable to have a lifejacket or buoyancy aid for non swimming toddlers.
For tide times see: www.tideschart.com
Holkham Hall, Holkham NR23 1AB
Thomas Coke, the first Earl of Leicester, conceived the Palladian Hall as his vision of an Italian villa on the dramatic north Norfolk coast. The family has lived there continuously since the 1750s and take great pride in sharing the house and its treasures, the Deer Park and the spectacular Holkham Beach, with visitors. Holkham is still privately owned, and is the centre of a thriving 25,000-acre agricultural estate; which provides resources both to maintain the house, and to ensure that the social fabric of rural life remains intact. Tel: 01328 710 227
For more information: www.holkham.co.uk
The Poppy Line, Sheringham NR26 8RA
The North Norfolk Railway offers a 10.5 mile round trip by steam train (vintage diesel trains on some journeys) through a delightful area of North Norfolk. The flowers are a sight to see throughout the year. In spring and early summer there are primroses, bluebells and the yellow gorse. Later in the year the poppies abound and are set off by the mauve heathers. Enjoy a ride on an historic steam train - you can break your journey to look around the stations and marvel at the steam laden atmosphere from a bygone age. There are historic stations, a museum of the railway's history, a museum signal box and a children's activity carriage. Tel: 01263 820 800
For more information: www.nnrailway.co.uk
BeWILDerwood, Wroxham NR12 8JW
A huge forest of family fun and adventure - treehouses, zip wires, jungle bridges and mysterious marsh walks. BeWILDerwood is an award winning, wild and imaginative adventure park with magical treehouses and a hint of intriguing characters, bringing a curious difference to the Norfolk Broads. The setting for the book 'A Boggle at BeWILDerwood', by local children's author Tom Blofeld, it's a wonderful, mystical land of brave adventurous people who you may never see anywhere else in our world. Parents are encouraged to play alongside their children, which makes for a fabulous and brilliantly exciting day out for the whole family. Tel: 01603 783 900
For more information: www.bewilderwood.co.uk
Amazona Zoo, Cromer NR27 9JG
A ten acre site, just to the south of Cromer. AmazonaZOO is home to a wide range of animals from tropical South America including janguar, otters, Spider monkeys and flamingos. Tel: 01263 510 741
For more information: www.amazonazoo.co.uk
Thursford Collection, Thursford NR21 0AS
Bring the whole family and see the worlds largest collection of steam engines and organs, hear Robert Wolfe one of the worlds leading theatre organists play the mighty Wurlitzer, ride on fairground carousels and the gondala, enjoy 'Behind-the-Scenes' tours and watch silent movies. Lunch in the barn and shop in our olde worlde village shopping village plus a large play area has plenty to delight children of all ages.
Don't miss the Thursford Christmas Spectacular, it is the most popular Christmas show of all time in England. A blend of exciting Christmas entertainment, with songs, carols, dazzling dancers, beautiful costumes, outstanding music and singing from our cast of over one hundred. Tel: 01328 878 477
For more information: www.thursford.com