Norwich & area

Dominating the centre of Norwich is the fine norman cathedral, castle and market, which were constructed around 900 years ago. Norwich is a well preserved medieval town with many fine merchant houses,half timbered shops and elegant Georgian townhouses.The Norfolk Broads are britain's finest wetlands and offer visitors the opportunity to explore a unique landscape and wildlife.


Ancient Monuments

Baconsthorpe Castle (Cromer) 15th century moated semi fortified house.
Beeston Regis Priory (Sheringham) Extensive ruins of priory with information on site.
Binham Priory (EH)(Binham) The Priory has an early English west front with unique tracery window
Burgh Castle (EH) (Great Yarmouth) Remains of an old Roman fort overlooking the River Waveney
Caister Roman Site (EH)(Great Yarmouth) Remains of Roman commercial port
Nelsons Monument (Great Yarmouth) Erected in honour of Nelson in 1819, it stands 144ft high with 217 steps to the top.
New Buckenham Castle Norman Moat and Bailey castle with chapel. The keep is the largest in diameter to be found in England.
North Elmham Saxon Cathedral & Bishops Castle  (EH) (Dereham) Saxon Cathedral later converted to a hunting lodge.
Norwich Cathedral A magnificent Norman building with unique nave roof bosses and saxon bishop's throne.Tel: (01603) 764385
St Benet's Abbey (Ludham) Monastic ruins founded by King Canute in 1020
St Johns Roman Catholic Cathedral (Norwich) 19 th century gothic style building with excellent views over the city.
St Olaves Priory (EH) (Great Yarmouth) Early 14th century undercroft with brick vaulted ceiling.
St Peter Mancroft Church (Norwich) Fine 15th century parish church with Norman foundations and superb wooden roof. It has a flemish tapestry made in 1573 and a 1190 manuscript.
Wymondham Abbey Founded in 1107, a magnificent church with unusual twin towers,was subject to a feud between the priory and the town for hundreds of years.It has an alter screen by Sir Ninian Comper.


Animal Collections

Banham Zoo Set in 25 acres of parkland.Tel: (01953) 887773
Norfolk Rare Breed Centre (Great Yarmouth) Rare breeds of domestic farm animals, Information centre.
Norfolk Wildlife Centre (Witchingham) Large collection of British and European wildlife exhibited in large enclosures in some 40 acres of parkland.
Redwings Horse Sanctuary (Frettenham) 6miles north of Norwich. Visitors are able to meet the rescued horses,ponies and donkeys.
Suffolk Wildlife and Rare Breeds Park (Kessingland) The Africian wildlife experience, over 100 acres. Explore to find lions,cheetahs,leopards, zebra,camels, africian owls and parrots.
Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens Tigers, Crocodiles,Gibbons plus many more exciting animals.Tel: (01493) 369477
Tropical Butterfly Gardens & Bird Park Hundreds of exotic butterflies & birds. there ia also a new Falconry Centre wirh daily flying displays. Tel: (01953) 453175


Art & Crafts

Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts  Contemporary and non western art  Tel: (01603) 593199
The King of Hearts Regular exhibitions,musical and literary events.Tel: (01603) 766129
Maddermarket Theatre Top british and international playwrights stage their productions here for the local community.Tel: (01603) 620917
Norwich Arts Centre A lively music venue which hosts comedy, theatre and photographic exhibitions in the cafe/bar.Tel: (01603) 660352
Norwich Gallery Exhibitions of contemporary art and design Tel: (01603) 610561
.Wroxham Barns Craftmen's workshops set in a collection of 18th century barns.Tel:(01603)  783762


Garden Centres

Bawdeswell Garden Centre (Bawdeswell) 12m north of Norwich, good collection of plants and shrubs. Childrens play area.
LeGrice Roses (North Walsham) One of britains leading rose specialists, 45 acres nursery with a wide range of colours.Large display gardens and garden centre.
Peter Beales Roses (Attleborough) A large world famous collection of roses, over 11000 rare, unusual and beautiful varieties. 2.5 acres of colour.
Taverham Garden Centre (Taverham)15 acres packed with plants,shrubs,trees,bulbs and seeds. The greenhouses are full of beautiful flowers and pot plants all year round.
Thorncroft Clematis  (between Wymondham & E.Dereham) A small family run nursery, over 200 varieties.There is always someone there to help guide you when choosing your plants.
Notcutts Garden Centre Daniels Rd Norwich Enjoy a stroll through the displays of fine plants.


Gardens

Alby Gardens (Erpingham) 4 acres of gardens including wet areas,wild area and bee garden with observation hive.Large collection of interesting shrubs,plants and bulbs.
Bressingham Gardens (Bressingham 25m South of Norwich) Beautiful gardens of some 6 acres,over 5000 kinds of perennials, alpines,heather and conifers. Garden Centre.
Fairhaven Garden Trust Delightful woodland and water gardens at South Walsham 12m NE. Cultivated and wild flowers make these gardens quite unique.Tel: (01603) 270449
Fritton Lake (Great Yarmouth) Lakeside gardens with woodland walks.
Hoveton Hall Gardens (1m north of  Wroxham Bridge) 10 acres of garden set in woodland ,Victorian Kitchen garden, Large walled herb garden.
Mannington Gardens (Saxthorpe) Gardens with lake,moat and woodland there is an outstanding collection of roses. Saxon church and victorian follies.
Natural Surroundings (Holt) 8 acres of demonstration gardens, orchid meadow and woodland walk.
Rainsthorpe Hall Gardens (Tasburgh nr Norwich) Large gardens of Elizabethan manor, a fine collection of bamboos and fine trees of great interest.
Sheringham Park (NT) (Sheringham 20m northof Norwich) Sheringham Park was landscaped by Humphry Repton in 1812. The fine rhododendron collection is best seen in late May/early June.


Historic Houses

Blickling Hall (NT) (Blickling) One of the finest houses in East Anglia, dates back to the early 17th century. The Hall holds a fine collection of 18th & 19th century furniture, pictures and tapestries of Tsar Peter the Great. The library has some 12000 books. The gardens and parkland extend to 4,777 acres and offers delightful walks around the lake.
Felbrigg Hall (NT) (Roughton) A fine 17th century house standing in a 1,750 acre estate.The house is furnished with original 18th century furniture and paintings. The walled garden has been restored and there are extensive walks around the wood and lake.
Hales Hall A 15th century fortified manor house, There is a nursery specialising in rare and exotic plants. Tel: (01508) 548395
Rainsthorpe Hall  Remarkable Elizabethan hall documenting 500 years of change. Tel: (01508) 470618


Mills

Berney Arms Windmill (EH) Take a trip up one of the finest victorian windmills. It has seven floors and fully operational machinery.Tel: (01493) 700605
Billingford Windmill Built in 1862 ceased work 1956,  the last wind operated mill in Norfolk. Tel: (01379) 740414
Horsey Windpump (NT) (Horsey) An Early 20th century drainage windpump,with lovely views over Horsey mere. There is a circular walk and a small shop where light refreshments can be obtained.
Wicklewood Windmill Built 1845 it was restored in 1980  by the Norfolk Windmills Trust.  Tel: (01953) 604721


Museums

100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum A chance to step back in time to 1943-45 with the USAAF Eighth Air Force. Tel: (01379) 687382
Barton House Railway (Wroxham) 3.5 inch gauge miniature steam railway and 7.25 inch riverside railway with full size accessories.
Brief Encounter: Wymondham A grade II listed operational railway station. Themed Brief Encounter restaurant and railway memorabilia. Tel: (01953) 606433
Bressingham Steam Museum (Bressingham) Experience the power of steam from main-line locomotives to small stationary engines.
Caister Castle Car Collection (Caister)Largest collection of motor vehicles in Great Britain dating from 1893
City of Norwich Aviation Museum (Horsham St Faith) Exhibition of  Norfolk's aeronautical history, including a Vulcan bomber from the Falklands Task Force.
County School Station (N. Elmham)Restored Country railway station. Exhibitions on the railway, the county School and the Wensum valley.
East Anglian Transport Museum (3m SW Lowestoft) Visitors can see working trams, tolley-buses, commercial vehicles narrow gauge railway.
Elizabethan House Museum  (NT) (Great  Yarmouth) A 16th century building with panelled rooms with a 19th century frontage. Joint ticket gives access to the Maritime Museum, Tollhouse Museum and the Brass Rubbing Centre.
Forncett Industrial Steam Museum A unique collection of industrial stationary steam engines, one was used to open London bridge.Tel: (01508) 488277
Gressenhall Rural Life Museum The former workhouse complete with period farm,Victorian cottage and gardens. Tel: (01362) 860563
Old Merchants House  (EH) Experience the lifestyle of one of Great Yarmouth's wealthy 17th century merchants and see the elaborate plaster ceilings, windows and fireplaces.Tel: (01493) 857900
The Muckleburgh Collection  Britains largest private military museum sited at a former Ack Ack camp,16 working tanks, over 150 vehicles, guns and missiles.Tel: (01263) 588210
Norwich Castle Museum Housed in the 900 year old royal castle, you can see Egyptian mummies,celtic gold,and worlds largest display of teapots! Tel: (01603) 223624
Station 146,Seething Airfield Home of 448 Bomb group,2nd air division,USAAF 8th army air force during world war II. Exhibits include unique photographs, wartime diaries, personal effects and other memorabilia. Tel: (01502) 561396
Strumpshaw Hall Steam Museum (4 m East of Norwich) Collection of steam vehicles including beam engine, showmans road engine and fair ground organ.
Fleggbourgh Bygone Village (10m East Norwich) Reconstructed Norfolk village with working steam, traditional fairground rides, narrow gauge railway and crafts.Tel(0990) 134890


Nature Reserves

Blakeney Point  (NT)(Blakeney 28m NW) Get back to nature,Blakeney Point is a long sand and shingle spit and is home to many species of birds and common seals. At Morston and Stiffkey there are salt marches and mudflats, which provide perfect habitats for many types of plants and wildlife. There is also an information centre at Morston quay and refreshment at the old lifeboat house.
Dunwich Heath & Minsmere Beach (NT) (30m SE of Norwich) An important conservation area, where there are many good walks and wonderful views over the coastline.You can find information on the heath and the history of the lost town of Dulwich, in the converted coastguard cottages.
Otter Trust Earsham A large collection of otters bred for reintroduction into the wild. There is also a collection of waterfowl and muntjac deer. Tel: (01986) 893470
Surlingham Church Marsh RSPB
An RSPB bird reserve with two hides and a circular walk of 1.5 miles.
Ted Ellis Trust
Estabilished by the late conservationist, This reserve has some 130 acres of marsh and woodand with a two mile walk. It is recognised to be one of the most important sites of its kind in Britain.


Trains

Bure Valley Railway This nine mile route links the towns of Aylsham and Wroxham. The railway has a unique collection of steam and diesel locomotives.Tel: (01263) 733858
North Norfolk Railway (Between Sheringham & Holt) 5 Miles of track, trains run from Sheringham every sunday from March to October with a daily service in July and August.
Wells & Walsingham Light Railway (Wells next to sea)The longest 10 inch guage railway in britain 8 mile return journey along the old Great Eastern track noted for its butterflies and wild flowers. End April - September daily


Leisure Centres

Diss Swimming Pool  25m pool and learner pool with facilities for the disabled. Multi-gym,Sauna,and solarium.Tel: (01379) 652754
Long Stratton Leisure Centre Tel: (01508) 531444
Norfolk Ski Club Trowse  Thrills of downhill skiing on a dry slope. Tel: (01603) 662781
Wymondham Leisure Centre Tel: (01953) 607171
Waveney River Centre (15m SE of Norwich) Boating & Camping Centre with a  caravan and tent site,with all the modern facilities.there is a Restaurant, indoor heated swimming pool,Sauna,Spa bath & Gym, and Public House.


Theme Parks

Dinosaur Adventure Park (9 m north of Norwich) Discover giants from the past in acres of woodland ,maze, crazy golf and play area
Pleasurewood Hills Amercian Theme Park (Lowestoft) Over 50  rides, shows and attractions pay on entry only.