Sing along, everyone: “It’s the moooooost wonderful tiiiiime of the yearrrr.” And we’re not just talking about what the American’s like to call the holiday season — we’re talking every second of Winter.
The sound of Michael Bublé’s velvety voice, the chance to enjoy a calmer pace of life, hearing your teenager ask their crush out on an ice skating date, steaming mugs of hot chocolate; everything about winter fills us with good vibes and the chance to experience some deliciously unique opportunities, especially here in North Norfolk.
When else can you revel in the outdoors, feel Jack Frost kiss your nose and reconnect with friends & family, not to mention show off your wardrobe of warm, comfy layers? The only problem is knowing exactly how to fill up your time on the coast. So to make sure you fill up your calendar with forget-me-not, life-affirming good times, we’ve rounded up seven activities that will keep you feeling warm and fuzzy throughout your time in Norfolk at the best time of year. Enjoy.
Pensthorpe Is The Perfect Place This Season
It’s easy to point your car at the coast and decide another chilly Christmas beach walk is the best way to enjoy Norfolk but there’s fun to be had inland too, so dedicate a day this winter to discover the fun and exciting mini-adventures at Pensthorpe Nature Reserve. The lakes, the birds, the crisp winter air — this patch of perfection has so much to keep you and your little explorers busy over the holidays. From heart-warming events to enchanting stories about the animals to a nature trail dotted around the reserve, this is one of those days out that you wish
could last a little longer than just a day
Holkham Hall Is Holiday Heaven
Mid-morning walks are great, but to truly get the most out of the winter landscape, make sure you experience Holkham in all its majestic glory whatever that means to you. Pick up a locally grown Christmas tree, peruse the little goodies at the Christmas Market, check out their bushcraft workshops or lace up your boots and enjoy a wild walk around the nature reserve (hint: there’s also a tractor-trailer tour, and it comes with a winter-warming tipple, just saying). There are so many events to pick from this winter, not that you have to go down the organised fun route because a steady stroll around the lakes, deer, woodlands and hall is all you need for an unforgettable experience. Oh and there’s the dreamiest beach too.
Explore Thursford’s Enchanted Journey of Light
Nowhere does Christmas like Thursford. Nowhere. Not even Radio City, New York. It’s like nothing you have ever seen before. Enchanted Journey of Light guarantees to leave you with tears in your eyes, chills up your neck and the magic of Christmas dancing about your belly. As with all things Thursford, this Wonderland Trail and Lantern Light Extravaganza is impossible to describe. It’s one of those places you need to see to fully believe it, but imagine stepping into four-acres of luminous sculptures, fantasy forests and the wilds of the North Pole all setup as a beautiful, breath-taking festival and you’re at least some of the way there.
Beaches Make The Best Winter Wonderlands
If you love tugging on a pair of walking shoes, life is probably good. And if you love tugging on a pair of walking shoes to enjoy a stroll along the North Norfolk coast, life just got even better especially in the winter. There’s the chilly weather, the trendy outfits, the glorious pub grub and the endless stretches of empty beaches where the sand is covered in a thin layer of frost. As for our favourite coastal walks, we love them all. Hunstanton to Thornham. Blakeney to Stiffkey. Wells to Holkham to Burnham Overy Staithe. And the best part about them: there’s always a
pub at the end, with a crackling log fire and local ales on tap.
No One Forgets The Norfolk Lights Express
Dotted along the North Norfolk Coast are little local traditions that will make you smile like a kid on Christmas morning (like seeing Santa arrive by sea to herald the beginning of Christmas at Wells) and one of our most beloved is stepping onto the platform at Sheringham Station, with steam gently rising around the carriages as Santa’s Steam Train patiently waits to take you to see the big man himself. It’s one of the most picturesque festive treats imaginable. Extravagant and quaint at the same time, as you chug through the beautiful countryside from Sheringham to Holt and past the most beautifully lit light displays that dazzle everyone of every age.
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