How to spend 48 hours in Norfolk

By Jess Shanahan

Day one

Stay in Norwich, as it makes a great base from which to reach the wider area. Spend your morning exploring the city and going for brunch at No. 33 Cafe. Take some time to visit The Lanes and see the best of what Norwich’s independents have to offer. Grab a slice of cake from Biddy’s Tea Room before you hop in the car and head north to the coast.

Drive down the long road towards the beach at Wells-next-the-Sea. You’ll be treated to big skies, swathes of soft sand and some of the prettiest beach huts you’ll ever see. Not too far from the seafront is the Beach Café, which is a great place to stop for a coffee in the large outdoor seating area. Make sure you have a camera with you as the views from the beach are stunning.

Round off your afternoon with a trip to Holkham Hall to see the large herd of fallow deer. You can simply drive through the park or, if you have a bit more time, you can take a stroll through the 3,000-acre grounds.

Dinner should be enjoyed at Rocky Bottoms where, in the summer, you can enjoy a drink outside. In the winter, cosy up in the kiln and experience some hyper-local food. Take your time before you head back to Norwich but if you’ve still got it in you, head out for a few drinks.

If you want somewhere relaxed and not too busy then pubs like the Adam and Eve, Wig and Pen, and The Rosebery are all great choices. If you want an evening full of atmosphere, interesting people and maybe some music head to Rumsey Wells or Gonzos Tea Room.

Round off your afternoon with a trip to Holkham Hall to see the large herd of fallow deer or stroll through the 3,000-acre grounds

Day two

Your second day in the county should be spent on the Broads. Hire a day boat and take your time exploring the little villages connected by these waterways. You won’t be able to get around all the Broads in one day so you’ll have to choose carefully.

If you want to explore beautiful landscapes dotted with towns where you can stop for an ice cream or slice of cake, start your journey in Wroxham. If you prefer a day focused more on the wildlife of the area, begin at Hickling Broad. Take your time and make frequent stops. The pace of life on the water is slow and relaxed but there’s plenty to see and do.

Make sure to plan an activity in your day to break up time on the water. It might be learning a new skill at one of the local outdoor centres or it might be as simple as mooring up to watch the local wildlife from the land.

In the evening, make your way down the Acle Straight towards Great Yarmouth where you should stop for fish and chips. During the summer, the Pleasure Beach is open well into the evening, so take this opportunity to experience some seaside fun and perhaps even pick up some souvenirs while you’re at it.

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