[ad_1]
Whereas Norfolk’s seashores are amongst my favourites for a sunny day, I’ve spent sufficient wet days within the county to know you’ll have simply as a lot enjoyable in Norfolk within the rain with youngsters.
accommodates affiliate hyperlinks*
From some quirky museums to a royal house, animal sights and lots extra indoor household enjoyable, there’s tons to find throughout the county, together with a string of wet day sights in Norwich.
So whether or not you’re visiting Norfolk in winter, or dodging the showers in mid summer time, listed here are my tips about the most effective issues to do in Norfolk within the rain with youngsters.
Contents – click on to leap to a bit
Norwich cathedral
Relationship again to the 11th century, there are various issues to tempt households to Norwich cathedral over the world’s different historic church buildings – for starters, the cathedral has its personal cat.
Budge the cathedral cat – who strolled in throughout the Good Friday service and has now settled in as official feline resident – can usually be noticed prowling round, or after we visited, sitting on a aspect altar for some paw washing and stress-free.
There’s additionally a labyrinth to stroll via within the cloisters, winding via the grass (price a fast sprint round with a raincoat on), whereas the cathedral runs common household trails, such because the dinosaur-themed one with little fashions dotted across the constructing after we visited. It’s additionally free to enter.
Grimes Graves, Thetford
Norfolk is house to the one Neolithic flint mine that’s open to guests – maintain your eyes open, and also you’ll see flint utilized in buildings throughout the county, in addition to coming in very useful for the world’s prehistoric inhabitants.
Mined simply outdoors Thetford, at Grimes Graves you’ll be able to nonetheless see proof of 400 pits: a collection of bumps and dents within the panorama trying like an enormous orange peel lined in grass.
The mines themselves date again over 5,000 years, and in addition to studying extra in regards to the historical past of the world at a small exhibition, you’ll be able to head 30 ft underneath the bottom by ladder into one shaft to see the black flint.
Solely youngsters aged 7+ are allowed within the mine, and it’s closed throughout the winter months.
Blickling Property, close to Aylsham
The birthplace of Anne Boleyn, Blickling Corridor was later house to the Earls of Buckingham, and there are many fascinating issues to see contained in the historic home.
In addition to the same old stately house furnishings, you’ll be able to spot some distinctly uncommon objects on show from Jacobean and Georgian occasions – together with early weighing scales, the place you would sit down as you checked your weight, and Chinese language pagodas in glass instances designed to work as earthquake detectors, with a small bell ringing at a tremor.
When you’ve wandered via the outdated rooms, together with the massive library, you can too head into the farmyard in addition to the small RAF Oulton museum, targeted on the Bomber Command squadrons billeted right here throughout the Second World Struggle.
Learn my overview of a time out at Blickling Corridor with youngsters right here
Oxburgh Corridor, close to King’s Lynn
This glorious moated home was as soon as on the coronary heart of historical past – the Catholic Bedingfield household who owned Oxburgh Corridor saved the longer term Elizabeth I underneath home arrest and have been among the many first supporters of Mary I.
Gadgets on present embody scissors that are mentioned to have belonged to Mary Queen of Scots, whereas you can too spot ornamental leather-based wallpaper and the same old opulent furnishings and portraits.
The home has been tucked away underneath scaffolding for years as a part of a significant £6 million restoration however has been unveiled since 2022, with a number of the new finds additionally on show.
Learn my overview of a time out at Oxburgh Corridor with youngsters right here
Felbrigg Corridor, close to Cromer
One other Nationwide Belief property in Norfolk, this historic home has influences from around the globe together with the Chinese language Bed room and objects picked up by its aristocratic house owners on their Grand Tour of Europe.
There’s an I Spy path for teenagers as they give the impression of being spherical Felbrigg Corridor as properly, in addition to an opportunity to study eating etiquette and recognizing lions on emblems all through the home.
One of many largest Nationwide Belief properties, the library alone homes 5,000 books, the oldest of which dates again to 1509.
Houghton Corridor, close to King’s Lynn
Grand Houghton Corridor was constructed by Robert Walpole within the 18th century, and match for the nation’s strongest politician – the state rooms are as lavishly grand as you’d anticipate, designed to impress his visitors whereas permitting the household to bask in luxurious once they visited from London.
As a bonus, you can too go to the Soldier Museum, the most important personal assortment of mannequin troopers on the planet.
If the rain does ease up, seize the prospect to move out into the grounds and gardens that are house to common sculpture exhibitions, together with well-known names like Anish Kapoor, together with white fallow deer.
Sandringham Property
Set amid 600 acres of grounds and lake, the King’s nation retreat has a lot for households to find, together with an opportunity to go to the bottom ground residences at Sandringham, left as they might have been throughout Edwardian occasions.
After recognizing the household portraits (together with a couple of which can be very acquainted), you’ll be able to discover the royal collections within the museum too.
Open from April to October, when the royal household isn’t in residence, there’s additionally a quiz for teenagers to try to usually additional household pleasant occasions throughout the yr.
Holkham Corridor
There’s much more to the Holkham Property than the Corridor – a nature reserve, big open seashore, deer park, farmland… the listing goes on. Even the seashore at Wells-next-the-Sea is a part of the property.
However on a wet day in Norfolk with youngsters, there’s a lot to find inside the home itself. Constructed within the 18th century for the Earl of Leicester, it has been picked as one of many 10 most luxurious palaces, homes and castles in England at present.
From Roman statues to Previous Masters, bedrooms which have hosted Queens to the outdated kitchens, what is going to make most youngsters’ jaws drop is the truth that youngsters dwell at Holkham Corridor. The Corridor isn’t open day-after-day so do test earlier than visiting.
Discover a historic Norfolk home
Away from the grandeur of the halls and palaces of Norfolk, you’ll be able to step inside some equally fascinating historic homes on a a lot smaller scale. The 16th century Elizabethan Home in Nice Yarmouth was house to rich retailers, and has hyperlinks to Oliver Cromwell.
Or Historical Home in Thetford is over 500 years outdated, and you may wander via recreated rooms from its historical past, in addition to discovering extra about a few of its inhabitants – human and animal!
Stranger’s Corridor in Norwich is older nonetheless: there was a constructing right here since at the very least the 13th century, with a number of the metropolis’s main residents dwelling in it for the reason that 14th century. You may discover the Nice Corridor and the bedchambers exhibiting life within the 17th century, plus different rooms themed round Georgian and Victorian historical past.
For extra issues to do in Norwich with youngsters, take a look at my prime picks
Norwich Citadel
Certainly one of Norfolk’s most vital museums is ready in Norwich Citadel; you’ll be able to nonetheless climb the Norman steps of the staircase to the highest of the maintain, in addition to exploring the shows and art work within the assortment.
With galleries telling the story of Boudicca’s revolt in opposition to the Romans, of Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, plus Historical Egyptians, it’s a implausible spot to go to with primary-school-aged youngsters – and an incredible concept for a wet day in Norfolk.
There’s additionally work occurring to create a brand new medieval gallery in partnership with the British Museum, and restore a number of the citadel maintain – elements of the museum will be open throughout the redevelopment works, though the citadel itself stays shut.
Museum of Norwich on the Bridewell
Norwich was as soon as England’s second metropolis, and the Museum of Norwich on the Bridewell tells the story of Norwich’s historical past, together with the commercial heritage – not least a 19th century hand loom on show – in addition to on a regular basis life as you step inside a recreated early 20th century chemist’s store .
Set in a former jail, you’ll be able to nonetheless go to the Undercroft (for ages 8+ solely) in addition to be taught the tales of a number of the Bridewell’s inhabitants – together with Peter the Wildman, a German boy delivered to Britain by King George I.
Lynn Museum, King’s Lynn
With a welcome roar from Horace the tiger, Lynn Museum is designed to attraction to youngsters from the second you stroll in. And there’s a lot extra to entertain within the galleries, in the event you’re on the lookout for concepts for a wet day on the North Norfolk coast.
The collections cowl centuries of historical past, from Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings to rich medieval finds, and tales of the Civil Struggle.
Maybe one of the vital fascinating elements, particularly in the event you’re visiting with barely older youngsters, is studying about Seahenge, the Bronze Age timber circle found on Holme Seashore and preserved for over 4,000 years within the sand.
Cromer Museum
Cromer Museum is the place to return in case your youngsters are fascinated by fossils, mammoths and prehistoric tales – good in the event you’ve been exploring the Deep Historical past Coast on a sunnier day.
The Geology Gallery is filled with fossils present in Norfolk, and you may be taught extra in regards to the West Runton Mammoth, in addition to seeing the forged of the cranium of a Mosasaur, a marine reptile which might have swum within the seas masking what’s now Norfolk over 80 million years in the past.
There are additionally reveals on Cromer’s maritime previous, together with fishing and its time as a preferred Victorian seaside resort.
RNLI Henry Blogg Museum, Cromer
When you’re on the lookout for free issues to do in Norfolk within the rain with youngsters, the bizarre Henry Blogg Museum in Cromer is certainly price a go to.
Celebrating essentially the most adorned lifeboatman in RNLI historical past, Henry Blogg served for a formidable 53 years on Cromer’s lifeboats, serving to to avoid wasting 873 lives.
The household pleasant museum shares extra about his story, in addition to the historical past of Cromer’s lifeboats, from the primary one in 1805, with fashions, medals, outdated films and loads of possibilities to get palms on.
Gressenhall Farm and workhouse, Dereham
If you would like a little bit of all the things, Gressenhall Farm has a lot to entertain youngsters – because the title suggests, it’s nonetheless a working farm, and you can too be taught extra about farmhouse life throughout your go to.
One of many highlights although is seeing the Museum of Norfolk Life with over 2,000 objects donated by individuals in Norfolk to indicate how life has modified over the previous 200 years, together with a circus caravan and tales of the Girls’s Land Military.
Set in an outdated workhouse, you can too be taught extra about those that as soon as lived right here, with an app to information you round.
Time and Tide, Nice Yarmouth
Set in a transformed Victorian herring curing works, Time and Tide in Nice Yarmouth tells the city’s story, and you may see inside a fisherman’s house in addition to wandering via a Victorian ‘Row’ throughout your go to.
For one thing extra interactive, there’s an opportunity to get behind the wheel of a ship, nearly go to the Nineteen Fifties quayside and many tales of wreck and rescue at sea to thrill guests.
There are additionally youngsters’s actions, free audio guides and loads of video games, puzzles and extra enjoyable for teenagers.
Caister Citadel Motor Museum, Caister-on-Sea
For teenagers who love automobiles (to not point out grownup followers!), this Norfolk household attraction is unbeatable with one of many largest motor collections within the nation.
The shows vary from basic and classic to sports activities automobiles, in addition to bikes, plus some very uncommon veteran motors – one courting again to 1893.
You may even spot steam automobiles and electrical autos at Caister Citadel Motor Museum, in addition to taking a wander to the 15th century Caister Citadel tower.
Sealife Sanctuary Hunstanton
House to Norfolk’s solely seal rescue centre that’s open to the general public, Hunstanton’s Sea Life Centre has one thing additional on prime of the same old sights of an aquarium.
You too can see penguins and a colony of Inca terns throughout your go to, whereas the Ocean tank homes over 30 species of fish plus Inexperienced Sea Turtle Ernie, together with 187,500 litres of seawater.
Even higher, youngsters can get palms on with some creatures, helped by the Rainforest Rangers, see life on a tropical reef and meet a pair of cheeky otters. There’s a reduction in the event you prebook on-line and it’s good in the event you’re on the lookout for concepts of what to do in Norfolk within the rain with youngsters.
Rise up to 40% off weekday visits, excluding college holidays, as a part of the Midweek Insanity deal till mid October – click on right here to ebook
Sealife Nice Yarmouth
Proper on the seafront in Nice Yarmouth, there are some fabulous marine creatures to find within the aquarium – the ocean tunnel winds via an enormous tank holding 1 / 4 of one million litres of seawater, the place the inhabitants swim across the misplaced metropolis of Atlantis.
Sealife Nice Yarmouth can be house to African Dwarf Crocodiles, and allows you to uncover extra of the world of jellyfish within the Jelly Invaders show, in addition to watching the aquarium’s penguins.
It’s a simple one to achieve in case your unique plans of exploring the Norfolk Broads have been rained off too. There’s a reduction in the event you prebook on-line.
Rise up to 40% off weekday visits, excluding college holidays, as a part of the Midweek Insanity deal till mid October – click on right here to ebook
North Norfolk railway (the Poppy Line)
Operating from Sheringham to Holt, the ‘Poppy Line’ heritage steam railway makes a enjoyable approach to get from A to B, in addition to a barely extra sheltered approach to sightsee on a wet day.
There are particular occasions throughout the yr, together with Santa Specials, whereas the North Norfolk railway trains run from April to October, taking about 20 minutes to chuff their manner from one station to the opposite.
Wells & Walsingham Gentle Railway
This slim gauge steam railway runs between the seafront at Wells inland to Walsingham – and kids underneath 4 journey free.
Closed throughout the winter months, the Wells & Walsingham Gentle Railway runs a spherical journey to Wighton from Wells which lasts round half-hour, without having to prebook, for an additional enjoyable wet day exercise in Norfolk for households.
Bressingham Steam Expertise
There’s extra household enjoyable for mini transport followers at Bressingham Steam Expertise – you’ll be able to take a experience on a steam prepare, with 4 railways winding via the gardens, in addition to visiting the steam locomotive sheds.
Adults will benefit from the assortment from Dad’s Military, whereas if the rain isn’t too dangerous, youngsters shouldn’t miss an opportunity to experience on the steam-powered gallopers – the carousel dates again to the 19th century.
Wroxham Miniature Worlds, close to Norwich
You may see a number of the largest mannequin railways on the planet on everlasting show at this household attraction – actually, it’s the largest indoor modelling attraction within the UK, masking over 10,000 sq. ft.
In addition to the mannequin trains, there’s a metropolis product of Lego bricks, mannequin boats, a classic penny arcade and toy assortment plus an opportunity to drive trains and check out a flight or prepare simulator.
Youngsters aged underneath 5 go free as properly.
Hippodrome Circus, Nice Yarmouth
The historic Hippodrome in Nice Yarmouth is Britain’s solely surviving whole circus constructing, with over 100 years of expertise in internet hosting the nation’s most thrilling circus performances. The place higher to cheer everybody up on a depressing day!?
With spectacular shows by acrobats, aerial performers, jugglers, stuntmen, dancers, illusionists, and comedians, youngsters of all ages are assured to be mesmerised all through the complete present.
The circus area isn’t too huge, so that you don’t have to fret about getting dangerous seats and being removed from the motion.
There are common reveals going down virtually repeatedly all year long, so be certain to test the schedule. Matinee and night performances can be found for many reveals, making a visit to the circus an incredible wet afternoon or night exercise.
Windmill Journey Golf, Nice Yarmouth
Rain needn’t cease play at Windmill Journey Golf in Nice Yarmouth – the massive 12-hole loopy golf expertise is all indoors, housed within the historic Windmill Theatre constructing.
In addition to having fun with Britain’s first indoor journey golf course, there’s a group of cinema and theatre memorabilia to find as properly, taking you again via over a century of the constructing’s historical past.
House to one of many nation’s first electrical image homes, the constructing may as soon as maintain over 1,000 individuals, earlier than a later proprietor fitted sails to the entrance and it was reborn because the Windmill Theatre. Even for mini golf aficionados, there actually is nowhere else fairly like this!
Peter Coke Shell Gallery, Sheringham
When you’ve deliberate a time out within the seaside city of Sheringham however get caught out by the rain, search shelter on the uncommon Peter Coke Shell Gallery.
The free gallery is ready near the seafront on the West Cliff and homes over 100 superb shell artworks by actor Peter Coke, with intricate creations starting from castles to mannequin backyard scenes, and flower preparations, all made utterly out of shells.
And if the climate does clear up later within the day, you’ll be able to head all the way down to close by Sheringham Seashore and take a look at making some shell and pebble creations of your individual.
The small Fishermen’s Lifeboat Museum (additionally free) sits within the connecting constructing to the Shell Museum, supplying you with two rainy-day Norfolk sights in a single.
Sticky Earth Cafe, Cromer
Cromer’s Sticky Earth Café is a must-visit in Norfolk for teenagers who love getting inventive. Not solely does the cosy family-run cafe serve an incredible menu of drinks and candy treats, however in addition they have a variety of arty actions for the entire household to take pleasure in.
The cafe’s hottest exercise is pottery portray, with plates, bowls, and animal collectible figurines out there to brighten. When you’ve completed portray, the cafe will glaze and hearth your vibrant creation so you have got a enjoyable souvenir to take house with you.
You too can have a go at canvas portray, deco-patching, t-shirt printing, and jewelry making. There’s no scarcity of issues to maintain youngsters entertained!
Mother and father can both take part with the actions or sit and luxuriate in a espresso and slice of cake whereas the little artists are exhausting at work.
Excessive Altitude Trampoline Park, Norwich
A go to to a trampoline park is an effective way to spend a wet day in Norfolk with youngsters who have to burn off some vitality.
Excessive Altitude in Norwich is house to an enormous trampoline courtroom the place youngsters of all ages can bounce round, check out tips, and dive onto big airbags. Plus there’s a smooth play space and devoted trampoline periods for underneath 4s in the event you’re fearful about security for little ones.
The park additionally has basketball hoops, a dodgeball courtroom, and an enormous inflatable assault course with spinning tops, climbing areas, and super-fast slides for teenagers to take pleasure in.
And if that seems like enjoyable and also you need to have a go your self, adults are additionally welcome to affix in all of the actions. Or you’ll be able to watch the children from the cafe.
Pensthorpe’s Hootz Home Indoor Play, Fakenham
Whereas Pensthorpe Nature Reserve is a phenomenal place to go to on a sunny day in Norfolk, the woodland walks and luxurious wetlands aren’t notably moist climate pleasant. However getting caught in a sudden downpour might not be the tip of the world.
Pensthorpe’s indoor youngsters’ play space, Hootz Home, is among the finest within the county, with rope bridges, tree-top towers, winding slides, and smooth play tools for tots. The play space is nature-themed, so you’ll be able to fake that you just’re nonetheless outdoors having fun with the reserve.
Hootz Home is included within the regular Pensthorpe ticket worth. It additionally has its personal cafe, so you’ll be able to escape the drizzle with a espresso and sausage roll whilst you watch for the rain to clear once more.
Funkys, Norwich
Curler skating at Funkys is one other implausible rainy-day exercise in Norwich for households.
The indoor leisure venue has a big wood curler skating rink, with day by day skating periods and a weekly retro curler disco with DJs and light-weight reveals.
In addition to skating, youthful youngsters can even benefit from the venue’s big three-storey journey play space, with tunnels, slides, zip wires, cargo nets, ball pits, and extra. The play space is appropriate for kids 2-10 years outdated.
The Marvel Wooden, Watton
When you’re on the lookout for an indoor play space in Norfolk that’s a bit completely different from the same old smooth play, The Marvel Wooden in Watton is a superb possibility.
Designed for teenagers aged eight and underneath, this journey play is impressed by woodland, with cottages to play in in addition to netting to crawl via and the compulsory ball pit. There are additionally some enjoyable messy play periods and humanities and crafts to take pleasure in.
It’s solely a brief drive from Thetford Forest in the event you’d been planning some out of doors adventures however want another for a wet day in Norfolk with youngsters.
Strive an Escape Room in Norfolk
Trying to find clues and fixing interactive puzzles in a themed escape room is a enjoyable and distinctive approach to spend a wet day in Norfolk with youngsters and teenagers. Plus, it’s an incredible alternative to work on your loved ones’s teamwork abilities.
There are many nice escape rooms all throughout Norfolk, together with Escape Hunt and Cryptic Escape in Norwich, Locked In Lynn in King’s Lynn, the Nice Yarmouth Escape Rooms, and the Fakenham Escape Rooms, to call only a few.
When you’re staying close to the Norfolk Suffolk border and on the lookout for extra wet day actions, take a look at my decide of the most effective issues to do in Norfolk within the rain with youngsters
Disclosure: This submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Sandringham/Sheringham Station/Bressingham Steam Expertise/trampoline courtesy of Depositphotos, Windmill Journey Golf courtesy Picfair, all different photographs copyright MummyTravels
[ad_2]
