Discover a range of holiday cottages, farmhouses, barn conversions, and glamping pods, set on working farms in Norfolk. These hand-picked, self-catering farm stays are located in some of Norfolk’s most popular rural destinations including King’s Lynn, Beccles, Runcton Holme, Holt, and Fakenham, ideal for families, groups of friends, or couples looking for an unforgettable getaway.
Norfolk is perhaps best known for the man-made Broads, a National Park offering more than 125 miles of lock-free, navigable waterways winding through unspoilt countryside and dotted with picturesque towns, villages, and iconic drainage windmills. Visitors can take a guided boat trip with a knowledgeable local skipper providing commentary, or hire a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard to explore at their own pace. Along the way, keep an eye out for wildlife including adders, water voles, cuckoos, bitterns, marsh harriers, Britain’s largest butterfly, the swallowtail, and the rare Norfolk hawker dragonfly.
Norwich, the only city located within a national park, is well worth a visit. Norwich Cathedral, set within 44 acres of beautiful grounds, is one of the finest complete Romanesque cathedrals in Europe with more than a thousand beautifully carved roof bosses. Nearby, Norwich Castle boasts a imposing medieval keep and houses galleries and exhibitions showcasing archaeology, natural history, and fine and contemporary art, as well as the Royal Norfolk Regiment Museum with a rich collection of artefacts, photographs, and archive material. Food lovers, art enthusiasts, and independent shoppers will enjoy wandering through The Lanes, with their mix of historic architecture, boutique shops, live music venues, and an abundance of cafés, restaurants, pubs, and bars.
Norfolk is also rich in grand estates, offering superb days out. Highlights include Sandringham, the country retreat of His Majesty the King, set within 60 acres of beautifully maintained gardens, with rooms open to the public displaying treasured ornaments, portraits, and furniture. Holkham Hall is a magnificent eighteenth-century Neo-Palladian mansion with a walled garden and a woodland adventure play park, while Blickling Hall is a Jacobean house renowned for its Long Gallery and nationally important book collection, surrounded by more than 4,600 acres of woodland, parkland, and farmland.
Wildlife enthusiasts should visit the RSPB reserve at Titchwell Marsh, where reedbeds, saltmarsh, and freshwater lagoons support a wide variety of flora and fauna, including bearded tits, avocets, and numerous species of ducks and geese. Alternatively, head to Blakeney Point on the North Norfolk coast, a four-mile shingle ridge and dune system that is home to England’s largest grey seal colony, with thousands of pups born each winter, and an important summer breeding site for terns.
For a classic bucket-and-spade seaside experience, Cromer offers a wide sandy beach ideal for sandcastles, swimming, and surfing, along with a Victorian pier and a lively promenade lined with amusements, fish-and-chip shops, and ice-cream parlours. Be sure to sample Cromer crab, a true local delicacy prized for its sweet, succulent meat. For something quieter, visit West Runton Beach, backed by sandstone cliffs and home to the largest chalk reef in Europe. Popular with divers, it is also an excellent spot for fossil hunting and exploring rock pools.
For a relaxing, countryside escape, with nearby opportunities for cycling, walking, wildlife watching, watersports, and a wealth of historic and cultural attractions, choose a farm holiday in Norfolk for your next break.
