Delight in these pleasant days out in Norfolk

Take time out this summer with these delightful days out in Norfolk with the Great Savings Guide

Holkham Hall, Norfolk

Imagine a lovely day out at that park you like. You know, the one with the lake and the gently rolling slopes of soft grass that make you want to kick off your shoes and stroll barefoot down to the water’s edge?

Now stretch that park to the size of 1,500 football pitches and throw in some interesting resident wildlife: ducks and geese, obviously, but maybe some lapwings, oystercatchers or marsh harriers, and perhaps a herd or three of meandering deer? How about a grand gated entrance to approach it with, or - let’s go all out here - a wide, sandy beach and nature reserve at the other end of the drive, where seals can be seen bobbing about in the sea? Does that sound like a good day out?

And what if we then plonk an impressive stately home in the middle of this park? I’m picturing something in a grand Palladian style - complete with a striking alabaster staircase entrance and opulently decorated rooms to explore, each filled with important art collected on a Grand Tour of Europe. We could have knowledgable volunteers bringing the rooms to life with fascinating stories of secret doorways, rare books and rude paintings hidden from visiting royalty. You could go ‘below stairs’ and see how life was for the staff of the estate, and inspect the kitchens and games rooms. And what if the house was still lived in, with the chance for visitors to unwittingly bump into it’s owner (an Earl, maybe?) while exploring the grounds.

We could then have a walled garden in another part of the park, growing herbs and vegetables for the house, as well as exotic plants. Possibly even a small vineyard and some historical curiosities, like a pineapple glasshouse or a 200-year-old mulberry tree? 

Of course, an estate with this much history should have it’s own museum to tell it’s story; and if we’re going there, we should add a generous visitor shop and well-stocked cafe too. And a park this size should have bikes for hire, to get around on. And boating on the lake. And a woodland play area. And an adventurous rope climbing course. And…

Am I getting carried away? I’d be tempted to agree with you, except that it already exists.

It’s Holkham Hall, part of the largest private estate in Norfolk, on the coast near Wells-next-the-Sea, and owned by the Coke (pronounced Cook) family since 1734. With both the house and park listed as grade 1, being of ‘exceptional interest’, and whose walled garden is partnered with the Royal Horticultural Society - it’s a park rich with architecture, history, nature, wildlife and fun.

And it’s as lovely a day out as you’ve already imagined.

Members receive a 20% discount on general admission to the attractions with the Great Savings Guide. Find our more here

Stay at: Sandringham Estate Club campsite

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Norfolk Railways (Whitwell and Reepham Railway and the Bure Valley Railway)

“Compare and contrast, children!” rang the memory of my old English teacher’s voice, during a recent visit to two railway-themed attractions in Norfolk. For while the Whitwell and Reepham Railway Station and the Bure Valley Railway are nominally related - and just 20 minutes apart - they offer very distinct experiences that, combined or separately, make for a great day out.

The Whitwell and Reepham Railway Station is, as it’s name suggests, a project to restore a long-defunct branch-line station, along with an accompanying signal-box, sidings, tracks, and rolling stock. They operate lovingly restored steam and diesel locomotives, and offer the chance to ride on heritage heavyweights as they shunt across it’s 6 acre site.

The Bure Valley Railway by contrast is a 9 mile there-and-back stretch of what was once the East Norfolk Railway, but now with rails, engines and carriages shrunk to fit a 15-inch gauge track. This provides a charmingly retro passenger experience - rolling gently through bucolic countryside in period-style slam-door carriages with comfy oxblood-red leatherette seating.

Both are run predominantly by enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteers, and it’s easy to see where visitors’ pennies benefit each project (it costs £250 just to start up a full-size steam engine). Both are located close to attractive villages - Reepham and Aylesham - and both have welcoming visitors’ cafés. Pedestrian and cycle paths run adjacent to each line: Whitwell and Reepham’s original trackbed is now part of the Marriott’s Way, with hikers and cyclists often using it’s café as a stop-off, while a parallel pathway runs the length of the Bure Valley route (great if one of your party fancies racing the train, or dashing ahead to wave at you à la The Railway Children).

The engines are the obvious stars and each attraction operates a roster of both steam and diesel.  Whitwell and Reepham runs “Steam Sundays” monthly, showcasing their 1950s classics (also look for “Annie” their 120 year old steam engine, currently being renovated). On other days visitors can experience their collection of 6 diesel engines, including a Ministry of Defence shunter, or inspect a rare surviving steam crane.

Bure Valley’s regular services are pulled by one of five steam engines, while a couple of diesel locomotives can be seen running maintenance errands. Both sites offer opportunities to watch engine renovations in progress, and budding Casey Joneses can get their hands smutty by booking a driver’s experience.

The station building at Whitwell and Reepham - historic in itself, being 140 years old and apparently the last example of its type - houses a museum full of fascinating and evocative paraphernalia reflecting its former life. Bure Valley’s Aylsham station has an impressively comprehensive model railway shop, or you can peruse the shelves of Bufferstop Books on the platform at Wroxham’s terminus while waiting for the engine to be turned around (by hand!) for its return journey.

Comparing the two, you’ve a choice between heritage engines in a slice-of-time station setting, or a scaled period passenger experience along a historical branch line. Better still, combine them both to round out a full day and an even fuller experience.

My English teacher might give me extra marks for shoe-horning in ‘ferroequinologist' - my new favourite word - meaning someone with an interest in ‘iron-horses’.

And after a day on the rails in Norfolk, you can call yourself one too.

Reepham & Whitwell Railway

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Members can save 15% on admission through the Great Savings Guide. Pre-booking required, find out more here.

Stay at: Seacroft, Norfolk Boards, Incleboro Fields Club campsites

Bure Valley Railway

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Members can save 15% on admission through the Great Savings Guide. Pre-booking required, find out more here.

Stay at: Seacroft, Norfolk Boards, Incleboro Fields Club campsites

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Please visit camc.com/greatsavingsguide for vouchers, discount codes and pre-booking where relevant, as well as terms and conditions for all offers. Please check site and attraction opening dates and times before visiting/travelling.