So you want to plan a couple of day trips from Norwich? You’re in luck, there are a wealth of places near Norwich to visit and day trips in Norfolk to satisfy solo travellers, families, couples or big groups.
Norwich is also a well-connected city in East Anglia, making it easy to plan day excursions from Norwich. Of course if you have your own vehicle, a Norfolk road trip is a great option for a day out too.
Whether you’re planning a day at the beach, a visit to Norfolk attractions such as castles and gardens, or rainy day activities, use this Norfolk travel guide to plan your days out near Norwich.
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20+ Days out from Norwich
Great Yarmouth
Distance from Norwich: 21 miles / 35 minutes
Love it or hate it, Great Yarmouth is a great, affordable option for a family friendly day out.
With the beach, arcades, crazy golf and plenty of other attractions, day trips to Great Yarmouth are an ideal affordable day out from Norwich with kids.
Don’t miss these spots in Great Yarmouth:
- Sea Life Great Yarmouth
- Joyland Children’s Fun Park
- Britannia Pier
- The Big Wheel
- The Venetian Waterways
- Great Yarmouth Beach
- Nelson’s Monument
- The walk out to Gorleston-on-Sea
Wymondham
Distance from Norwich: 10 miles / 20 minutes
Wymondham is a really underrated market town to the southwest of Norwich and it’s also a great option for day trips from Norwich by train as it’s a short 12 minute direct train from Norwich train station.
This might not be a full day trip, but it’s an easy and cheap day out from Norwich. Make a full day of it by taking a picnic to enjoy in the Becketswell Meadow. Take some time to explore the Abbey and information boards inside and out – it’s really beautiful.
This is also a great area to get outside for a country walk or two, with the meadows and nearby river Tiffey offering plenty of walking trails.
Don’t miss these spots in Wymondham:
- Becketswell Meadow
- Wymondham Abbey
- Green Dragon pub
- Mad Hatters Tea Shop
- Tolls Meadow
- Wymondham Heritage Museum
Horsey Gap
Distance from Norwich: 24 miles / 45 minutes
Horsey Gap is home to one of the UK’s largest seal colonies and the numbers are increasing every year with thousands of seals being born there during the seal pup season between October and January.
However seals can often be seen all year round either swimming near the shore or on the beach.
During the seal pup season you can only view the beach from the viewing platforms so as not to disturb the mothers and pups. But the rest of the year you can enjoy the beach and spot some seals – just keep your distance from them and keep dogs on a leash.
This is a great option for fun days out in East Anglia for adults and kids – who doesn’t love a brisk beach walk and some cute seal spotting!
Happisburgh
Distance from Norwich: 20 miles / 40 minutes
Happisburgh is a village on the North Norfolk coast and it’s a great area of the East Anglia coastline for a day trip from Norwich whether you’re looking for coastal walks, lots of history or quaint villages.
This 36km area of coastline is famous for having some of the earliest evidence of human existence in the UK, with human footprints discovered from nearly 1 million years ago and the biggest mammoth remains in the UK.
Don’t miss these spots in and around Happisburgh:
- Deep History Coast Discovery trail from Weybourne to Cart Gap
- Happisburgh Lighthouse
- Happisburgh Beach
- Happisburgh Cliffs
- Cart Gap Beach
- Happisburgh Owls Experience
Cromer
Distance from Norwich: 23 miles / 45 minutes
A UK seaside town favourite and it’s easy to see why! The good news is that you can easily enjoy a Cromer day trip from Norwich!
Cromer is one of the top East Anglia places to visit and you’ll find plenty of activities and things to do for families, solo visitors or couples looking for a romantic day out or weekend away in Norfolk.
Don’t miss these spots in Cromer:
- Cromer beach
- Cromer Pier
- Cromer Lighthouse
- North Norfolk railway
- Historic Town Centre
- East Runton beach and cliffs
- Happy Valley Country Park
- Banksy Artwork on the seawall
- Felbrigg Hall National Trust
Alpaca Trekking
Distance from Norwich: 35 miles / 1 hour 2 minutes
Did you know you can go Alpaca trekking in Norfolk? There are actually several alpaca and llama farms to choose from, some are appointment only and some are only open during the summer months.
But Alpaca Trekking offer great value alpaca walks. This is a fantastic option for a unique day out from Norwich that can be for kids and adults too! It also makes a great gift for someone.
Holkham Hall
Distance from Norwich: 36 miles / 1 hour
Holkham Hall is a stunning day out from Norwich. It’s a stately home on the North Norfolk coast and it’s a great year-round option for visiting with its beautiful interior and huge country park to enjoy/
During the summer there are plenty of events in the surrounding park area such as outdoor cinema, food festivals, live music or rowing on the lake.
The actual Hall itself is stunning with ornate interiors, courtyards, artwork and a walled garden to explore.
In the winter the halls are beautifully decorated and you can tour the festively decorated rooms, see a candlelight concert, visit Father Christmas and take part in workshops like wreath making.
Check their website to see what’s on.
If you’d like to keep it budget friendly, you can just pay for parking and Holkham Park and grounds are free to explore and go walking.
Holkham Beach
Distance from Norwich: 38 miles / 1 hour 5 minutes
Holkham Beach is a great Norwich day out to combine with Holkham Hall or just to enjoy on its own – especially if it’s a sunny day, you can easily spend the whole day at the beach!
Holkham Beach is famous for its colourful beach huts and clean sandy beach. You’ll also find sand dunes here and it’s a great dog walking spot with Holkham Nature Reserve adjacent to the beach.
Wells Next the Sea
Distance from Norwich: 35 miles / 57 minutes
One of our personal favourites on the Norfolk coast, Wells-next-the-Sea is a charming seaside town which is a great easy day trip from Norwich.
A beautiful day trip in the summer with strolls along the seafront, and exploring the laneways, taking a boat trip or heading out onto the water yourself on a SUP. Or a winter day trip for a brisk walk and chance to warm up inside the cosy coastal pubs and cafes.
Don’t miss these spots in Wells-next-the-Sea:
- French’s fish and chips on the waterfront
- GROUND coffee shop and café (for their great sausage rolls!)
- The laneways
- The old Granary
- Wells Harbour tours
- Wells bike hire
- Wells next the Sea Beach
- Holkham Beach
- Wells Crab House
Blickling Hall – National Trust
Distance from Norwich: 14 miles / 30 minutes
This stunning 17th century stately home is decorated in the Jacobean style and sits inside formal gardens and parkland.
There’s over 4,500 acres of woodland and 55 acres of formal garden, making it one of the most significant estates in England. Inside the house is lavishly decorated with a stunning long gallery library which is home to a significant book collection.
There are also shops and a cafe onsite and with so many acres of parkland to explore, you can easily spend a day here, both inside and outside the house! National Trust properties are a great option for rainy day trip activities.
If you’re visiting in the winter, finish you day at the cosy Bucks Arms for a proper country pub meal!
Sheringham
Distance from Norwich: 27 miles / 50 minutes
Sheringham is a great family friendly option for a day trip from Norwich or even a weekend trip in Norfolk!
With plenty of arcades, shops, a seafront with colourful beach huts, plenty of walking trails, museums and family friendly activities, you can easily fill a day or more with a day trip to Sheringham.
Don’t miss in Sheringham:
- Sheringham Park
- Sheringham Beach
- Sheringham Museum
- Priory Maze and Gardens
- North Norfolk Railway
- Sheringham Little Theatre
Hunstanton
Distance from Norwich: 45 miles / 1 hour 15 minutes
Hunstanton is a seaside town in North Norfolk which is pretty unique because it faces west into the Wash, meaning it’s one of the few places on the UK’s east coast where the sun can be seen setting in the west over the sea!
Hunstanton is popular for its beaches and our favourite is Old Hunstanton Beach with miles of sand and sand dunes, especially at low tide.
Don’t miss these spots in Hunstanton:
- Old Hunstanton Beach
- Sea Life Hunstanton
- Esplanade Gardens
- The Promenade and Amusements
- Norfolk Lavender (summer only)
Sandringham Estate
Distance from Norwich: 43 miles / 1 hour 10 minutes
Famously the country home of the British Royal Family, Sandringham House and Royal Parkland is also open to visitors both to the gardens and also the country house.
You can visit the country house almost all year (check the website for any closures) and there is often events and festivals happening such as the Christmas Illuminations and Winter Trails, Land Rover Safaris, food and craft fairs, flower shows and more – a perfect year-round option for day trips from Norwich.
You can also enjoy afternoon tea at Sandringham and find a range of cafes, restaurants and shops at the Courtyard in the Estate.
Norfolk Lavender
Distance from Norwich: 43 miles / 1 hour 10 minutes
This is an ideal summer day out in Norfolk as the lavender usually blooms between late June and early August (check their website for bloom dates).
However the farm is also open throughout the year when you can visit their shop, Lavender oil distillery, herb garden, animal farm and play park area.
You’ll also find their daily homemade breakfasts, lunch and famous lavender cake and scones at the cafe onsite too.
The Norfolk Broads
Distance from Norwich: 16 miles / 45 minutes
Of course no Norfolk guide to Norwich day trips would be complete without mentioning the Broads!
The Broads are a parkland and nature reserve area with over 125 miles of waterways, many of which you can go boating on.
It’s possible to book a boating trip for the day or hire a boat yourself to enjoy a leisurely day out on the water with your family a group of friends.
Norfolk Broads Boat Hire and Broads boat hire are just two of the many options available for boat rental.
This is such a fun summer day trip experience for everyone involved!
Oxburgh Hall
Distance from Norwich: 35 miles / 1 hour
This National Trust property is a medieval manor house and it’s especially unique because it’s surrounded by a moat!
The Bedingfield family have lived at the property for over 500 years and the estate history is intertwined with the religious turmoil of England over the centuries.
As well as the house, there’s also the Gatehouse, VIctorian Gardens, acres of parkland, an onsite cafe and bookstore.
Be sure to check opening times before you visit as their timings change depending on the season.
King’s Lynn
Distance from Norwich: 44 miles / 1 hour 15 minutes
If you’re in the mood for a city day trip from Norwich, King’s Lynn is a great option for day trips from Norwich by coach or by train (although it’s technically a town!)
From shopping to cinema to plenty of restaurants and bars, you can plan an easy day out for foodies and families alike.
Marriott’s Warehouse is a super fun food experience, in a 16th century warehouse on the waterfront with a great, varied menu to choose from.
The Rib Cage is a fun goth-style restaurant bar for a date night, meal with friends or anyone who loves big, American style meat and fries platters!
Don’t miss these spots in King’s Lynn:
- Lynn Museum
- Lynn Museum and Old Gaol Cells
- The Walks Park
- Corn Exchange Theatre and Cinema
- Escape Rooms King’s Lynn
- Nip & Growler Ale House
Southwold
Distance from Norwich: 33 miles / 1 hour
A day trip from Norfolk to Suffolk is another great option for planning Norwich days out!
Southwold is a favourite spot in Suffolk and it’s easy to see why. With a charming beachfront lined with beach huts, a sandy and family friendly beach, great food and drink options and plenty of activities in the town, it’s easy to spend a day or even a week in Southwold!
Don’t miss the Adnams Brewery and enjoy the freshest seafood ever down by the harbour at Sole Bay Fish Co.
Don’t miss these spots in Southwold:
- Southwold beach and pier
- Local markets on Monday and Thursday
- Adnams Brewery Tour (or just enjoy a pint of Adnams at the pub!)
- The coastal walk to Walberswick
- Climb the Southwold Lighthouse
- Fresh seafood at Sole Bay Fish Co
Thorpeness
Distance from Norwich: 43 miles / 1 hour 20 minutes
Another Suffolk hidden gem for your day trips from Norfolk!
Thorpeness was originally designed as a holiday village by Stuart Ogilvie who was friends with JM Barrie, the author of Peter Pan. This inspired him to create the lake (the Meare) at the centre of the town and name the islands after places in the Peter Pan story. If you go boating on the lake you’ll find Wendy’s Island and the Pirate’s Lair to name a couple!
The architecture here is charming, it’s easily walkable and there’s plenty of quirky places to see too, such as the House in the Clouds – a water tower turned into a holiday rental.
You’ll also find a pebbly beach and plenty of cute pubs and cafes to spend the day.
Don’t miss in Thorpeness:
- Boating on the Meare
- Thorpeness Beach
- The House in the Clouds
- The windmill (opposite the house in the Clouds)
- The Dolphin Inn
- The coastal walk to Aldeburgh
- Leiston Abbey ruins
Aldeburgh
Distance from Norwich: 44 miles / 1 hour 20 minutes
A more well-known spot in Suffolk and another coastal destination that makes for a perfect one day trip from Norwich!
Aldeburgh is a charming seaside town with a beautiful promenade to walk along the edge of the beach, pastel coloured houses and a thriving high street.
The pebble beach is family safe and there’s plenty of holiday options to extend your day out from Norfolk if you wanted to stay for a weekend or more!
Don’t miss in Aldeburgh:
- The promenade
- The High Street
- Aldeburgh Market deli
- Aldeburgh Beach
- The Scallop Sculpture
- A walk to Thorpeness
- RSPB Havergate Island
- Afternoon Tea at the White Lion Hotel
- A visit to Snape Maltings, independent shops, and galleries
Summary: the best Norwich days out
There are countless options for day trips from Norwich and East Anglia days out for everyone’s tastes. Hopefully these days out from Norwich have given you plenty of inspiration to plan your next day trip adventure!
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