Holidays in Norfolk

Norfolk breaks & weekends away

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Why choose a holiday in Norfolk?

Uncover the secrets of the forest during your self-catering Norfolk break and spend quality time with your loved ones. Arrange day trips to bustling cities, go wild at big attractions like Go Ape or take things at a slower pace and get back to nature. Whatever you have in mind for your staycation, there’s no better place to discover Norfolk than from your woodland base in the heart of Thorpe Forest.

Self-catering Norfolk breaks

Whether you're escaping for a romantic break with your partner, planning a family getaway or bringing the group together, there's a hot tub cabin perfect for you. If you have difficulty with mobility, our fully accessible Silver Birch cabin offers everything you need for a fantastic holiday, including a hot tub!

Log cabins at Thorpe Forest, Forest Holidays

Accommodation at Thorpe Forest

Our location at Thorpe Forest is situated beside the banks of the River Thet, between the Norfolk and Suffolk borders. Choose a accommodation in Norfolk and feel submersed beneath the protective canopy of the forest, or opt for open views in a picturesque woodland glade.

Find out more about Thorpe Forest

Things to do in Norfolk

Our favourite places to see and things to do in Norfolk

  • Bury St. Edmunds cathedral

    Norfolk & Suffolk

    Wherever your interests lie, there’s something for everyone to enjoy when you visit Norfolk. Make the one hour drive from Thorpe Forest to Bury St. Edmunds to find a town steeped in rich history, where medieval buildings greet you at every turn.

    For a little mystery, we recommend the roman fort at Burgh Castle, a fascinating stop-off during a day trip to Great Yarmouth. If you’re looking to make a royal connection, the ruins of Castle Acre or the Sandringham Estate are both close to nearby King’s Lynn.

    Cute piglet at Church Farm Rare Breeds Centre

    Animal magic

    What do 2,000 of the world’s animals, a dinosaur, and a rare breeds centre have in common? They’re all in Norfolk!

    See daily feeding displays, fascinating primates, exotic birds, and much more at Banham Zoo – with 50 acres full of animals, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained. If you feel like a trip back in time, make the 45-minute journey from Thorpe Forest to Dinosaur Adventure, an award-winning attraction.

    If the thought of making friends with a wide variety of farm animals appeals, the Church Farm Rare Breeds Centre in Stow Bardolph is somewhere you’ll never want to leave!

    Colourful beach huts at Wells-next-the-sea

    Family-friendly Norfolk

    Getting back to nature with your family has never been so much fun! Adventure or exploration, there are a number of places for you to choose from in Norfolk. Some of our favourites include High Lodge and Go Ape in Thetford Forest, BeWILDerwood, and Blackdyke Fishery.

    With the nearest beach just over one hour away from Thorpe Forest, and so many miles of coast to explore, there’s no reason why a Forest Holiday can’t also be a seaside holiday! Our top three picks for beach-goers have to be Great Yarmouth, Wells-next-the-Sea, and Horsey; each offering something different and each a fantastic choice for a day at the beach.

Top things to do in Norfolk

Pet-friendly Norfolk

Dog friendly holidays are becoming increasingly popular and Norfolk is renowned as being one of the most pet-friendly locations in the UK. With white sandy beaches, offering the perfect space for dogs and their responsible owners all year round. Many of the beaches in Norfolk are best to visit at low-tide so ensure you check time tides before you embark on your walk. With a number of dog-friendly beaches, here's our top 10 that everyone, including the dog can enjoy:

  1. Brancaster
    With miles of unspoilt sand and shallow water Brancaster beach is the perfect place for your dog to splash around on their walk.
  2. Happisburgh
    Rich in history, Happisburgh is situated on Norfolk's Deep History Coast offering miles of coastal paths to walk and footpaths in the surrounding area.
  3. Heacham
    Divided into two sections, Heacham South benefits from sandy dunes, whilst Heacham North has a promenade - a great walk for you and your dog.
  4. Holkham
    With miles of white-gold sand, pretty seashells to collect and pine woods to explore, Holkham beach is one of Norfolk's hidden gems. Park at the end of Lady Anne's Drive, walk along the footpath through the woods until you reach the sandy beach.
  5. Mundesley
    Best visited at low tide, his sandy beach is accessible from walkways down from the cliffs surrounding it.
  6. Old Hunstanton
    With an expanse of golden sand, backed by sand dunes and stripey cliffs Old Hunstanton Beach is a popular choice.
  7. Great Yarmouth North
    Whilst dogs are not allowed on the central part of the beach, they are welcome on the north beach. Offering wonderful sand dunes and wide stretches of white sand Great Yarmouth North is the nicest of the the three beaches at Great Yarmouth.
  8. Thornham
    Walk along the raised embankment, which leads down to a a sandy beach. Beware of the birds who nest in the sand dunes during nesting season.
  9. Titchwell
    Backed by low sand dunes Titchwell is home to a expanse of beautiful beach. At low tide, this already quiet beach can feel deserted as the sand extends for miles in every direction.
  10. Wells-next-the-Sea
    One of the most picturesque beaches, Wells-next-the-Sea features an array of multi-coloured beach huts. With a dog free zone in operation for the first 200 yards of this beach, owners are advised to enter from the pinewoods entrances.

Something for everyone

From beaches to broads, cities to seascapes, there is an almost endless list of discoveries to be made in Norfolk. Whether you stay for a weekend or two weeks, you'll find an array of activities to trial, sights to see, and fascinating places to explore!

Norfolk holidays are ideal for weekend breaks or longer stays. Whether you're looking for dog friendly holidays in Norfolk or hot tub holidays in Norfolk, our self catering cabins at Thorpe Forest, near the Suffolk border, are the perfect choice.

Where to go in Norfolk

The possibilities are endless on your holiday in Norfolk; whether you're looking for adventure, or simply a chance to wind down, Norfolk is the perfect place for your escape to the forest. With so much to see and do, we have listed our top 10 places to go in Norfolk:

  1. Bury St. Edmunds
  2. Burgh Castle
  3. Castle Acre
  4. Sandringham Estate
  5. Great Yarmouth
  6. Wells-next-the-Sea
  7. Banham Zoo
  8. High Lodge
  9. Go Ape
  10. BeWILDerwood