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 children.
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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 season, listed below are my recommendations on the most effective issues to do in Norfolk within the rain with children.
Contents – click on to leap to a piece
Norwich cathedral
Relationship again to the 11th century, there are various issues to tempt households to Norwich cathedral over the realm’s different historic church buildings – for starters, the cathedral has its personal cat.
Budge the cathedral cat – who strolled in through the Good Friday service and has now settled in as official feline resident – can typically be noticed prowling round, or once we visited, sitting on a aspect altar for some paw washing and enjoyable.
There’s additionally a labyrinth to stroll via within the cloisters, winding via the grass (value 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 once 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 – preserve your eyes open, and also you’ll see flint utilized in buildings throughout the county, in addition to coming in very helpful for the realm’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 wanting 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 realm at a small exhibition, you’ll be able to head 30 ft beneath 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 through 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 gadgets on show from Jacobean and Georgian occasions – together with early weighing scales, the place you could possibly sit down as you checked your weight, and Chinese language pagodas in glass circumstances 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 large library, you can too head into the farmyard in addition to the small RAF Oulton museum, centered on the Bomber Command squadrons billeted right here through the Second World Warfare.
Learn my overview of a time out at Blickling Corridor with children 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 long run Elizabeth I beneath home arrest and had been among the many first supporters of Mary I.
Objects on present embody scissors that are stated 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 beneath 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 children 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 gadgets picked up by its aristocratic homeowners on their Grand Tour of Europe.
There’s an I Spy path for teenagers as they appear 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 count on, designed to impress his company 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 biggest non-public 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 loads for households to find, together with an opportunity to go to the bottom ground flats at Sandringham, left as they might have been throughout Edwardian occasions.
After recognizing the household portraits (together with a couple of which shall 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 typically further household pleasant occasions through the yr.
Holkham Corridor
There’s much more to the Holkham Property than the Corridor – a nature reserve, large open seashore, deer park, farmland… the record goes on. Even the seashore at Wells-next-the-Sea is a part of the property.
However on a wet day in Norfolk with children, there’s loads 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 immediately.
From Roman statues to Previous Masters, bedrooms which have hosted Queens to the outdated kitchens, what is going to make most children’ jaws drop is the truth that youngsters dwell at Holkham Corridor. The Corridor isn’t open daily so do examine 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 no less than the 13th century, with a number of the metropolis’s main residents residing in it because the 14th century. You’ll be able to 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 children, try my high picks
Norwich Fort
One in all Norfolk’s most vital museums is ready in Norwich Fort; you’ll be able to nonetheless climb the Norman steps of the staircase to the highest of the preserve, 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 amazing concept for a wet day in Norfolk.
There’s additionally work happening to create a brand new medieval gallery in partnership with the British Museum, and restore a number of the fortress preserve – components of the museum will be open through the redevelopment works, though the fortress 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 economic 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 dropped at 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 children from the second you stroll in. And there’s loads extra to entertain within the galleries, should 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 Warfare.
Maybe one of the fascinating components, particularly should you’re visiting with barely older children, is studying about Seahenge, the Bronze Age timber circle found on Holme Seaside and preserved for over 4,000 years within the sand.
Cromer Museum
Cromer Museum is the place to come back in case your children are fascinated by fossils, mammoths and prehistoric tales – excellent should 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 solid 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
In case you’re on the lookout for free issues to do in Norfolk within the rain with children, the weird Henry Blogg Museum in Cromer is certainly value a go to.
Celebrating essentially the most adorned lifeboatman in RNLI historical past, Henry Blogg served for a powerful 53 years on Cromer’s lifeboats, serving to to save lots of 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 motion pictures and loads of probabilities to get palms on.
Gressenhall Farm and workhouse, Dereham
If you need a little bit of every part, Gressenhall Farm has loads to entertain children – because the identify 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 point out how life has modified over the previous 200 years, together with a circus caravan and tales of the Ladies’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 plenty of 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 Fort Motor Museum, Caister-on-Sea
For youths 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 traditional and classic to sports activities automobiles, in addition to bikes, plus some very uncommon veteran motors – one relationship again to 1893.
You’ll be able to even spot steam automobiles and electrical autos at Caister Fort Motor Museum, in addition to taking a wander to the 15th century Caister Fort tower.
Sealife Sanctuary Hunstanton
Residence to Norfolk’s solely seal rescue centre that’s open to the general public, Hunstanton’s Sea Life Centre has one thing further on high of the same old sights of an aquarium.
You can even 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, children 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 should you prebook on-line and it’s excellent should you’re on the lookout for concepts of what to do in Norfolk within the rain with children.
Stand up to 40% off weekday visits, excluding faculty 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 authentic plans of exploring the Norfolk Broads have been rained off too. There’s a reduction should you prebook on-line.
Stand up to 40% off weekday visits, excluding faculty holidays, as a part of the Midweek Insanity deal till mid October – click on right here to ebook
North Norfolk railway (the Poppy Line)
Working from Sheringham to Holt, the ‘Poppy Line’ heritage steam railway makes a enjoyable method to get from A to B, in addition to a barely extra sheltered method to sightsee on a wet day.
There are particular occasions through the yr, together with Santa Specials, whereas the North Norfolk railway trains run from April to October, taking about 20 minutes to chuff their approach from one station to the opposite.
Wells & Walsingham Gentle Railway
This slender gauge steam railway runs between the seafront at Wells inland to Walsingham – and kids beneath 4 journey free.
Closed through 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 trip on a steam practice, 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, children shouldn’t miss an opportunity to trip on the steam-powered gallopers – the carousel dates again to the 19th century.
Wroxham Miniature Worlds, close to Norwich
You’ll be able to see a number of the largest mannequin railways on the planet on everlasting show at this household attraction – in actual fact, 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 made from Lego bricks, mannequin boats, a classic penny arcade and toy assortment plus an opportunity to drive trains and check out a flight or practice simulator.
Youngsters aged beneath 5 go free as properly.
Hippodrome Circus, Nice Yarmouth
The historic Hippodrome in Nice Yarmouth is Britain’s solely surviving complete 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, children of all ages are assured to be mesmerised all through the whole present.
The circus area isn’t too massive, so that you don’t have to fret about getting dangerous seats and being removed from the motion.
There are common exhibits happening nearly repeatedly all year long, so make certain to examine the schedule. Matinee and night performances can be found for many exhibits, making a visit to the circus an amazing wet afternoon or night exercise.
Windmill Journey Golf, Nice Yarmouth
Rain needn’t cease play at Windmill Journey Golf in Nice Yarmouth – the large 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 set of cinema and theatre memorabilia to find as properly, taking you again via over a century of the constructing’s historical past.
Residence 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
In case 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 wonderful shell artworks by actor Peter Coke, with intricate creations starting from castles to mannequin backyard scenes, and flower preparations, all made fully out of shells.
And if the climate does clear up later within the day, you’ll be able to head right down to close by Sheringham Seaside and check out making some shell and pebble creations of your personal.
The small Fishermen’s Lifeboat Museum (additionally free) sits within the connecting constructing to the Shell Museum, providing 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 artistic. Not solely does the cosy family-run cafe serve an amazing menu of drinks and candy treats, however in addition they have a variety of arty actions for the entire household to get pleasure from.
The cafe’s hottest exercise is pottery portray, with plates, bowls, and animal collectible figurines out there to embellish. When you’ve completed portray, the cafe will glaze and fireplace your vibrant creation so you could have a enjoyable souvenir to take house with you.
You can even have a go at canvas portray, deco-patching, t-shirt printing, and jewelry making. There’s no scarcity of issues to maintain children 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 arduous at work.
Excessive Altitude Trampoline Park, Norwich
A go to to a trampoline park is a good way to spend a wet day in Norfolk with children who must burn off some vitality.
Excessive Altitude in Norwich is house to an enormous trampoline courtroom the place children 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 beneath 4s should you’re frightened 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 get pleasure from.
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 youngsters from the cafe.
Pensthorpe’s Hootz Home Indoor Play, Fakenham
Whereas Pensthorpe Nature Reserve is a fantastic 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 will not be the tip of the world.
Pensthorpe’s indoor children’ play space, Hootz Home, is likely one of the finest within the county, with rope bridges, tree-top towers, winding slides, and smooth play gear for tots. The play space is nature-themed, so you’ll be able to fake that you simply’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 look ahead to 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 picket curler skating rink, with every day skating periods and a weekly retro curler disco with DJs and light-weight exhibits.
In addition to skating, youthful children may benefit from the venue’s large three-storey journey play space, with tunnels, slides, zip wires, cargo nets, ball pits, and extra. The play space is appropriate for youngsters 2-10 years outdated.
The Marvel Wooden, Watton
In case 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 choice.
Designed for teenagers aged eight and beneath, 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 get pleasure from.
It’s solely a brief drive from Thetford Forest should you’d been planning some outside adventures however want an alternate for a wet day in Norfolk with children.
Attempt an Escape Room in Norfolk
Looking for clues and fixing interactive puzzles in a themed escape room is a enjoyable and distinctive method to spend a wet day in Norfolk with children and youths. Plus, it’s an amazing 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 just some.
In case you’re staying close to the Norfolk Suffolk border and on the lookout for extra wet day actions, try my choose of the most effective issues to do in Norfolk within the rain with children
Disclosure: This publish incorporates 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