How To Spend A Weekend In Norfolk, UK – Itinerary & Maps

Whether you’re staying in Norwich or visiting as a day trip, follow my Norfolk itinerary to see the best of this historical and charming city in just one day.

I adore Norwich. It’s similar to my home city of Oxford although I hate to say, slightly nicer!

Norwich has bags of history from the cathedral to the timbered homes dating back hundreds of years. There are independent shops and plenty of cool, modern cafes. As I found out while visiting a friend at uni here a few years back, there’s also a lively nightlife. Basically, Norwich has everything going for it.

It doesn’t feel like a big, busy city so it’s a relaxing addition to your weekend in Norfolk.

View of Quayside from Fye Bridge Street: When you look up Norwich on Instagram, you’ll likely see this colourful scene. Quayside can be found in north Norwich, not far from the cathedral. Be sure to cross the river via Fye Bridge. Not only are there some cool restaurants and bars on the other side, but you’ll soak up these views along the way.

Strangers’ Hall: This Grade I listed building dating back to the 14th century is one of the most historically important places in Norwich. You can take a tour inside, visit the Great Hall, Parlour, Chambers and Walnut Room, gifted by an ex-mayor of Norwich.

Norwich Lanes: These winding alleyways have been around since medieval times. In recent years, they’ve become a modern shopping and dining area home to 300+ local businesses. There’s even a cinema and several galleries and live music venues. Food options include brunch, lunch, global cuisine, vegan food, cake, coffee and cocktails.

Morning – Wells-next-the-Sea & Holkham

We began our North Norfolk weekend in the small town of Wells-next-the-Sea, which we debated should be called Wells-next-TO-the-Sea but then again, does it need to be any longer?

We started our day by sipping excellent coffee at GROUND, a speciality coffee shop in the heart of town. They serve strong flat whites, cappuccinos and iced coffee, perfect on a summer’s day.

Afternoon – Blakeney

Depart Wells and drive 20 minutes along the North Norfolk coast to Blakeney, another of my top picks for a Norfolk weekend. This scenic village is known for its seal boat trips and bird-watching opportunities. Whether you’re a nature lover or not, Blakeney is worth a visit to wander Blakeney Nature Reserve with views of the coastline.

Blakeney Point boat trip: From Blakeney, you can visit the largest seal colony in England with more than 2,000 pups born each year.

Plenty of boats depart Blakeney harbour daily but a great option is to board a cruise with Beans Boat Trips from Mortson, just up the road. This will take you along the tributary to Blakeney Point where the seals and their pups can be seen during summer months. Boat trips run year-round.

The Moorings – This seafood restaurant beside Blakeney Guildhall shouldn’t be missed. I’d been wanting a famous Norfolk crab sandwich throughout my weekend in Norfolk and was thrilled to find one. As well as takeaway food, it’s also a sit-down restaurant serving fresh catches of the day, risotto, crab salads and fish chowder. Portions are large and prices are reasonable; my crab sandwich was £5.

Blakeney Delicatessen – This lovely deli is set back from busy Blakeney Harbour on a quiet backstreet. They sell freshly-baked bread, takeaway coffees and deli meals to heat at home like lamb tagine, moussaka and green Thai curry. If you’re staying in an Airbnb with kitchen facilities, why not pick something up for dinner?

Ice Cream Shop Blakeney – Well, no prizes for guessing what this place sells! We ate delicious, locally-made ice cream at this stall beside Blakney Guildhall. An essential for a sunny weekend in Norfolk.

After a busy day in Wells and Blakeney, we made a quick pitstop before heading back to our Airbnb. Luckily, we had great weather during our visit. Since I spend so much time outside of Europe, I always marvel at how long our summer months are. You can pack so much into a day!

Cley is a small village put on the map thanks to Cley Windmill. The impressive five-storey windmill was built in the early 19th century and has been a much-loved feature of the area since. Nowadays, it’s an upmarket holiday let with a restaurant onsite. Even so, it’s worth admiring from the outside.

We stopped by for some photos and then took a walk through the charming streets of Cley. There aren’t any ‘must-sees’ here and for that reason, we were some of the only tourists. It was charming in a different way to bustling Wells and Blakeney.

If you’re hungry and love kippers, prawns and crab, don’t miss Cley Smokehouse where local fish is freshly prepared and sold for takeaway.

Day 2 – North Norfolk Coast

For our final day, we continued our Norfolk itinerary to Holt, Sheringham and Cromer. This was quite a busy day so remove one destination for a more leisurely weekend in Norfolk.

Where to eat and drink in Sheringham

The Sitting Room: As the name suggests, this cafe has the feel of being in someone’s (well-designed) sitting room. Enjoy hearty lunch dishes, cake and coffee surrounded by homey touches. There are plenty of options for vegetarians.

Pungleperry’s: Who could say no to a dessert and coffee bar? With desserts on offer including hot fudge sundaes, banana splits and ice cream cookie sandwiches, it’s a retro feast.

The Offshore Coffee House: For the best cafe views in Sheringham, check out this cute cafe. While the coffee and cake are worth visiting for, the highlight might be perching yourself on a table outside and gazing out to sea.

Holt

Just 15 minutes from Sheringham by car or steam heritage train is Holt, a scenic town beside the coast. There are plenty of adorable antique shops and cosy cafes, making it the perfect stop for afternoon respite.

Take the Holt Owl Trail around town, stopping at plaques on the ground marking the key landmarks in Holt.Use any extra time to visit Holt Country Park. With 100 acres of woodland, there are plenty of walking trails to take.

Where to eat and drink in Holt

Folly Tearoom – This gorgeous tearoom with an outside courtyard is the best place for afternoon tea during a weekend in Norfolk. Expect mismatched crockery, kettles dressed in tea cosies, homemade scones and generous portions of everything.

Wells Deli – This Holt cafe serves dishes from around the world which are done surprisingly well. Tuck into chilli con carne, nachos and pastel de natas, washed down with coffee.

The Black Apollo – The best place to grab a coffee and pastry in Holt. Everything is freshly made onsite.

Horatio’s – For locally sourced ingredients and enormous English fry ups, head straight to Horatio’s.

Unless you’re visiting during the summer, you may want to visit Cromer earlier in the day. However, during our August visit, we visited around 6pm, ate fish ‘n’ chips on the pier and watched the sun go down from Cromer Pier. It was a lovely way to end our Norfolk weekend.

Cromer is your typical holiday destination and very busy during the summer. Famous Cromer Pier is one of the last of its kind to hold a variety show twice a year. But beware, some report that Cromer Pier is haunted by the souls of restless boatmen!

Other things to do in Cromer include visiting the church of St Peter & Paul, Cromer Museum, Henry Blogg Museum, trying your hand at crabbing, and spotting the SS Fernebo shipwreck at the west end of the beach (visible when the tide is out).

With any free time, you can visit Felbrigg Hall, a 17th-century National Trust property with a fantastic walled garden, lake and woodland full of wildlife. Another nearby National Trust property is Blickling Hall, a stately home in Aylsham. If all else fails, relax on Cromer Beach!

Where to eat and drink in Cromer

Mary Jane’s Fish Bar – If you eat fish ‘n’ chips anywhere in North Norfolk, make sure it’s here. Mary Jane’s has been serving fish ‘n’ chips for more than 40 years and during summer months, the queue winds down the street and around the corner. It’s worth the wait!

Bann Thai Restaurant – Norfolk isn’t renowned for Asian food but this Thai restaurant is a favourite in Cromer with friendly owners and authentic dishes. These include Panang mussels, Bangkok chicken, tom yum soup and spicy salads. There are plenty of vegan dishes.