SELF-CATERING HOLIDAY RENTALS IN NORFOLK & THE BROADS, ENGLAND
UNITED KINGDOM TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION GUIDE

Top 9 Days Out In Norfolk To Keep The Kids Happy   by Norfolk Cottages

If you are planning to visit Norfolk (UK) with your kids for the holidays there are plenty of things to do, no matter the weather. We have complied the top 9 attractions, some are free and some you'll need to pay for. Enjoy your holidays!
 

1. Bewilderwood Norfolk's newest attraction is being hailed the best in the region. Although it doesnt take a whole day it is fun especially for younger kids. Walk through the trees houses, have a go on the zip wires, use the slides and get involved in the interactive activities such as den building. Watch out for the crocabog on the boat ride! Allow about 2/3 hours to visit Bewilderwood which is more like an unusual adventure play ground rather than a theme park. 2. Banham Zoo A good day out with lots of different animals to see. Banham claim there is 1000 different animals in 35 acres of parkland. All the animals appear to be well looked after. You can buy a combined ticket for this Zoo and Africa Alive. Highlights include the Tigers, leopards, kangaroos, Lemurs, monkeys, tamarins and don't miss the large bird show. 3. Norwich Castle Museum

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The Medieval castle has been converted into a Museum is a good day out for older kids that are interested in history. Located in the centre of Norwich the closest parking is in the Castle Mall. Special tours include the Battlements Tours and the Dungeons Tours. Also check out the Temporary Exhibitions.

4. Sea Life Centre Great Yarmouth

Takes about an hour to see the sharks, rays, fish, sea horses and more. A good option for a rainy day. Also features a small hands on display for kids. It is located on the sea front in Great Yarmouth.

5. Fossil Hunting East Runton Beach

A free activity, at the near site of one of most important finds, the "West Runton Elephant". On the beach its easy to find Belemnites, and with some luck you might find some more!

6. Dinosaur Adventure Park

Walk through the Dinosaur woods and see the full scale models. Also includes a petting zoo, interactive activities and adventure playground.

7. Pleasurewood Hills

Ride roller coasters and other thrill rides at East Anglias leading theme park. This is actually just outside Norfolk. The new 120 ft roller coaster wipeout is proving a hit. Opens at 10am.

8. Africa Alive

Located just south of Lowestsoft in Kesingland Africa Alive is an outdoor safari park with a good selection of well kept animals. Highlights include Falconry display; Road train tour; Rhinos; Gira. Max Entry Prices: Adult £12.50, Child £8.50,

9. Inspire Discovery Centre

Based in an old Medieval Church in Norwich the Inpsire centre is a fully hand on Museum offering fun for adults and kids alike. Being indoors the it makes a good option for rainy days. There are thirty interactive activities based on five themes. Each activity is designed to be fun and challenges whilst educational. Open 10-5 Monday to Friday and 11-5 Saturday and Sunday. Entry Prices:

Adults £4.50, Children £4.00, Saver ticket (2 adults, 2 children) £13.00

About the Author - Norfolk Cottages provides information on holidays in Norfolk and information on holiday cottages in the region. Need more ideas? Check out our website at www.norfolkcottagesonline.co.uk for 100's more ideas of things to do whilst on holiday in Norfolk. We cover information on the beaches, attractions, accommodation and more.

The Norfolk Broads - Heritage and leisure   by John Dale

The Norfolk Broads consist of over 200 miles of navigable rivers, lakes and man-made waterways. Its formation was long thought to be the result of glacial activity during the ice age. However, it has since been discovered that the landscape was actually formed by medieval excavations for peat and turf.
 

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Farming and fishing dominated the Norfolk Broads during the 16th century with the waterways playing an integral role in the transportation of goods. Drainage windmills were introduced to encourage cattle grazing and the local economy flourished, as marshmen tended the land and maintained the water levels and dykes. During the 19th century the introduction of the railways heralded a boom in tourism as trains brought city dwellers to The Broads who were keen on escaping the harshness of city life. Traditionally used for trade, Wherrys became the most popular mode of travel on the waterways and they were soon built for pleasure rather than trade. But the Second World War brought about an agricultural revival as all the available was used for the war effort. This renaissance in Norfolk's farming economy would last through to the 50's and 60's as Government funding was made available for new tools and equipment.

It became clear during the 1970s that measures needed to be taken in order to protect Norfolk's heritage - the ravages of the weather and the onslaught of tourists was beginning to take its toll. As a result over 5000 buildings became listed and large swathes of land protected. The Norfolk Broads is now the largest protected wetland in the United Kingdom. Rare insect species such as the Norfolk Hawker dragonfly thrive, while birds such as the Kingfisher and Greylag attract birdwatchers from far and wide. The natural splendour of the region is made more accessible by paths such as the Hoveton Great Broad Trail. Nature reserves like the Wildlife Centre at Ranworth Broad vividly exhibit the rich variety of wildlife that inhabits the area.

The waterways that criss-cross East Anglia still remain very popular amongst pleasure-seekers and water-sports enthusiasts. Altogether there are 30 Broads, threaded together by the River Bure and its tributaries. Other rivers such as the Wensey and Waveny offer some attractive, picturesque routes through the countryside and feed into Breydon Water - for long stretches, these waterways are actually set below the level of the surrounding countryside.

Towns such as Wroxham and Beccles seem to epitomise the character of the region. The old town of Beccles for example is a notable attraction and is dominated by a 97ft bell tower that dates back to the 14th century. The busy resort town of Great Yarmouth is a particularly popular destination with tourists, its piers and fairgrounds contrasting sharply with the wooded tranquility of nearby Horning.

The combination of natural beauty and human ingenuity make the Norfolk Broads one of the most intriguing, enchanting regions in the United Kingdom. Despite its popularity with tourists, people dedicated to the preservation of this wonderful region ensure that the influx of visitors does not have a detrimental effect on the natural surroundings and as a result Norfolk, like some of the best holiday regions, has something to offer everyone.

About the Author - John Dale travels extensively in the United Kingdom. Many of his accounts can be found on his site Cottages to rent which has a section providing details about Norfolk holiday cottages.

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