Great Places To Visit

Fabulous Beaches, Wetland Habitats, and much more,....

There are many interesting and exciting places to visit within easy reach of Briningham.

Holkham beach at low-tide Top of the list has to be being ‘outside’ in Norfolk enjoying the big skies and open space. The obvious place to head is the beach. Norfolk has many beautiful beaches that are varied in their appeal… Holkham Beach is enormous – particularly when the tide is out. If you have a dog with you, they will be delighted with a visit to either Holkham or a little further round the coast to Brancaster. Both beaches welcome dogs all the year round and parking is easy. I highly recommend a visit to either of these beaches and in my mind the more blustery the day – the better! Both beaches are in easy reach of some very good pubs – The Victoria at Holkham, or the The Jolly Sailors at Brancaster, amongst others.

Still following the outside theme – if you are interested in birds – Briningham is a perfect spot to be based. Locally there are a number of interesting birds to be seen – many of which can be viewed whilst walking around the private walks on the Home Farm, to which you have access while staying at Canfers Barn or Bayses Barn,

Neil Glenn, author of “Best Birdwatching Sites in Norfolk” says:

“Norfolk is rightly regarded by birdwatchers as the best county to visit in Britain to see birds. The real beauty of Norfolk is that there is a mouth-watering variety of bird species to admire, no matter what time of year you choose to come. From the spectacle of thousands of Geese in winter, the wonder of migrating species in spring and autumn to the array of breeding Waders and Warblers, you are guaranteed to see something special during your time in this very special county.”

Within easy driving distance..

Blakeney Point – a shingle spit running west from Cley, protecting Blakeney from the sea. Abundant wildlife, seal colony, boat trips from Morston. More info National Trust.

Brancaster Staithe Nature Reserve – a large area of coastal habitat, particularly noted for birdlife.

The National Trust looks after an extensive area of saltmarsh, intertidal mud and sandflats, the site of the Roman fort of Branodunum and Scolt Head Island.
A private ferry runs from Burnham Overy Staithe (weather permitting) taking visitors to the National Nature Reserve on Scolt Head Island, managed by English Nature. It is an important breeding site for four species of Tern, Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover.

Pensthorpe – near Fakenham, is a centre for wildfowl set in 500 acres of beautiful countryside. There are miles of peaceful nature trails to explore through ancient fen meadows, woodland and a superb series of lakes. Pensthorpe is home to Europe's finest collection of waterfowl including endangered exotic waterfowl from around the world, and is also the home of BBC Springwatch for 2008 and 2009.

Stately Homes and Gardens – are in abundance in Norfolk – Sandringham, Blickling, Holkham, Houghton, Oxburgh, Felbrigg – all within easy reach of Briningham.

Family Attractions – obviously (to me anyway!) the beaches are one of the great family attractions in Norfolk, particularly on a warm sunny day in Summer.

Wells at low-tide If the weather is not so great, there are still some relatively inexpensive, but fun experiences to be had – crabbing – on the approach of high tide at Wells, Burnham Overy Staithe or Blakeney, just buy a couple of crab lines, a net and a bucket and see how many you can catch and then crab race them back into the sea!

Visiting the seals at Blakeney Point from Morston or Blakeney is also a trip not to be missed – one that is relatively inexpensive and not necessarily weather dependent – I have been out to see the seals in January- one of the best times to go – because you get to see the pups!

Norwich Castle Museum There are many other exciting places to visit – The Dinosaur Adventure Park, Bewilderwood, Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens, Doodle Pots in Holt, Thursford Spectacular (at Christmas), Extreeme Adventure, Norfolk Shire Horse Centre, Pensthorpe, Sealife Centre at Hunstanton, Snettisham Park, Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, Norwich Castle…..are just a few of the places to head to.


Please thumb through the various brochures to give yourself some ideas of what to do.

Some of the attractions etc are shown on the ordanance survey map in the hall with the corresponding numbered and coloured flags below.

Alby Crafts
Bewilderwood
Blakeney Point
Blickling Hall
Bure Valley Railway
Burnham Thorpe – birthplace of Nelson
Cromer Lifeboat and Museum
Cromer Museum
Doodle Pots, Holt
Felbrigg Hall
Glandford Shell Museum
Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse
Henry Ramsey Upcher Lifeboat
Holkham Beach
Holkham Hall
Holt Country Park
Houghton Hall
Norfolk Lavendar
Norfolk Nelson Museum
Norfolk Shire Horse Centre
Mannington Hall
Pensthorpe Nature Reserve
Priory Maze and Gardens
RAF Air Defence Museum
RNIL Henry Blogg Museum
Sandringham House
Sculthorpe Moor Community Nature Reserve
Seals at Blakeney Point
Sheringham Museum
Sheringham Park
Sheringham Park
The Thursford Collection
Time and Tide Museum
Wells Beach

www.norfolkruralcottages.co.uk