2025 May-June with a Norwich base

Don’t forget to go to the Broads, they’re wonderful. You can take boat tours at several broads to experience them and the bird life. Wroxham is central and very busy, Hickling or Horsey are quieter and feel almost secret, Horning is full of Arthur Ransome references, if you know his books.

Don't miss the preserved railways too. The North Norfolk Railway (Poppy Line) is a favourite with teh family. Holt is delightful and well worth spending some time in. Do follow the Owl trail there. At the other end of the line is Sheerringham, another delightful small place.

Don't forget Sandringham House - well worth a visit and you could easily spend a day there. There are a couple of nature trails to follow too. Have a look at this one.

Do go for a cuise on th Broads - a wonderful way to relax. There are lots to choose from.

For historical sites - ideas here. Definitely consider Grimes Graves, a neolithic flint mine!

I spent 10 days based in Norwich. These places are worth seeing in my opinion:>
Blickling Hall, Oxburgh Hall, Cromer, Wells Next the Sea, Sandringham which can be combined with King’s Lynn & Hunstanton.

Woodbridge combined with Aldeburgh and Thorpness. Southwold, Lavenham, Ickworth Hall, Kentwell Hall.

I’d add Ely and Walsingham to the list

I don't know if you are aware of the Greater Anglia ranger and rover tickets which are good value- https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/tickets-fares/discounts/rangers-rovers

Note the further discounts if you happen to have any type of National Railcard, or a couple of the Ranger tickets even have a Senior Version which does not need a Senior Railcard, for anyone of that age.

Greater Anglia has invested a large amount of money over the last few years in a lot of modern trains.

At Sheringham the modern trains and the steam trains meet at the same station. There is also Cromer to visit, and the famous Cromer Crabs.

No one has mentioned Lowestoft either- the most easterly town in the UK- https://www.discoverlowestoft.co.uk/information/

As for Great Yarmouth there is a lot of narrow mindedness in some quarters. It remains a very popular seaside resort as it has been for over 100 years. Not everyone likes the same thing. In some ways it is a bit like Blackpool- an immensely popular holiday town, but not without it's problems, which has a distinctly rough round the edges feel in places. Life is not all chocolate box images and roses round the door.

Thank you all for so many towns and sites to visit. We’ll get busy with maps and make grouped lists! I thought Sandingham might be too far but now I see that we can easily reach it for a day trip and maybe some other towns while we are in the area. (I said whilst when I was typing the previous sentence so I think I’m getting into the research already)! I wasn’t aware of the Broads and the Ransome connection but we’ll be sure to go to different towns in this area too.

I’m especially grateful for the specific train and ticketing option as this always bewilders me with the many options. It’s always good to know where to start and what you can layer on for ticketing.

I apologize for passing along forum search history about a town I haven’t seen yet. And to have used a word like tackiness wasn’t appropriate. We have our coastal towns with amusements too but I’d prefer to find towns with little harbors or marshy birding areas instead of carousels, casinos and saltwater taffy stands but I know towns with those amenities are a lot of fun for many. Thanks for point us to other possibilities. All of your knowledge is appreciated. I know that 3 weeks will be a good start to have a look at East Anglia.

We spent a few days in mid September 2001 staying at Hengrave Hall while regrouping our study semester and couldn’t travel forward. There was a day trip planned to Norwich but I ended up staying with a hospitalized student in Bury St Edmunds so I didn’t see much outside of the country house, taxi and hospital walls. Really looking forward to delving into this area’s nature, towns and history.

marshy birding areas

Check out this website for some ideas. Cley Marshes would seem to be top spot for what you want...

Thank you for the link to some birding areas nearby. I’m so glad we get to spend a good amount of time as visitors in this rich in history and nature part of England. All of these places and tips are much appreciated.

Greater Anglia has invested a large amount of money over the last few years in a lot of modern trains.

Strongly influenced by the implementation of all those new trains, Greater Anglia has just been named Passenger Operator of the Year at the National Rail Awards 2024

For you bird watchers and twitchers

Snettisham Beach - north of Sandringham on the west coast of Norfolk - has been very successful this last breeding season in protecting the globally endangered Ringed Plover. BBC story - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvglr46n734o

Nigel that’s good news to hear about the East Anglia network’s recent award. Also thanks for the link to the coastal birding area up north in case we get to Sandringham..