Our Guide to Things to See & Do Near Barnham Broom
Exploring Norfolk
One of the nicest things about staying at Barnham Broom is that you can make your trip as relaxed or as adventurous as you like. You can happily spend a day on-site with the spa, golf and dinner, but if you fancy getting out and about, Norfolk gives you plenty of choice: historic city streets, wide skies and waterways, big coastal landscapes, and a food scene that’s properly worth planning around. Barnham Broom also positions itself as a base for exploring Norwich and the surrounding area.
This guide is designed to help you shape your itinerary without overplanning it. Pick a couple of “anchor” outings, leave space for slow mornings and unhurried meals, and you’ll get a Norfolk break that feels restorative rather than rushed.
A quick way to choose what suits your break
- Norwich for culture, shopping, markets and wandering
- The Broads for boat trips, wildlife and waterside pubs
- The North Norfolk coast for beaches, big skies and sea air
- Countryside walks for easy time outdoors between spa/golf and dinner
- Local food and drink for markets, producers and seasonal treats
Norwich is the closest “proper city day out” for many Barnham Broom guests, and it’s a brilliant way to add variety to your stay. Think: cathedrals and cobbled streets, independent shopping, relaxed café stops, galleries and museums, and the sort of wandering that doesn’t need a strict plan.
- Norwich Cathedral: Dominating the skyline with its spire, the cathedral’s Norman architecture and manicured cloisters offer peace amid the city’s bustle.
- Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery: Once a Norman fortress, it now hosts art, history, and interactive displays that bring local heritage to life.
- Elm Hill: This picturesque street of Tudor and Georgian timber homes is one of the most photogenic spots in England.
- The Norwich Lanes: A vibrant maze of mews filled with boutique shops, craft stores, and quirky cafés ideal for a lazy afternoon.
Cruise, walk or simply enjoy the Norfolk Broads
If you want your day out to feel calm, the Broads are the obvious choice. Boat trips are a classic way to experience the waterways, but you don’t have to be on the water to enjoy the atmosphere. Many visitors combine a gentle riverside walk with lunch somewhere overlooking the water.
The Broads National Park is a watery wilderness – England’s largest inland waterway network, with 124 miles of navigable routes through rivers, lakes, marshes, and reed beds.
- Boat trips & river cruises: Choose from leisurely outings to full-day trips exploring waterways and wildlife.
- Wildlife watching: Spot kingfishers, otters, swans, and diverse birdlife, including marsh harriers and rare bitterns.
- Open water and windmills: Iconic mills like Horsey Windpump and Thurne Mill dot the landscape, offering a glimpse into local history.
Head to the coast for a change of pace
Norfolk’s coastline is one of the county’s biggest draws, and it’s ideal when you want that wide-open, fresh-air feeling. A coastal day is easy to tailor: a long walk, a short stroll and a pub lunch, or a classic “beach and chips” sort of afternoon. Barnham Broom’s own guide references coastal towns as part of what guests often explore.
Wells-next-the-Sea
A charming harbour town nestled between Holkham beach and marshes, popular for its Georgian square and lively quay. Beach huts line the sands behind pine woodlands – ideal for family outings or romantic strolls.
Blakeney Point
A dramatic four-mile shingle spit famed for seal colonies and seabird habitats. Boat trips from Morston or Cley allow intimate wildlife viewing, with up to 500 seals in residence.
Cromer
Historic and lively, Cromer is known for its Victorian pier, fresh crab eateries, and scenic cliff-top walks – a classic Norfolk seaside experience.
Simple countryside walks near your stay
Not every “day out” needs to be a big plan. Many guests simply want a bit of time outdoors: a post-breakfast walk, a late afternoon wander, or a gentle loop before dinner. Norfolk is great for that, and it’s one of the easiest ways to make your break feel grounded and calm.
- River Yare & Wensum walking paths: Gentle riverside trails just steps from the hotel, ideal for dawn walks or evening strolls.
- Thetford Forest: A 40-minute drive offers deeper woodland trails, cycling courses, and family-friendly outdoor activities.
- Whitlingham Country Park: Lakeside spot for easy walks, paddling, and wildlife watching.
- Pensthorpe Natural Park: A celebrated nature reserve known for otters, bird hides, and riverside footpaths.
If your ideal trip involves good food, Norfolk won’t disappoint. Barnham Broom’s Norfolk guide calls out options such as Norwich Market and Wymondham Farmers’ Market as part of the local food-and-culture mix.
Markets are particularly good if you want something informal: pick up a few treats, browse, grab lunch, then head back to the resort for spa time or an early evening drink.
- Sandringham Estate: The Royal Family’s private Norfolk residence, offering access to gardens, exhibitions, and walking grounds.
- Bressingham Steam & Gardens: Featuring heritage locomotives, themed gardens, and seasonal events.
- Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts: University-based museum with modern art, sculpture, and visiting exhibitions.
- Banham Zoo: A conservation-centred park ideal for family-friendly wildlife encounters.
Active Trails: Cycling & Walking Routes
- Bure Valley Path: A scenic 9-mile trail following a heritage railway between Wroxham and Aylsham, perfect for leisurely cycling or walking.
- Wherryman’s Way: A 35-mile walking route tracing historic trading waterways through marshes, villages, and riverside pubs.
Why stay at Barnham Broom while you explore?
Having a comfortable base matters. Barnham Broom offers on-site facilities that make the “in between” moments feel like part of the holiday: a swim, sauna and steam room at The Edge, a spa treatment, or an easy dinner without having to go back out again.
Barnham Broom offers a boutique countryside haven with on-site spa, two championship golf courses, and comfortable rooms—set against a backdrop of 300 acres of rolling Yare Valley landscape. Its location makes it an ideal home base for discovering Norfolk’s best attractions—from castle to coast, forest to farmland, and city to sea.
That’s what turns exploring into a proper break: you can go out for a few hours, then come back to comfort and calm.
