Norwich Parks
Norwich City has lots of interesting
parks with events occurring particularly during the summer. More
information.
The visitor centre is open 9.00am -
6.00pm seven days a week.
The information desk is staffed 10.00am - 2.00pm and 2.30pm - 4.00pm (5.00pm in
July and August).
Tel 01603 617332
Parking at the Little Broad and outside the visitor centre: £1.20 for 2 hours,
£3.50 all day, £20 for the season.
Two miles from Norwich City Centre at Trowse
The "pay and play" sessions at the park are run by Norfolk Youth and
Community Service. Its instructors hire craft out by the hour, including canoes,
windsurfers and sailing dinghies. They are there daily through the school
holidays from 10am until 4pm weather permitting. Week-ends through most of September 1pm until 5pm
Cost for canoes: approx. £4.50 per canoe per hour.
Free car parking
This thriving country park has been
created from marshy farmland and now abandoned quarries
[excavated
to provide flint, chalk (burned to make lime in lime kilns) and materials for
Castle Mall and the A47 bypass]. It features a circular walk, two beaches, a
picnic meadow and a bird hide.
Your journey to the park can be a fun part of your day out. Why not board the river
bus, paddle your own canoe
or cycle here
on the national cycle route number one or catch a bus from City Centre Castle
Meadow, Bus numbers 58/58a) then walk along Whitlingham Lane (15 minutes) to the
park
The broad has been designed to include carefully graded shallows and reserves
for wading birds, as well as human water enthusiasts.
It provides excellent water-space for teaching water-sports and plenty of
chances to get afloat in non-motorised craft like canoeing , windsurfing or
sailing.
The broad is still being developed but already nature has moved in to claim it.
An important wildlife reserve, it's home to birds from tufted ducks to pochard,
teal and shovellers; dragonflies and butterflies. If your lucky you may spot a
kingfisher or an otter.
The park was once owned by the Colman family, famous local mustard manufacturers.
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Situated: On the A143
near Gt. Yarmouth (01493
488208)
Directions: From Norwich - A146 then B1136 then A143 towards Gt. Yarmouth
Open: Daily
10am until 5.30pm from 1st April to late September.
October Weekends and Half Term Week
Winter daily for Golf & Fishing
Fritton Lake is
one of the most beautiful stretches of water in East
Anglia. Extending over 2 miles from end to end and covering 150 acres.
Walk along its wooded banks or try a little fishing - its well stocked
with pike, bream and carp. You can also explore the lake from a rowing
boat or pedalo, or sit back and enjoy a guided tour in our
electrically powered boat.
Other
attractions include, 9 hole par 3, golf course and 18 hole putting
green, crafts and displays, holiday cottages, adventure playground,
miniature railway, heavy horse centre, waterfowl, restaurant and gift
shop.
All attractions are included in the admission price except miniature
tractors, miniature railway and pony rides.
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Gardeners Cottage Sheringham Park,
Upper Sheringham.
Tel: 01263 823778
Accessibility: 
Sheringham Park was designed in 1812 by
Humphry Repton, the great landscape gardener.
Spectacular views of coast and
countryside.
Magnificent
rhododendron collection - at best in late May to early June.
Viewing towers.
Wonderful walks all year round.
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Norwich Road, Aylsham NR11
6BW
Situated: See the 'Bitten Line' map
Tel: 01263
733858
Open: Late March to Late September and most of December (Tel
before travelling)
Website: www.bvrw.co.uk
Map: See 'Bittern Line'
A 15" gauge railway built in 1990 using mainly steam
operated locomotives. It runs for nine miles between Aylsham and Wroxham with
intermediate stations at Brampton, Buxton and Coltishall.
The Bure Valley Railway provides an
18 mile roundtrip - the longest on any narrow gauge preserved
line in East Anglia, giving passengers ample time to enjoy
some of Norfolk's unspoilt countryside. Situated within easy reach of Norwich and the coast.
Aylsham Station: * See the locomotive sheds and workshops in action - most times
* Meals and light refreshments at the 'Whistlestop Restaurant.
Why not combine a nostalgic journey by steam train with a cruise on the Norfolk
Broads.
Cycling? A nine mile cycle trail, traffic free running
alongside the railway. Cycle one way and catch the train back. Cycles available
at Wroxham and Aylsham. More information 01263 732935.
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The Station, Sheringham, Norfolk NR26 8RA
Situated: See the 'Bitten Line' map
Tel: 01263 820800
Website: www.nnrailway.co.uk
Open: February to December ( Telephone before travelling )
Map: See below 'Bittern Line'
The North Norfolk Railway or Poppy Line
run steam and diesel trains from Sheringham to Holt and return. From the comfort
of one of their Diesel units you can enjoy panoramic views of the countryside
and out to sea, or sit behind the driver and see how the train is operated
whilst enjoying the scenery.
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The
Bittern Line
(Linking Norwich to the Broads and the Coast)
National Railway Enquiries:
Tel: 08457 484950
Anglia Railways Tickets by Telephone: 08700 409090
Bicycles: trains can carry up to four bicycles.
book in advance or first come first served. Cost: £1 (valid for one day)
This scenic railway, part of the
National Railway Network, is some thirty miles long, connecting the city of
Norwich with the north Norfolk coastal towns of Cromer and Sheringham via the
Norfolk Broads at Salhouse, Hoveton and Wroxham. Its name recognises a special,
local bird which has a distinctive booming call - the Bitten
Cycling Guide: A
Cycling Guide is available which gives details and a route map of nine different
cycle rides from Bittern Line stations. It is available from Norwich Railway
Station, The Bure Valley Railway and The North Norfolk Railway. The Guide costs
£1 or is free when you book your bike on an Anglia Railways' train.
Walking: 'Off the Bittern Track' is a pack
of leaflets detailing walks from each Bittern Line station. It is available at
£2 per pack or is completely free when you purchase a railway ticket for the
Bittern Line.
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The Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust's Headquarters are
situated at Dereham Station
The Railway Station, Station Road,
Dereham, Norfolk NR19 1DF
Tel:
01362 851723 (Dereham Station)
Website: www.mnr.org.uk
Santa and Mince Pie rail-trip: Dec 2nd until Dec 24th (Dereham or Wymondham).
The Dereham to Wymondham Line with plans
to run from Dereham to the County School station via North Elmham.
The Mid-Norfolk Railway
runs through eleven miles of rural countryside, linking villages with the towns
of Wymondham and Dereham, acting as both a tourist attraction and a functional
railway.
The railway line passes through attractive countryside
including three river valleys and the pretty village of Thuxton. Yaxham and
Hardingham stations, although privately owned, have been tastefully restored and
have many original features.
The Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust's Headquarters are
situated at Dereham Station.
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Situated: In East Harling
next to the Church on B1111, 2 miles from A11.
Open: Daily from 10.30am to 6pm, Easter to October.
Winner
of Berwick Trophy, East Anglian Wine of Year 2000. Norfolk's
oldest surviving vineyard, Est.1969. Guided tour of vineyard,
gardens and grounds with wine tasting.
Wine and gift shop.
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Situated: 3 ½ miles NE of Reedham on N
bank of river Yare. Accessible by boat, or by footpath from Halvergate.
Tel: 01493 700605
Open: Apr to late October, daily 9am until 5pm.
Closed: 1 until 2pm
Enjoy one of the largest and best-preserved Victorian windmills
in Norfolk - you'll have a whole seven floors to explore! Built to grind cement,
its superb machinery is still fully operational.
The Mill remains open in 2002 whilst restoration of its sails
takes place.
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Great Bircham, Kings Lynn, Norfolk
Directions: 6 miles from Sandringham, 8 miles from
Hunstanton
Tel: 01485 578393
Standing in the heart of Norfolk's undulating fields, the
windmill now looks as it did over 100 years ago. At that time over 300 mills
ground corn for horse and cattle feed and bread making in Norfolk. Now very few
are left and Bircham Mill is considered on of the best remaining - it is the
only windmill in working order in the area open to the public. Many items of
interest are on the ground floor for visitors to see. When possible on windy
days the sails turn the milling machinery inside and visitors can climb the five
floors up to the fan stage.
Tea Rooms - The tea rooms which are Egon Ronay
recommended serves a selection of home made cakes, cream teas, sandwiches,
morning coffee and light lunches. The tea rooms are separate from the Mill, so
just come for tea - free parking adjacent.
The Bakery - The wonderful smell of freshly baked bread welcomes visitors
to the bakery which is attached to the mill building, it supplied the area with
bread made from the flour ground at the windmill. The 200 year old coal fired
oven is still here for you to see and was capable of baking 100 loaves at once
being 8 feet wide and 12 feet deep. People would walk for miles to obtain their
daily loaf. Many baking items are here for visitors to see.
Cycle Hire - Family cycle hire centre providing all types of cycles for
all ages. We give you routes to follow for one hour, two hour or all day.
The Stables - When the Mill was built horses were the only form of transport and
the miller and baker would deliver bread and flour by horse and cart. Ponies are
still kept at the Mill and there are lots of animals to see.
The Mill Garden - The Mill garden is a relaxing place to sit while the
children play, or wander amongst the sheep, goat and hens in the paddock.
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Downham Market, Norfolk, PW38 OEG.
Tel/Fax: 01366 384009
Open: April to Oct. Mon to Sat 10 till 5pm Sun 12 until 5pm.
Nov to Mar. Mon to Sat 10 till 4pm Sun 12
until 4pm.
Closed: 24th to 28th Dec and 1st Jan.
A wonderful working
windmill set on the edge of the fens in rural Norfolk.
Milling week-ends (wind permitting) (phone)
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Situated: Approx. 2 miles NW of Framlingham on A1120
Tel: 01728 685789
Open: Apr to late September, Mon to Sat, 10am until 6pm
1st to 31st Oct -
Mon to Sat, 10am until 5pm
Closed: 1 until 2pm
There has been a post mill at Saxtead Green since
1287. The present mill has just been refurbished and is in excellent
working order. Clamber up the wooden stairs, watch the mechanism turn
on its post to face the wind - and enjoy the audio tour which
describes the milling process.
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Church Road, Sutton, Norwich, Norfolk NR12 9SG
Situated: Between Cromer and Gt. Yarmouth A149 - A1151 from Norwich 15
miles.
Tel: 01692 580595
Website: www.suttonpottery.com
Open: Daily April to September, Monday to Friday 9am until 6pm
Closed: 1 until 2pm
Workshop open throughout the year.
Britain's Tallest Windmill.
A visit to
Sutton Mill the famous Norfolk landmark makes a pleasant trip into the
Norfolk countryside. Enjoy superb views of the surrounding country and
coastline from the top outside viewing gallery.
The historic corn mill was built over 200 years ago and was in use
until 1940. You can see the complete milling machinery, four sets of
millstones, sack hoist and nine floors. The corn milling machinery is
considered to be the finest in the area.
Museum
Items collected from everyday life over the past
few hundred years, with some rare and unusual items put together
during the last 40 years by serious preservers.
