We may be totally biased but Norfolk is a truly beautiful part of the country, and there isn’t much Norfolk doesn’t have to offer. Wildlife, stunning beaches, lush forests, and history and culture, take your pick you can find it.
We love to welcome families to West Lexham for adventure holidays with the kids and although there is so much for you to explore here on site we wanted to share some of our favourite places that are not too far away and offer a fabulous adventure day out so you can see the best of Norfolk during your stay with us.
Here is our list of fantastic family-friendly (and some dog friendly) places to visit and things to do in Norfolk
1. Castle Acre
Just 2.2 miles from West Lexham, Castle Acre is a great day out for the family. It is a rural village full of history. The village is best known for its Castle and Cluniac Priory ruins, founded soon after the Norman conquest. The Castle is free to explore and a great spot for letting the kids run around, a picnic, and is dog friendly. The Cluniac Priory, an English heritage site, does need to be pre booked and is chargeable but a great experience with so much to learn. Castle Acre is situated on the River Nar so has some picturesque walks, with some spots for wild swimming, as well as a ford for playing poohsticks and a little paddle. From the ford you have views of the cluniac priory and beautiful meadows.
Castle Acre recently received a grant for £100,000 for a new childrens playground and this opened in August 2020, and it’s well worth a visit.
There is a tea room; Barnfields (be sure to check the opening times before you visit as they can be a bit hit and miss), and a pub; The Ostrich.
You could walk or cycle to Castle Acre, but you do need to cross the A1065. From Castle Acre you could make a bigger walk on to West Acre along the Nar Valley way.
2. ROAR Dinosaur park
What could be better than a day walking with dinosaurs? Add in Dippy’s Splash Park and the Predator High Ropes you’re set for a great adventure filled day out. Wander into the woods for the dinosaur trail with life size models, take a stroll through the Neanderthal Trail to see what you can discover, and explore the secret animal garden.
You will need to pre book this day out.
Approximately a 30 minute drive from West Lexham
3. Pensthorpe Natural Park
At Pensthorpe there is fun for all the family. Immerse yourself in the 700 acre nature reserve compromising wetlands, farmland, woodlands, gardens and one of the largest wildflower meadows in Norfolk. This natural haven is the home to 1000 bird, plant and wildlife species, and two amazing eco-play areas for the kids.
Pre book to ensure entry, and unfortunately your four legged friend will have to stay home for this one.
Approximately a 25 minute drive from West Lexham
4. Sandringham Estate
Sandringham is the much loved estate of Her Majesty the Queen. Explore the House and Gardens but you will need to pre book tickets for this.
The Estate has 140 acres of country park to explore, and is open daily throughout the year. Enjoy the nature trails, and additional woodland trails, for a walk with the kids and dog. Explore Gruffalo woodland dens, the sculpture trail and the childrens adventure play area. Finish off with a visit to the cafe for a coffee and ice cream. With many events on throughout the year be sure to check out their website before you visit.
Approximately a 20 minute drive from West Lexham
5. BeWilderwood
Approximately a 40 minute drive from West Lexham
Lose yourself in this curious treehouse adventure day out for the whole family (dogs excluded). Follow your little ones through the award winning forest of family fun and outdoor adventure with treehouses, zip wires and jungle bridges. There are boat trips, marsh walks and storytelling with the Crocklebogs, Twiggles and Boggles. The park was created based on the book ‘A Boggle at BeWILDerwood’, a local children’s author Tom Blofield and will truly capture your imagination. Open from February to November half-term we recommend pre booking for this adventure.
Approximately a 50 minute drive from West Lexham
6. High Lodge
High Lodge is a great fun filled adventure day complete with archery, Gruffalo trails, childrens adventure play areas, woodland walks, cycling, Go Ape, trampolines, pony rides and forest segways. Fun for kids of all ages, and your four legged friend you will be sure to get back to nature and explore your senses.
Approximately a 50 minute drive from West Lexham
7. Wells-Next-The-Sea
We have another blog that is our recommendations for the beautiful beaches of Norfolk however Wells-next-the-sea is so much more than just a beach we felt the need to feature it twice. It is probably one of the loveliest towns on the Norfolk coast.
You can easily spend a few days exploring Wells-next-the-sea with its cobbled streets lined with independent shops, cafes and restaurants. The harbour is always full of boats and children crabbing. There is a great children’s playground, and miniature railway (check operating times before you visit) which takes you on the mile long walk alongside the harbour down to the beautiful sandy beach lined with coloured beach huts. The sandy beach is bordered by pinewoods so you can have the best of both worlds walking through the woods and out over onto the beach. Explore the woods a little and you’ll find a couple of rope swings too.
The beach is dog friendly after the beach huts. It is all signposted from the Beach cafe taking you through the pinewoods and then up and over the steps out on to the beach.
Wells-next-the-sea is approximately a 30 minute drive from West Lexham
8. Other days out to considerNorfolk has so many wonderful places to explore so be sure to check out https://www.visitnorfolk.co.uk/ for so many ideas.
The West Lexham Garden Kitchen | Unique and magical glamping | New event spaces | Group accommodation | Wild swimming | Kitchen Garden | Sanctuary Garden | Lakeside walks | Chalk Stream | Abundance of wildlife | Naturally filtered swimming pool open May to September and much much more …
You can only truly understand the magic once you have immersed yourself in West Lexham.
West Lexham Manor
Nr. Kings Lynn
Norfolk, PE32 2QN
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