Holiday rentals in Norfolk

Renowned for its scenic Broads, Norfolk is a patchwork of traditional fishing villages, windswept beaches, grassy marshes, and winding waterways under big skies. The second wealthiest city in the country at the turn of the 18th century, Norwich is Norfolk’s only city and home to a striking Romanesque cathedral with over 900 years of history and a collection of around 30 medieval churches. King’s Lynn draws visitors to its open-air markets, while sweet Cromer crabs are famous throughout the United Kingdom and beyond.

Coastal ingredients loom large here, from salty samphire to indulgent Brancaster oysters. Spot traditional windmills along the tranquil riverbanks, hop on a boat for some excellent birdwatching, or take a leisurely stroll around the Georgian towns of Burnham Market and Holt. Norfolk is one of the least populated counties in England, with huge swathes of shoreline, tidal streams, and secluded coves ripe for exploring and some of the most important wetland areas in Europe.

The warmer summer months bring families to the county’s pretty seaside towns to enjoy picnics on the sand — look out for swathes of sea lavender on the salt marshes — while Norwich’s narrow streets fill up with students in late September as they return to their classes at the University of East Anglia. Popular coastal activities range from flying kites as the autumn winds blow in to traditional performances at the Pavilion Theatre at the end of Cromer Pier all year round. As temperatures dip, crisp winter days attract birdwatchers to Norfolk’s wildlife-rich waterways, walkers to the sweeping beaches, and foodies to the fireside at traditional pubs. The county’s famous crab is in season between March and October, so look out for fishermen’s stalls and huts on the shoreline.

Coastal Blakeney

Grab a fresh crab sandwich from a waterfront stall in Blakeney, less than 15 minutes from the Georgian market town of Holt. Historically a busy port, the village is now home to small independent shops run by generations of the same family and pretty stone cottages. Follow one of the footpaths along the sea wall for a commanding view of the sweeping salt marshes.

Thetford Forest

Around 45 minutes’ drive from the city of Norwich, Thetford Forest is a tangled mix of heath and pine on the border with north Suffolk. This peaceful pocket of towering trees is Britain’s largest lowland pine forest, spanning over 18,000 hectares and offering plenty of shaded walking routes, cycling trails, and horse-riding paths to explore.

Explore stately homes

Norfolk’s grand estates have been home to Tudor queens, world-famous scientists, and renowned sculptors. From the manicured topiary of Blickling Hall to the stained glass windows at Felbrigg Hall, there are centuries of history to soak up in ornate libraries, gilded portrait galleries, sun-dappled orangeries, and walled kitchen gardens.