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Summer Activities and Events in Norfolk

Long sunny days, light evenings and six whole weeks of play – what’s not to love about the summer? Here’s just a few suggestions to help make your family's summer in Norfolk supersonic in 2023!

 

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Take a look at some of the great events and activities taking place in and around Norfolk for families this summer...

 

The Pumpkin House Maize Maze returns for 2023

Join The Pumpkin House at Thursford throughout the summer holidays from Wednesday to Sunday on 26th July for their much loved Maize Maize, this year designed in the shape of a tractor!

Everyone is given a map and children who collect all six stamps hidden around the maze can collect a prize. In addition, there will also be an array of family games to play including Welly Wanging, Tin Can Alley and their tractor tyre sandpits as well as their hay bale tower and the gator tractor circuit for under 5s.

Ice cream, hot and cold drinks and cakes will be available and dogs are welcome.

Parking is free and there is no need to book tickets

                                                 Find out more at www.pumpkinhouse.co.uk

 

Get creative this summer with SchooDoodle

When imagination leads the way, the possibilities are endless.

Join the special Family Craft Sessions on Thursday 10 and 24 August at John Lewis Norwich. Experience the magic of watching your children create something unique, special, and personal, while seeing their confidence and sense of achievement come alive! Recommended for ages 3 to 10 and costs £12 per child. Free parking included. Book now on Eventbrite.

SchooDoodle can also make your child’s birthday party fun and full of creativity with all-inclusive party packages tailored exclusively for you. Find out more at schoodoodle.co.uk

 

Outdoor Theatre at Hoveton Hall Gardens on Sunday 6th August

Strange Fascination Theatre return this summer with a brand new adaptation of Lewis Carroll's classic children's novel, 'Alice ~ Through The Looking Glass'.
Join a troupe of professional actors as they take you on a journey into the delightfully strange world of the Looking Glass! Full of colourful and funny characters, the story is told through original handmade puppets, audience interaction and comedy, with songs, jokes and all the whackiness and family fun audiences have enjoyed from the company in year's past!

The show is approximately 1 hour and 30 mins with a 20 min interval.
Suitable for all ages, from toddler to grandparents!

Tickets available now via hovetonhallestate.co.uk

 

Summer in Norfolk with the National Trust

Make the most of the longer days, warmer weather, and quality time together as a family with the National Trust’s Summer of Play, sponsored by Starling Bank. 

During the summer holidays, experience National Trust places in new and exciting ways, with a family-festival feel and designated areas jam-packed with outdoor games and experiences. Let imaginations run wild, perform on mini stages, or make wild art and music with nature’s materials. Get active with games including croquet, tennis and badminton, or get competitive with tug of war and egg and spoon races. What will you do first? 

In Norfolk, get active as a family at Blickling Estate – explore the estate on two wheels with cycle hire, or enjoy sports activities and games on the wide lawns.  At Felbrigg, discover nature with family tracker packs and learn a new skill with archery sessions. Oxburgh’s Summer of Play will have plenty to keep little ones entertained, with giant chess, croquet, orienteering and the sports day tent, packed with activities to create family games and races. Sheringham Park will also be in on the fun with daily family activities on offer. Climb to the top of Horsey Windpump for spectacular views of the Norfolk Broads landscape. An ideal spot for a family picnic, with activities throughout the summer to help you explore the local wildlife.

Find out what’s on at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/norfolk

 

So much fun to be had at Mattishall Golf Club

Pick up a putter, grab a score card and start putting your way around the 9-hole fun and challenging Indoor Mini Golf course. It’s sure to entertain you all; and don’t forget to take that all-important photo for the ‘gram on their floral photo wall before or after your game. Suitable for 5yrs+. The fun doesn’t stop there they have plenty of extra fun and games for you to enjoy, with the magic pond, dinosaur, skyscraper or nearest the pin games on their Trackman Simulators. As well as their function room which has been kitted out with a table tennis, pool table, bouncy castle and many more fun games.

More information can be found at  www.mattishallgolfclub.co.uk

 

Summer at Redwings!

Redwings Horse Sanctuary is excited to announce that its two Norfolk visitor centres will be open daily from 30th June through to 25th September.

Redwings Caldecott also has Adoption Star horses celebrating their birthdays with parties over the summer holidays too – and everyone is invited!

Redwings Caldecott near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

•              Sampson’s birthday party: Sunday 2nd July

•              The Gangsters’ birthday party: Sunday 30th July

•              Fox’s birthday party: Sunday 6th August

•              Noah’s birthday party: Sunday 20th August

•              Lily’s birtimghday party: Sunday 3rd September

Find out more at www.redwings.org.uk

 

Adventure into Chantry Place Norwich this summer

Have a safari good time at Chantry Place Norwich shopping centre this summer with a handful of exciting, free events for the whole family, including a safari trail, visits from Banham Zoo and Africa Alive, and arts and crafts sessions with Schoodoodle.

From Saturday 22nd July to Sunday 3rd September, Chantry Place will be home to 10 amazing animal sculptures including a lion, elephant and giraffe! Can you find them all?

Every Wednesday from 26th July will be ‘Wild Wednesdays’ which includes the free arts and crafts sessions, plus a discovery station and zoo-related puzzles and games.

For more information, please visit www.chantryplace.co.uk/news

 

Get creative at Dotty Pottery

Go and see Dotty Pottery this summer holidays for some pottery painting fun. They have lots of ceramics for you to choose from so why not take along your friends and family!

You can pre book your table online or if you’re feeling spontaneous just pop along on the day and they will do their  best to fit you in. (They do recommend booking in the school holidays)

They look forward to seeing you for some creative fun this summer…and don’t forget to take your discount voucher in this issue of the Primary Times when you visit.  Find out more at www.dottypottery.co.uk

 

 

10 Years of the Maui Waui Festival!

During August Bank Holiday this amazing music & performing arts festival held near Dereham attracts over 100 bands and includes circus, cabaret, theatre and light shows. Creativity, art and extravagant décor is at the heart of Maui Waui, ensuring that its 6 venues and many attractions really look the part.

There is a full weekend of free supervised kids activities including wacky racing, craft sessions, bouncy castles, bubble craft, storytelling and lots more. The festival has a special family camping area and quiet camping available and it is FREE FOR KIDS (13 and under). Day tickets are also available.

Visit: https://www.mauiwauievents.co.uk/ for more info.

 

 

Filling the streets of Norwich with FREE music and entertainment this summer

Bringing Norwich to life with fantastic music and street entertainment for the whole family to enjoy, Norwich Summer Sessions returns for its 10th year.

Running for six weeks on Sunday afternoons from 30 July – 3 September it features all the best local talent, performers from across the country, and brilliant street entertainers. The performances include street theatre from Covent Garden Entertainers, jazz, blues, world music, dance, and rock!

Take the family and enjoy some shopping, the local café scene and grab an ice cream whilst you are entertained for free this summer!

Find out more at www.norwichsummersessions.co.uk

 

Be A-Mazed this Summer at Hirsty’s

This year, the award winning Hirsty’s Family Funpark will be open from 20 July until 3 September. This summer, the maze will have a ‘Scarecrow’ theme to help keep the pesky crows away from the farm! Yet, there’s more to Hirsty’s than its maze, as there’s also a hay bale mountain, Hemsby Hill Slide, a football game, swings, trampolines, a tyre run challenge, Hirsty’s activity Combine Harvester, a zip wire, a new upgraded pedal

Go-Cart track and Farmyard Crazy Croquet. For very small visitors there is a sand pit, pedal tractors and new animal themed rockers. All this is covered by the entrance price. Once the children have exhausted themselves in the maze and play area, head on over to Hirsty’s Hunger Hut for some delicious food and refreshments. See www.hirstysfamilyfunpark.co.uk

 

Kids Go Free this August Bank Holiday Weekend at Bure Valley Railway

Families can round off the school summer holidays with an exciting journey by steam train, right here in the heart of the Norfolk Broads.  The Bure Valley Railway, based in Aylsham and Wroxham, is a nine mile trip through Norfolk countryside and is a great day out for all the family.

This August Bank Holiday weekend, from Saturday 26th to Monday 28th, up to two kids can travel for free on the railway when booked online with the discount code AUGBHKIDS23 at checkout.  To add to this weekend there will be a Live Steam Model Layout at Aylsham Station for visitors to enjoy.

Adult Return £19:00,  Extra Child Return £10.00.

Find out more at www.bvrw.co.uk          

 

Summer at Norfolk Wildlife Trust

Kids get free entry at Norfolk Wildlife Trust sites, and summer is the perfect time to explore our county’s fascinating wildlife.

From Cley Marshes on the north Norfolk coast to Hickling, in the heart of the Broads, NWT offers wild spaces with Visitor Centres, complete with refreshments, gift shops, picnic areas and even boat trips!

Head out on a wild wander, set sail from Ranworth or Hickling Broad to enjoy hidden views of our brilliant Broads or book in for NWT’s summer activities. From marvellous moths and fascinating fossils to tremendous trees and rockpool rummaging there is something for everyone.

Find out more at www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/summer

 

Explore Great Yarmouth with Yucky Yarns

Learn the gruesome history of Great Yarmouth on a Yucky Yarns walk with Jemima or Jeremy Black. Jemima and Jeremy are the keepers of the big book of Yarmouth’s Yucky Yarns and they will tell you all about the horrendous history that happened in Great Yarmouth. Hear gory stories and of ghastly goings on with pirates, graveyard antics and secret chests! Activity book included.

Starting at the iconic Great Yarmouth Minster, take a walk with their Guide to some historic places of interest, finishing at St Nicholas Primary School. The walk takes approximately 1 hour.

Booking is essential at www.heritage-walks.co.uk

 

CHILDREN’S FUN DAY AT PETER BEALES ROSES

The Children’s Fun Day at Peter Beales Roses has returned. A fun packed day full of crafts, activities, games on Wednesday 16th August, 10am to 3pm with guest visitors including Hogmedods Hedgehogs and RSPB.

Free entry and no need to pre-book!* Bring a picnic if you wish, to eat in their gardens.

*A small charge will apply for face painting

Visit www.classicroses.co.uk for further information.

 

 

Summer at Church Farm Stow Bardolph

Go and join in the exciting activities that are planned for Church Farm this summer holidays. On offer will be the ever popular Pig Racing! Vote for your favourite pig and then watch them run – the louder you cheer, the faster they go! There will also be the usual activities available, such as Animal Encounters, with a chance to hold and pet some of the animal residents at Church Farm, and learn more about them. Hourly tractor and trailer rides will also be running, giving visitors a chance to explore the outskirts of the farm.

Find out more at www.churchfarmstowbardolph.co.uk

 

 

Summer events at Banham Zoo/Africa Alive

Enjoy visits to Banham Zoo/Africa Alive this summer holiday with a series of exciting events

 

Two Zoos for the Price of One Until 30th September

Prebook your tickets to Banham Zoo and Africa Alive online and get a free return ticket to visit our other zoo

 

 

 

 

Wild Expeditions: Preserving Wild Futures: Until 21st July

Banham Zoo and Africa Alive

Cubs and Calves Trail, Tiger Cub Walkthrough, Science in Action Workshops

 

Wild Expeditions: Travel the World : 22nd July to 13th August

Banham Zoo and Africa Alive

See the World in a Day, Complete our Animal Passport, Embark on an Epic Zoological Safari

 

Wild Expeditions: Unearth the Past: 14th August to 30th September

Banham Zoo

Unlock the Mysteries of the Natural World, Extinction Trail, Dinosaur Ranger Experience

 

Wild Nights  at Banham Zoo: 29th July, 6th August, 12th August

Wild Nights at Africa Alive Reserve: 22nd July, 10th August, 19th August

Join in for three unforgettable evenings and embark on a wild night under the stars

 

Summer at Bressingham Steam Museum

 

It’s full steam ahead at Bressingham Steam Museum this summer. Bressingham is open daily over the summer holidays, with trains rides, gallopers, museum, gardens, and Café – Bressingham has something for all the family!

 

On top of their usual attractions, they also have a fun-filled events program. From a Fire Engine Rally with guest appearances from Fireman Sam and Paw patrol to their annual Steam in Miniature event, plus much more.

To see their full events program and for any more information, visit the website at www.bressingham.co.uk.

 

 

Norwich Puppet Theatre’s Youth Theatre

 

Norwich Puppet Theatre's Youth Theatres are expanding, with a new session for ages 13-15. Young Creatives offers fun, weekly classes in character work, storytelling and manipulation. As well as puppetry, participants will develop skills in voice, stagecraft, script, mime and other theatre mediums. There are also spaces for the new term of Junior Puppeteers, with sessions for 6-8 and 9-12 year-olds, focussing on puppet making and manipulation. All Youth Theatres take place on Saturdays during term time, with tickets working out at just £6-£8 per session.

Visit www.puppettheatre.co.uk for more information.

 

 

Join The Bug Parc in Lenwade for a great family day out.

 

Discover a world teeming with wonders, immerse yourself in an extraordinary adventure observing over two hundred different tropical minibeasts. Their captivating exhibits, engaging handling sessions  and knowledgeable staff will ignite your curiosity and deepen your appreciation for the smaller creatures that shape our lives. Their new larger playpark now features a jumping pillow and sand pit for visitors of all ages to enjoy! This unique zoo offers a one-of-a-kind experience for bug fans, nature lovers, and families alike. Embark on a bug-tastic journey at The Bug Parc!

Find out more at www.thebugparc.com

 

 

Summer at Norfolk Museums

Summer is a great time to visit, with all ten museums open across the county. From maritime heritage to fairground gallopers, and a gaol to a farm - there’s something to interest everyone. Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse is a particular treat during the summer - with a traditional farm, and woodland adventure playground as well as the workhouse museum, it’s a great day out whatever the weather. You can enjoy all ten museums at your leisure with a Norfolk Museums Pass – just pay once for a whole year of visits. Find out more at www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk

 

 

 

Family cinema in Norfolk for summer 2023

 

Free and low-cost things for families to do in Norfolk