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May Half Term and Spring Activities in Norfolk

 

There’s really no excuse for the kids to get bored this May, June and July as there’s a truly wonderful line up of events taking place week after week in Norfolk.

Fill those longer, warmer days with engaging hobbies, fun activities, healthy eating, holiday planning and exciting half-term events…

 

 

Everyone Active has kids’ activities covered

Are you looking for ways to tire the kids out during half term? Good news – your local Everyone Active leisure centre has you covered.

Everyone Active offers a wide range of activities to keep children entertained and active in a safe environment.

Three ways to help kids burn energy include:

Badminton – this is an ideal opportunity for the whole family to be active together. The rules are easy for kids to pick up and the varied movements give everyone a full body workout.

Swimming – not only do kids love to swim, it’s also a vital life skill. Swimming improves strength, flexibility and stamina and helps your child’s heart health.

Table tennis – an accessible and social sport which is fantastic aerobic exercise, table tennis is great for improving hand-eye coordination, reflexes and balance.

To find your local Everyone Active centre, visit everyoneactive.com/centre/

 

 

Dive into an amazing underwater world at SEA LIFE Hunstanton.

Along the way, you'll encounter some of the world's most incredible animals, including huge sharks, sassy seals, mysterious stingrays, playful penguins, thousands of tropical fish and much, much more.

Their team of friendly Rainforest Rangers are ready to show you some of their jungle beasties and when you visit their Rockpool you can even touch a starfish - WOW!

You can also visit Norfolk’s only seal rescue hospital to see their dedicated animal care team who rescue, rehabilitate and release many seals each year.

For event information and tickets please visit; visitsealife.com/hunstanton

 

 

5* Trip Advisor rating for this unique new zoo - BugzUK

BugzUK is a unique tropical invertebrate zoo where you can see huge millipedes, tarantulas, stick insects plus so much more with over 230 different species on show in purpose-built modern enclosures. Outside, there is a children’s play area, an undercover large sandpit and a super fun extra large jumping pillow.

Visitor reviews have been astounding, recommending that all ages will enjoy their day out at BugzUK. With a large café serving home cooked foods and a well-stocked gift shop there is so much to enjoy at BugzUK in Lenwade, Norfolk.

Find out more at www.bugzuk.com/parc

 

 

FREE entertainment live & outside in Norwich this summer

Norwich Summer Sessions is an exciting festival of music, dance, and street theatre, previously known as Head Out, Not Home. In its tenth year you can enjoy FREE entertainment every Sunday afternoon from 30 July – 3 September across five stages in the city centre, brought to you by Norwich Business Improvement District and produced by NORCA.

This year it revisits popular bands, features national bands, regional sensations and new emerging local talent. It also returns to London Street for the world-famous street theatre brought by Covent Garden Entertainment.

Find out more at www.norwichsummersessions.co.uk

 

All the fun of a Country Fair

With lots to do, see and enjoy for all the family, the place to visit this late May bank holiday is Hoveton Hall Gardens, near Wroxham. Their Country Fair has a host of activities suitable for all the family, including craft stalls, archery, Punch & Judy, soldier re-enactment displays, circus workshops, kids driving experiences, a fun dog show and craft making activities.  They will also have a range of delicious food stalls but feel free to bring your own picnics if you wish.

Hoveton Hall Gardens in May is well known for its spectacular displays of rhododendrons and azaleas, providing the perfect backdrop to this celebration of all thing’s country.

The fun starts at 10.30am each day and runs until 5.30pm.

No need to book just turn up on the day.

Normal garden admission fees apply, and more details can be found on www.hovetonhallestate.co.uk

 

Events at Bure Valley Railway

Nature By Rail. Get closer to nature around the railway this May half term, 27th May to 4th June 2023.

Every child will receive a free prize on completion of their I spy nature trail on the train journey.  Along with a decorated station, there will be colouring activities for the children in the Whistlestop Cafe at Aylsham and Woodland Lunch Boxes available to purchase (not included in ticket price).

Adult Return £19:00, Child Return £10.00 and Under 5’s travel free!  A discounted family ticket (2 adults + 2 children) is also available at £50.00.

Dad Goes Free Weekend. Travel with Bure Valley this Father's Day Weekend, 17th and 18th June 2023, for a family day out with Dad.  A Dad travels FREE with a full fare-paying adult (one free Dad per booking).  Pre-booking is essential for this offer.
Book online and add a Dad’s Go Free Ticket or all on 01263 733858 and request a Dad's Go Free Ticket  For something special, also treat your Dad to one of our pre-bookable traditional Afternoon Teas in the Whistlestop Cafe at Aylsham at £14.00 per person.

Adult Return £19:00, Child Return £10.00 and Under 5’s travel FREE. 

Trains will be running from both Aylsham and Wroxham Stations.

Book online at www.bvrw.co.uk

 

Wildlife in Wonderland at Pensthorpe

Escape to a wonderland for your senses. This May half-term, go to Pensthorpe and into a world of wonder and excitement! Our Wildlife in Wonderland trail is designed to stimulate all of your senses, and it's full of nods to the classic story of Alice in Wonderland. Whether you’re as fast as a hare or as calm as a caterpillar make sure to touch, smell, taste, see, and hear the natural world around you. So come join them for an adventure in the natural world! It's sure to be an experience you'll never forget. With free crafts, pond dipping and flamingo talks and delectable delights in the Courtyard Café there is something for everyone.

Find out more at www.pensthorpe.com

 

 

Something for all the Family at Norwich Theatre

Between 29 Aug – 1 Sep, Norwich Theatre will be hosting its annual Family Festival! The festival celebrates families of all shapes and sizes and will be a creative adventure like no other. Events will take place across at Norwich Theatre Playhouse, where you can tread the boards this summer and share in some fun, creative activities with your family.

On the Sat before the Family Festival, Norwich Theatre Royal and Stage Two are opening their doors for Norwich Theatre’s annual Open Day (26 Aug). This event is completely free and gives you a backstage pass to one of the largest theatres in the region.

Find out more at www.norwichtheatre.org

 

 

If it’s a Jurassic adventure you seek this summer, then it’s time to ROARR!

With dozens of dinosaur attractions and rides, including indoor and outdoor play, it’s the perfect action-packed family day out.

Climb, splash, swing and slide your way to memories that will last a lifetime. Plunge into Dippy’s Splash Zone, grapple the Predator High Ropes, experience a performance like no other in Dippy’s Theatre and step back in time within Valley of the Dinosaurs. Plus, with every ride and attraction included in your ticket price, you’ll be exploring all day long!

Book your next epic adventure: www.roarr.co.uk

 

 

 

May Half-term at Norfolk Museums

There’s so much to do throughout the school holiday – find out about Vikings at Lynn Museum, take part in The Anarchy at Norwich Castle or explore Gorgeous Gardens at Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse.

Visit Great Yarmouth where you can discover Mermaids at Time and Tide and Second World War bombs at Tolhouse Gaol or take part in Pattern Making at Elizabethan House. If you want to do it all, a Norfolk Museums Pass gives unlimited admissions to all 10 museums right across the county for a whole year.

Find out more about events and membership at www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk

 

 

Half term at Norwich Puppet Theatre

This half term, let Norwich Puppet Theatre take you on a dreamy adventure full of love, fairies, and ridiculousness with their brand-new version of A Midsummer Night's Dream. This sideways take on Shakespeare is suitable for ages 6+ and there will be Relaxed and BSL interpreted performances as well.

The Theatre has also got plenty for younger children to enjoy, including Little Chair Projects' playful version of the Princess and the Pea (3+). Indefinitearticles' Claytime (3+) is a play with clay, where young audience members can get hands-on to help create the story. And finally, Drew Colby will be performing his handshadow show, My Shadow and Me (4+).

For dates, times and prices, please visit puppettheatre.co.uk

 

Britannia Pier , Great Yarmouth

“A world of entertainment, the fun starts here”

The pier that has it all with something for the whole family. Amazing rides, Amusement arcades, delicious food and drink and lots of family entertainment.! Why not go see a show in their famous Britannia pier theatre, dance the day away with your little ones at one of their fantastic family discos, or win some great prizes in the arcades. You can meet some of your favourite characters on their special character meet and Greet events and see how high you can bounce on their super bungee trampolines . So much fun you will not want to miss it!

Check out their special events on the website: www.britannia-pier.co.uk

 

 

World Horse Welfare

World Horse Welfare is an international charity which strives to improve the horse-human partnership in all of its guises. Since being founded by Ada Cole in 1927, the organisation has improved welfare through hands-on care, research, education, and influence, and helps horses in need, horses in sport and leisure, and horses used in work and production.

With four Rescue and Rehoming Centres – in Aberdeenshire, Lancashire, Norfolk and Somerset – World Horse Welfare runs the UK’s largest equine rescue and rehoming scheme. On average, the charity takes in more than 300 horses and ponies each year and finds them loving new homes after their expert rehabilitation.

Find out more at www.worldhorsewelfare.org

 

Community health and care NHS is recruiting

Would you like to make a difference in your local community? Are you looking for a role that’s fulfilling and flexible around family life?

NCH&C provides community-based NHS health and care services to patients across Norfolk. They provide a range of services from their eleven community hospital and inpatient units, GP surgeries, medical centres, and in patients’ homes.

They are rated Outstanding by the CQC and pride themselves on their excellent working culture. They also offer excellent annual leave and pension packages.

Find out more about NCH&C and apply: wearenchc.nhs.uk

 

Get a home lead health check from Anglian Water

If your home was built before 1970 there’s a chance some of your pipes could be made from lead. Because they know parents want to make the best decisions for their little ones’ health, Anglian Water are offering free visits to homes with lead pipes. Over time drinking small amounts of lead can be harmful for pregnant women and children under ten, so why not take the chance to do a home lead health check. If you've got lead pipes, Anglian Water will let you know what you can do to reduce the chance of lead in your drinking water.

To find out how to check for lead pipes and if you do, how to book a free visit go to anglianwater.co.uk/leadfacts or call Anglian Water on 03457 070 3445.