Things to do in North Norfolk during January, February, March and April Things to do in North Norfolk in January, February, March and April

There’s plenty to see and do in North Norfolk during the earlier months of the year if you fancy spending a few hours outdoors instead of cooped up inside by the fire.

The coastal area of North Norfolk is desgnated an Outstanding Area of Natural Beauty (AONB). It certainly lives up to this description with it’s big open skies and glorious beaches. There’s plenty to see and do in Cromer if you’re staying at North Cottage Cromer (also check our special offers page). While away the morning wandering along the winding lanes of shops and cottages. These were once home to the many fisherman – those pioneers who first started the tourist boom renting out their spare rooms, long before Airbnb or the wealthier families who bought or built large holiday homes here.

You can go crabbing off Cromer pier too. Buy a net and bucket from the pier shop (we provide nets and buckets for our guests) or if you fail with the crustaceans catch a show at the Pavillion Theatre – there are many weekend specials as well as the famous variety shows during the summer and Christmas.

It’s always surf season at Cromer and the Glide surf school offers lessons and equipment hire from right on the prom near the Pier. If the waves aren’t favourable try stand-up paddleboarding or take a lesson.

Here for the walking? Cromer ‘welcomes walkers’ says the sign at the town entrance. You can set off along the well signed coastal path and see where you end up, if you’re too tired to walk home you could always catch the bus back with the Sanders coast hopper. There are plenty of ideas to encourage you to get your walking boots on at the link below for Walk Cromer.
North Cottage Cromer https://www.northcottagecromer.co.uk
Walking https://walkcromer.co.uk/stay/
Sanders Coast Hopper https://sanderscoaches.com/coast-hopper-information
Cromer Pier https://www.cromerpier.co.uk
Glide Surf School https://glidesurfschool.co.uk

You won’t readily tire of things to see and do in Cromer but if you fancy straying further afield here are some of our favourite days out.

See the Seals at Horsey Gap

Winter in North Norfolk has its own special attractions before the darker months give way to Spring. In January there are still some seals to see at Horsey Gap. Hundreds of grey seals come ashore to give birth to their pups on the dune fronted beach. Norfolk’s is among the biggest seal colonies in the UK. The pups stay ashore until they develop enough fur to take to the water.

When visiting the seals at Horsey look out for the special car park and guided walkways through the dunes. Wrap up warmly (it can be cold) and take a flask of hot chocolate as a treat. More helpful information about visiting the seals safely and respectfully can be found here:
Horsey Seals https://www.friendsofhorseyseals.co.uk/visit/

Hunt for fossils along the Deep History Coast

The 22 mile (36km) stretch of coastline between the seaside village of Weybourne and Cart Gap near Happisburgh has been named the Deep History Coast. Part of a fossilised mammoth skeleton was found at East Runton in December 1990 after a storm dislodged part of the cliff. An archeaological dig later revealed the full fossilised Steppe Mammoth skeleton – the best example found anywhere in the world to date. Fossilised mammoth teeth can be found on the beach today if you’re very lucky.

Download the Deep History Coast app to help identify things to look out for. Start anywhere you like along the route. There are 11 discovery orientation points along the route. North Cottage Cromer is proud to be an ambassador for the Deep History Coast. We have a small collection of our own finds on display for guests to encourage you to look out for your own. We don’t have a mammoth yet, but we do have what we believe to be a fossilised mammoth tooth!

Safety tip – walk and search for fossils away from the very foot of the cliffs as they can be unstable and collapse – especially after heavy rain.

You can download the Deep History Coast app and locate the Discovery points using this link to Visit North Norfolk (We’re proud to be members, there’s lots of other excellent ideas here):
Deep History Coast https://www.visitnorthnorfolk.com/deep-history-coast/discovery-trail

See what you can find along Norfolk’s Deep History Coast by downloading the app

Spy the migrating birds at Cley Salt Marsh

One of our favourite things is to walk through the salt marsh at Cley along the trail overseen by The Norfolk Wildlife Trust. We once saw an otter here which was spellbinding and very exciting. There are some shelters where you can rest and watch the birds including the exotic Lapwings and Avocets, a Marsh Harrier and the Barn Owl hunting at dusk – all of which we saw in December as well as migrating geese and many ducks.

The trail leads out onto the steeply inclined pebble beach and from there you can complete a wide loop back through Cley or simply walk back along the trail path. Allow a couple of hours to do the full loop. There’s a visitor centre with car parking (at a charge) information about what to look for and tickets to the paid trails and hides, a cafe, toilets and gift shop too. More details here:
Norfolk Wildlife Trust https://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife-in-norfolk/nature-reserves/reserves/cley-and-salthouse-marshes

Holkham Hall (photo courtesy Visit North Norfolk)

Snoop inside Historic Homes

Norfolk was once home to some very rich landowners who built some amazing properties. There are some you can still visit today including the spectacular Holkham Hall (still in private ownership) located close to the equally famous sweeping Holkham Beach.

The National Trust safeguards two more imortant properties for the nation at Felbrigg and Blickling – both within easy reach of Cromer. The National Trust describe Blickling as a ‘Treasure House’ it was gifted to the nation complete with all its contents so you can still see a few of the rooms in all their glory.

Felbrigg has slightly more rooms open for public viewing, both houses are fascinating to visit. Felbrigg also has very well planted walled gardens. Links including admission charges and opening hours here:
Holkham https://www.holkham.co.uk
National Trust Blickling https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/norfolk/blickling-estate
National Trust Felbrigg https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/norfolk/felbrigg-hall-gardens-and-estate

The market town of Holt with its grand Georgian architecture

Mooch the many market towns

There are no fewer than three market towns well worth a visit all within easy reach of Cromer. The original medieaval town of Holt was destroyed by fire and replaced with a streets of grander Georgian buildings you can see today. There are many independent shops and tea rooms along with the heritage railway station where steam trains to Sheringham still operate at certain times. A Sunday market operates first Sunday of the month April to December (check link below before visiting).

Unlike Holt North Walsham (Thursday) and Aylsham (Monday and Friday) still hold weekday markets in the town centre. From the 1300’s Aylsham was renowned for its textiles including wool and linen. North Walsham is originally an Anglo Saxon settlement and has held a market since 1275 by Royal Charter of Henry III. The town became famous for high quality wool yarn produced at nearby Worsted.

From North Walsham you can also visit nearby Dilham canal and walk along parts of the towpath which is being restored by volunteers. Vintage boat trips are availbable by appointment. See more at the links here:
Dilham Canal https://nwdct.org
Holt Sunday market https://loveholt.com/hsm-home
North Walsham market https://nwtc.org.uk/responsibilities/market/
Aylsham market http://discoveraylsham.org

Board a vintage steam train

The famous North Norfolk Railway – The Poppyline – runs vintage steam train excursions from Sheringham to Holt through spectacular countryside at certain times of the year. There are a couple special events in January and a February half term timetable before the season gets underway at the begining of April. There are many special events and even themed dining trains throughout the year.

Another popular steam railway is The Bure Valley Railway from Aysham to Wroxham on the Norfolk Broads. Journey time is 45 minutes. The vintage narrow guage railway offers Tedy Bear Express weekend tickets during February half term and more excursions in March and an extensive service from April.
North Norfolk Railway – The Poppyline https://www.nnrailway.co.uk
The Bure Valley Railway https://www.bvrw.co.uk

We’ve written about some other ideas for things to do in Norfolk here:

https://www.northcottagecromer.co.uk/things-to-do-in-north-norfolk-during-january-february-march-and-april/
https://www.northcottagecromer.co.uk/things-to-do-in-north-norfolk-during-december-christmas-new-year/
https://www.northcottagecromer.co.uk/why-we-love-to-spend-our-holidays-in-norfolk/

Whatever time of year you decide to visit North Norfolk there’e always plenty to see and do.

Don’t forget to check our special accommodation offers.

We’d love to welcome you to North Cottage Cromer.
https://www.northcottagecromer.co.uk/special-offers/
https://www.northcottagecromer.co.uk