Norfolk


<p>Let’s be honest: not all family walks are created equal. The wrong route and you’re dealing with tired legs, snack negotiations and dreaded declarations of “I’m bored” before you’ve even hit mile one. Fear not. We’ve rounded up 10 brilliant local walks that actually work for kids, with space to roam, things to spot and just enough adventure to keep everyone smiling. Boots on, snacks packed &#8211; let’s go!</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.forestryengland.uk/high-lodge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>High Lodge</strong></a><strong>, Thetford</strong> Forest</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/1-5.jpg" alt="Family with wooden Gruffalo at High Lodge in Thetford Forest" class="wp-image-41693" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/1-5.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/1-5-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/1-5-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/1-5-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>When it comes to getting outdoors as a family, Thetford Forest’s High Lodge is hard to top. Grab a leaflet at the visitor centre and track down the 12 Gruffalos hiding in the woods, or take on the short one-mile nature trail, which ends at a wildlife-spotting hide. Toddlers can head for the sand play area while older kids run free on the pyramid tower and giant seesaw. Refuel with a muffin and mocha at the café.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><a href="https://www.visitthebroads.co.uk/things-to-do/walking-and-cycling/walking/product-detail?listing=3&amp;key=710671" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Burgh Castle</a> Roman Fort, Burg</strong>h Castle</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="600" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/Burgh-Castle.jpg" alt="Burgh Castle" class="wp-image-41248" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/Burgh-Castle.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/Burgh-Castle-800x480.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/Burgh-Castle-768x461.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/Burgh-Castle-875x525.jpg 875w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>When the whole gang is in tow, simple is usually best. Enter Burgh Castle walk – a pretty easy, flat jaunt to the ancient ruins of a Roman fort (great for inspiring young history buffs), which is fab for little legs and pushchairs. It’s a 1.5-mile route with a viewpoint and benches which ends by <a href="https://www.thefishermansinn.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Fisherman’s Inn</a>, where you can grab a table overlooking the river for lunch with a view. If it’s too far for the kids, you can skip the pub and circle back at the fort.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.pastonfootprints.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Paston heritage walk</strong></a><strong>, Paston</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/08/245443782_404283004733721_2260107177362847933_n.jpg" alt="child running in grass at Paston Norfolk" class="wp-image-55352" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/08/245443782_404283004733721_2260107177362847933_n.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/08/245443782_404283004733721_2260107177362847933_n-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/08/245443782_404283004733721_2260107177362847933_n-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Brush up on all things Paston by taking on one of the village’s heritage walks. There’s a four-mile circular trek, plus a shorter, less ambitious one, which takes in pretty Paston village and a play park. <a href="https://www.pastonfootprints.co.uk/activitiesforchildren" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Explorer Hunt</a> activity will keep them busy on the way, along with the promise of spotting the world’s fastest animal (bet they know it’s a peregrine falcon, even if you don’t!).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salhouse-broad-salhouse"><a href="https://www.salhousebroad.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Salhouse Broad</strong></a><strong>, Salhouse</strong></h2>



<p>Catch Salhouse Broad on a sunny day and you’ll feel like you’re on vacay. Stroll around the gorgeous broad, bird- and boat-spotting as you go, stop at the adventure playground and, if you’re there after sunset, star gaze on its new Discovery Hub viewing platform. There’s also the charming Hungry Otter food van for a bite to eat and toilets at the car park. Practical and picturesque – what’s not to love?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-art-trail-norwich-nbsp"><strong><a href="https://www.visitnorwich.co.uk/article/discover-urban-art-in-norwich/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Urban Art Trail</a>, Norwich&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/08/Urban-Art-Norwich-6-credit-VisitNorwich-2048x1365-1.jpg" alt="mural in Norwich as part of the city art trail" class="wp-image-55354" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/08/Urban-Art-Norwich-6-credit-VisitNorwich-2048x1365-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/08/Urban-Art-Norwich-6-credit-VisitNorwich-2048x1365-1-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/08/Urban-Art-Norwich-6-credit-VisitNorwich-2048x1365-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: <a href="https://www.visitnorwich.co.uk/article/enjoy-a-cultural-city-break-in-norwich/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">VisitNorwich</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>If you’re up for a walk but not in the mood for a full-on ramble in wellies, the <a href="https://norwichbid.co.uk/project/urban-art/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Urban Art Trail</a> in Norwich will do the trick. Go at your own pace and take a leisurely mooch between the nine jazzy murals (and 12 smaller ones on the market). There’s no end of parking, pavements, toilets and lunch joints along the way.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pensthorpe-fakenham"><a href="https://pensthorpe.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Pensthorpe</strong></a><strong>, Fakenham</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/Pensthorpe.jpg" alt="Kids splashing through puddle on walk at Pensthorpe" class="wp-image-41241" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/Pensthorpe.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/Pensthorpe-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/Pensthorpe-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/Pensthorpe-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Pensthorpe’s whole vibe is family fun, so it’s ideal for a walk with little ones. Set over a whopping 700 acres, you can saunter through its five gardens before exploring the snazzy adventure playground WildRootz (or indoor zone Hootz House) so the kids can burn off some extra energy. There&#8217;s also themed trails to bomb round, this February half term it&#8217;s all about the <a href="https://pensthorpe.com/events/pensthorpe-winter-olympics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winter Olympics of Nature</a> which is bang on trend. After all that, make a beeline for the café for lunch and a much-needed caffeine boost.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.fairhavengarden.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden</strong></a><strong>, South Walsham</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/Fairhaven-bear-sculptures.jpg" alt="Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden Norfolk" class="wp-image-41691" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/Fairhaven-bear-sculptures.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/Fairhaven-bear-sculptures-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/Fairhaven-bear-sculptures-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/Fairhaven-bear-sculptures-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Fairhaven is an absolute treasure for a family day out. Stretch your legs on the pushchair-friendly children’s nature trail, spin by the ancient oak, take a bird-spotting break in the hides and even hop aboard Primrose, the garden’s river cruiser. Finish up at the tea room for a sugar fix when energy levels are dipping. It’s so serene we reckon you’ll leave seriously chilled out (a big promise, we know).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/out-and-about-in-norfolk/norfolk-trails/long-distance-trails/marriotts-way/about-marriotts-way" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Marriott’s Way</strong></a><strong>, from Norwich to Aylsham&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>Alright, taking on <em>all </em>26 miles of Marriott’s Way might be a step (or two) too far, but if you plan a shorter stretch around the pretty village of Themelthorpe you can keep little legs going with the promise of cake and a warm sausage roll at the fab <a href="https://www.junction21.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Junction 21 tearoom</a> (pub quiz trivia – Junction 21 is at the Themelthorpe curve, known by railway buffs as the sharpest ever bend on the UK rail network). Marriott’s Way follows old railway lines so it’s traffic-free and home to flora and fauna galore!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/castle-acre-castle-acre-priory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Castle Acre</strong></a><strong>&nbsp;Priory and Castle, Castle Acre</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/Castle-Acre-Priory.jpg" alt="Castle Acre Priory" class="wp-image-41246" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/Castle-Acre-Priory.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/Castle-Acre-Priory-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/Castle-Acre-Priory-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/Castle-Acre-Priory-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Let little imaginations run wild in historic Castle Acre, which is home to the ruins of both a castle and a monastery. Start at the castle, before strolling to the priory (it’s about 10 minutes away), where there’s tons to explore &#8211; bring along the helmets and swords for role-play kudos. It also makes a stunning spot for a picnic. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/norfolk/morston-quay" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Morston Quay</strong></a><strong>, Morston</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="600" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/Morston-Quay-CREDIT-NATIONAL-TRUST.jpg" alt="Morston Quay" class="wp-image-41247" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/Morston-Quay-CREDIT-NATIONAL-TRUST.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/Morston-Quay-CREDIT-NATIONAL-TRUST-800x480.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/Morston-Quay-CREDIT-NATIONAL-TRUST-768x461.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/05/Morston-Quay-CREDIT-NATIONAL-TRUST-875x525.jpg 875w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: National Trust</figcaption></figure>



<p>Let the sea breeze blow away any cabin fever at Morston Quay, which is part of National Trust’s lovely Blakeney Nature Reserve, and home to wildlife such as brent geese, little egrets, spoonbills, marsh harriers and more. Stretch your legs on the pushchair-friendly path to Blakeney village, about a mile and a half away, and stop at the family-friendly <a href="https://www.whitehorseblakeney.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">White Horse</a> for hearty pub grub. To make a day of it, combine the walk with a boat trip out to see the seals at Blakeney Point.&nbsp;</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/for-kids/february-half-term-norfolk-school-holidays/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Holiday hero! 20+ things to do in Norfolk this February half term</a></li>



<li><a href="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/uk/glamping-camping/going-off-grid-in-norfolk-dreamy-stays-for-a-digital-detox/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Going off-grid in Norfolk: dreamy stays for a digital detox</a></li>



<li><a href="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/best-set-menus-in-norfolk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norfolk’s best set menus and lunch deals to devour now</a></li>
</ul>


Sulk-free strolls! 10 kid-friendly walking routes in Norfolk

You may also like