Easter in Norfolk is a special time, with the countryside springing to life and a host of family-friendly events and attractions to enjoy. Whether you’re local or visiting, my guide will help you make the most of the Easter holidays with your family. Here’s a rundown of some not-to-be-missed activities and attractions, perfect for family fun. Have i missed anything from my What’s on Guide for Families in Norfolk This Easter.

1. Easter Egg Hunts at Holkham Hall

Date: April 1st – April 16th
Description: Holkham Hall’s annual Easter egg hunt is a delight for children and adults alike. Explore the stunning grounds of the estate while searching for hidden Easter eggs. There are also craft workshops and face painting available. Or just Park up (£6) and play in the park, take a walk or bike ride through the grounds to spot the Deer. The gorgeous Holkham beach car park is opposite too additional parking charge does apply.
Website: holkham.co.uk

2. Family Adventure Days at Bewilderwood

Date: Throughout Easter Break
Description: Venture into the whimsical world of Bewilderwood for an adventure-filled day for the whole family. Bewilderwood is great for tots to teens. This forest of fun offers treehouses, zip wires, and magical creatures, you might even meet Cedric! Check out my instagram page for more photos from our recent visit or here for a more detailed review of what’s in store.
Website: bewilderwood.co.uk

3. Easter Special Steam Train Ride at Bure Valley Railway

Date: April 1st – April 15th
Description: Take a nostalgic journey on the Bure Valley Railway. Enjoy the 18-mile round trip through beautiful Norfolk countryside by steam train. Start in either Aylsham or Wroxham both are now excellent destinations to visit. You could have a cake at Biddys in Aylsham and visit my friend Kerry at Creative Lincs for some retail therapy or pop into Wroxham to feed the ducks by the river. Special Easter activities include an Easter egg hunt and crafts.
Website: bvrw.co.uk

4. Spring Wildlife Boat Trips at Broads National Park

Date: April 1st – April 30th
Description: Discover the stunning wildlife of the Broads on a guided boat tour. These family-friendly trips offer a chance to see birds, otters, and other wildlife as you explore the waterways of Norfolk.
Website: broads-authority.gov.uk

5. Easter at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery

Date: April 10th – April 14th
Description: Get creative at Norwich Castle with Medieval-themed crafts. The museum offers a variety of workshops including a Knight club to learn medieval combat moves. It’s a great way to combine fun and learning. There’s still building works going on so be aware some areas are not open.
Website: museums.norfolk.gov.uk/norwich-castle

6. Sandringham Estate Easter Fun Day

Date: March 31st
Description: Enjoy a day out at the Royals Norfolk residence with a special Easter Fun Day to raise money for the Anglian Air Ambulance. You never know who you might see ! The beautiful gardens are also open for exploration. Or if you’re watching the pennies, park up, take a picnic and let the kids run wild in the fantastic adventure playground. keep a look out for Norfolk passports biggest Easter Egg hunt.
Website: sandringhamestate.co.uk

7. Easter Activities at Pensthorpe Natural Park

Date: March 28th – April 14th
Description: Pensthorpe Natural Park offers a variety of Easter activities, from egg hunts to nature trails. This Easter It’s the GIANT egg hunt. Find their 4ft tall 3d eggs around the park in an immersive and sensory trail. Its an excellent opportunity for kids to learn about wildlife and enjoy the great outdoors. Theres lots more Included in your ticket price like pond dipping, flamingo talks, nature tables and the amazing hootz house indoor play. We absolutely adore Pensthorpe and don’t forget this year they have launched glamping for the summer months.
Website: pensthorpe.com

8. Easter Adventure Quest at Framlingham Castle

Date: April 1st – April 16th
Description: Join the adventure quest at Framlingham Castle, where families can explore the grounds with an Easter-themed trail. Solve clues and challenges to hunt for dragon eggs and earn your chocolate reward at the end.
Website: english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/framlingham-castle

9. Dinosaur Adventure Park Easter Special

Date: Throughout Easter Break
Description: Step back in time at the Dinosaur Adventure Park, where you can meet life-sized dinosaurs in the flesh! The park features dinosaur trails, a secret animal garden, and an adventure play area. We haven’t been for a while so are really excited to try out their new rides and Easter activities. There’s golden tickets hidden around the park, a chocolate factory sensory amazing maze and if your brave enough dippys splash pad brrrrrrrrrrr!
Website: dinosauradventure.co.uk

10. Easter at Wroxham Barns

Date: Throughout Easter Break
Description: Wroxham Barns is the perfect destination for a family day out, with its junior farm, funfair, and mini-golf. Easter adds an extra layer of fun with lamb feeding, egg hunts, and the chance to meet the real Easter Bunnies.
Website: wroxhambarns.co.uk

11. The White Rabbit Easter tour at Wells and Walsingham Light Railway

Date: 28th March – April 14th
Description: Hop aboard the Easter Eggspress for a delightful train ride through the Norfolk countryside. Children can take part finding clues on their journey. Making it a memorable experience for the little ones.
Website: wellswalsinghamrailway.co.uk

12. Easter at the Sea Life Sanctuary Hunstanton

Date: April 1st – April 17th
Description: Dive into an underwater world at the Sea Life Sanctuary in Hunstanton. Discover an array of sea creatures, from sharks to penguins. Special Easter activities include a marine-themed Easter egg hunt. On the 2nd and 3rd of April you can book on to the special mermaid evening.
Website: visitsealife.com/hunstanton

13. Easter Fairy Door Trail at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden

Date: Throughout Easter Break
Description: Explore the beautiful woodlands and water gardens on an Fairy Door hunt that will lead you through a scenic trail. The garden is home to a collection of natural beauty and wildlife, perfect for a peaceful family outing.
Website: fairhavengarden.co.uk

14.Hirsty’s Family Fun Park Easter Egg-stravaganza

Date: April 1st – April 17th
Description: Hirsty’s Family Fun Park offers a special Easter event that’s perfect for families. Known for its Mega Maize Maze in the summer, Hirsty’s transforms into an Easter wonderland with activities that cater to children of all ages. The Easter Egg-stravaganza includes a range of fun activities such as an Easter egg hunt, where children can explore the park to find hidden eggs and exchange them for chocolate treats. Additionally, the park features interactive animal encounters, where kids can meet and learn about various farm animals, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of rural life.

The fun doesn’t stop there; Hirsty’s also offers a variety of outdoor activities including go-karts, a giant inflatable pillow for bouncing fun, and tractor rides, providing a unique way to see the farm and learn about agriculture. With picnic areas available, families can enjoy a full day of outdoor adventure and bonding.

Website: hirstysfamilyfunpark.co.uk

15. Bugz Parc

Description: Bugz UK is a fascinating attraction located in Banham, Norfolk, offering a unique experience for families interested in the smaller inhabitants of our planet. we’ve not yet been but are planning to over Easter. You can also book handling sessions for the brave amongst your group. Im happy taking the pics thanks very much.

Website: Thebugparc.com

16. Eggsplore Norfolk, Norfolk’s biggest Easter egg hunt!

Norfolk Passport have created a trail, to get families enjoying the beautiful county this Easter, with over £1500 worth of prizes up for grabs!

Spanning over 60 square miles with 31 eggs to find in total, from Thursday 28 March to Sunday 14 April 2024, embark on a thrilling journey through picturesque landscapes, charming towns, and hidden gems and seek out colourful Easter eggs scattered throughout Norfolk.

Download the map and find out more about the prizes

16. The Bowling House

Description: We all know the Spring time weather can be temperamental so how about taking advantage of the great offer for families this Easter at the Bowling House where you can enjoy Bowling and a main for only £10.95, Bowl before 5pm for £5 and my fave Karaoke is half price all half term. Booking up early recommended.

Website: www.bowlinghouse.co.uk

Whatever you’re up to Crumblers have the best time! Love Cookie.

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To enter into the prize draw and for your chance to win, just click this link to submit your entry and be in the running to win a Family Weekend Ticket to Nozstock on the 20th – 23rd of July in beautiful Hereford. Plus you’ll also be invited to the VIP family meet-up reception! Now that’s a prize you cannot buy!

Entries close at midnight on the 10th July 2023. The winner will be announced on the 11th of July 2023.

For more information on the festival, head to nozstock.com or read last years’ blog here.

Terms and Conditions

1. By entering the Nozstock Family Weekend Ticket Prize Draw entrants confirm that they have read and agreed to these terms and conditions and by the decisions of CookieCrumblesUK (the Promoter), which are final in all matters relating to the prize. Failure to do so will result in the forfeiture of the prize. No correspondence will be entered into.
2. The giveaway is available to CookieCrumblesUK followers. Entrants must be residents of England, Scotland, Wales or Ireland, aged 18 and over.
3. The prize for this giveaway is provided by Nozstock – The Hidden Valley, Rowden Paddocks, Bromyard ,Herefordshire HR7 4LS
4. Employees, officers and directors of the Promoter or the Supplier or any of their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, contractors, agencies and family members are not eligible to enter or win.
5. The giveaway runs from Wednesday 4th July until midnight on the 10th July 2023.
6. The prize is for a Family Ticket (2x adults and up to 4 children). The prize will be emailed to the winner.
7. Only one entry per person. All additional entries will not be counted.
8. Data Protection: Any personal information that entrants share with the Supplier will be kept secure and only used in line with these terms and conditions unless the entrant has opted in to future marketing from the Promoter and/or the Supplier. By entering the promotion, entrants agree that their information may be used by the Promoter to administer the promotion and winners consent to give their name and county for the winners’ list.
9. Any entries that the Promoter considers (in our absolute discretion) to be fraudulent, or infringe on the rights or copyright of others will be immediately disqualified.
10. No third party or bulk entries. If it becomes apparent that either a participant or household is using any means to circumvent this condition such as, and without limitation, multiple email accounts, multiple reproduced or computer-generated entries, using multiple identities, fraudulently falsifying data, acting fraudulently or dishonestly in the opinion of the Promoter or otherwise acting in violation of these terms, these participants will be disqualified, and any prize entitlement will be void.
11. Incomplete, illegible, misdirected or late entries will not be accepted. Proof of sending will not be accepted as proof of delivery or receipt. No responsibility can be accepted for entries that are incomplete, lost due to technical reasons, corrupted, delayed, wrongly delivered, or not received for whatsoever reason.
12. The winner will be randomly selected from all entrants by a computerised random generator. The winner will be notified by email via the account provided at point of entry on Tuesday the 11th of July.
13. The winner must claim the prize within 48 hours of announcement. If the winner does not claim the prize after 48 hours, an alternative winner will be selected.
14. There is no cash alternative and the prize is non-transferrable. The prize must be taken as awarded and cannot be exchanged.
15. Any personal information that entrants share with the Promoter/Supplier will be kept secure and will always be used in accordance with Nozstock privacy policy. By entering the promotion, entrants agree that their information may be used by the Promoter to administer the promotion.
16. If you win the prize, you agree to provide the Promoter with all information reasonably requested in order to substantiate your identity, age and place of residence. You also agree to take part in and co-operate fully with reasonable publicity and to the use of your name and any comments in such publicity without any fee being payable.
17. The name and county of the winner can be obtained by sending an email, 28 days after the prize promotion closing date, to cookie@thatsthewaythecookiecrumbles.co.uk
18. The Promoter and the Supplier reserve the right to cancel, amend, withdraw, terminate or temporarily suspend this promotion in the event of any unforeseen circumstances or technical reason outside its reasonable control, with no liability to any entrants or third parties but will use all reasonable endeavours to avoid consumer disappointment.
19. The Promoter accepts no responsibility for system errors or other issues that may result in disruption to, lost, delayed or not received entries, winner notifications or prizes. The Promoter, the Supplier or its agencies will not be responsible for the non-inclusion of entries as a result of technical failures or otherwise, including any such failure which is within the control of The Promoter or its agencies.
20. The Promoter accepts no responsibility for inaccuracy of any prize description, and The Supplier is responsible for prize fulfillment.
21. This competition is governed by English law and the courts of England shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising in connection with it.

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The land of Noz

This year will be our 3rd year at Nozstock, had the dreaded pandemic not struck we would have been on our 5th Noz, we love it that much. Noz is like a mini Glastonbury it’s so diverse from folk to dance, Techo to funk and soul. Ten Dedicated stages are dotted around the West Country farm amidst wellness areas crafts and loads and loads for the kids. If you want to read about some of our previous visits click here. Nozstock leads the way for families, you are sure of a warm welcome wherever you go and there’s an awesome community vibe that can get lost with bigger festivals . Here’s my top festival Tips for Families at Nozstock 2023.

Family Camping 

The team have made it even easier to get onto site with the kids and all that come with them by opening the side gate next to the family field. This means the usual hike to the car and back is one of the shortest on the family festival scene (and we’ve done lots) plus there’s loads of cheerful local stewards to help if you get lost. If you are anxious about finding a spot why not opt for ‘save a space, a marked out area just for you or splash out on a glamping. 

Packing 

Festival camping is not like a week camping in the country, you really don’t need that much. The food vendors are plentiful and so are the drinks and Nozstock bar prices are some of the cheapest we’ve seen. Nozstock also provide a little table of essentials like nappies and even ear plugs in case you forget yours. It’s not unheard of to find complimentary sanitary products in the ladies toilets. Clothes are the main essential, there’s nothing worse than getting wet and having nothing dry to change into. Packing whole outfits separately in plastic bags or those little packing pods helps them to stay dry and also makes it easier for the kids to find outfits.  

Snacks 

You don’t need to take a lot of food to festivals but if you’re on a budget like us a bag of snacks and some breakfast essentials are a great shout. FREEZE EVERYTHING, sausages, bacon, milk and Capri Sun in your cool box will help to keep everything else (the beer!) cool for a night or two. They are generally defrosted by the time you come to use them.

Plan your weekend

Get your merch early. We love having a token of our time at Noz and the T-shirts are great but will sell out, so head there early. We usually spend the first afternoon (after unpacking) doing a bit of a recce of the site to see what’s in store for the weekend taking photos of the boards as we go. There is a really comprehensive show program but a photo makes it easier for the kids to pick things over the weekend they really want to do. We keep everything else quite relaxed but make sure we all get an opportunity to see a couple of acts or activities we really want to do.

The stages 

Explore all the stages! We love the coppice (UV sanctum) in the early evening and elephants graveyard in the daytime. The chamber of secrets has a really fun entrance and is home to some great folk, ska, indie type bands. The main stage comes alive in the evening and there’s usually some cracking acts from Bill Bailey to Elvana! Most stages don’t really get going till after lunch apart from the bandstand stage which is usually home to some family yoga in the morning. Mornings are a great time to check out Little Wonderland. 

Little Wonderland 

Little wonderland Is fantastic for smaller children. A weekend full of activities from arts and crafts to beatboxing and circus skills. Some activities next to it have a small fee but most are FREE and really good. Last year my two brought back some rather interesting clay pots (free) and they still take pride of place in the kids rooms. 

Older Children 

Under 12s are free but teens can join in at a discounted price and they will love it. There’s archery on the hill, circus skills, coconut shys, flame acts, paint fights and crazy competitions. The site isn’t too big and quite contained with security at the entrances so we often let our eldest have a bit of freedom to wander to the clothing stalls for example. We have a festival phone (pay as you go) for this purpose, it gives us a bit of piece of mind. A large Charging bank is useful if you use your phone as much as me.

Showers 

There are 8 showers located in the quiet camping area just before you get into family camping. They are open from about 8am, if my memory serves and cost a couple of quid. They are the only ones for the whole festival so they get very busy on the Saturday especially. Get there early if you are keen on a nice warm shower or alternatively a wet wipe wash never hurt anyone!

The most important thing is to really soak up the atmosphere, some of our fondest memories of Noz are chatting with other festival goers, young or old, making friends and laughing loudly. It really is like a big family gathering spanning all the generations. We love you NOZ! 

I hope you enjoyed my Top Festival Tips for Nozstock 2023. Click here for ticket information for this years festival running from the 20th to 23rd of July.

*Disclaimer- We have been gifted tickets to this years Nozstock but as always my words are my own.

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The sun is shining, but we never know for how long. So whilst that big ball is in the sky grab your coat and head to some of the best attractions and family-friendly destinations Norfolk has to offer. Check out my best recommendations for Easter Fun in Norfolk below.

Chantry Place

Chick out Chantry Place Norwich this Easter, from Saturday 1st April to Sunday 16th April 2023, for a FREE family Easter trail around the Centre and meet the RSPB team on select days throughout the school holidays when they give out free sunflower packs and let little ones get hands on with nature.

Families can pick up a FREE trail map for the Chantry Place Easter Eggstravaganza trail from The Works to help locate the colourful letters which will spell out an Easter themed word or phrase. A competition prize is on offer too for one lucky winner worth around £150, including Easter eggs, Jellycat toys and H&M voucher. Plus there’s some bird houses up for grabs too for the runner up.

The RSPB are coming to Chantry Place on Tuesday 4th, Friday 7th, Saturday 8th and Thursday 13th April 2023 for more free family fun. You’ll be able to spot them on the lower ground floor near HMV.

Creake Abbey

The beautiful Marshes & Flint lifestyle store at Creake Abbey is hosting this year’s Easter activities at Creake Abbey. You’ll regularly find us at their farmers markets but this week you can enjoy an Easter egg hunt around the beautiful abbey grounds; find the bunnies and giant eggs, solve the clues and receive a treat at the end. It’s £4.00 per child, under 2’s are free. Open Wednesday 5th to Saturday 8th April inclusive. Collect your map at Marshes & Flint in the Courtyard at Creake Abbey, NR21 9LF. Last entries 3pm daily. No booking required.

Norwich Theatre Royal

I love the theatre, the smell, the buzz the people and we are really lucky to have such a great local Theatre in Norwich. Norwich Theatre Royal welcomes Matthew Bourne’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’ this week . From Tuesday the 4th to Saturday the 8th of April you can watch Bourne’s Gothic Romance masterpiece. I’m going with Lucy and I can’t wait. Anything Bourne does is Gold.

Next week its all sequins and swishing dresses as Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom comes to town. The hit musical is based on one of my favourite iconic cult films and directed by Britain’s favourite, ahem, TV judge Craig Revel Horwood. It’s on from the 10th to 15th of April. Get your tickets now before they sashay away. You can check out my other recent visits to Norwich Theatre Royal here.

Pensthorpe Nature Reserve

Now that spring is finally here Norfolk’s award-winning nature reserve is bursting into life and it’s one of our favourite places to play. It’s also one of the best value too with season passes from just £50. We’ll be visiting very soon with some very special friends from London.

Hop over to Pensthorpe this Easter for an egg-stravaganza of giant nests, games and giggles galore with an egg-citing Easter themed trail from Orchard Toys in the ultimate adventure outdoor playground, based on their game Egg Surprise Hunt, WildRootz.

Not your nest? Get your treasure map and go hunting for giant nests and a giant golden egg! Will you be able to match each creature to the correct nest?

With flamingo talks, free crafts, pond dipping and mosaic egg crafts with dandelion mosaics, there’s something for everyone this Easter half term at Pensthorpe.

Pirates Live Great Yarmouth

“I’m enjoying myself”… If you’ve been to The Hippodrome before you’ll know this famous catchphrase all too well. We went last year for Bo’s birthday and it was just as good as we remembered. Don’t forget they also have a really lovely cafe next door, great fresh cakes/snacks and very insta-grammable.

“Pirates Live is a truly unique experience now in its 8th blockbuster year. A cast of swashbuckling pirates led by comedy favourites Jack Jay and Johnny Mac lead you on a live action adventure show like no other…. With a combination of heart stopping circus stunts, hilarious pirate comedy scenes and spellbinding aerial artistry, this show has gained national acclaim”

Described as “Trailblazing” by the Daily Mail.

Check out ticket prices and times here.

BeWILDerWood

Wilba would love a job at BeWILDerWood when she’s older. She’s well versed in the Twiggle and Boggle stories since buying two of the Tom Blofeld books (with her own money) and has been swatting up. She adores all the characters and as Cedric the Easter bunny was making an apearance, this was the first place we headed for some Easter fun in Norfolk.

Hop to it and meet the Easter Bunny at the Storytelling Stage, then bounce along the trail to find where those Pesky Bunnies are hiding around the woods. Will you be able to find them all and win an eggscellent prize? Face painting, crafts and boat trips all included in the entry price what’s not to love. Plus don’t forget you can save 15% off all food and gifts if you’re a membership holder.

Check out how to book tickets here. Or for more detailed hints and tips for your day take a look at my previous reviews.

Hirsty’s Family Fun Park

It’s lovely to see Hirsty’s back open for their Spring Baa-nanza. We missed them in October but family comes first and that’s true for so many reasons with this park. They really care about their guests and their team, and love what they do.

From the road Hirsty’s can be quite deceiving but we’ve enjoyed long, action-packed days here. Hirsty’s is suitable for all ages, with fun family quizzes and activities to enjoy as a team.

The special events are shaped around the seasons and take place throughout the school holidays, meaning you can come back to Hirsty’s time and time again throughout winter, spring, summer, and fall. This Easter there’s lots of sheep and lambs to enjoy along side a tractor and trailer ride and all these other activities.

• Barrel train
• Bale mountain
• Zipwire
• Soft play
• Bouncy castles
• Go-karting
• Rope pyramid
• Trampolines
• Climbing frames
• And much more!

Roarr!

We haven’t been to ROARR! for a while and it was clear to see they have been very busy over the winter months. The park was full of colour and had been thoughtfully decorated ready for some Easter fun. As well as some new additions, I’m really pleased to see the new changing facilities have been finished to ensure all disabled guests are well catered for. Awesome work Roarr!

Rainbows and Rhyme event

Nursery rhymes come to life in the Valley of the Dinosaurs. Meet Little Bo Peep and see if you can help her to find her missing sheep. Step further through the Valley and discover the Teddy Bears having a picnic, and other favourites.

Rainbow Easter Egg Hunt

Seven vibrantly coloured eggs will be hidden by Dippy around the Park each day. Each egg will contain a small prize or a voucher, you could win a book, a toy, a ROARR! gift voucher or even a ROARR! Annual Pass to continue your adventures throughout the year – Happy Hunting!

Explore the Secret Animal Garden and help Old MacDonald find all the animals from his farm and then meet some other animal friends with animal encounters: Guinea Pigs at 11:30, Bearded Dragons at 12:15, Snakes at 2pm and Tortoise at 2:45.

Easter Craft Sessions

Make your own paper Easter Bunny or try your hand at writing your own nursery rhyme to go into Raz’s book of Easter rhymes. There will also be regular shows in Dippy’s Theatre and Dippy Live on the outside stage at 11.30 and 12:30.

Adult tickets are £19.95 and children over 90cm are also £19.95 for Dippy’s Egg-cellent Easter. Tickets are free for anyone under 90cm.

For further information about ROARR!, please visit their website or take a look at some of our other visits for some practical hints and tips.

Wroxham Barns

We just know ‘EWE’ are going to have a Baaa-rilliant day at the Wroxham Barns Spring Fling during the Norfolk Easter holiday’s (1st – 17th April) with one ticket price of £14.50 per person (2 years and above).

Your ticket includes ALL the fun of Junior Farm where you can meet loads of friendly animals including donkeys, pigs, ponies (one’s called Cookie), alpacas, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs and 35 pregnant sheep! 

Take a look at the expectant ewes in the undercover maternity ewe’nit. There’s a very strong chance of seeing a live birth like we did when we visited in February half term.

There’s an egg hunt with a special prize at the end, plus live shows with farm favourites Barney & Bella! 

Also included in the price is unlimited play in the fun park. There’s an 18-hole mini golf course, Wroxham Barns train, pirate ship, toyset ride, go-karts, water wars, jumping pillows, sand play and jumping frogs to burn all that Easter energy away.
Choose your arrival time and then stay as long as you like until close at 5pm. Don’t forget they also have a rainy day guarantee pass. *See terms and conditions.

Book tickets here or check out my previous reviews.

Holkham Hall

We love Holkham for the Deer park, adventure play and cycle paths. If you’re going for the day the £5 car park is not bad at all. It’s a lush place for a picnic if you’re on a budget, but it does have a very nice cafe if your feeling flush.

We’re also big fans of the food markets they hold here regularly. There’s an ‘Easter Food, Drink & Gift Market’ on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th of April.

Truth be told not all the events we’ve been to here have been value for money but the Easter trail looks quite sweet which is on from the 7th-17th April.
Holkham have teamed up with local artisan chocolate makers GNAW for the Easter trail in the walled garden, finishing with something yummy of course! Families can also enjoy spring-themed trails, storytelling, crafts and performances of The Velveteen Rabbit. For more information Click here.

Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach

As our kids get older we seem to spend more and more time in Yarmouth. There’s loads to do and the new Marina Pool on the strip is a big pull. But our family favourite is still the Pleasure Beach.

Over the winter the Pleasure Beach have made quite a few changes, new rides, new shows and new ticket procedures. We’re going to visit later in the holiday to see what’s been going on so keep an eye out for that on my Instagram and Facebook pages. For now, here’s how it’s supposed to work.

• A closed gate system remains in place, where everyone entering will need a valid form of entry (Wristband or Fun Card).
• There are no more timed sessions, customers can now stay and ride from open til close. 
• Customers have two ways in which they can enter the Pleasure Beach as detailed below:

WRISTBAND ADMISSIONS

• Wristbands entitle the bearer to entrance to the park and unlimited rides for the day.
• You can leave the park and come back within the same day using your wristband.
• Wristband prices vary depending on whether it’s peak or off-peak season.
• Wristbands can be purchased online at a discount (including on the day), through our website or at the sales and information kiosk on the day.

Wristbands range from £20 off-peak (if you purchase online), to £25 on the day at peak times so it’ll be worth planning a visit and buying online to save yourself a few quid.

FUN CARD ADMISSIONS

• You can buy a Fun Card for either £5 or £10 loaded with 5 or 10 credits. 
• Once purchased Fun Cards will provide unlimited turnstile entries for the 2023 season.
• For extra credits, Fun Cards can be topped up through self-service kiosks located around the park.
• Fun cards can be exchanged and used between Family members and friends to access the rides.
• Fun Cards can be pre-purchased online in advance of your visit. Please bring your confirmation email to the Sales and Information kiosk.

You can see how much credits are needed to ride each attraction on their website, but they range from 2 credits per ride up to 4 credits fr the bigger thrill rides.

They also offer a Season Pass for £85.00 which entitles you to unlimited rides everyday they’re open! Take a look at their website for more information and always read the terms & conditions to avoid any dissapointment.

If there are any more Easter Activities in Norfolk that you think I should check out let me know on instagram

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We went for a long weekend and stayed a couple of nights at Plas Weunydd with our two children (6 and 10) during March 2023. Here’s what we thought about The Sunday Times’ “Best Hotel in Wales 2021!”

The History of Plas Weunydd

A hotel for us isn’t just somewhere to rest our heads after exploring, it’s all part of the adventure. When we do plan to go away we’re always on the lookout for accommodation that’s a little bit unique (see our horsebox adventure here), has a bit of character or has some historical relevance to the area we’re visiting. A weekend stay at Plas Weunydd ticks all the boxes.

Plas Weunydd was built in 1836 as a home to the Greaves’ family. The family owned and ran LLechwedd Slate Mine near Blaenau FFsetiniog in Gwynedd and are very much part of the local history. As you look out over the quarry (now home to Zip World) you can imagine the clanking of machinery, dust and toil of the hardworking locals in the slate mines, the lifeblood of this remote edge of North West Wales.

The slate quarry mansion stayed as the family residence until the mid 20th Century when it then became the site offices of the LLechwedd attractions. A Miners tramway tour and the famous Deep Mine tour which is now operated by Zip World. It’s fantastic to see the Quarry founders family home reinvented into not just a four star hotel but a cherished local landmark. Somewhere for families, couples, thrill seekers, dog walkers, and adventurous go-getters to enjoy!

Location

The handsome white and grey hotel overlooks the slate landscape of North West Wales which has rightly been awarded UNESCO world Heritage status.

Plas Weunydd Hotel and Glamping is literally a stones throw from Zip World LLechwedd (our primary destination) and only a 15 minute drive from Zip World Fforest. Families and thrill seekers can enjoy a wealth of heart-racing activities from underground golf to Zip lines and Cavern climbing. We breakfasted with Mountain bikers, young couples and families bound for a weekend of some of the best adventure activities in Europe.

If you’re after a more relaxed break Plas Weunydd Hotel and Glamping is perfectly located to explore Snowdonia and the Snowdonia 360 Route. There are numerous beaches, castles and mountains just a short drive away. We visited the beautiful town of Dolgellau, with its narrow twisting streets and architectural treasures for an evening meal at Y Sospan. A Tardis of a restaurant with amazing decor and lovely food.

The popular tourist destination of Betws-y-Coed is just a few miles away with a wealth of shops, tea rooms and beautiful waterfalls. We missed out on Swallow Falls but gladly parted with the £1 entry to see the picturesque Fairy Glen. It’s not an accessible route but if you can, you should. It’s magical!

A North Norfolk girl like me couldn’t leave Wales without a beach trip so I happily took the wheel and navigated some of the most exhilarating roads I’ve ever been on through the scenic landscape to Porthmadog and then to the beach of Borth-y-Guest. Beautiful.

We did take a quick look at the Italian inspired tourist village of Port Meirion. Unfortunately it was a bit late in the day and the entry price of £18 (adult ticket) would not have been well spent.

Accommodation

Plas Weunydd has 24 bedrooms in the main hotel. The bedrooms are designed with gentle yellows, golds, blues and greys echoing the natural landscape that surrounds the hotel. We stayed in rooms 1 and 2 on the ground floor. Interconnecting rooms, perfect for families with 2 younger children or teens. Room 1 was an accessible room (there’s two accesible rooms in the hotel) with a large hallway and wet room. We could see the mountains from our room with the occasional mountain bike whizzing down.

The rooms are modern yet cosy, and filled with all the home comforts you need including, soft white towels, bottled water and some tasty Welsh shortbread to enjoy with my ‘Paned’. We made good use of the complimentry Plas Weunydd toiletries, the locally made grapefruit and orange body wash was lush. Now let me tell you about the beds. Have you ever slept in a cloud? Quality crisp white linen, a comfy mattress, velvet throw cushions and fresh white duvet topped off with a TweedMill Welsh runner. Heaven!

The kids were happy with their flat screen TV and UBS sockets to charge the iPads ready for the journey home. All the bathrooms had a power shower and towel rail. The rooms were both set to a comfortable temperature and you could easily make the required adjustment in the evening. I was so snug I didn’t want to come home. Photographs of the hotels’ past existence and artwork from local artists, including sculptures from one of the managing directors adorn the walls.

The photographs provide a fascinating reminder of what life used to be like in this part of the world. The attention to detail and thought that has gone into keeping the history of the place alive is commendable. Everything is of the highest standard and in-keeping with its quality boutique label.

Building on their success, Plas Weunydd also offers different accommodation to suit every type of traveller. Fancy a bit of luxury camping? You can glamp in one of their six en-suite Safari Tents.

Sharon, (our hostess with the most-est) remarked that you can almost forget you are in a tent given its five star rating. For a really off-grid experience, why not try one of the Shepherd Huts that are accessible only by your own self drive golf buggy, how cool!

Food and Drink

The bar and restaurant area is a lively contrast to the rooms. Bright bold colours, wooden floors (for muddy footprints) and simple comfortable furniture. There’s also a beautiful patio area which spills out from the restaurant and overlooks the quary. I imagine it’s beautiful on sunnier days. Sadly we had only booked for traditional Welsh weather!

On Friday and Saturday evenings, Plas Wenuydd offer a pizza and charcuterie menu, which was right up our street and the kids couldn’t believe their luck. There are plans underway to widen the menu with some street style food offerings. I believe work was happening on the kitchen during our stay, not that we noticed.

There was a couple of things off the menu (at breakfast) the second day but this was largely due to supply issues which is happening everywhere in the UK right now. The team bent over backwards to accommodate my fussy offspring and it didn’t affect our enjoyment (or bellies) at all.

The food was delicious. Fresh local produce cooked to order and beautifully presented. It wasn’t fussy or pretentious, just good quality and flavoursome. I had a Welsh Rarebit pizza (made with Snowdonia cheese) which I devoured before sampling some of the local Rock Star cheeses on our charcuterie board. At £9.00 per person I felt it very reasonable for the amount and variety you got. Fun fact, the family store the cheese in the mine as it’s the perfect temperature. The pizzas themselves start at £9.95 for a margarita. A kids meal with drink will cost you £7.50.

We couldn’t squeeze in desert but ‘The Boys’ brownie and crushed pistachio vanished before I had time to finish my local Welsh cider. My pick of the cider was the Black Dragon for £4.50. Other ciders and lagers were priced from £3.00. Not too bad for ‘hotel’ prices!

Breakfast was made up of a small help-yourself-area with “The best croissants in the world” as declared by Wilba. A small selection of fruit, jams and fruit juices and then a menu of cereals, porridge, sourdough toast and more substantial offerings.

I enjoyed the Portebello mushroom on sourdough toast while Andy opted for an Eggs Benedict and then a traditional Welsh breakfast for our second morning. Great portion sizes, nicely cooked and delivered hot to the table. There was a good choice of hot drinks and Wilba was happy with her milk. I also enjoyed a Granola with fresh berries. The Boy decided on yet more cheese and ham for his breakfast. If you know what you like, why change! Breakfast/Brunch runs until 3pm.

Everything Else

Plas Weunydd Hotel and Glamping is Dog friendly, family friendly and couple friendly. It’s managed by some of the most warmest welcoming staff I’ve ever met and has a real family feel. When you go anywhere with kids, particularly to a hotel as beautiful as Plas Weunydd you cant help but feel a trifle anxious about how the kids’ will be received. It didn’t feel stuffy at all, just elegant and comfortable, a welcome retreat for anyone after a day adventuring and a real home-from-home. The team are professional, approachable and knowledgeable. Happy to answer any questions or share their insight into the places to visit. If you have a question, just ask!

Knowing that I was trying to learn some of the lingo. I was handed a little book of colourful Blaenau Ffestiniog local phrases to help me improve. It’s a work in progress!

I can’t finish my review without mentioning the wonderful Sharon who has worked for the family in one way or another since the 1970’s. What Sharon doesn’t know about the family history, local produce and area isn’t worth knowing. I could of talked to her for hours, she’s so incredibly proud of the hotel, the area and its heritage, and that really shows in the quality of service and care you receive when you stay. We shall meet again.

I can highly recommend Plas Weunydd for a North Wales adventure and with so many things in the pipeline, new menus, Shepard Hut accommodation (Opening April 2023), I can only see it getting even better. Thanks to everyone who made our stay so enjoyable.

Please head to the website here to book directly with Plas Weunydd Hotel and Glamping and follow their Instagram or Facebook page for the most recent updates and information. As always my DM’s are open for questions on Instagram or comment below.

‘Cael Diwrnod Gwych’

www.plasweunydd.co.uk

Check out some of my other family adventures HERE!

Disclaimer: We were gifted our stay in return for this review but as always, my words are my own.

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January is over, its time to leave the comfort of the sofa and get out and about with the kids. I’ve got some great ideas what you can do this half term and it doesn’t have to cost the earth. Check out these great Norfolk attractions below and let me know if there are any I’ve missed in Comments.

Kids Pop Party

Its back and bigger than ever with two venues to choose from. We are heading to the Ocean room in Gorleston but the sell out show will also be hitting the Maddermarket Theatre in Norwich from the 15-18th of February. The Monster club show was an undeniable success and is one of my favourite October activities. Kidz Pop Party is equally as unmissable.

The Joe ringer band accompanied by some talented singers take you through 80 minutes of chart topping hits from Arianne Grande to Trolls the movie. Including my fave a 90s tribute section! I will definitely be up dancing and educating the kids on the classics. Pip will also be there with hilarious comedy and circus acts and apparently some size 11 white platform shoes! Tickets start at just £13! Kidz pop party is Top of the pops. Click here for tickets.

Wroxham Barns

Its not February half term without a trip to the Fantastic Wroxham Barns lambing live event. The kids couldn’t believe their luck when they saw a live birth last year in the maternity barn.

Entry is £13.50 for 2 years and above and includes the junior farm and unlimited play in the fun park. The 18 crazy golf and bouncing pillows are favourites for my two. I prefer an amble through the gorgeous shops and pop up craft stalls. There’s a café and restaurant on site with undercover seating, or ample seating for those bringing a picnic. Read what we’ve had to say during our previous visit.

Bewilderwood

BeWILDerWood is back open in the February half term after its winter break and the award winning park is a firm favourite with kids of all ages big and small. Once you are in all the activities are included from story telling to craft making, boat rides and face painting. Carers can get a free ticket and children under 92cm are free. Want to go more often? The annual pass makes a great present and this year they have reduced the price to £75 for children over 105cm and £65 for those 92cm- 105cm it’s a great idea for those living close by. Check out one of our previous visits here.

Bure Valley Railway

All aboard the Teddy Bear Express this February Half-Term. The beautiful tiny train runs from Aylsham to Wroxham and is a great day out for the kids. KIDS GO FREE this half-term week! maximum 2 children 0-15 per paying adult. Children can also take part in a themed activity for their journey. The Whilstlestop Café will be decorated and serving teddy bear lunch boxes (not included in ticket price). Get your ticket here.

Sea and Seals

Another FREE (well apart from the car park) and firm family favourite of ours is a visit to see the seals at Horsey. Wrap up warm and head to the beach. Seals can be seen from November until February. I find it best to visit in January or February as there are more Seal pups to Oooooo and awwwww over. Bono likes coming too but make sure you keep dogs on a lead and don’t get too close to the Seals however soft and squishy they look.

Norwich Puppet Theatre

I love the Puppet Theatre, it conjures up memories from my childhood and it’s one of those local, small attractions that relies on volunteers and lots of word of mouth. This half term you can go to one of their fab workshops or See Rapunzel and the Tower of Doom for just £10 a ticket. These workshops give children the chance to get creative and enjoy making their own characters to take home with them. please go show them some love.

Holkham Hall

From the 11- 19th of February there will be a range of events and activities to help you make your own Holkham stories this half term with brilliant book-themed trails, creative bookworm crafts,. Inside activities are £5.50 for adults and £2.50 for kids. We are fans of just turning up with our bikes and paying the £5 car park for a cheap day out. There’s a free parkland tales trail and the woodland play area is awesome, there are hundreds of free roaming deer and it never gets old seeing them around the park. Take a picnic or visit the cafe for a light bite.

Pensthorpe

Footprints and Faeces hits Pensthorpe this Half term. We loved last years Poo trail and this time we are challenged to investigate footprints too. Indooe play at Hootz house, the most amazing outdoor aventure play and trails makes this one of our favourite destinations that the whole family will enjoy. Mums even got her seniors pass.

Chantry Place

Dodo and Dinosaur, a Norfolk-based studio creating designs celebrating the Earth’s Extraordinary Extinct creatures, is creating a special free Extraordinary Extinct Dinosaur Trail for Chantry Place. The self-led dinosaur-themed poster trail around the Centre will enable families to go on a dinosaur hunt around the Centre to discover some fascinating fossil facts to be in with a chance of winning a £100 H&M voucher and goodies from Dodo and Dinosaur. The FREE trail takes place from 4-18 February 2023 at Chantry Place Norwich and trail maps can be picked up at Langleys in Chantry Place and at The Forum Norwich

Science Festival

The city centre festival is back Saturday 11 – Saturday 18 February 2023. A celebration of science! Get ready for intriguing discoveries, inspiring talks, engaging exhibitions, cutting-edge research and lots of family fun! Presented by The Forum, Norwich Science Festival combines cutting-edge research with fantastic events; revealing the fascinating science of the world around us.

With more than 180 events taking place over eight days, there’s plenty for everybody to enjoy. As well as free, family activities in The Explorium each day,

Out There Arts

Out there Arts are back again with a fantastic free event these guys are awesome and do so much to promote the Arts. Spice up your half-term week with a jamboree of mirth, mayhem, high-energy Latin festivities and marvellous music with Carnaval! on the 17th February 2023.

Carnaval! is a day long, Latin infused festival taking place at The Drill House. The day is split into two events:

Family Friendly Fiesta!

• Rhino Mask Making with Reprezent Project
• Circus Performances & Circus Workshops
• Special Drillaz Circus School Performance
• Fancy Dress Competition
• Face painting and Glitter Station
• Portuguese Food and Drink
• Music with Trio Alcatifa (of Kumpania Algazarra fame)
• Loveboat DJs
• Samba Drumming Workshop with Fine City Samba

Then into the evening of this day-long celebration party late into the night with musical fusions from Portuguese band, Trio Alcatifa. Expect genres from turbo folk to psychedelic Arabic to get your body moving on The Drill House dance floor.

Broads Tours

Enjoy a family-fun pirate-themed river trip aboard the Cordon Rouge this February half term Pirates have commandeered the Cordon Rouge and have been seen flying the Jolly Roger on the Norfolk Broads. Rumour has it they’re seeking lost treasure on the Broads and they’re looking for crew to help them find it.Featuring pirate-themed decoration, children’s activity packs and commentary from our Pirate ship Captain Flint. Don’t forget to dress like a pirate! Trips last for 1.5 hours running twice daily on weekdays during February half term.

Sandringham

We really love Sandringham its another cheap day out all you need to do is pay for the car park. You can explore the Royal Parkland by foot or by bike, and then run around the amazing Children’s Woodland Play Area. They do have a snowdrop event on too which is chargeable. Snowdrop craft sessions and snowdrop tours need to be booked in advance.

Their catering outlets are open but we usually take a picnic. You can have a hearty brunches or just grab sandwiches and cakes from the Terrace Café. They will have a Children’s Afternoon Tea in the Restaurant too.

Waterloo Park

We always head to Waterloo park in the summer for the splash pad and lush café. However I’m definitely popping over this half term as they are running a week of fun FREE activities for families (including kite flying, biscuit decorating, a pancake race and more) during the February half-term. It’s all free they just ask that you purchase something in the café during your visit. The Feed cafe is a great social enterprise and aim to prevent poverty, hunger and homelessness in Norwich.

Roarr

From 11th-19th February, Roarr invite you to join a journey of storytelling adventure with creature crafts and animal encounters. No matter which fantastic team you choose. Mermaid Dragon, fairy or troll. You’ll have a Roarr-some time. Take a picture at ROARR! in your favourite costume during Fantasy February and tag them on Instagram for a chance to WIN 4 tickets to the Park. Winner will be contacted directly following the event.

Hope you enjoyed my round up of What’s on February Half Term. I’d love to hear what you have planned. Make sure you join me in Instagram and Facebook for daily fun and family antics.

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The Monster Club show 

Having had huge success with their summer Kidz Pop Party, Joe, Pip and the gang are back once again for my favourite October Half Term musical extravaganza. Set under the Big Top at The Norfolk Showground, this spooky spectacular will have you dancing in the aisles and laughing till your belly hurts. A fantastic band, engaging dance routines, comedy, circus acts, a fancy dress competition and even a licensed bar. Brain-child of Joe Ringer from the locally renowned and nationally acclaimed Joe Ringer Band, this show is suitable for all ages and is a steal with tickets from £10 per person. When I told the kids we were going again they yelped with excitement. This really is a family favourite and we will definitely be dressing up this year to enjoy the fun. It’s Halloween week after all! For tickets click here but be quick they won’t be around for long.

BeWILDerWood: The Glowing Lantern Parade.

We love visiting BeWILDerWood through the year, but the glorious glowing lantern parade is a favourite of ours, and wow has it grown. The standalone attraction can now be purchased for £10 a ticket. We combined ours with a day out at BeWILDerWood too.

Enter the gates and be transported to a lantern-lit glen where you can craft your own bindle (lantern) and take some spooky snaps before your journey along a beautiful woodland walked soaked in a rainbow of illuminations. Look out for the Twiggle village and UV bats (my faves). You’ll meet some of the wonderful characters from Tom Blofelds famous story books and Wilba loved telling jokes with Snagglefang the bat and Pip Pip the Parasquark. The Boy was impressed with the size of Hazel’s pumpkin and the misty bubble machine. This is a great event for all ages and a lovely way to start a spooky (not scary) Halloween.

The path would be suitable for more sturdy buggies. Wheelchair users might find some areas difficult at the beginning but the visibility and path has definitely improved from last year. Wheelchair users and Carers of disabled guests go free as do children under 92cm. The path is well lit with lots of staff around. Click here to find out more and book tickets.

Wroxham Barns 

The Pumpkin Festival at Wroxham Barns is our new favourite October tradition. We have exchanged trawling the various pumpkin patches of Norfolk for a whole days worth of entertainment at Wroxham Barns and a free pumpkin for each child. Not only do you get to select your pumpkin, you can carve it there too, leaving all the mess behind fo the animals to enjoy. This year Wroxham Barns is bigger and better than ever with a huge 10 acre field of pumpkins and maize maze. Wilma the witch is there too, to enrol your little monsters in |Potion and Spell School before embarking on some more messy fun. This year you can visit the pumpkin festival at night on the 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th of October from 5.45pm until 9.30pm. Great for those still having to work over the hols. Fire entertainers’ caterers and a bar make this the perfect evening out.

The Pumpkin festival is on from the 23rd to 31st of October and is just 14.99 for children and £13.99 for adults. The fun park, crazy golf and all the activities like pony grooming are included too. The event is suitable for younger children and is fully accessible. Hope to see you there. Click here for tickets.

Pleasure Beach Great Yarmouth – Fairground Frights

The whole family are excited about this one we missed the Coaster Cabana nights in the summer this year and we are desperate for our scare-fest fix. Fairground Frights is one not to be missed especially if you have older kids. You will definitely win some parenting points.

Equally couples will love the live roaming actors and scare maze. For £19.50 (same as 2021) you enjoy unlimited rides throughout the park. Best of all there’s the live DJ sets from Club Tropico music. Fairground Frights was voted Europe’s best scare zone and roaming characters 2020. Are you brave enough? If so click here to get your tickets.

Pensthorpe Natural Park – Poisons and Potions

Throughout half term Pensthorpe will be getting all spooky for some Halloween fun. Visit Haunted Hootz house Pensthorpes amazing indoor play area. Listen to some junior wildlife talks. Take the Poisons and Potions trail and don’t forget to book your slot for pumpkin carving. There will also be some Pensthorpe explorer tours on during the day which can be booked separately.

Adult tickets are £13.95 with a pound off for the over 60’s. Children between 3-16 are £12.95. Pumpkin carving is an additional £3 and must be booked online. I would also recommend pre-booking your Hootz Haunted house slot to avoid disappointment i think the mini activity trail will be a hit. There’ll also be spooky crafts and devilishly tasty treats in the cafe. Click here to book your tickets.

Fire On The Water

Another Yarmouth event (Yarmouth seems to be having some regeneration of late) and one I’ve heard good things about Is Fire on the Water ; this year its set on the beach. The event starts at just £3 per person (aimed at low-income families) with a pay what you can tiered system up to £12 per person. How wonderful and inclusive is that. Last year’s Venetian waterways event was a huge hit, as was their summer antics. We are really excited to be going this year to check it out. The trail is in Yarmouth from the 23rd to 29th of October why not pair it with a day by the sea and some autumn sun… hopefully. Click here for tickets.

Algy Farm Shop 

The ONLY Pumpkin Patch we’ve visited this Norfolk October Half Term (at time of writing) because in my opinion its still the best. Not overly commercial, no hard sell and just great pumpkins. There’s lots of sizes and variety to find plus a banging farm shop and on selected dates wood-fired pizza. Need I say more? Well I’m going to… There’s a pumpkin hill for some great insta-gramable pumpkin pictures, hay bales a massive variety of gourds and ‘new for 2022’, hotdogs and sweet treat stall. You have to try their sweet and salted popcorn it’s THE BEST. It’s free to visit but for more information about opening times and pizza dates click here.

Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure

Roarr Dinosaur Adventure

Make the most of your half term by joining Dippy and friends at the Weston-Smythe School of Dinosaurs and The Undead!

When you arrive, you will be allocated to your school house (Dippy/Raz/Paris/Terry) and a timetable for the day and make sure you are not late to lesson, complete all the lessons and earn yourself a reward. Don’t worry, the teachers bark is worse than their bite,

Dippy’s Halloween days include some extra spooky goings on in addition to the 20 attractions on the park. Entry is £17.95, Jimmy’s Farm and Sealife season ticket holders get a concessionary rate. Disabled guests 50% off and carers £8.98. Everything inside is included but don’t forget the splash park is now closed. I know my two would still ask me. Click here for more details.

Ha Ha Farm

I’ve not been myself but I’ve been assured that this one is great fun and value for money. The Pumpkin Patch at Ha Ha Farm is open from the 15th-31st October, open everyday from 10-4pm.

This year boasts spooky surprises, truly delicious treats and I’ve heard Farmer Tom has planted many more pumpkin varieties for you all. 

The Spooky Saloon is serving super scary cakes, biscuits and brownies and witches potions galore. To keep you warm as you hunt for the perfect pumpkin.

The Ha Ha farm is located on Hemblington Road Strumpshaw, NR13 4AH Click here for more details.

*Dogs on leads are very welcome

Castle Quarter

A spell is being cast over Castle Quarter to transform into a place of wizardry wonder

On Saturday 29th October between 12pm-4pm Castle quarter will transform into the school of Hogwarts, where families, wannabee wizards and muggles can join in with a whole host of spellbinding activities.

Listen out for shrieks of expelliarmus and spellcasting calls of riddikulus as fans devoted to Harry Potter, Hermione, Ron and friends make their very own magic wand at the creation station.

There will also be the chance to try on the all-famous, all-wise sorting hat. Pop it on to discover which Hogwarts house you belong to. Will you be in Gryffindor Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff? Only the hat will decide.

The Hogwarts Halloween fun continues with the Weasley’s Ford Anglia flying in too, with the chance to take a spectacular selfie alongside the enchanted car or step onto Platform ¾ to capture a magical moment.

Plus there will be the chance to make your own magic wand! Click here for more details

Spooks and Sparks

My sister had friends who went to this last year and had a great time set at The Hewett Academy on Cecil Road, Norwich, NR1 2PL on October 28-29, both 5pm-10pm it looks like its going to be a lot of fun and something that the older ones will especially enjoy but also the little ones as its low noise.

Adults are £7.50 + booking fee, children (under 18) are £5 + booking fee. October 29th prices are a fraction higher £8.50/£6 + booking fee. Buy on the Community Sparks Fatsoma page click here for a direct link.

Phew, and there you have it. My top things to do in Norfolk October Half Term 2022. Of course there’s pumpkin carving, sofa snuggles and crisp beach walks to squeeze in.

Have I missed any blinders or is there any events you would like me to check out? let me know in comments or on my socials. Find me on instagram @cookiecrumblesuk or on Facebook at TheWaytheCookie Crumblesuk or on Twitter Cookiecrumbsuk and i’ll do my best to report back. Don’t forget having some quality time at home can be just as fun you can find some ideas here.

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We eagerly returned to the fields of Herefordshire to Nozstock 2022. The family BBQ that has turned into one of the best family festival the UK has to offer, in our expert opinion. Nozstock started as an excuse for the legendary Noz (Pete Nosworthy) to headline with his band. I got to meet him this year and have a cuddle.

It grew completely organically and has managed to retain it authenticity. Its a family run, family friendly, safe and relaxed festival with approachable staff. Most of them I recognise from 2019. That’s the amazing thing about Nozstock, there’s so much love for the festival you can see it everywhere in the tiny artistic details around the site to the smiling site team. When we arrived we spotted a gap in a car park field closer to family camping, it was closed but after a jokey exchange with the steward we were granted our spot with a wide warm smile. The whole thing is run by a crew made up of family, friends and friends of friends all working together to give every festival goer a great weekend.

Due to the versatility of the line up, numerous stages and music styles, Nozstock attracts a wide cross section of society from families with tots, to teenagers, glampers and the aging hippies I aspire to become. Ella Nozworth (Creative Director) and absolutely wonderful hooman wouldn’t have it any other way.

The diverse line up represents the family’s different tastes in music from Trance in the Coppice (the boys fave) to Bill Bailey on the main stage. I bet there’s been some heated discussions when booking acts, for which I’m thankful as there’s literally something for everyone. Andy says its the most Festival like, family festival we’ve been too and we’ve done our fair share over the years. A mini Glastonbury if you like, or so I’ve heard I’m still to tick that one off my bucket list.

Camping

lots of options from Glamping to pre-pitched, live in vehicles, family camping, quiet camping. We stayed in Family Camping, which has a lost children tent, fully stocked baby change area with free nappies, wet wipes etc if you’re caught short. Little loos and small kids playground with football net. There’s lots of space and a sloping hill which means you get great views of the Heredfordshire Country side. The entrance was much closer to the camp site this year which we were really thankful of. Even with our trusty festival cart we always have to make two trips.

We took our Coleman Octagon Tent. The blackout technology is a godsend after some very late nights partying. Our friends Ruth @Rockandrollerbaby plumped for the pre-pitched tents. They take all the stress out of arrival times and pitching plus the tents are rescued from other festivals and repurposed so are a great green option. There are only 8 showers on site which cost £2 and are only open at certain times, so be prepared to queue.

Food

There’s a Great selection of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options. Our favourites were Pimp My Fries , I don’t know what they do with that cheese sauce but its basically transcendent. Eat like a Greek, The Beefy Boys and the Pizza is always a winner as they feed our two for a reasonable £12. Most meals are between £6 and £10 usually we do most of our eating at the tent but prices at Nozstock aren’t crazy and portion sizes are good. The bar isn’t too bad either with reusable cups as standard!

Accesibility

Accessibility , the main stage has a raised viewing platform we had permission to take this picture . The stages did seem more accessible this year, the slopes a little gentler although I still managed to trip over. It is a cow field after all and wet weather will undoubtedly effect accessibility in certain areas. I’m certain the team would do anything they could to help and would happily discuss the accessibility needs prior to booking a ticket.

Music

10 stages, for a festival of 5000 seems excessive but all stages retained a good sized crowd and atmosphere for the duration of the weekend. less so in the beginning part of the day after a heavy night of partying. Nozstock is a late risers festival. That being said the kids area gets going early for all the eager little ones, thank gawd. Wilba’s favourite area was the Elephants Graveyard, so called as bones of an elephant were found believed to be from a nearby circus. Its a great place for a dance to some of the biggest and best House and Jungle DJs.

There was a paint fight at the Sunken Graveyard and the Boy and Wilba took part in the dancing competition in between funk and soul tunes. Cabinet of secrets is a favourite of mine mostly because you have to crawl through a secret entrance next to a piano. It was also lovely to see that a band we had seen in 2019. The year of the Dog had been promoted to the Main stage this year. They managed to hold a great crowd even in torrential rain. Other main stage artists included Sister Sledge, Sub-motion Orchestra , Andy C and The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club who played one of his best sets yet. I swear the man must think I’m his personal stalker I’ve seen him that many times now. Still haven’t got that illusive selfie though.

For The kids

There’s always something to see as many of the wonderful and weird performers can be found wandering the site. Cave women, illuminated fairies and even two aliens you could graffiti on, to name just a few. The Dingle is great for older and younger children. We spent much more time in the Dingle this year as the boy is now nine and loved the coconut shy, workshops and opportunities to participate. He may have lost the dance off but entertained us all with his circus skills.

Little Wonderland has a jam packed timetable of completely free activities which is so welcome to see. From clay to kites to beat boxers and sensory play the tent was always busy and Wilba adored it. Another big hit was the Nozstock treehouse this year transformed to match the Parallel worlds theme with spaceship and Alien. The view from the top is amazing and a great photo op.

Family Friendly

Once last note on taking children. They are treated with the upmost respect and kindness they are not in the way or a bother. At some festivals I found myself nearly at logger heads with pushy parents or space stealers but not at Noz. The Boy was taken behind the DJ desks at the Bull pen and the sea of revellers parted as we left the Orchard Stage with Wilba asleep to a round of applause as everyone got us through safely. We met some love young ladies Mia and Maugan who embarrassed themselves on the stage just to make Wilba smile and others who demonstrated that ponchos were trendy to try and convince Wilba to wear hers. The young often get a bad rep but maybe there’s something about the water at Noz . I absolutely love the vibe here, its definitely a special place.

Going Green

There is an extensive section of the Nozstock website devoted to going green . The team at Noz really care about doing their bit from reusable cups, free water available and all taps and bars to refill water bottles and traders use biodegradable plates and cutlery. The pizza stall wasn’t even giving out boxes just the carboard bottom to reduce on waste. No plastic straws, biodegradable glitter and salvaged festival tents.

The eco bond is a great initiative, a £5 ticket you can reclaim when you bring a bag full of rubbish to recycling. They have thought about travel too. A Free shuttle bus runs from local Bromyard and specially organised buses from Bristol, London and Hereford. Each year a celebrity plants a tree this year it was the fantastic Bill Bailey. Click here to see their other green initiatives.

Final Thoughts

We cannot recommend this festival highly enough. We feel part of the family now and will come back year after year as long and Alex, Gemma and the team will have us. Ella and the whole Nozworthy extended family do a fantastic job and its no wonder early bird tickets are already sold out . Click this link to join the mailing list and get your 2023 tickets now! You will not be disappointed and we wouldn’t miss it for the world. I cant wait to see what the theme for next year. I really enjoyed our trip to a Parallel World .

Thanks Nozstock 2022 for having us, it was a blast. We cant wait to come back to the hidden valley in 2023.

Check out my other festival reviews here and make sure you’re following me on Instagram, Facebook , TikTok and Twitter for daily shenanigans and stuff to do with the kids.

*Disclaimer Gifted tickets in exchange for review but as always my words are my own.

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Family fun

The coastal attraction has been a long standing family attraction on the promenade in Great Yarmouth. It welcomes thousands of visitors each year. They have recently undergone some refurbishment to include a new rock pool explorer room. My kids love the fact you could get hands-on with inhabitants. It’s been an age since I’ve touched a star fish, I remember them being very common when I was a child. The other Zones are equally as impressive. Our favourites are the Ray-Dar zone and the Ocean Tunnel. I could stand there for hours watching the sharks and huge sea turtle swim over our heads. I wonder if you can guess the turtle’s name?

How long can you spend there?

This is the great thing about Sea Life Center Great Yarmouth. You can return anytime during the same day for free. We normally walk through at least twice per visit. The first time the kids are so excited to see the next bit, they don’t soak up as much as they could. There’s so much to see and do. Whatever time of year you visit, there’s an activity sheet and trail. The fact sheets are just as enjoyable for the adults too. You always leave with some interesting knowledge about what lies beneath. That being said you could easily whizz through in 40 mins if you wanted to as it’s a walk-through attraction. My advice would be to take your time, stop for the feeding talks and soak up the atmospheric soundscape, vibrant colours and beautiful creatures. It’s a great relaxing sensory place.

What else to expect

Sea Life Centre Great Yamouth is committed to conservation. You can help out by joining the Sea Life Trust or help out on a beach clean. There’s a large stand devoted to their Beluga Whale Sanctury – a world first – and the team are knowledgeable and keen to answer questions about the animals and their inhabitants. Sea Life Center Great Yarmouth is also very inclusive, sign language posters are dotted all over in addition to the information plaques and it’s very wheelchair/buggy friendly. The toilets are clean and spacious and there’s a cafe at the end. The shop is also well worth a visit and has some lovely keepsakes for a variety of budgets.

A trip to Sea Life Centre Great Yarmouth will cost you from £17.05 for an adult if you book online but they do offer some packages. Don’t forget, Sealife Center is part of the Merlin entertainment group who regularly have 2-4-1 offers online or on cereal packets, and especially during the summer. Ask your local travel provider and other tourist information points too about any offers to make your trip more affordable.

We loved Sea Life Centre Great Yarmouth, it’s like therapy and is the most beautiful relaxing place. It ticks the boxes when it comes to educating our young about not just what’s under the sea but what effect we are having on it and what positive choices we can make to ensure we protect it for future generations. We always have lots to discuss over chips on the way home.

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Raise a glass to the history

The Hippodrome Circus Great Yarmouth is incredibly unique and no trip to Great Yarmouth should be without a visit to the wonderful building. It’s luxurious old vaudeville personality booms from every Knick knack velvet curtain and twinkling light that adorns its walls. Cafe 1903 is a relatively new addition to the theatre. The Cafe with beautiful ‘instagrammable’ surroundings, flows out from the main theatre and serves yummy snacks and drinks. This is a must visit destination in itself.

On to the show

Now let’s discuss the water show. How do get the likes of the Aruba acrobatic troupe, fire breathers, aerialists and synchronised swimmers in the same show? Well, it’s all because of the giant sinking ring which transforms mid show into a swimming pool. It happens as you watch, accompanied with a light and music spectacle which will leave mouths open. I believe it’s only one of five of its kind in the whole world so it’s very special indeed.

The show itself is a mix of family friendly comedy and high-class acts. They don’t scrimp on the special effects and the mix of live and recorded music really add to the atmosphere. The show follows a similar format each year but there’s new gags and artists showcasing a wealth of talent. My favourite this year was the silks acrobat and Wilba really enjoyed the dancing girls they have some great costumes including the UV wetsuits. During lockdown we watched their live streaming of the show and I admire their resilience to keep the circus alive and WOW new and returning audiences each season. Long may it continue the Hippodrome Circus in Great Yarmouth is an institution and a great day out.

Top Tips

All the seats at the Hippodrome seem to have good visibility. We were on row J in the circle west and had lots of leg room and a great view. You don’t need to be on the ring to enjoy the show. There’s a Bar at the top of the theatre which is not as busy as the one downstairs and toilets are up there too, which again are not as busy as the ground floor. Disabled guests are well catered for with a specialised viewing platform. Just make sure you select the right seats on booking. Book your tickets online or look out on groupon for special deals!

We had an absolutely wonderful time at the circus. After, we headed down the promenade to have a quick look at the Empire Great Yarmouth. Our Hippodrome tickets entitled us to 10% off Food and drink. The Empire is home to guest street food traders and boasts live music. The perfect partner for a bit of after circus entertainment. It’s family friendly until about 7pm and has large screens showing the various sporting events throughout the year. Although we didn’t have time to stop and eat this time it looked a real fun, instagrammable venue and the cocktails were flowing. I bet it gets very lively come the evening.

Yarmouth is really having a moment right now and is becoming a regularly requested day out destination for our kids. Click here to check out some of the other attractions also winning my two over.

Disclaimer* We kindly received Press tickets to review the Hippodrome but as always, my words are my own.

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