What's on during May 2026 Half Term

Take a look at our round up of events and things to do this May 2026 half term in north Norfolk. There's lots to enjoy, whatever the weather. Take a look at our 2026 discount vouchers here so you can have more fun for less! You can also take a look at our what's on listings here.

Events during half term
 

Poo Trail at Pensthorpe: 23 May to 31 May 2026.

The hugely poop-ular Poo Trail is back this Whitsun half term, and this year it's going to be bigger and bolder than ever before. With the instalment of new trail boards, prehistoric poos and the chance to graduate from Professor Poo’s Laboratory! 

Alongside all the poo you can imagine, your day ticket also includes: Hootz House indoor play, Wild Rootz outdoor play + the new living towers, spotter trails around the reserve, access to the 700 acre reserve, pond dipping and the chance to graduate from Professor Poos Laboratory (2 sessions per day). Find out more here.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Rock Pool Rummaging: 28 May 2026.

The Norfolk Wildlife Trust has some half term nature events taking place on Tuesday 28 May 2026 at West Runton Beach, including rock pool rummaging (find out more here) and fossil finding (find out more here). 

Half price tickets this May Half Term at BeWILDerwood: 23 May to 31 May 2026. 

Get ready for a full day of magical adventures and PLAY this May half term as you swing, slide and scramble your way through the woods. Whether you’re swinging through the woods or getting lost in a maze, it’s the perfect way to spend a full day of fun. Book your tickets the BeWILDerwood website.

Family Fun at Wroxham Barns: 23 May to 31 May 2026.

Get ready for a fun-filled Whitsun family adventure at Wroxham Barns Adventure Farm. Meet friendly animals, explore exciting play areas, and enjoy Mini Farmer activities running throughout the day. Whitsun is packed with things to see, do and discover this May half term. Find out more and book.

Everything Goes at Bure Valley Railway: 23 May to 25 May 2026.

Enjoy a rare opportunity to see and travel behind the complete line-up of steam and diesel locomotives in service together. With an intensive timetable and unlimited travel available, it’s the perfect weekend for enthusiasts and visitors alike to experience the railway at its busiest and most varied. Find out more here.

Half Term S.T.E.A.M with North Norfolk Railway: 24 to 26 May 2025

Steam back in time this May half term and enjoy unlimited hop on hop off travel on two historic trains each day! Plus, jump off at Holt station for Half Term S.T.E.A.M to enjoy hands science shows from Mad Science with science experiments including electricity, steam and dry ice! You can also spend some time in our brand new play coach or getting hands with signalling on at Reedham Junction Signal box.

The lovingly-restored trains will transport passengers on an 11 mile return journey between the delightful Victorian resort of Sheringham and the smart Georgian town of Holt. Grab your tickets, watch the guard wave his green flag, listen for the sound of the whistle and a whoosh of steam as you set off on a timeless journey through some of Norfolk’s most stunning coastal scenery and beautiful countryside. Find out more and book here.

Half Term Fun at ROARR! 

Make the most of May Half Term at ROARR! with an action-packed family day out filled with adventure, discovery, and dino-sized fun. NEW for May half term: The Foam Zone is back – bigger, better, and full of fun. New and improved stamp trail – explore the park, discover hidden stamps, and collect them all. Dino Hunter Experience – step into a brand-new adventure where escaped dinosaurs are on the loose. Enter the abandoned church and see if you can track them down… if you dare. Find out more and book here.

May Half Term at Blickling Estate: From 23 May 2026.

Discover the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail at Blickling Estate 
From 23 May, 10am-4pm

Join in with the trail for a playful way to build confidence outdoors, enjoy fresh air and create shared family memories while searching for ten Mega Evolution Pokémon across ten trail points. Each trail point features a simple physical or creative challenge inspired by different Mega Evolution Pokémon. From showing courage and curiosity with Darkness-type Mega Gengar ex, to unleashing energy and imagination inspired by the powerful Fire-type Mega Charizard Y ex, the trails blend imaginative play with gentle activity. Follow the trail sheet, and at the end have a photo taken in front of a Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail backdrop.

Journeys: Global Textiles from the Karun Thakar Collection: 22 May to 1 November, 11am-4pm

Take a trip around the world this May half term and uncover Blickling Estate’s fascinating global stories in the House. Eexplore beautiful objects from around the world. Pick up a travel journal in the Great Hall, get creative by designing your own kimono with colourful pattern tiles, feel fabrics from different cultures and spot ships sailing through the rooms.

Make a full day of it by heading outdoors to explore Blickling’s gardens, where plants from across the globe burst into bloom, or set off to discover the striking pyramid shaped Mausoleum in the parkland. With Cycle hire open Wednesday to Sunday 10am – 4pm, families can hire bikes and create their own adventures along the multi use trail, before refuelling with tasty snacks and refreshing drinks at Stables or Muddy Boots cafés – bringing a memorable May half term family adventure to a delicious close.  Find out more here.

Roll up! Roll up to Circus skills in the Walled Garden at Holkham: 24 May to 30 May 2026.

If you’re looking for a fun filled family day out in Norfolk, Holkham is the place to be this May half term. There are days out to suit every budget, including nature trails, circus skills, high ropes course, or a ride on two wheels - plenty to keep the whole family entertained this school holiday. Find out more here.

There is also the High Ropes Course, open daily throughout half term (£24 per person), perfect for the thrill seeker or outdoor explorer. Head for the treetops and cross wobbly bridges and balance beams up before taking a leap of faith on two thrilling zipwires. Find out more here.

Lynn Chadwick at Houghton Hall: running until 4 October 2026. 

Houghton Hall has a major exhibition of sculpture by the celebrated post-war British artist Lynn Chadwick CBE (1914–2003). Spanning four decades of the artist’s career, from the 1950s to the 1990s, this new presentation will showcase previously unseen and rarely exhibited works alongside his best-known sculptures across the house and grounds of Houghton Hall. It will form the largest exhibition of Chadwick’s work in the UK in more than two decades, following the artist’s death and the retrospective at Tate Britain’s Duveen Galleries in 2003.

The exhibition will present over 30 works across multiple exterior and interior sites at Houghton Hall, including early works, a powerful group of dynamic beasts, kinetic sculptures and a selection of Chadwick’s best-known paired figures (‘couples’). Find out more here. 

North Norfolk Open Studios: 23 May to 7 June 2026

Artists are gearing up to open their studio doors in what is set to be the biggest art event in Norfolk this year; North Norfolk Studios. In celebration of the area’s artistic talents, makers and creators will be showing visitors how and where they work as part of North Norfolk Studios. A record-breaking 173 artists will be taking part, offering visitors a rich and rewarding insight into their working spaces – from studios and gardens to spare rooms and garages, shared spaces and sheds. Artists at all stages of their careers will be taking part, from emerging talent to established masters of the county’s creative scene.  All studios are free to visit and a brochure detailing all the locations will be available towards the end of April on the event’s website. Find out more here.

Half term shows and screenings
 

For musical fans, head over to Cromer Pier and Pavilion Theatre from 23 May to 30 May 2026, for Beauty and the Beast, performed by the award-winning CSODS, with a live orchestra. Find out more and book here.

There's a colourful performance at Sheringham Little Theatre (on 26 May 2026). Get ready for the The Groovy UV Show, an award-winning and fun-filled hour of puppetry, mayhem, and pure silliness perfect for the whole family. This fantastic production has travelled all around the world, spreading joy with its unique style. The show features vibrant colours, engaging variety, and infectious, catchy music that will have everyone tapping their feet. Its fast-paced energy is sure to keep every audience member entertained. Find out more and book here.

And at Wells Maltings (27 May 2026), you can watch Arco (PG). In 2075, a girl witnesses a mysterious boy in a rainbow suit fall from the sky. He comes from an idyllic far future where time travel is possible. She shelters him and will do whatever it takes to help him return to his time. Find out more here.

Attractions to visit during half term
 

There are a host of attractions open over half term. You can see a complete list of attractions here. For getting close to nature and animals, head to award-winning Watatunga Wildlife Reserve, set in 170 acres of breathtaking woodland, grassland and lakes. Dedicated to the conservation of endangered deer, antelope and birds, Watatunga is home to the most varied collection of deer and antelope in Europe, free to roam at their will. Also at Watatunga, you can enjoy a Guided Safari Art Workshop, hosted by Norfolk wildlife artist, Martin Gibbons. You’ll be given a tour of the reserve, followed by time to draw some of the amazing animals you’ve seen. Available all year round, suitable for ages 12+ and a minimum of two people. Find out more here.

Amazona Zoo is home to over 200 birds and animals from tropical South America including monkeys, pumas, peccaries, macaws, capuchins and snakes. Visit the aquarium and interactive ‘Amizone’ educational area, outdoor and indoor play areas plus there's a café and a giftshop.

Visit the rescued horses, donkey, ponies and mules at Redwings, Aylsham. After making plenty of new four-legged friends, you can also enjoy a relaxing stroll around the centre’s peaceful wildlife walks – perfect for keen ramblers and dog walkers! Hot drinks and warm lunches are available from Gulliver’s Café, and the gift shop is open with a wide range of souvenirs to browse, with all proceeds supporting the hundreds of rescued donkeys, mules, ponies and horses in Redwings’ care.

Sealife Hunstanton is one of Norfolk's leading seal sanctuaries and a state of the art marine aquarium taking visitors on a memorable undersea odyssey filled with amazing close encounters. Home to over 2,000 creatures, from tiny shrimps to Amazonian Piranhas and jaw-some sharks! 

Thrigby Hall is home to a collection of Asian Mammals, birds and reptiles in pleasantly landscaped grounds and gardens.  Get up close to Snow Leopards, rare tigers, gibbons, deer otters, crocodiles in a swamp house, waterfowl, as well as visit tropical and forest houses, gift shop and cafe. 

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is an award winning organic garden open all year round with 130 acres of cultivated, wild and natural plantings, four miles of woodland pathways and stunning views over the private Broad. The Tearoom offers inside dining and takeaway and browse the gift shop for local produce, gifts.

Explore the natural surroudings of the Broads National Park, take a trip with Broads Tours on a scheduled river trip. All trips include live commentary about the origins of the Broads, with sights of interest pointed out, and an abundance of wildlife to spot along the way. 

Museums and historical attractions
 

Wroxham Miniature Worlds is the largest indoor modelling attraction in the UK stretching over 10,000 square feet with some of the largest model railways in the world on permanent public display. Have a go on the flight and train simulators and the Old Penny Arcade.

The Muckleburgh Military Collection is Norfolk's largest working museum of military vehicles including tanks, guns and a large range of other weapons. There are some post-war aircraft on display with a unique collection of model ships. Tank demonstrations and rides make it an exciting days visit. 

Museum of the Broads enables you to enjoy a day at the only museum of Broadland life at the historic Stalham Staithe.  Discover iconic boats, the landscape and wildlife, see how people lived and worked, and find out how invaders and windpumps shaped the Broads.  Take a river trip on a steamboat, or an accessible electric boat.

Thursford Steam Museum houses the world’s largest collection of steam engines and organs. Listen to Robert Wolfe, one of the world's leading theatre organists, play the mighty Wurlitzer at 12.30pm and 2pm daily, ride on a fairground carousel and gondola, and watch silent movies.