Events and things to do on Norfolk Day, 27 July 2019

The second Norfolk Day takes place on Saturday 27 July 2019, and is a day of celebrating all that is Norfolk and what we love about the county. This year, Norfolk Day shares the day with Norwich Pride, a celebration of the LGBT+ community and marking the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots which took place in New York in June 1969. Also on Norfolk Day is the Old Buckenham Airshow, a two-day, award-winning event including a debut appearance by the rare Sea Fury. You can also visit Gorleston Clifftop Festival on Norfolk Day; a free, weekend event with shows, rides, stalls and perfomances. Whether you are a visitor or a resident, find out about events and things to do in north Norfolk celebrating Norfolk Day.

Norfolk Day at Holkham Hall. Holkham is celebrating Norfolk Day at The Lookout on the nature reserve, when families can find out about Admiral Lord Nelson, Norfolk’s most famous son, and his historic links to Holkham. Hear about his famous sea battles and the marine wildlife he would have encountered at sea. It’s a day of ships, cannons, seals and seabirds. Entry is free of charge, just drop in, 10am-4pm.

Bishy Barney Bee Hunt at Gooderstone Water Gardens. There's a day full of fun for all the family. Wander around the beautiful water gardens with ponds and bridges and search for the secret places 12 Bishy Barney Bees (ladybirds) are hiding. Find them all and win a prize! Then stop off at the tea room for delicious cakes and icecreams. You can also learn more about those forgotten Norfolk words and sayings. Normal admission for adults, free admission for children, Bishey Barney Bee Hunters £3 each. Gooderstone is in the West of the County, 6 miles Southwest of Swaffham, PE33 9BP. Enquires 07730551945.

Happisburgh Lighthouse. To celebrate Norfolk Day, Happisburgh Lighthouse will be open for private visits between 10am-5pm. Bookings must be made in advance - telephone 01692 650816. There is a minimum charge of £30 for groups up to six, £5 per head for adults and £1 per child (aged 16 and under) for larger groups. For safety reasons there is a minimum height restriction of 1m to climb the tower, though smaller visitors are welcome to visit the ground floor. Sensible footwear must be worn.

North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust. The North Walsham and Dilham Canal Trust will be running canal trips and a Bacton Wood lock tour for Norfolk Day. See website for more details. 

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Norfolk WI - 100WIwayswithcake. Members of the WI will be handing out more than 2,000 slices of cake as they celebrate Norfolk Day and the Norfolk Federation's centenary. WI groups all over Norfolk will have various cakey events taking place. Mundsley group will be handing out cupcakes with handwritten messages and Sutton WI will be hosting a drop in day at the village hall, featuring tea, cake and activities for children. Coltishall and Horstead WI will be giving out 100 pieces of cake to passers-by on the river green from 2.30pm. Rock Buns and Rolling Pins WI will be handing out home-made rock buns in North Walsham. Members of Cromer WI will be hosting a tea party at a beach hut and hoping to give out 100 slices of cake to passers-by and Roughton WI will be holding a cream tea.

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Beers of Europe. There will be a free tasting bar for the local Norfolk Brewhouse and Smartmouth Brewery from the USA, plus Norfolk Cider and Archangel Gin. There’s a classic car show, a free valuation day with Buttercross Antiques, live music and locally-sourced refreshments. Beers of Europe is at The Warehouse Antiques and Collectables and The Steiff Shop, at Setchey, near King’s Lynn. Parking is free.

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Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden. Celebrate Norfolk Day with Norfolk tales in the Glade, along with tree climbing (additional charge), tree swing and garden games, plus children’s craft activities, including green man clay face making on the Beech Walk and a Wishing Tree and “chill out” area in the West Garden. There will be canoeing taster sessions (£2) and a Norfolk Day cake, plus a Norfolk-themed menu in the tearoom, a Norfolk produce display in the shop and Norfolk makers in the tearoom picnic area. There’s free garden entry for children for the day. The woodland and garden, at South Walsham, is open 10am-5pm. Adult £6.85, Concessions £6.60, Children usually £3.95 (under 5 free).

Worstead Festival. The popular annual rural life event opens on Norfolk Day. Children from Worstead Primary have worked with Willow Phoenix to create a huge puppet of the festival's mascot Ram that will be paraded on the first day. Plus, there’s music, heavy horses, great Norfolk food and more. Open 10am-6pm and entrance is £6, under 12s free. Parking is free.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Cley Visitor Centre. Children and their parents are being encouraged to go wild for Norfolk Day with a host of free family activities at Cley Visitor Centre, plus free entry to Cley and Salthouse marshes. Among the events will be free talks from volunteers, including the Bradbury family who, along with their children will be in the reserve's hide from 10.30am until 12.30pm to welcome families and show them the wildlife which can be spotted in the marshes.

Big C Big Cuppa. The charity is hoping to bring together as many people as possible for this year's coffee morning on Norfolk Day, Saturday, July 27, and is asking individuals, cafes, offices and workplaces to all get involved. For more details on how to hold a Big C Big Cuppa event or to receive a fundraising pack, contact fundraising@big-co.uk or call 01603 964502.

Beat Heartbreak with a Wonderful Walk on Norfolk Day. Walk Cromer is celebrating Norfolk Day with a beautiful circular walk from Cromer via Felbrigg Hall, one of Norfolk's impressive stately homes. The full route is six miles, but there is also a series of shorter three-mile routes. This is one of Walk Cromer's bi-monthly weekend walk events which raise funds for The British Heart Foundation. Pick up a map and information sheet from Merchants Place and Cromer information Centre on 27 July.

This self-led walk starts from the Information Centre on Louden Rd and passes through Felbrigg Hall. The full walk goes through the park, up "the lions mouth" and loops round back to Cromer via the wooded hills of East Runton. Participants are invited to wear black, white and yellow, the colours of the Norfolk flag, and email photos for the chance of winning a £10 prize for the best picture. enquiries@walkcromer.co.uk