What's on in north norfolk this Summer 2018
There's so much to do this summer in north Norfolk! Take your pick from nature events, hop aboard a steam train, enjoy outdoor theatre productions and concerts, have fun days out at the many attractions and celebrate north Norfolk's heritage at the annual festivals and carnivals. See our round up of events and what's on in north Norfolk this Summer.
Terrific Tuesdays at Blakeney Quay. Let the National Trust team show you how to catch and hold a crab, check out the birdlife, go bug hunting, explore the grassland at Friary Hills, and more. Meet at Blakeney Quay and join during any point of the day. Free entry. Running 31 July 10:30 to 16:00, 7 August 10:00 to 16:00, 14 August 11.00 to 16.00, 21 and 28 August 10.00 to 16.00.
Miraculous Mini Beasts at NWT Foxley Wood. Join the NWT team at Foxley, and forage among the foliage and search between the sedge for any minibeasts which may be waiting. Running 8 Aug 2018 10:30 to 12:00 and 4 Sep 2018 10:30 to 12:00. Cost £3 NWT members, £3.50 non-members. Booking essential, call 01603 625540.
Rock Pool Rummaging at West Runton Beach. Rummage among the rockpools and reveal the secrets of the seashore! If you don’t know a barnacle from a belemnite the experts will be on hand to identify your finds. Please arrive 15mins early to sign up. Meet outside the beach café at West Runton Beach. No need to book. Prices: £3 for NWT members, £3.50 for non-members. Running 25 July, 11:00 to 12:30, 30 July 14:00 to 15:30, 31 July 14:30 to 16:00, 9 August 10:30 to 12:00, 10 August 11:30 to 13:00, 13 and 28 August 14:00 to 15:30 and 30 August 14:30 to 16:00.
Field to Fork Tractor Trailer Tour at Holkham Hall. Try farming without having to put your wellies on! Families hop aboard a fascinating tractor trailer tour after a visit to the Field to Fork Experience to see exactly where your food comes from. Travel back in time as you visit the Great Barn and fast forward to the present day and discover the conservation work Holkham undertakes, the variety of crops that are grown in Holkham park, the livestock that is kept and how these change through the seasons. Running from Wednesday 25 Jul - Fri 31 Aug 2018 and Mon 3 - Wed 5 Sep 2018, 11am, 12noon, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm. £5 per adult, £2.50 per child (2-16 years incl.).
Summer Days at Pensthorpe Natural Park. Spend your summer days outdoors and create fantastic memories! Get closer to nature, explore the further reaches of the reserve, play as a family in the indoor and outdoor adventure play areas, follow trails, do some craft making, go pond dipping and build dens! Activities included in general admission price. Running from 25 July to 5 Sep 2018, 10:00 - 17:00.
Holt Festival. During the Holt Festival, the Georgian town of Holt becomes home to street performers, musicians, poets, actors, dancers, artists and comedians. Enjoy performances in venues all over town, including pubs, hotels, tents, the local church, theatre and school halls. Running 21 to 29 July.
Wells Carnival. Wells-next-the-Sea, in the heart of north Norfolk, enjoys a traditional summer Carnival for residents and visitors every year. Enjoy a week of family fun and events including a Carnival Day procession around the town featuring floats, fancy-dress, pull-and push-along vehicles and much more. Traditional seaside activities include a sand-castle competition, town crier competition, gillying (crabbing) on the quay and the crowning of the Carnival Royals. Running from 27 July to 5 August. Free entry.
Sheringham Carnival. Sheringham Carnival has been running for over 50 years and is a fun time for all the family. Enjoy local food, events, parades and music. Running from 29 July to 5 August.
Cromer Carnival. Join in this annual carnival week of festival family fun with children's entertainment, live music, rides and local food, culminating in a spectacular Carnival Parade. Running 11 – 18 August.
Worstead Festival. This annual festival is a fun weekend for all the family with rural crafts, entertainment, food, music, plus lots of activities for the younger festival goers. Running and 29 July. Entry is £5, under 12s are free.
World Pier Crabbing Championships. Enjoy the famous World Pier Crabbing Championships on Cromer Pier and try your hand at catching the most crabs! Enter as a team or individual and whoever catches the most crabs, wins a prize! There are lots of stalls and trails to enjoy and of course try out the famous Cromer Crab! Running on 26 August.
North Norfolk Music Festival. The North Norfolk Music Festival brings internationally renowned performers as well as upcoming talent to north Norfolk. Now in its 14th year, the festival has brought some of the biggest names in classical music to North Norfolk. Running 13 to 24 August. All concerts will be at St Mary’s Church, South Creake except where alternative venues are indicated otherwise.
Happisburgh Lighthouse. There will be a series of open days at the lighthouse which includes a full guided tour (minimum height restriction of 1 metre to climb the tower). Hear about the history of the oldest working light in East Anglia, and the only independently run lighthouse in Great Britain. From the top, on a clear day, there are 25 miles of coastal views. Tours run between 10.30 – 16.00 on 5, 12, 19, 26 and 27 August and 2 September. Adults £5, Children £1 (16 and under).
Food and Drink Festival at Sandringham. Enjoy cookery demonstrations with celebrity chefs, live music, try foods from around the world as well as local produce and enjoy real ales from local breweries. There is family entertainment, with workshops for all ages, the infamous Bushtucker Challenge, the ever popular Pinxton food Puppets and fun fairground rides. Running on 4 and 5 August, adults £9, seniors £8 and children £3.
Family Adventure Days at Hilltop Outdoor. Give school holiday boredom the boot with an action-packed Family Adventure Day at Hilltop Outdoor Centre. Have a thrilling time on the the Big Zipper, Super Swing, Climbing Wall, Archery, Tree Top Trial and Air Jump! Parents are welcome to join in! From 25 July to 31 August.
Amazona Zoo. Amazona Zoo in Cromer is a unique and fun day out for the whole family. It’s home to over 200 animals from tropical South America, including jaguars, monkeys, peccaries, otters, owls, macaws, parrots, snakes, flamingos and tapirs. As well as a fascinating collection of animals and birds there is an impressive outdoor play area, Rainforest Springs and a large, well-equipped indoor play area, Jungle Tumbles. Admission prices from £8.50.
Swampy’s Silly Summer Parade and Grubbles Messy Mini Games at Bewilderwood. Run wild in the magical woods and be part of the most spectacular silly Summer parade! Keep an eye out for Mildred as she makes her swishy way through the woods, do some den building and take part in mini games. Take the Trophy Trail and visit the activities held in the Big Hat and Face Painting Pavilion. Running 21 July to 5 September from 2pm starting at the Storytelling Stage.
Ashmanhaugh Light Railway. Take a journey on this light railway hauled by a variety of steam, electric and petrol powered locomotives around the fully signalled and landscaped circuits. Running between 14.00 – 17.00 on 1 5 August and 2 September. Single far £2,00, rover ticket £4.
Broads Evening with Norfolk Dixieland Jazz Band at Broads Tours. Enjoy an evening of foot-tapping traditional Jazz in a contemporary style with Broads Tours and the Norfolk Dixieland Jazz Band. The band loves engaging with the audience to create a truly memorable evening of Broads music on the beautiful Broads National Park. Licensed bar available. Running on 5 and 19 July, 2, 16 and 30 August. Boarding at 19.15, returning to Wroxham at 22.00.
The Adventures of Dr Doolittle at Holkham Hall. Enjoy an outdoor theatrical production of this funny, much-loved and exciting adventure, with a strong message about responsibility towards animals and the environment, brought to you by Illyria. The performance is suitable for aged 5+. Running 8 Aug 18:15 to 20:30. Prices: adult £14, Child (2-16 years incl.) £10, Family (2 adults and 2 children) £43.
Cromer Pier Show. The Pavilion Theatre is now the only theatre at the end of a Pier that produces an in-house show every summer and winter season. The Cromer Pier Show is one of the few true live variety shows in Britain, showcasing live variety acts at their best. The shows provide an eclectic blend of great pop music, breath taking West End ballads, speciality acts and humour from top comedians.
As You Like It Open Air Theatre at Dalegate Market. Set in the Forest Arden with a world of clowns, lovers, runaways and rebels, enjoy this hilarious open-air version of Shakespeare’s timeless comedy, with folky, foot-stomping live music. The open air show will be held in the Deepdale Orchard (indoors if weather is inclement). Bring your own picnics, chairs and rugs. Running on Wed 8 August at 19:00. Prices: adults £13.50, children under 16 £8.00 and family (2 adults + 2 children) £37.00.
Outdoor Concerts at Blickling Hall. In 2018, the Blickling Proms will celebrate 100 Years of the RAF. The National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Anthony Inglis will be joined by the Rolls-Royce Spitfire and The Aerosparx Display Team. The programme will be a fantastic celebration of those magnificent men in their flying machines. Running on 11 August.
Classic Ibiza on 10 August features The Urban Soul Orchestra conducted by Stephen Hussey for a performance of classic Ibiza anthems under the stars, with live DJ and vocalists. As Norfolk’s biggest dance party of the Summer full of iconic Ibiza anthems, it’s not to be missed.
