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Planning a Norfolk escape? 10 picturesque towns and villages to book now
From Horning to Wells, Norfolk is dotted with charming towns and villages
Home to an attractive coastline and countryside, Norfolk is blessed with an array of pretty towns and villages, where you'll find ancient churches, antique shops and terrific places to feast on the catch of the day.
The coast of Norfolk was the first British area to be settled by prehistoric man, around 1.2 million years ago. An axe, 200,000 years older than any other previously discovered artefact, was even found near the early British settlement of Happisburgh, making it a fascinating place for keen historians to explore.
As one of the best UK destinations, Norfolk is perfect for a staycation if you're after somewhere relaxing and scenic for a weekend getaway or a longer escape.
The picturesque Norfolk Broads provide a spectacular backdrop for a peaceful break, with pretty villages like Wroxham and Horning that you can visit for a potter around. Meanwhile, the coastal towns of Wells, Heacham and Holkham offer gorgeous sands for a seaside escape that the whole family will enjoy.
Below, we've rounded up the most picturesque towns and villages to visit in Norfolk to inspire your next trip. And don't forget to check out our photos of Norfolk looking beautiful.
Wells-next-the-Sea
This pretty harbour town has a harbour sheltered by salt marshes and was once one of the great ports of eastern England in Tudor times. Today, it's still used by sailing and crabbing boats. The town of Wells has a leafy Georgian Square and you can walk from the town to beach.
Horning
Picturesque Horning is one of the most attractive villages in the Norfolk Broads. It boasts a waterside location and is lined with riverside houses. While here, you can stroll historic Lower Street to check out the pubs, restaurants and tea rooms, and during the weekend you might spot the Horning Sailing Club racing.
Cley
This marvellous village is characterised by its 18th-century windmill, which is like something out of a painting. Cley next the Sea is a paradise for nature lovers, with Cley Marshes, a nature reserve owned by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust - this is the place to spot birds. It's also terrific for walkers as Cley sits on the Norfolk Coast Path, so you can walk to Holme-next-the-Sea.
Heacham
Famous for growing Norfolk's lavender, Heacham is best visited in the summer, when it's filled with the plant's colour and scent. Here you'll find two beaches with shallow water, making them ideal for families. When visiting Heacham, it's worth cycling the Peddars Way and walking the Norfolk Coast Path. You'll find RSPB sites nearby for wildlife watching, too.
Reepham
This charming market town in Norfolk is great for snapping the pretty streets, 18th-century houses and market place. Reepham is surrounded by lovely countryside between the Wensum and Bure Valleys. The town has a 16th-century pub where you feel like stopping for a drink, and there's an array of places to eat, too.
Aylsham
An unspoilt market town beside the River Bure, Aylsham is the place to check out Norfolk's slow food movement and shop for local produce. It's also where you'll find the beautiful Jacobean house Blickling Hall, which was home to the Boleyn family until 1505. Another must-do in Aylsham is a ride on the Bure Valley Railway, a narrow-gauge steam railway which takes you through pretty countryside to Wroxham.
Burnham Market
Situated around the River Burn, Burnham Market is a beautiful and trendy Georgian village close to North Norfolk's beaches. Around the village green, there are antique shops, restaurants and galleries among quintessential English cottages. Burnham Market, known as 'Chelsea-on-Sea,' retains a traditional village feel while attracting celebrities and Londoners on weekend trips.
Wroxham
The capital of the Norfolk Broads, Wroxham, sits on the bank of the River Bure and is a great spot to hire a boat for a day to explore the national park. You'll find shops, pubs and restaurants, as well as the mainline railway station and Bure Valley Railway station.
Hunstanton
Hunstanton is one of the best places in Norfolk to watch the sun set over the sea, as it's the only west-facing town on the east coast. This popular seaside town has retained much of its old-world charm, with a famous pier dating back to the Victorian era and pretty heritage gardens to explore.
Holt
For those looking for a charming and historic Georgian market town in North Norfolk, Holt has a lot to offer visitors. Famous for its independent shops and boutiques, as well as a vibrant local arts scene, there's a real community feel here as you wander through its pretty streets.
Roshina is a contributing editor to Hearst UK. She was previously Senior Travel Editor, where she covered titles including Country Living, Red, ELLE, Harper's Bazaar and Good Housekeeping.
When she's not scoping out the next destinations we should explore (Uzbekistan, the Austrian Alps, Tbilisi), she loves revisiting old favourites (Mauritius, the Dolomites, Istanbul) and spending summer in the mountains - especially when hiking or wrapped in a spa robe.
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