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South Norfolk Holiday Cottages
A holiday cottage in South Norfolk can cater for anyone's taste. There are holiday cottages all over South Norfolk to suit any size family or pocket. All generations will be attracted to places like Wildlife and Bird Parks and Heritage Railways.
South Norfolk has easy access to the main routes to London, Cambridge and the Midlands as well as directly into Norwich. A holiday cottage in South Norfolk makes a perfect base to explore the Waveney Valley, Norfolk, Suffolk, the Broads and Norwich. South Norfolk covers an area of approximately 350 square miles stretching from the southern edge of Norwich to the Suffolk border and the peaceful Waveney Valley. It is home to more than 100 small parishes where you will find clusters of thatched cottages, welcoming pubs and historic churches. There are 51 conservation areas in South Norfolk ensuring that village greens, historic buildings and ancient woodland are protected for future generations.
South Norfolk is great for people looking for peace and quiet, with quiet and picturesque narrow country lanes with grass verges filled with wildflowers in the summer, fields, woodlands and river valleys. South Norfolk is a region dotted with historic market towns, each with fine churches, traditional markets and an excellent choice of pubs and hotels. It is full of charming picture postcard English villages with pretty thatched cottages and character pubs located in unspoilt countryside. To hire a holiday cottage in South Norfolk is a recipe for success in your search for an idyllic holiday.
The Southern Broads offer some of Britain's finest wetlands with miles of navigable waterways set amongst marshland and reed beds. The area is perfect for those who enjoy walking, cycling and bird watching or simply relaxing, and therefore an ideal place to hire a holiday cottage. The Broads have various reserves, in particular in South Norfolk, Surlingham RSPB reserve and the Ted Ellis Trust. On the banks of the River Waveney, you can see wallabies, muntjac deer and the world's largest collection of otters, at the Otter Trust. Here, the British otter is bred for reintroduction to the wild. The Ted Ellis Trust in Wheatfen Broad, in the heart of the Southern Broads, is a wild and remote area of open fen, reed-beds, alder and willow woodlands with two small broads and a nature trail. The River Waveney flows through picturesque countryside and it forms the boundary between Norfolk and Suffolk. The number of visitors to this area is increasing as people discover its rural charm.
Norfolk has something to offer everyone and many visitors return year after year. Norfolk offers historical places to visit, the opportunity to just relax, or an activity filled day for the more energetic. The coast offers miles of unspoilt beaches, a diverse coastline, dramatic skies, and much of the coast is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Norfolk is drier on average than any other part of the country, so is truly the county for all seasons. Whether you want to spend hours on sunlit sands just watching the sea, explore the rich saltmarshes, discover pretty villages or enjoy a visit to a traditional seaside resort, you can do them all in Norfolk, staying in a holiday cottage.
On your South Norfolk cottage holiday, you can take part in the many activities available. Families are well catered for with days out and about with things like wildlife parks, trips to see the seals, steam railways, adventure parks and traditional seaside funfairs. All these are within reach of wherever in South Norfolk you book your holiday cottage. Some of the best ways to see Norfolk is cycling and walking, which is not as flat as commonly believed, over the gentle rolling countryside. There are many way marked footpaths and trails, with cycle hire available in a number of locations.
If relaxation is more your thing on your South Norfolk cottage holiday, you can relax on the beaches, or be pampered in the local health and leisure clubs.
There are many excellent restaurants for your cottage holiday in Norfolk. Village pubs and tea shops provide an excellent stop off point for a relaxing break from whatever activities you are taking part in.
Historic sights
Norfolk is rich in history and heritage, with many handsome stately homes and interesting museums. Therefore there are many destinations to explore from the base of your holiday cottage in South Norfolk.
The world famous Bressingham Steam Museum and Gardens has a fine collection of mainline steam engines, narrow-gauge railways, and fairground attractions set in acres of gardens. The museum also houses the national "Dad's Army" collection. Norfolk's newest heritage railway, the Mid-Norfolk Railway, connects Wymondham and Dereham and runs through 11 miles of rural Norfolk countryside.
Events
There is an exciting and varied calendar of events in Norfolk with something to meet the approval of all members of the family. From craft fairs and exhibitions to firework displays and carnivals - you will always find something a little bit special to see and do in South Norfolk, where a holiday cottage would make an ideal base to see things from.
Places to go
Wymondham has many 17th century buildings, an octagonal market cross, a compact shopping centre and a magnificent and unusual twin-towered Abbey set in the centre. Wymondham Heritage Museum and the Rail Station Museum has a Brief Encounter themed restaurant. There are also weekly markets and regular antique and collectors' fairs.
Diss is a bustling market town with many different architectural styles surrounding a six-acre lake. There are shops, restaurants and an excellent museum.
Harleston, in the Waveney Valley is a great place for speciality shops and crafts.
Loddon, at the heart of the Southern Broads is ideal for boating and has many attractive 17th and 18th century houses, an impressive church and a pretty staithe (a wharf where coal was loaded onto vessels).
South Norfolk has many other excellent visitor attractions including halls, gardens, windmills, arts and crafts. The 100th Bomb Group Industrial Steam Museum, Burston Strike School and the Roman town Venta Icenorum at Caistor St Edmunds are not to be missed.
So, whatever you want, from an action packed holiday to a relaxing break, choose a holiday cottage in South Norfolk.