All things days out

Did you know that Pensthorpe Natural Park is not just all about ducks? As well as appealing to nature and gardening enthusiasts, wildlife lovers and bird watchers, it also makes for a perfect day out for families and young children. 

Multiple WINNER of Norfolk's Best Large Attraction*, Pensthorpe is a modern day nature reserve with a focus on inspiring the next generation to enjoy wildlife and the great outdoors – without compromising on the tranquility and calmness that the reserve brings to so many regular visitors.

Former home of BBC Springwatch, the 700 acre reserve is a true showcase for British wildlife; beautiful gardens including one of Norfolk’s largest wildflower meadows which is home to the famous harvest mouse who starred in the recent BBC’s Planet Earth Two series and; more recently, inspiring adventure play, no matter what the weather. Encounter Flamingos, Red Squirrels, and cute ducks that will feed out of the palm of your hand; larger than life bugs on the Bug Trail; and learn more about Pensthorpe Conservation Trust’s 'Actively Saving Species' projects including Operation Turtle Dove, the Great Crane Project and their Corncrake re-introduction programme.

Hop on the Pensthorpe Explorer** for a behind the scenes tour to discover the secret side of the Wensum Valley, enjoy home cooked food in the Courtyard café and shop in one of North Norfolk’s largest gift shops. Families can unwind together in WildRootz, an outdoor adventure play area and Hootz House, the award winning indoor play area, complete with soft play for the under 5s.

*EDP Norfolk Tourism Awards

**Seasonal activity with additional charge

What is Westacre?  What happens at Westacre and when?  Where is Westacre?  Well, a warm welcome awaits you at Westacre Theatre which has been offering inspiring, inclusive and creative excellence in the heart of West Norfolk for over a quarter of a century.  And Westacre Theatre is probably the only all year-round rural performance venue anywhere in East Anglia.

Why?  You find Theatres in towns and cities – where there are lots of people.  But Westacre is different.  In rolling countryside, Westacre Theatre’s scenic setting comes complete with landscaped lagoon.  In the Summer, the sheltered South-facing terrace hums with audiences eager with anticipation. 

Centrally located just 10 minutes’ drive from Swaffham, 20 minutes from King’s Lynn, and within half an hour of Downham Market, Watton, Dereham, and Fakenham it is easily accessible to most communities in West Norfolk. 

But tucked away in peace and solitude; it remains one of West Norfolk’s best kept secrets.  And once found, everyone always says how lovely it is and ‘Why didn’t we know about Westacre before?’

Westacre attracts all-comers so the volunteers, cast and crew are a happy band performing vital roles in its varied activities.  Many of the team are long-serving troopers; once at Westacre people tend to stay for the friendship and fulfilment. 

West End this is not and nor does it pretend to be.  But The Westacre Theatre Company perform regularly to great acclaim – straight plays of immense integrity and magical musicals too.  As you may expect, Westacre Theatre is more than just a stage.  You can hear every word and see every movement from any of its 80 seats.  The fully-equipped studio theatre is central to its all-inclusive ethos but there are many other parts too.  And the sum of those parts is greater than the converted Chapel where Westacre Theatre was born 25 years ago and is truly a tardis. 

Its own in-house productions are complemented by sourcing the very best Live! and Encore screenings via satellite from the likes of National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare, The Globe and Matthew Bourne.  Fans of mainstream cinema are catered for under the Wednesday Flicks banner showing a carefully selected programme of contemporary films. 

The Riverside Café-Bar serves relaxing drinks, light lunches and simple suppers.  The light and airy Foyer Gallery hosts a continuous back-to-back varied programme of exciting art exhibitions from both up-and-coming and established artists based locally and further afield.  Drama workshops are held weekly and in school holidays for young people from 6 to 18 years old.  Popular art and craft master-classes are all in the repertoire and often over-subscribed.    

There is ample free off-road parking (with surfaced spaces by the door for the less mobile).  A flat floor throughout (including for a universal access loo) goes right to your front row seat in the Studio Theatre.  Give us a look to see what we mean. 

• W = Wednesday Flicks - The best of contemporary cinema
• E = Education – Classes in art, crafts and play reading; Bursaries for fortunate students
• S = Screenings – The satellite link brings world class performances to our full-size screen
• T = Theatre – Take your pick from well-known favourites or more challenging drama
• A = Acting – For ages 6 to 18 to create drama without a crisis in weekly drama classes, half term and summer workshops
• C = Café-Bar – Relaxing drinks at all our performances with light lunches and pre-performance suppers at selected shows – they are very popular so advance booking is wise
• R = Riverside Walk – A short wander from our sheltered terrace takes you to the tranquil River Nar
• E = Exhibitions – Artists of all abilities display their latest work in the three distinct spaces open at performance times

Performances and activities are presented in three seasons each year so there is always something new about to take off. www.westacretheatre.com is constantly updated so a visit there will provide you with the pointers you need about what is in store.  But keep checking because fresh productions are being added all the time.  And the value-for-money ticket prices have to be seen to be believed. 

Westacre Theatre is overseen by a charitable foundation so all the support you give to Westacre (just by enjoying a cup of freshly brewed filter coffee, or acquiring that piece of art which caught the corner of your eye) will all go to the worthwhile cause of keeping Westacre Theatre sustainable and alive for the next generation.  The cast and crew is a tiny team but they certainly make it all happen.  Now they are on your radar, do different and try the Theatre that is different too.      

Delightful natural woodland and water garden with a private Broad. 

The Sensory Garden is the first thing you’ll see as you walk into Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden. It has been designed with our visually and mobility impaired customers in mind.

In spring the garden 'springs' into life again. The primroses come into flower along the Broads Walk and the woodland paths. In May the glorious sight of bluebells will delight you, and our spectacular candelabra primulas, together with azaleas and rhododendrons.

There's lots of activity among the water birds and if you are lucky you may see a flash of vivid blue as the kingfisher dives for its prey.

In Summer there are flowers and shrubs including hydrangeas – in particular along our Hydrangea Walk – foxgloves and many other wild flowers. Several varieties of butterflies can be seen on our butterfly path.

Autumn brings its own special pleasure, the glow of the golds, reds and browns of the trees as they shed their leaves. The stark contrast of bare branches in Winter has a different kind of beauty, and withering birds come to shelter in the broads.

In December you can buy Christmas trees, wreaths and gifts and Father Christmas will visit before Christmas with gifts for children.

Fairhaven has three miles of peaceful walks. Boat trips are available on our Private Broad and South Walsham Broad from Easter to the end of October, including trips to St Benet's Abbey.

There is a plant sales area which specialises in woodland and bog plants, a Gift Shop, small provisions shop and the Kingfisher Tearoom for breakfast (from 9.15am) morning coffees, lunches and afternoon teas, using the best of local produce. Free entry to tearoom, shop and plant sales.

Dogs welcome on leads (small charge for poop scoop).

2020 entry charges: adult £7.50, concessions £6.95, child £3.95 (under 4 free).  

Please note we close at 4pm in the winter.

The tearoom opens at 9.15am every day for breakfast (served until 12noon).

We open until 9pm on Wednesdays from May to the end of August.

Enjoy the only waterside Museum of Broadland life at the historic and picturesque Stalham Staithe.  We are family and dog friendly, have an accessible site, with a small café and picnic area.

So why visit?

• Superb displays using a variety of media telling the story of the Broads including Vikings!
• A cracking range of boats ranging from a water bicycle, an airborne lifeboat, racing yachts, punts to an ice yacht and loads more!
• Plenty to do for Children including our play boat, our steering boat and why not try out our new Ellis Eel trails for families!
• Displays of life on the Broads from marshmen, boatbuilders to holidaymakers and including life during the two World Wars.
• Sail back in time and watch Broads wildlife on board our Victorian steam boat, ‘Falcon' or on our electric accessible boat "Marsh Harrier"
• Take a hat selfie during your visit and share it online.
• Our lovely riverside setting is perfect for a picnic
• Free entry to our shop and cafe selling gifts, some great books plus hot and cold drinks, snacks and ice cream.

Don’t just take our word for it check out our Trip Advisor reviews and #makeitstalham 

2020 Opening times and admission prices:

Open from 25th March 2020 Sundays to Fridays until the beginning of November, 1000 – 1630.  Closed Saturdays.

Adult: £6, Children and Young People  (5-18): £2.00

Family Tickets available (see website for details)

All above tickets are valid for one year from purchase.

Twilight ticket (valid on day of purchase only and during last hour before closing): Adult: £2, Child: £1

Free admission to: Friends of the Museum, a Carer of a Disabled visitor, and members of the Museums Association (please show card).  Please note, we are not part of Norfolk Museums Service and cannot accept their pass card.

Steamboat trips 50 mins: Adult: £6.00, Child: £3.00; 30 mins: Adult: £4.50, Child: £2.50

Under fives free.  Well behaved dogs are welcome.

Step onboard our luxury, skippered, sports cruiser "Norfolk Time" and cruise the Norfolk Broads in style.  The only way to truly experience the beauty of the Norfolk Broads is by boat - there are so many stunning places which are only accessible by river.  Whether you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary, looking for a unique corporate venue or just an excuse to have some fun with friends and a great day out, we can offer you the most glamorous, day boat hire on the Norfolk Broads.  

Simply choose the number of hours you want to cruise ​​and we'll supply the scenery and unlimited refreshments (tea, coffee and water) for the duration OR choose one of our ​THEMED CRUISES and join in the fun.  There's something to suit every taste and occasion including our very first wellbeing cruise, Norfolk Time Out, giving you the time to relax, recharge and re-energise or grab the girls for our Pamper Cruise where we will be joined onboard by our resident beauty therapist for manicures and pedicures afloat. For details of the selected dates for Norfolk Time Out cruises please visit https://www.broadlandcharters.com/norfolk-time-out

Pre-book our special extras and make your Broadland Charters experience extra special.  Whilst we provide unlimited Norfolk tea, coffee and water with every cruise why not check out our onboard refreshments and dining menus before you book and pre-order a bottle of wine or if you're feeling peckish choose from local, handmade chocolates, cheese board or canapes to sample whilst watching the ever changing scenery?  All our delicious onboard food is made to order and locally sourced by our expert chefs.  Whether you want to picnic by the river bank, share a jug of Pimms or need a little something to keep the kids happy whilst you relax - our special extras are just that .... extra special!​

"Norfolk Time" is a local saying that describes the slow and relaxed pace of life experienced throughout Norfolk and the Broads so we thought it rather an apt name for our charter boat.  Why choose a self-drive day boat when you can step onboard a luxury sports boat with a fully qualified skipper and have crew to look after you for the duration? 

Paul Dickson is an independent tour guide offering walking tours in Norwich and the Broads National Park. Book Paul direct for the following tours: 

Norwich Tours

Historic Pub Tour

River, Merchants and Markets

The Great Market

The Maids Head Hotel and Tombland

 People and Places - Colegate and Elm Hill

 Boardman and Skipper, Victorian and Edwardian architects

Norwich on the Dark Side.

In the Broads National Park groups can book Rails, Trails and Sails - a day tour combining  ‘Monks, Mayhem and Murder in Norwich with a train journey to Reedham and an exploration of the area with stories of the wherries, railways and Romans.

Paul is an official City of Norwich Tourist Guide and a Norwich Ambassador.

Paul is also an independent publisher working with Norfolk writers.

Main photograph courtesy of Daniel Wildey/English National Parks Experiences Collection.