Hippodrome Circus Gt. Yarmouth

Great Yarmouth has a unique structure in the Hippodrome Circus, the only surviving total circus building from 1903.  This Edwardian structure was built by circus showman George Gilbert as a permanent home for his circus.  Today visitors can still enjoy a circus style show complete with dancers, aerial acts, clown, acrobats, and contortionists.  The floor lowers and is filled to become a 700,000 gallon swimming pool for the synchronized swimming show.
Over the decades, the Hippodrome Circus saw a wide range of entertainment in the arena.  Water shows, cinema, variety shows and it even became a military shooting range during wartime.  Many famous names such as Lloyd George, Lily Langtry, Little Titch, Max Miller, and Harry Houdini have performed there. There is even a rumour that Charlie Chaplin once performed at this unique venue when he was a child.  For eight weeks each summer the circus returns to the Hippodrome in Jack and Peter Jay’s production.  2008 will mark the 27th year of circus performances at the site.  Rock’n’Roll shows, opera performances, wrestling and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra have all performed there and it is a popular spot for filmmakers, video producers and photographers.
The famous swimming show at the Hippodrome circus is one of only four similar shows still left in the world.  Moscow and Blackpool still have synchronized swimming shows and Las Vegas recently introduced the fourth one on the Strip.
The Hippodrome Circus current schedule of performances is located on their website and it is recommended that visitors get their tickets early as they usually sell out quickly.

Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary

The Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary’s aims are to rescue and provide treatment for sick, distressed, and injured marine life.  They rehabilitate, provide and maintain homes for animals that have no chance in the wild and then work to release them back into the sea once they are healthy.  The staff also strive to educate the community on the marine environment, especially important since the town is right on the coast of the North Sea in Norfolk County, England.

Grey seals and common seals are found all along the eastern coast of the United Kingdom and they comprise two thirds of the world’s seal population.  The grey seals love spots that are inaccessible to humans, islands, caves and coves.  The casual observer can tell the two species apart as the common seals are smaller and their bodies are more spotted.  These seals prefer the sand banks, rocky or shingle beaches and sand beaches.

The sanctuary is open to the public everyday of the year except Christmas from 10am to the last admission at 4pm.  The closing times for the centre vary by season and visitors are advised to call for both closing times and admission fees.  Entry tickets are valid for the entire day it is issued and other displays include starfish, sharks, sting rays, penguins, otters, seahorses, and other aquarium life.  There are feeding demonstrations spaced out over the course of the day and the centre offers both a café and gift shop for visitor’s enjoyment.  Currently there is a Japanese Crab exhibit available to view in the aquarium.

The INSPIRE Discovery Centre

The INSPIRE Discovery Centre is located in Norfolk County, England and its main function is to promote the love of science for all ages by providing everyone hands on exhibits and fun related activities.  There are over 40 hands on experiments and activities available and the staff at INSPIRE work with the schools and research institutes to cover specific themes, distribute the National Curriculum science packages to the schools, produce the Science Squad videos, and provide access to everyone including disabled members of the community.  They are part of the Science Projects Federation, an educational charity.
Part of the Science Projects program in the United Kingdom, INSPIRE’s Discovery Dome made the name a household one.  The Discovery Dome is a travelling science centre providing hands on exhibits for other science centres and schools.  It did so well that the idea of permanent science centres was developed and in 1995, INSPIRE was built in Norwich and in Herstmonceux, Sussex.  Both are run by the Science Projects and there are plans for at least three more centres to be built in the United Kingdom.
INSPIRE finds its home in Norwich in the medieval church of St. Michael’s Coslany.  Part of the Norwich Historic Churches Trust, it has previously been a martial arts centre and was formerly part of the Royal Observatory.  Most of the churches 1500s construction and 1800s restoration work has been maintained in the building to preserve the original architecture while giving the building a new lease of life.  The centre is open to the public and visitors can not only enjoy the science exhibits, but also the former churches memorials and architecture.

The Play Barn, Norwich

Situated just outside of the city of Norwich, Norfolk County, England, is The Play Barn, a fun centre specially designed for children aged seven and under.  This indoor and outdoor play area is located off the B1332 ten minutes from the Norwich city centre and it is open all year round except for Christmas, Boxing and New Years day.  For those parents who need a little break from their child on that rainy day, a day at The Play Barn is just what you need.

The Play Barn has a variety of engaging activities for your little one including areas that simulate a beach indoors; a duck pond, a quiet area for putting together puzzles and reading, a soft play areas especially for toddlers, and an outdoor play area filled with pedal tractors and other outdoor toys.  Tractor rides, pony rides, and the farm animal petting zoo are also available starting at Easter and going through to the end of October.  There is also an outdoor maze and nature trail available during nice weather.

Snacks and a light lunch are available for those who do not want to bring along food and there is parking available as well as toilets.  Hours are from 9:30am to 3:30pm Monday through Friday, and until 5pm on school holidays and Sundays.  The Play Barn will close at 2pm on Christmas and New Year’s Eve.  The Play Barn is closed on Sundays.  Admission is £6.00 per child under seven years old and £1.50 for adults and children over 8.  Parents interested in getting riding lessons for their children can inquire at The Play Barn’s riding centre where there 22 ponies waiting to be ridden.

Origins Norwich

Author’s Note: Origins has closed after six years of serving the community and providing them with information on the 2,000 year history of Norwich and Norfolk.  This page simply provides information on what Origins was and operating information on the gift shop which is still open.

Located in Norwich, Norfolk, England, Origins was an interactive journey that took visitors through the 2,000 year history of the city and county.  Located in the Forum building this unique learning museum covered three floors with over sixty different exhibits that included hands-on activities such as pressing buttons to find answers, pulling levers, playing games, and other activities that children of all ages could perform.  It also included an underground cinema where patrons could relax and learn.  It was designed to teach members of the community about the people, personalities, and places within the county that made it what it is today over two millennia.

This exhibit won numerous tourist attraction awards during its operation.  Currently the Forum Trust is looking for another unique attraction to replace Origins.  The gift shop that was attached to the interactive exhibit is still open and selling items that pertain to the historical information Origins imparted to its visitors.  The items are all unique and unusual and include everything from board games to jewellery.  There are also DVD’s, maps, and books about Norwich and Norfolk county available and locally made gifts and souvenirs.  Currently everything is being sold at 25% off and the gift shop is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30am to 5:30pm and Sundays from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

Pensthorpe Nature Reserve

Located near Fakenham, Norfolk, England, Pensthorpe Nature Reserve is specifically designed for the nature lover.  It was originally created by a local farmer as a refuge for waterfowl.  It is now owned and run by the Jordan family of breakfast cereal fame. Filled with wildlife and flora, the nature reserve is a safe and secure place for people to come and enjoy the natural beauty of the world around them.  During the spring they will see many birds showing off their colourful plumage and bird watchers will find this the perfect time for some serious bird watching.

Pensthorpe encourages families to bring their children to the reserve and allow them to take an active part in exploring the world around them.  Activities for families here include: pond dipping with nets, identification sheets, and buckets; the Bug Walk where children can learn about bugs by exploring the bug boxes, moulds, and other natural habitats that bugs like; a nature quiz for children of all ages to enjoy; bird feeding with provided feed; and binocular hire to see things in vivid detail.

Pensthorpe Nature Reserve, its Courtyard Café and gift shop are open daily except Christmas and Boxing Day.  The hours are 10am to 5pm April through December and then until 4pm January through March.  Only guide dogs for the blind are allowed entrance into the nature reserve and the shop, café, and viewing gallery are wheelchair accessible.  There are trails accessible for wheelchairs.  Admission is adults £7.50, children ages 4 to 15 £4.00, seniors £6.00, and a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) £19.50.  Additional fees apply if visitors wish to add in the Wensum tour.

Pettit’s Animal Adventure Park

The eastern area of Great Britain is blessed with several animal parks but the Pettit’s Animal Adventure Park is more than just another zoo.  Set in fifty acres at Reedham, the entire adventure park is like three mini-parks that are great for children of all ages.  There are family shows several times a day, a theme park with a bouncy castle and rides of all types, plus a petting and feeding zoo.  There are three restaurants on site and this is a great place for a child’s birthday party.

The petting zoo includes reindeer, alpacas, wallabies, raccoons, a reptile house, and lemurs.  There are also chickens, pigs, miniature horses and donkeys.  Peacocks and ducks run free throughout the entire park and children are invited to feed the animals in the petting zoo.

The theme park includes the flying elephant ride, teacups, and the runaway train roller coaster.  A miniature train traverses a half a mile of the park and the rides are all included in the admission price.  Older children and adults will enjoy the driving school, tractor farm, and adventure play area.  There are live shows all day long that include the parks mascots Bingo the Clown, Maxi Mouse, and Bobbi Rabbit.

Parking at Pettit’s is free and it is open daily from April 3 through October 31, 10:00am to 5:00pm/5:30pm.  There are three large picnic areas, and hot and cold snacks available all day long and visitors are encouraged to stop in the souvenir and sweet shop before they leave.

Pleasure Beach Great Yarmouth

Great Yarmouth in the county of Norfolk, England, has some great tourist attractions that are perfect for a family day trip.  One of these sites is the Pleasure Beach that covers nine acres of the seafront area.  Amusement rides, children’s rides, crazy golf, and water attractions are all complimented by hot doughnuts, candy rock, and candyfloss.  This seafront attraction is one of East Anglia’s most popular.

There are over twenty adult rides available as well as some ‘awe-inspiring white knuckle classics’ for those visitors who enjoy a deep seated thrill.  Over 1.4 million people spent the day at the Pleasure Beach in 2007 alone, elevating its status to one of the United Kingdom’s top ten free entry amusement parks.  Management is hoping to attract more visitors with new rides, innovations, and attractions.

There is an extensive garden attached to the Pleasure Beach and it’s a great place for everyone to just relax during a busy day.  There are tearooms and kiosks serving food, an eleven hole safari golf course, twelve hole adventure golf course, and ten care junior driving school.  This is also a great place for large groups to gather for meals or to decide on the next day’s plans.

Amenities at the park include a first aid station with trained and qualified attendants, assistance for disabled guests, baby changing rooms and lost property office.  There is a system in place to find ‘misplaced parents’ by the General Office staff.  All major credit cards are accepted for tokens and wristbands for the attractions.

Elephant Playbarn, Mundesley

Located just outside of the town of Mundesley, Norfolk on the eastern coast of the United Kingdom, the Elephant Playbarn is a great place to bring the kids on a rainy day so they can run around and have fun.  Being cooped up in a house is hard for little ones and this indoor amusement park offers plastic ball pits and additional soft play items.  Located in a large, converted barn, this unique play area is designed for children aged 1 through 7.

The Elephant Playbarn also includes an enclosed courtyard that contains tractors and small cars the children can play on.  Parents are encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy the space the establishment offers them for a nice time with their children.  There is a snack bar on site and parking is available for all visitors.

The Elephant Playbarn is open during the school term from Wednesdays to Sundays from 10:00am to 4:00pm.  During school holidays it will also be open on Tuesdays and Mondays if the weather is inclement and children cannot get outdoors.  The establishment is closed the week after Whitsun, for two weeks over Christmas and New Years, and the first week in September.  Admission is £3.50 for children under 2 years of age, and £4.00 for children ages 2 to 7.  There is no parent’s admission information available.

Additional information can be obtained by calling telephone number 01263 721080.  Currently the Elephant Playbarn’s website is not available and visitors are advised to call or contact the tourist information centre in Mundesley with questions.

Fritton Lake Countryworld

Located in the town of Fritton, Norfolk, England, the Fritton Lake Countryworld is a beautiful natural complex of woodland and Victorian gardens.  The lake extends over two and a quarter miles and covers 150 acres of ground.  There is a nine hole par three golf course with an eighteen hole putting green located there, as well as a miniature railway that runs along the lakeside.  A farm with animals that the children can get close to and a heavy horse centre, that includes Suffolk Punches and Shire horses, are also located at the Fritton Lake Countryworld.
Fishing, rowing boats, and paddle boats are allowed on the lake and disabled visitors can take a specially built boat as well.  Visitors can enjoy a twenty to twenty-five minute tour of the lake in an electric powered launch that will also take them to the Bittern where they can learn about the history of the lake and the wildlife that inhabit it.  Falconry lessons are available and children can have fun in the adventure playground with its aerial slides and assault course.
Hikers here will enjoy the marked trails around the lake with its woodland and wild flowers which include bluebells and Rhododendrons.  There is a café/restaurant on site for visitor’s convenience, picnic areas, and areas for birthday parties.  The park is open from March 18 through October 31 from 10:00am to 5:30pm daily.  Admission is £6.50 for adults, £5.50 for seniors, and £4.50 for children.  Disabled facilities are available and the park is also wheelchair accessible.  The Fritton Lake Countryworld is part of the Somerleyton Hall and Gardens just under five miles away.

Bressingham Steam Experience and Gardens

Bressingham Steam Museum and Gardens located near Diss, Norfolk was built by Alan Bloom, the same man who started the firm Blooms of Bressingham.  He purchased Bressingham Hall and began designing his garden around the hardy perennial plants that seemed to always take second place to the trees and shrubs in other gardens around the country.  In an effort to allow the plants to grow as naturally as possible, Bloom planted what he called ‘Island Beds’, miniature meadows where the flowers grew naturally without being inhibited by hedge rows or walls.  Today, the garden with all of its island beds contains 5,000 species and varieties of flowers amidst mature trees, giving the entire garden the feel of a park.

The Steam Experience offers visitors a chance to take a train ride from Bressingham through the woodlands around the gardens or a chance to ride a steam carousel, one of the few left in the United Kingdom.  Visitors can see the steam exhibit in the locomotive shed that was part of Alan Bloom’s collection as well as being able to view the new Dad’s Army collection that includes props and vehicles from this popular television show.  The 6100 Royal Scot locomotive has also returned to its home of Bressingham after a successful tour of the United States.

The Bressingham Steam and Gardens open daily at 10:30am and close at 5:00pm in March, April, May, September and October.  In June, July, and August the site closes at 5:30pm.  All rides close at 4:30pm unless there is a special event happening.  The Dad’s Army Exhibit has closed for the year.

Sheringham Little Theatre

The town of Sheringham has its own community venue in the Sheringham Little Theatre.  Committed to getting the residents of the community involved in artistic pursuits of all types, it is a valuable resource that provides plenty of fun and educational opportunities.  The theatre was completely remodelled and reopened in June of 1997.  Plays, literary performances, workshops, and musical concerts can all be found at the theatre throughout the year.

This professional theatre has the smallest stage in the country and only 180 seats.  The land that the theatre was built on was once occupied by six small cottages.  Shops, a library, and a town hall were all on the site at one time since 1887 and it was first used for artistic endeavours in 1902.  An art and craft show was held there to raise money for the fishing boat disaster fund.  After that, entertainment and artistic shows for all ages were held in the building, including Christmas parties and magic shows for the children.  It also held a silent picture movie house during World War I.
The Little Theatre Society was formed in 1973 by the Honourable Robin Walpole in an effort to save the building from being demolished.  It has survived dry rot, seat replacements, a crumbling balcony, and has gained both a modern café and bar.  The theatre is kept running by grants and donations from the community and it is one of the few repertory groups left in the United Kingdom.  There is a busy schedule of shows and performances throughout the year.

Snettisham Park

Snettisham Park is a working farm located close to Sandringham in Norfolk, England.  It is well known for the herds of red deer that roam the entire area and it is managed under the ‘Countryside Stewardship Scheme.’  This unique park offers animal feedings, a deer safari, horse and pony rides, discovery trail, adventure playground, tearoom and farm shop.

Educational groups and schools enjoy trips to the park because of the knowledge to be gained about how a farm operates and the advantages of living in the countryside.  The staff provide enriching activities and programs to help target the areas identified in the National Curriculum that pertain to the work done on the farm.  Visitors will learn about raising beef cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and small animals, as well as how woodland, parkland, and other natural resources help the farm and life on it.  There is a discovery trail and archaeological sites also available at the park.

The park is open from February 1st through October 31st from 10am to 5pm daily.  The staff asks that all visits be booked, especially large school groups.  Admission prices are £5.95 and £8.95 for adults, £4.60 and £7.95 for seniors, and £4.50 and £6.95 for children three to sixteen for the farm, or the farm/safari respectively.  They do offer birthday party packages that include sandwiches, crisps, mini cakes, biscuits, jelly, sausages, various squashes to drink and balloons.  Parents are asked to supply the cake and more information can be had by telephoning 01485 542425.

The Thursford Collection

Located in the small village of Thursford, Norfolk, England, the Thursford Collection Museum is an interesting attraction that, amongst other things, simulates an old-fashioned fairground.  Amusement park rides, such as carousels, occupy the same large space as the steam engine collection and visitors will be amazed at the variety of mechanical organs that are exhibited there.  These organs range in size from the smallest street organ to the huge dance and fairground organs that were once found all over the United Kingdom.

There is a daily musical show with the resident organist (currently Robert Wolfe) at the Wurlitzer Cinema organ and he entertains fans of all ages. The music from today is played along with some stretching back to the silent movie days.  The entire attraction is housed in old farm buildings that have been renovated specifically for this use.  In November and December the entire establishment is prepared for the huge Christmas show which visitors from all over England travel to see.  Gift, tea and Christmas shops are also available and are decorated as if sets in a Charles Dickens novel.

The Thursford Collection is open from Good Friday through September 28th from noon to 5pm daily.  They are closed on Saturdays.  All of the fairground rides are included in the admission price and there is a children’s play area and picnic grounds outside.  Admission is £7.50 for adults, £7.00 for senior citizens, £7.00 for students, £3.50 for children 4 through 14 and under 4’s are free.  Christmas events are heavily pre-booked so contact the Thursford Collection for more information if you wish to attend an event.

Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens

Just eight miles outside of Great Yarmouth are the Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens.  This is a progressive zoo that takes in the casualties of construction and development, possibly one of the few last refuges for species who have nowhere else to go.  Thrigby Hall is a big supporter of the World Zoo Conservation Strategy of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the animals that live at Thrigby were some of the first to be given over to the Joint Management of Species Programme.

Thrigby’s animals range from large cats, including tigers, small mammals, snakes, crocodiles, primates, red pandas and birds.  Brave visitors can walk in the tiger tree.  This specially constructed walkway takes visitors up and over the tiger pen and provides them with a great view of the big cats in their natural habitat.  The Lime Tree Walk gives the visitor a bird’s eye look at the wildlife around the lake at Thrigby.

Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens is open all year long, every day, from 10:00am.  Animal feeding in the summer starts at 3:00pm ending with the tigers at 4:15pm.  Visitors are welcome to feed the deer and ducks around the lake, but management asks that they do not feed any of the other animals in the park.  There is a café and gift shop for visitor’s convenience and picnics are welcome.  Large groups of twenty or more are also welcomed to the park and reduced rates are available.  Admission fee is £8.90 adults, £6.90 child ages 4 through 14, and £7.90 for senior citizens.

The Tollhouse, Great Yarmouth

The Tollhouse was once the place where criminals were sent in the town of Great Yarmouth when they were found guilty of a crime or crimes.  It was once one of the oldest prisons in England and this Norfolk County historical site is still alive with ghosts from the past thanks to the many employees and tour guides who bring the characters to life.  From medieval times to the current day, the Tollhouse is full of stories to tell.

The new museum site offers visitors a pre-recorded, free audio guide as they make their way through the winding corridors.  The guide on the recording will tell visitors about the gaolers and their prisoners at the Tollhouse over the years.  Visitors will hear stories that tell the fate of smugglers, thieves, pirates, witches and murderers.  They will describe the mode of transportation to the execution site and the execution itself.  There are additional hand-on activities as well as a description of how one of the 12th century merchant houses became one of Great Yarmouth’s most important buildings.

The Tollhouse is located behind the library and there is a car park close by.  There is a souvenir shop on the premises.  Because of the uneven floors and stairs in the Tollhouse, visitors in wheelchairs will only be able to access one of the sites rooms.  However, all visitors with disabilities are encouraged to visit the site and may bring a companion with them for free.  Assistance dogs are also welcome.  The Tollhouse is open from March 21 to October 31, Monday through Friday from 10am to 5pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 1:15pm to 5pm.  Admission is £3.20 for adult, £1.75 for child and £2.65 for disabled visitors, senior citizens, and students.

Waterworld at Breckland Leisure Centre

If you are looking for a place to enjoy some summer water sports that does not include going to the beach, the Breckland Leisure Centre in Thetford, Norfolk, England, may be the right place for you.  The establishment has a leisure pool complete with waves, rapids, flumes, and water cannons for play.  Serious swimmers will enjoy the competition size main pool and toddlers will love to splash in the under 5’s pool with mum and dad.  The centre offers a ‘learning to swim’ programme for all ages.

There is also a state of the art fitness centre available for the guests’ use that includes saunas and a steam room.  Visitors can play a variety of racket sports, team sports and aerobics is also offered.  Sports coaches are available to teach lessons in tennis and other sports if so desired.  The Centre has a large function room that is perfect for business meetings in an informal atmosphere and there is also a bar and cafeteria for when you get hungry.

The centre is available to visitors of the area if they are staying at certain accommodations that have made prior arrangements to use the centre as part of the fee.  A variety of membership packages are also available and visitors to the centre and the one in Dereham may consider getting one if they come to the Norfolk area for extended lengths of time on holiday.  More information on membership costs can be found on the Parkwood Leisure website or by telephoning 01842 753110.

Banham Zoo

Banham Zoo has been rated as one of the top three zoos in the United Kingdom and a visit to this animal sanctuary is fun for all ages.  Built on 35 acres of parkland interspersed with gardens, this zoo is the home for close to 1,000 animals ranging from birds of prey to big cats, shire horses and more.  The enclosures have been painstakingly prepared to be both innovative and as close to the animal’s natural habitat as is possible in the British climate.  There is also an adventure play area and an under 7’s play area available.

The zoo also offers daily feedings of the tigers, cheetahs, fur seals, and penguins. These events include a talk about the animals themselves, what they enjoy eating, what their natural habitat is like, and more.  There are information boards all over Banham Zoo that keeps visitors up to date on what events are up coming during the day.  Visitors can also take the Safari Road Train through the zoo, with commentary provided about what they are seeing.  The train ride is subject to the season and weather so it is advised to check with reception to find out if it is running the day you intend to visit.

There is also a hands-on activities and educational centre at the zoo.  There is an animal encounter talk at the centre and visitors get the opportunity to ‘meet’ some of the smaller animals that live on the grounds.  The zoo is open daily except Christmas and Boxing Day from 10:00am to 4:00pm or 5:00pm depending on the month and time of year.  Admission ranges from £7.95 to £12.50 for adults and £5.95 to £8.50 for children 3 – 15 depending on the month of visit respectively.

Alby Crafts

If you like handmade crafts, you will enjoy Alby Crafts located close to Aylsham in Norfolk County, England. With four acres of beautiful and carefully tended gardens, the craft shops feature some of the best craftspeople in the area. The farm buildings are made of brick and flint, common building materials in the area, and they include a gallery, gift shop, tearooms, and furniture showroom. Alby Crafts has been in business for over thirty years and through the years around fifty craftspeople have called the complex home.

The craftspeople here offer classes for the general public in stained glass, pottery and wood turning. You could spend a few days creating some pieces for your home and leave with the knowledge to continue creating delightful craft pieces to your own design.
The gardens include four ponds, a wild area, stream, island, and small woodland which is the home to an interesting poplar tree that was felled during the hurricane of 1987. The poplar is still alive and is growing into a beautiful and very unique hedge. The lack of paths in the garden makes it an informal place for the visitors to wander and enjoy.
Alby Crafts is open Tuesday through Sundays up until Christmas Eve from 10am and 5pm. They are also open on bank holiday Mondays. The gardens are open April through November from 10am to 4pm. Entrance is £2.50 and children are free. Dogs are welcome to come with their owners as long as they are kept on a leash.

A-maize-ing Maize Maze, Compton Hall

Corn mazes are popular especially in the late summer when the crop is just the right height. The maize maze that can be found at Compton Hall at South Creake, near Fakenham, England, is one of the most fun places around the area. The hall is a working farm complete with sheep and pigs and large fields of maize. For the last eight years it has also been the home of the A-maize-ing Maize Maze. People from all over the world have come here to get lost – or found – in this large and unique puzzle.

The maize expands over 7-1/2 acres of farmland. Each maze is planned carefully through the year into a specific theme. Then each maize plant is pulled out by hand in order to create the maze. Visitors to the maze are highly advised to stay on the path and not cut through the 9 foot stalks of corn that are the ‘walls’. This is cheating and there are observers everywhere to ensure that the fun is not ruined. There is also a quiz you can complete as you go through the maze.

The corn that creates this great attraction is planted at the end of April, early May, and it does not even hit the half-way mark of its growth until June. The corn should be at or close to 9 foot by the end of September. It is said that if the day is hot enough, the corn will grow about an inch and you can hear the plants getting bigger.

The A-maize-ing Maize Maze is open to the public from July 21 through September 9 from 10am to 6pm with the last entry being at 5pm. Admission is 4.00 adults, OAP’s £3.00, children 2 to under 14 £3.00 and £12.00 for a family of four. Wheelchair users can enjoy the maze and get in free.

Dinosaur Adventure Park

Take a step back in time and take a walk through 100 acres of parkland and woods to experience the world of the dinosaurs. With an adventurer’s guide, you can explore the Dinosaur Trail, meet animals and ‘creepy critters’ in the Secret Animal Garden, meet the tribe on the Neanderthal Walk and play games such as Raptor Racers, Lost World, and Jurassic Putt. All of this can be experienced at the Dinosaur Adventure Park.

The Dinosaur Adventure Park is located in Lenwade in Norfolk County, England, and visitors to the park will come face to face with dinosaur replicas of all kinds. Visitors can help the rangers discover the amount of T-Rex’s lurking in the forest by using a variety of equipment and field check stations. Play archaeologist and help the rangers find out what type of dinosaur has been discovered, or get lost in the ‘Lost World’ maze. There is also a safari available for an additional cost.

This unique park gives guests of all ages an opportunity to view the way scientists believe the dinosaurs once lived. There are a variety of hands-on activities available for children to participate in to learn all about these creatures that once roamed the Earth. There is also an animal fun barn and petting zoo and two large play areas, one designed for children under age five.

The Dinosaur Adventure Park is open daily from 10am to 4pm or 5pm depending on the time of year. They are closed Christmas and Boxing Day. Admission starts at £5.95 for adults, £4.95 for children ages 3-15, and children under 3 are free. There are also concession and group rates available.

Bure Valley Railway

The Bure Valley Railway is Norfolk County’s longest distance fifteen gauge railway; it runs from Aylsham to Wroxham. Wroxham is known as the ‘Capital of the Norfolk Broads’ and passengers can visit the small stations at Brampton, Buxton, and Coltishall to get a taste of this wonderful area. The round trip on the railway travels through the Bure river valley and follows the course of the river though meadowland and pastures. The town of Aylsham, which is the headquarters of the railway, is a pleasant market town with some good shops.

There is a hiking trail that runs through the area and anyone who has started out at Wroxham or Aylsham can hop on the train and return to their point of origin. Cyclists are also welcome. The foot and cycle path run alongside the nine miles of laid track and they include additional pathways that branch out from the main one deeper into the countryside. Cycles that are taken aboard the railway will be charged an additional £3.00, space providing.

Roundtrip rates start at £7.00 per adult over 17, £6.50 for senior citizens, and £4.50 for children aged 5 through 16. Children under 5 ride for free and families are allowed to bring their dogs aboard for an additional fee. Round trip tickets allow the holder to travel on the railway all day for unlimited journeys. Groups of twenty or more can be accommodated with prior arrangements. Discounted fares can be found at the intermediate stations located at Brampton, Buxton, and Coltishall.

Bewilderwood

Families love Bewilderwood. The tourist attraction of the year in 2007 is now fully established and offers a great day out for a family. The woods are full of rope bridges, slides, magical characters, and things to do. Take boat or boardwalk to the main part of the park, and enjoy. Allow 2-4 hours.

Cromer Museum

Cromer is a seaside village on the north-eastern coast of Great Britain and the Cromer Museum is an excellent place to learn about what the town was like during the 19th Century.  There is a complete fisherman’s cottage from the Victorian age inside that allows you to see what life was like during this time.  There is also an area called the ‘Old Cromer’ Gallery which contains historic photographs and illustrations of the town.  Information on Cromer’s heyday as a Victorian seaside resort, its elegant hotels, and scandalous mixed bathing practices, and accounts of the daring rescues by Henry Blogg and the lifeboatmen can be found in the Museum as well.
The Museum recently added a geology gallery that includes a collection of fossils found in the North Norfolk area.  It shows just how important Cromer is as a geological area of importance.  The West Runton elephant – a complete and one of the oldest elephant fossils – can be viewed at the museum and visitors can also see a cast of the skull of the Mosasaur, a marine reptile that lived off the coast of North Norfolk over 80 million years ago.
The Cromer Museum recently published the 2008 Events Programme which includes information about the different events and displays that will offered throughout the year.  It can be found online at: http://www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk/img/08%20site%20leaflet%20art1_final.pdf or visitors can request a printed copy by calling the Museum on 01263 513543.

Entrance fees for adults are £2.90, children 3 to 16 £1.75, and under 4 free.  Special concessions for disabled individuals, persons aged over 60, and students are available as well as for adults in a family group.