Car-free Christmas in NorfolkNorfolk
A Merry Christmas in Norfolk doesn’t always have to include driving. Here are lots of ideas for places and events that you can reach by train, bus, bike and foot. Leaving the car behind can mean memorable days out as well as helping protect the environment. Some Norfolk attractions also offer money off or other incentives if you arrive without a car. So, why not have a car-free adventure in the UK’s first Good Journey county this winter?
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1. Norwich
With its warmly-glowing cobbled streets and towering medieval cathedral, walkable Norwich already has some excellent ingredients for an atmospheric car-free Christmas outing. Add in several festive markets, a good sprinkling of seasonal concerts and pantos and some innovative walking tours to cook up a truly exceptional Christmas in Norwich.
- Norwich Cathedral has a full programme of Advent and Christmas concerts and services. These include a candlelit procession, carols and the Messiah to performances by G4, a concert of Christmas movie music and an evening of words and carols with Classic FM’s Zeb Soanes. To get there, follow Good Journey’s directions
- Shoebox Experiences have created a “Chronicles of Christmas” walking tour of Norwich. It takes place in November and December and explores how Christmas has been celebrated through the centuries. Follow Good Journey’s Directions.
- For Christmas shopping and refreshments, head for the seasonal markets at The Forum. Browse for gifts at Clutter City Winter Market and Steps into Christmas at Norwich Arts Centre.
- The city is decked out in sparkling Christmas lights.
- This year’s crowd-pleasing pantomime at Norwich Theatre Royal is Cinderella (oh no it isn’t!). If you’re heading to a matinee performance of the panto, why not take the bus or train and make a day of it? Or, if there’s no direct transport, travel via Norwich Park and Ride. Park and Ride is much cheaper than the car parks, and a lot less stressful!
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2. Around Cromer
Cromer, forty minutes’ train ride from Norwich, also offers good options for a car-free Christmas. Enjoy bracing walks along the beach and warming up in a toasty pub. Stroll through the elegant trees in Sheringham Park and enjoy 10% off in the café at the end for car-free visitors – follow Good Journey’s directions. There’s also the world’s only seasonal end-of-pier show and a host of fabulous National Trust properties nearby, all decked out for Christmas.
- Cromer Pier hosts a celebrated Christmas Show – the world’s only festive end-of-pier show. Easy to get to without a car, the pier is just a few minutes’ walk from Cromer station and is perfect for blustery seaside days and entertaining evenings. An eight-metre video wall enhances the traditional music and comedy with contemporary technical effects. Expect elaborate costumes, edge-of-your-seat stunts, illusions, magic and vintage musical numbers.
- You can also bag 20% off at Felbrigg Hall near Cromer, when you get there by bus, bike or on foot. The hall is decorated with twinkly lights and Christmas trees during the festive season. Enjoy parkland walks and festive decorations followed by a hot drink in the Squire’s Pantry – with an extra 10% off in the café if you arrive car-free follow Good Journey’s directions.
- Enjoy outdoor lights and follow an indoor trail of cheeky festive mice preparing for Christmas at Blickling Estate. Free for National Trust members, there’s 20% off at Blickling during the day for non-members arriving on foot, by bike or by public transport, plus 10% off in the café – follow Good Journey’s directions.
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3. Around Fakenham
The mighty estate at Holkham and the watery nature reserve at Pensthorpe are both exceptional visitor attractions at any time of year and they don’t disappoint when it comes to Christmas.
- Pensthorpe has a spacious Christmas Market in late November and a North Norfolk Pole Experience in lte November and throughout December, where kids can visit Santa’s grotto for stories, crafts and prezzies. And the reserve itself, with its sculptures, wildlife, colourful flamingoes, red squirrels and all-season gardens, is well worth strolling round in winter. Catch bus X29 from Norwich to Fakenham, which stops at the gate. Car-free visitors get £4 off the standard entry when they travel by bus or bike – follow Good Journey’s directions.
- Holkham Hall is lit by candles and open for a self-guided tour of the magnificently-decorated rooms, which includes fizz and mince pies on selected dates. There’s a Christmas Market too on the 12th, 13th and 14th of December. Entry is free and you can avoid the parking fee if you arrive without a car. Bus 36 from Fakenham to King’s Lynn stops at the gate. The estate and neighbouring beach are ideal for wintry walks and wildlife spotting. Deer roam through the craggy trees and seabirds hide in the pine-fringed dunes.
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4. King's Lynn
Parades, markets, Christmas crafts, window displays and letters to Santa… King’s Lynn has plenty of festive events lined up and is decking the halls in seasonal style. There’s a flat £1.50 bus fare that applies to any bus journey that starts and ends within the town zone.
- King’s Lynn’s Christmas Lights Switch-on usually includes live music, a lantern-lit parade and street entertainers.
- Don’t miss the roof angels and stained glass in St Nicholas’ chapel when it’s open for concerts and events.
- There’s a Christmas Market on 6th and 7th December. Locally-sourced and -produced gifts make Christmas shopping simple. Browse everything from sweet treats and artisan cheeses to crafts and unique gifts.
- This year’s classic pantomime at the King’s Lynn Corn Exchange is Jack and the Beanstalk. There are morning performances as well as matinees and evening shows so you can have a full festive day out.
- Get to King’s Lynn by train from Cambridge, Ely and stations in between or even direct from London Kings Cross. Arrive by bus from Dereham, Swaffham, Hunstanton, Wisbech, Fakenham and lots of other places.
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5. Great Yarmouth
With direct trains and buses from all over Norfolk and beyond, Yarmouth is another great December destination.
- The town’s Christmas lights switch-on takes place on Friday November 21st and Great Yarmouth Christmas Fayre of crafts and food will be held in the Minster of St Nicholas Church from 21st to 23rd November. The church is a short walk from Yarmouth railway station.
- Famous far and wide for its lavish productions and high octane entertainment, the traditional Hippodrome Circus Christmas Spectacular runs through to early January. It offers international circus acts and water tricks, with its extraordinary round stage that transforms into a swimming pool.
- The Hippodrome is easy to get to by train or bus. It’s fifteen minutes walk from Great Yarmouth railway station (there are regular trains from Norwich) and ten minutes from the Market Gates bus station with regular buses from Lowestoft, Caister-on-Sea and lots of other places.
Discover more car-free adventures and discounts at attractions around Norfolk – the UK’s first Good Journey County.
