If you haven’t already discovered the delights of Norfolk then it really ought to be on your bucket list. Nobody goes through Norfolk to get to anywhere; it’s a dead end, so it’s quiet. Far less traffic than many other areas of the country. However, there are plenty of dog friendly things to do in Norfolk
Dog Friendly Things to Do in Norfolk
Norfolk is located on the east coast of England and is part of East Anglia. Not only is Norfolk famous for its rolling landscape but also The Broads. Lock free waterways give you a relaxing way to admire the countryside.
Dog Friendly Walks
Being mostly arable there is very little in the way of livestock to worry about on your walks. No stone walls, stiles and gates to traverse. No fields of sheep or cattle to walk through. Just lots of rural paths and bridleways. Long pathways criss-cross the county – Weavers Way, Peddars Way and North Norfolk Coastal Path etc. The landscape is at best gently rolling. This makes for easy walking, no steep hills or climbing and nowhere dangerous or difficult to access.
Dog Friendly Beaches
And then there are the beaches. Norfolk is famous for the miles and miles of quiet sandy coastline with only a few restrictions on some beaches in the summer months. For most of the year, you can find a piece of beach to have for yourself and your dogs. If the tide is in many of the beaches have areas of dunes for dogs to run in.
Winterton On Sea is one of the most popular here in the south with its acres of rolling dunes for easy walking behind the beach. Just up the coast is Sea Palling – a tiny resort with Blue Flag status and a reef-protected beach ensuring quiet and shallow waters all year round. Nearby Horsey is where the seals come on land to give birth. You do have to keep your dog on the lead when they are there (winter months) but it’s amazing to be able to see so many of these mammals in one place.
In the north of the county is the famous Holkham beach. Probably the biggest beach in Norfolk – an awesome place to walk at any time of the year. There are stunning coastal marshland areas too further south in places like Stiffkey and Morston. Lots of mud and creeks but such fun for the dogs and so very peaceful.
Woods and Heathland
There are some great woodland and common areas too. Bacton/Witton Woods is owned by the district council and managed as a great recreational space. Even when the car park is full (I’ve never actually seen that!) the woods are plenty big enough for everyone to have space and enjoy. Kelling Heath, outside Holt, is a great place to explore with dogs too and Sheringham Park (National Trust) is a perennial favourite.
Dog Friendly Cafes and Restaurants
When you’ve walked your socks off under the great big Norfolk skies you will find plenty of places to stop for refreshments that allow your dogs in too. Many of the pubs are very happy to have dogs in the bars, lots of them have dog-friendly gardens and a good number of cafes do welcome dogs in.
Some of the favourites are The Star at Lessingham, the cafe on Winterton Beach, Smallsticks Barn Cafe at Cart Gap.
Towards Cromer you will be welcomed at The Vernon Arms, South Repps or the award-winning Gunton Arms just outside North Walsham. Try The Crown at Wells, The Lifeboat at Thornham next to the beach, The Beach Cafe at Wells and for a bit of a feel of times past the elegant Cliftonville Hotel on the cliffs at Cromer where you can sit in leather chairs in front of the fire with your dogs.
If you want to explore the Broads you can find a good doggy welcome at not one but two pubs in Hickling – The Greyhound and The Pleasure Boat Inn.
Dog Friendly Attractions in Norfolk
Here are some more dog friendly things to do in Norfolk………
There is nothing quite like watching the world go by as you relax. Bure Valley Railway has stations at Aylsham and Wroxham. A 15 – 20 minute walk from Wroxham then takes you to the start of the cruise on The Norfolk Broads.
Dalegate Market is located between Hunstanton and Wells-next-the-Sea. With various independent shops and cafes, the market also has pop-up shops and events. Keep an eye on their event calendar for details.
If you have children, then how about a boat trip to see the seals? Beans Boats head out to Blakeney Harbour to give your family the chance to spot seals and many birds too. Plenty of photo opportunities as the seals often pop up near the boat.
Since opening in 2007, the Dad’s Army Museum in Thetford has gone from strength to strength. See where the series was filmed, the church hall, bunker room and more. Take part in a walking tour or the coach tour before having a mooch around the museum itself.
Norfolk is fabulous for dogs but in essence, it’s a really easy place to have dogs, quiet enough to relax in but more than enough to do when you are here.
Dog Friendly Holidays
So now that we’ve given you just a few ideas of dog friendly things to do in Norfolk, you are going to need somewhere to stay.
There’s plenty of choice of dog friendly holidays in Norfolk for you to choose from. Whether it’s a self-catering cottage, hotel or holiday park you’re after, you can find details on our Norfolk page at www.dogsinvited.co.uk.