Give your seniors a breath of fresh air and take them to these top recommended local parks and gardens in North Norfolk.
As you get older, keeping up an active lifestyle becomes more and more important for helping your joints and muscles to keep their strength. Getting seniors to maintain a physical aspect to their daily routines can be tricky at the best of times, a daily or weekly park visit is an easy and very effective way to get them out and about.
Norfolk has a stunning range of outdoor spaces, we’ve created the following list of our favourite local parks to explore with your seniors.
Situated on the edge of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Holt Country Park is set in 100 acres of mixed woodland and is open all year round for you to enjoy. When you walk into the tranquil woodland, dominated with Scots pines and native broadleaves, it’s easy to understand why it is such a popular location for wildlife enthusiasts, dog walkers and people looking for a relaxing stroll.
Changing seasons bring changes in the beautiful displays of flowers that you can find, from orchids in the summer to snowdrops in the winter. The rich ground flora supports an abundant array of wildlife including goldcrests, greater spotted woodpeckers, and deer, amongst many others. There is a small café on-site serving delicious cakes and coffees, and there are loads of trails for different needs, in terms of length and accessibility.
Wander through Sheringham Park, famous for its vast collection of rhododendrons and azaleas. Climb to the top of the two viewing towers at Gazebo to experience breath taking views of the beautiful North Norfolk landscape, coastline and maybe a steam train passing through. Spend a day here exploring 1000 acres of varying habitat including woodland, parkland, and clifftop. Look out for wildlife, 3 species of deer can be found here alongside a wide variety of birds and butterflies.
There are plenty of options available to assist those with limited mobility. A 1.5-mile sealed surface path passes through the wild garden and down to the first cattle grid. There is level access to the Courtyard Café and toilet facilities, and to the Bower Garden from the carpark. However, the landscaping in the wider parkland is undulating. We have manual wheelchairs, an all-terrain tramper and PMV mobility scooters available to hire on a first come, first served basis. The hire period is 90 minutes, and a map of suitable routes will be provided.
Located in the Wensum Valley in North Norfolk, this extensive reserve is perfect for the avid birdwatcher, boasting 7 hides across a range of managed landscapes including meadow, wood, fen, and wetland habitats. With well-kept, even boardwalks and easy access birdwatching hides, the reserve is wheelchair friendly and fully accessible for all, making for an easy-going day out. There are feeders at each one of the hides, if you’re quiet and calm you get to see the birds up close.
Wildlife-rich grazing and salt marsh reserve, plenty of places to birdwatch and a stunning panoramic sandy beach, Holkham Nature Reserve is best known as Wells-next-the-Sea. Delight in one of the most unspoilt, natural, and beautiful stretches of sand in the country, along with many fascinating habitats and rare species of flora and fauna. Holkham ensure that the attractions, facilities, and the wider estate are managed and enhanced to the highest standards to accommodate all accessibility needs where possible.
One of the most elegant country houses in East Anglia, Felbrigg Hall is a place of surprises and delights. A mixture of opulence and homeliness, each room reflects Felbrigg’s vibrant history. The decorative and productive walled garden is a gardener’s delight. Allotments in the walled garden provide fruit and vegetables, breathe in the scent of lavender, sage, and mint. You can enjoy watching the hens pecking wherever they wish, with only the sound of the busy bees in the flowers. There are many modern surprises to be found within this traditional garden, including one of the few octagonal working dovecotes, dating back to the early 1750s.
Built in 1704, the Orangery was designed to blend with the west wing of the house. In the 19th century the building was given a glass roof which, by 1958, had fallen in and was replaced by the one you see today. The Orangery now houses a collection of camellias, some of considerable age. There are no steps or sloped in the Walled Garden paths and they are designed to be suitable for any weather conditions.
As you can see, North Norfolk is abundant with open spaces and stunning countryside, plenty of places to take your seniors out for a healthy walk away from the noise and clutter of town. Whether you’re looking for community events, aimless rambles or just a pleasant place to sit and watch the world go by, your seniors will be spoilt for choice in our famous Norfolk countryside.