ENGLAND
5 DAYS from £335
5 DAYS from £419
Holkham Hall © Holkham Estate
Houghton Hall Credit David Valinsky Photography
Soaring Spires, Dad’s Army & Georgian Finery
Norfolk Broads, Holkham & Historic Railways
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Big skies, sweeping sands and the tranquil Norfolk Broads help make picturesque Norfolk a great destination for groups. Our gently paced tour to this enchanting county reveals them all and more, with two steam railway journeys, a cruise on the Broads, and visits to Great Yarmouth and historic Holkham Hall.
Spend time in scenic Norfolk visiting the county’s famous attractions from the ancient city of Norwich with its soaring cathedral spire, the second highest in England to fictional Dad’s Army TV location of Walmington-on-Sea. For breathtaking grandeur, we visit the opulent home of Sir Robert Walpole, Houghton Hall and enjoy the beautiful gardens of Bressingham. What a perfect combination!
PACKAGED ITINERARY
PACKAGED ITINERARY
Day 1 Arrival We arrive at our hotel in time for dinner. Day 2 Bure Valley Railway, Norfolk Broads & Wroxham
Day 1 Arrival We arrive at our hotel in time for dinner. Day 2 Norwich
Our day starts with a visit to the Bure Valley Railway and a 45-minute journey by steam train through the picturesque Norfolk countryside to Wroxham. On arrival, we disembark and take a leisurely 15-minute stroll to Wroxham Bridge, where we enjoy time for lunch. In the afternoon, we enjoy the next stage of our journey, a 90-minute circular cruise on the Norfolk Broads . We then return to our hotel mid-afternoon. Day 3 Great Yarmouth & Norwich We have free time this morning to enjoy Norfolk’s classic seaside town of Great Yarmouth, famed for its sandy beach. Aside from the Pleasure Beach amusement park, we can visit the Time and Tide Museum to chronicle local history, or the Nelson Museum, which charts the life of Admiral Lord Nelson. If the weather allows, we can also stroll around the miniature Merrivale Model Village. Next, we travel to Norwich where we can have lunch before exploring. This lovely medieval city has plenty of interest, from its ornately cloistered cathedral and medieval city gates leading to its Saxon-era marketplace to the Museum of Norwich and some fabulous shopping. Day 4 North Norfolk Railway & Holkham We journey to the Victorian seaside resort of Sheringham to board the North Norfolk Railway for a one-way, 5.5-mile journey to the Georgian town of Holt. Sit back and absorb the views as our steam train chugs through the county’s stunning scenery. After arriving in Holt, we make our way north for our visit to Holkham Hall, set like a jewel in one of England’s greatest agricultural estates. This imposing, 18th-century Palladian house is home to the Earls of Leicester, and consists of a glorious Marble Hall, state rooms and art galleries. We spend time exploring the house and its gorgeous walled garden, which houses a greenhouse, vineries and kitchen garden. Day 5 Departure After breakfast, we make our way home.
This morning we enjoy a half-day guided tour of Norwich visiting some of the eclectic mixture of old and new attractions within this delightful city. Don’t miss Elm Hill, surrounded by lovely old Tudor buildings which now house appealing independent shops and cafes. There is also the spectacular cathedral and castle as well as a host of shopping opportunities in the conveniently pedestrianised centre. Day 3 Houghton Hall Full day visit to Houghton Hall , the house and gardens of the first British Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole (Earl of Orford) who commissioned the magnificent and elaborate house of today. Boasting opulent and rich décor, the State rooms are a testament to the refined Georgian era with painted ceilings and gilded furniture, designed to impress guests and showcase Walpole’s prized art collection. Highlights include the Great Staircase, Stone Hall, The Saloon, the Embroidered Bed Chamber and the Tapestry Dressing Room. We can explore the restored 5 acre walled garden which combines imaginative planting, charming sculptures and stunning blooms as well as the medieval St Martin’s Church before visiting the Stables Café or browsing in the gift shop. Day 4 ‘Walmington-on-Sea’ and Bressingham Steam & Gardens Today, we travel to Thetford and fictional location of iconic TV series, Dad’s Army’s ‘Walmington-on-Sea’. We have brief free time to view some of the familiar places where filming took place. Afterwards, we travel a short distance to the magnificent Bressingham Steam & Gardens where we will spend the rest of the day. We have free time to visit the neighbouring garden centre for lunch before our stroll around the beautiful gardens. Totalling over 17 acres, the fabulous gardens, woodlands and countryside display stunning plant combinations to admire across six distinct gardens. Day 5 Departure After breakfast, we make our way home.
INCLUSIONS • Single journey on the Bure Valley Railway Aylsham-Wroxham • 90-minute circular cruise of the Norfolk Broads • One-way journey on the North Norfolk Railway Sheringham-Holt • Entrance to Holkham Hall
INCLUSIONS • Norwich half day guided tour
• Entrance to Houghton Hall House & Gardens • Entrance to Bressingham Steam & Gardens
MIX & MATCH
HOW ABOUT? Why not upgrade your visit to Houghton Hall by adding a dedicated house tour
Choose either itinerary from any hotel. Ask us for prices not shown.
or garden tour with a senior gardener. Ask your Account Manager for details.
Albatross Approved Rating: ✓ Visited ✓ Inspected ✓ Graded
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