7 trails for high summer
4th August 2026
Barsham Estate's maize maze
From discovering stories and snails, to pursuing pirates and solving whodunnits, trails are having a moment this season! Here are seven new ones to enjoy in summer 2026…
Join the pirates
The North Norfolk Railway has just launched its new Poppy Line Pirates trail. Captain Madoc is on the lookout for more sea-loving travellers to help find the missing treasure. Can you find follow the clues, decode the letters to discover the secret password and join the crew as they sail the seas? Start your search at either Sheringham or Holt Station, collecting your trail sheet before heading out in search of the 10 letters you need to decode the password. Free to anyone with a valid child’s ticket, the trail continues until 21 August.
Solve a royal riddle
Inspired by the mystery of the lost Crown Jewels of King John, this new, free digital family-friendly trail in King’s Lynn challenges participants to solve the case after the jewels have mysteriously vanished. Collect a suspect list from the new town library, download the free Discover King’s Lynn app and use it to crack on with cracking the clues at 10 locations in the town centre. Once you’ve solved the case, return to the library to claim a small prize. The trail continues until 31 August.
Crack a wildlife whodunnit
Pensthorpe nature reserve has launched a new interactive maize maze experience this summer, along with a brand-new ‘Field of Adventure’, with giant games. Budding sleuths should grab a case file sheet and navigate the maze, uncovering clues and eliminating suspects to solve ‘The Great Conspiracy’ – who ate the golden cob? You’ll learn wildlife facts along the way, too. It’s included in normal admission and open throughout the summer holidays.
Step back in time
Aylsham’s new free Heritage Snail Trail has more than 20 snail sculptures to discover, celebrating the town’s history and artistic talent. The snails have been created by local artists including Teucer Wilson and Mik Richardson; each sculpture will have its own QR code to scan for more information, or you can follow a printed guide.
Have an a-maize-ing time
Also new for this summer is the Barsham Maize Maze – the largest in North Norfolk – complete with a large viewing platform with views over the River Stiffkey valley. Crack the maize, enjoy the countryside themed play area with vintage games and ride-on tractors, follow the nature trail and refuel at the pop-up cafe. And for the grownups, there’s the Barsham Brewery Taproom, too. Open daily over the summer.
Follow your art
Full-size reproductions of works from Towner Eastbourne’s celebrated art collection have been installed at key sites around the streets of Cromer for The Bigger Picture 2026, the latest outdoor exhibition trail in the town from Cromer Artspace. The free self-guided trail comprises 24 pictures, from Christopher Wood’s ‘Fair at Neuilly’ on the pier to ‘People’ by Barnett Freedman on The Gangway. Maps are available from Artspace on the Prom and the free digital app Bloomberg Connects.
Discover stories in the city
The Norwich City of Stories Summer Trail celebrates books, creativity, the power of the imagination and of course, Norwich’s identity as England’s first UNESCO City of Literature. Pick up a free trail map and follow the route, searching for story books displayed in shop windows and venues, uncovering stories inspired by the city’s past. Crack the hidden message to be in with the chance of winning a range of prizes. The trail runs until 31 August.
