If you want to… see a seaside show

Sunny Hunny promises all things funny, with the return of the Great British Seaside Summer Show at the Princess Theatre (Wednesdays from 29 July to 2 September, www.princesshunstanton.co.uk). Marvel at masters of illusion Raymond & Cannon and laugh out loud to Domino the clown’s kooky circus world. The Cromer Pier Summer Show 2026 (until 19 September, www.cromerpier.co.uk) is the only full-season end-of-the-pier show in the world. This year it dazzles more than ever – think engaging choreography, powerhouse vocals and twinkling costumes – as it celebrates 125 years of iconic seaside entertainment on the pier. 

If you want to… entertain the kids

With its sand dunes for hide-and-seek and quayside gillying (aka crabbing), North Norfolk is a delight for children, but the fun doesn’t stop there. Listen to the laughter as little ones enjoy the giant helter skelter, water play fountain and spinning teacups at Thursford Adventure Play Fair, an enormous, joyous adventure playground. Make a day of it by visiting the adjacent Steam Engine Museum, with its fairground rides and wurlitzer shows (www.thursford.com).

If you want to… join in traditional village celebrations

Bunting! Dog shows! Homemade cakes! It’s the season of fetes, fayres and festivals. Kicking off proceedings is Worstead Festival (25 and 26 July, www.worsteadfestival.org), with more than 10,000 people expected to enjoy the galloping horses, BMX stunt riders, dog agility and chef’s theatre. Langham Street Fayre (15 August) promises an entertainment-packed day, including wood-fired pizzas, sea shanties and music from Hot Squash in the evening. The band are also appearing at Cley Harbour Day (29 August, www.cleyharbour.co.uk), where there’ll be a BBQ, canoe racing and a ‘best-dressed pirate under the age of 12’ competition. Rounding out the summer is the Aylsham Show (31 August, www.theaylshamshow.co.uk), a one-day extravaganza of farming, stunt shows, trade stands and craft exhibits.

If you want to… find a foodie pop-up

Culinary concepts are popping up along the coast and in the countryside this season. The Pasta Barn (www.westgate-farm.co.uk), a collaboration between Mr Ragu x Westgate Farm, is open throughout August, offering handmade pasta served in a rustic barn. It’s la dolce vita over at the Norfolk Bottle Shop near Wells-next-the-Sea, too, with wood-fired pizzas available until early September, best enjoyed in the ‘sundowner’ meadow (www.norfolkbottleshop.co.uk). And Gurneys Fish Shop at Drove Orchards in Thornham has opened an oyster bar, serving fresh-from-the-sea molluscs and shellfish, fine wine and cocktails over the summer (www.gurneysfishshop.co.uk).

If you want to… pick up a racket

You’ll have an ace time at Cromer Lawn Tennis & Racket Sports Club (www.clubspark.lta.org.uk), which is open to non-members for tennis, table tennis, squash, racketball and pickleball – plus there’s a fully licensed club house. Purchase a Holiday Pass and it allows up to four people to use the facilities without paying any other court fees for one week. For wannabe Raducanus and Drapers, Junior Tennis Camps run in August. You’ll also have a ball at Norfolk Padel near Fakenham, with guest coaches, kids’ camps and cocktail evenings (www.norfolkpadel.co.uk). 

If you want to… adventure around an Abbey

Creake Abbey, a cluster of independent shops, small businesses and a cafe a stone’s throw from the 12th century abbey ruins, has something for everyone (www.creakeabbey.co.uk). Over July and August, there are two pop-ups alongside the regular boutiques – luxury leather bag and accessories brand Urban Ranch, as well as Rock & Stones, a contemporary fashion label inspired by East Africa. The annual Summer Gift Fair (29 August) is a must-do, with over 90 local artists, makers and producers selling ceramics to cakes. Two more dates for your diary: the Coastal Health and Wellbeing family fun day and dog show (19 July) and sound bathing in the abbey ruins (6 September).

If you want to… meet the local marine life

Norfolk Wildlife Trust celebrates National Marine Week (25 July to 9 August, www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/marine-week). From rockpool rummaging on West Runton beach to plankton fishing at Cley Marshes visitor centre, it’s a chance to learn about our precious seas. Did you know that there’s a lobster hatchery on the East Quay at Wells (www.wellslobsterhatchery.co.uk)? The project – initiated in 2021 to protect North Norfolk’s marine ecosystem – is going from strength to strength. See for yourself on a pre-booked behind-the-scenes tour, where you can meet the berried hens (mums) and babies up close. But make it snappy, tours only run until September. 

If you want to… PYO berries or blooms

Not only are you connecting with Mother Nature at a ‘pick your own’, but you’ll go home with produce that’s as fresh as it comes. At Cromer Hall (www.summerhubcromer.co.uk), you can pick strawberries throughout the summer; while over at Leith House Orchards (www.leithorchards.com), almost 3,000 trees bear plums, gages, damsons and apples ripe for the picking until the end of September. For flowers, Wild Dahlia Co is a small-scale dahlia farm in Weybourne, open from late summer through the autumn (www.wilddahliaco.co.uk). And don’t miss the jaunty yellow sunflowers at Westgate Farm, near Walsingham (www.westgate-farm.co.uk), which opens around the first two weeks in August. 

If you want to… explore where Nelson once sailed

Before joining the Navy aged 12, Horatio Nelson honed his sailing skills around Burnham Overy Staithe. Why not take his lead? Coastal Exploration Co. (www.coastalexplorationcompany.co.uk) offers bespoke sailing adventures – they now have a traditionally built Norfolk beach boat based in Blakeney, which can take people out to Cley and Morston. If you’re wanting to learn, Blakeney Harbour Sailing offers sailing tuition, as well as charters on a Norfolk Oyster (www.blakeneyharboursailing.co.uk). Further along the coast, Faire Sailing is an RYA training centre for sailing and powerboating in Burnham Overy Staithe (www.fairesailing.com). But who says it has to involve boating? Hunstanton Watersports (www.hunstantonwatersports.com) have been offering kitesurfing lessons and paddleboarding courses for two decades; in Cromer, Glide Surf School (www.glidesurfschool.co.uk) runs daily open group lessons and surf camps for kids throughout July and August. 

If you want to… shop local 

North Norfolk has cornered the market when it comes to buying hyper-local, hand-crafted wares. You’ll find Norfolk’s finest artisans, producers and makers at The Burnhams Market, on 25 July, 22 August and 19 September at St Mary’s Church in Burnham Market (www.theburnhamsmarket.co.uk), and at the monthly Holt Sunday Market (www.holtsundaymarket.com). Foodies, take note: Creake Abbey Farmers’ Market, on the first Saturday of each month, has over 60 stalls with meat, fish, baked goods, veg and fruit (www.creakeabbey.co.uk). Or fill your basket at Fakenham Food Market, on the second Saturday of every month (www.visitfakenham.co.uk). 

If you want to… visit a vineyard

Ask for a drinks menu in a local restaurant and you’ll spot a Norfolk wine. With its cool-climate terroir, the county has a good number of vineyards which, in addition to selling award-winning vintages, offer tours and events. From July to September, Walsingham Estate Vineyard (www.walsinghamvineyard.co.uk) is holding summer evening tastings in the medieval crypt at Walsingham Abbey where you can sample the full range of wines, before exploring the abbey grounds, glass of fizz in hand. North Creake-based Burn Valley Vineyard (www.burnvalleyvineyard.co.uk) is running Wine Bar evenings on Fridays and Saturdays. Pop in for a glass or bottle of wine, served with charcuterie and local cheeses, and watch the sun set over the vines. 

If you want to… sample street food

Some of the finest food in Norfolk is dished up from food trucks and eaten with a wooden fork. Try it for yourself at Barsham Brewery’s Street Food Fridays – a monthly gathering of local food vendors, with live music and an on-site tap room (31 July, www.barshambrewery.co.uk). You’ll also find a series of rotating independent food traders at the family-friendly Mysabar x Wiveton Hall, where you can sample delights from the likes of Randy’s Seafood, Churros & Chorizo and Feel Good Ice Cream (22 July to 30 August, www.mysabar.co.uk). Over at Holkham, Feast in the Park returns for its seventh year (every weekend from 25 July to the end of August, www.holkham.co.uk) with all your favourite street food concessions.  

If you want to… sing along somewhere special

Dancing shoes at the ready for the return of Classic Ibiza at Blickling Estate, with the Urban Soul Orchestra performing 58 Balearic-infused club classics (1 August, www.classicibiza.co.uk). Other stately homes getting their groove on include Cromer Hall, with a concert headlined by tribute 80s rock band Wild Boys (18 July, www.summerhubcromer.co.uk).

If you want to… stay on track

All aboard for the North Norfolk Railway’s Golden Years weekend (18 to 19 July, www.nnrailway.co.uk). Over the two days, visitors can ride on four different trains, enjoy live music at Holt Station and classic vehicle displays. More special events follow, including dining trains, alongside its regular services. Hop along to Wells & Walsingham Light Railway(www.wwlr.co.uk), the world’s smallest public railway, where you can join Toad and friends on the ‘Wind in the WWLR Willows’ family trail – a free activity for children to do on the journey between Wells-next-the-Sea and Walsingham, during the school summer holidays. 

Check individual websites for all ticket prices, where applicable, dates and times