Do you start the summer holidays by packing the days with treats and adventures and then run out of steam by week two as the cost gets overwhelming? Keep the fun running for longer with these summer savers.
CARNIVALS & FETES
Abbey Days Summer Fair (FREE)
Church St, Wymondham NR18 0PH
3rd August 2024
Beccles Carnival Weekend (LOW COST)
Beccles Quay NR34 9BB
17th and 18th August 2024
Cley Harbour Day (FREE)
Cley Quay By The Windmill
Sunday 18th August 2024 4-9pm
Costessey Children’s Fun Day (FREE)
Costessey Centre, Longwater Lane, NR8 5AH
Saturday 3rd August 2024 10:30am-3.30pm
Cromer Carnival (FREE)
Carnival Field, Runton Road, Cromer, NR27 9AU
17-23rd August 2024
Holkham Hall North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival (FREE)
Holkham Park, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1AB
31st August – 1st September 2024 10-4pm
Spixworth Social Club Family Fun Day & Music Fest (FREE)
Spixworth Social Club, Spixworth, Norwich NR10 3NQ
Saturday 17th August 2024 12 Noon – Late
The Blakeney Greasy Pole 2024 (FREE)
Blakeney
Dates: Saturday 27th July in 2024
The Sunflower Sundowner (LOW COST)
The Haha Farm, NR13 4AH
Dates: 1-3rd August and 8-10th August 2024
Wells-Next-Sea Carnival Week 2024 (FREE)
Dates: Friday 2nd August through to Sunday 11th August 2024
Glen Lodge Family Fun Day (FREE)
Bawburgh NR9 3LU
Monday 26th August 2024
Holt Garden Centre: Family Fun Day (FREE)
Holgate Hill, Kelling, Holt NR25 7ER
Saturday 20th July 2024
Sprowston Summer Fair (FREE)
Sewell Park Academy, Constitution Hill, NR3 4BX
Saturday 10th August 2024 11am-3pm
St Augustines Street Summer Fayre (FREE)
St Augustines Street, NR3
Sunday 21st July 2024 10-4pm
The Earlham’s Summer Party (FREE)
41 Earlham Rd, Norwich NR2 3AD
27th July 2024
Tour De Fox Cycle & Festival (FREE)
Hethersett Village Hall, 11 Back Lane, Norwich
4th August 2024
Black Barn Summer Fayre (FREE)
Black Barn Farm NR13 6QG
Saturday 31st August 2024 11-5pm
Rockland St Mary School Summer Fete (FREE)
23 School Ln, Rockland St Mary, Norwich NR14 7EU
Saturday 20th July 2024 11-5pm
SalFest 24 (FREE)
Salhouse Recreation Ground, Thieves Ln, Salhouse, Norwich NR13 6RQ
17th August 2024 12-8pm
Bradwell Village Show
Green Lane Park NR31 8QG
Sunday 11th August 2024 1-5pm
Free Family Fun Day
Mile Cross Primary School, Brasier Rd, Norwich NR3 2QU
Friday 30th August 2024 10-2pm
OUTDOOR FUN
Teddy Bears Picnic at Whitlingham Country Park (FREE)
Whitlingham Ln, Norwich NR14 8TR
Wednesday 28th August 2024 11-3pm
Bishop’s House Open Garden (LOW COST)
Bishop’s House Garden, Saint Martin-At-Palace Plain, Norwich, NR3 1SB
21 July – Great Yarmouth and Gorleston RNLI
4 August – EACH (East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices)
Norfolk Wildlife Trust Summer (LOW COST)
A mix of famiy friendly activities from rock pooling to searching for sharsk, check out the website for dates, locations and events.
National Trust Summer (LOW COST)
Summer of Play at Oxburgh (PE33 9PS) and Bat Walks at Sheringham Park / Felbrigg Estate
RSPB Strumpshaw Fen (LOW COST)
RSPB Strumpshaw Fen, Low Rd, Strumpshaw, Norwich NR13 4HS
Various events across the summer, check HERE for details
How Hill’s Summer Family Days (LOW COST)
How Hill Trust Environmental Education Centre, Great Yarmouth, NR29 5PG
Thursday 25th July 2024 10-12pm
Pick Your Own Sunflowers at The Haha Farm (LOW COST)
Hemblington Rd, Blofield, Norwich NR13 4AH
27th July – 25th August 2024 (Mother Nature dependent), open daily 10-4pm
Redwings Horse Sanctuary (LOW COST)
Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Spa Lane, Aylsham, Norfolk, NR11 6UE
Visitors welcome every day, 10am till 4pm (paddocks close at 3.30pm), including Bank Holidays.. Play area, Café and gift shop on site. Free to enter but donations are welcome, please book a time slot in advance.
Wacky Wednesdays at Hall Farm (LOW COST)
World Horse Welfare, Hall Farm, Snetterton, NR16 2LP
Every Wednesday in the holidays starting 24th July 2024. Meet the ponies, pony grooming, craft activities, stamp trail, ‘pony Express’ tractor and trailer rides. £3 per person, under 5s free.
ThetZero School Sculpture Summer Trail (FREE)
Thetford, Norfolk
19th July – 4th September 2024
Enjoy a stroll around Thetford and view 17 sculptures made from recycled materials and by children and students in local education, working with local businesses. All participants who complete the trail will receive a gift.
The Wind In The Willows (FREE)
Earsham Wetland Centre, Old Harleston Rd, Bungay NR35 2AF
Saturday 20th July 2024 3pm
Join us for a free afternoon of outside theatre on our meadows next to the River Waveney
Norfolk Day ideas
Norfolk Day may have passed but we put together a post to help you get the best from our beautiful county on any day of the year. There are 10 ideas for family fun – mostly free! Have a look here.
ACTIVITIES IN AND AROUND THE CITY
Cinema City Norwich Kids Club (LOW COST)
City Centre, St Andrews St, Norwich NR2 4AD
20/07/24 Kung Fu Panda 4
27/07/24 The Princess Bride
03/08/24 Labyrinth
16/08/24 & 17/08/24 E.T The Extra Terrestrial
Eaton Churches Mid-Week Summer Workshop (FREE – PRE-BOOK)
St Andrew’s Church Hall, Church Lane, Eaton Village NR4 6NW
Wednesday 31st July 2024 9.45-12pm
First Steps Norwich Summer Holiday Sessions (LOW COST)
Calvert Hall, Rosebery Road, Norwich NR3 3AB
Thursday 29th August 2024 9.15-10.45am
Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts (FREE)
University of East Anglia, Norfolk Road, Norwich NR4 7TJ
Free Family Sundays: First Sunday of each month 2024.
Guided Family Sculpture Trails: Saturday 20 July, Saturday 3 August, Friday 9 August 11am- 12pm
Norwich Summer Sessions (FREE)
Norwich city centre
11th – 25th July 2024: Thursday evenings 4pm – 8pm
4th – 25th August 2024: Sunday afternoons 12:30pm – 4.30pm
Make A Dragon Mask (FREE)
The Green Room, Norfolk Record Office, The Archive Centre Martineau Lane Norwich NR1 2DQ
21st August 2024 2-3.30pm
Norwich Cathedral (FREE)
65 The Cl, Norwich NR1 4DH
Tuesdays: 11-3pm, Cloister Club weekly activities for children. Activities based on the life and history of the Cathedral. Drop in to stay and play; free with donations welcome
Thursdays: 11.30-12pm, Fox’s Tales Story Time in the Cathedral. Stories, songs, rhyme, crafts and activities. Aimed at children aged 7 and under. Free with donations welcome.
Norwich Cathedral (LOW COST)
65 The Cl, Norwich NR1 4DH
Thursday 25th July 10-2pm
Follow the Fox: Follow Flint around the Cathedral to discover lots of activities – games, crafts, stories, music and more. Collect stamps as you journey and receive a free gift at the end.
Little Mess / Little Glow (LOW COST)
Messy Play
27th July, Saturday 10:45am – 11:45am
Station Rd, Spooner Row, Wymondham NR18 9JR
10th August, Saturday 10:15am – 11:15am
Owen Barnes Room at Breckland Hall, Breckland Road, Norwich NR5 0RW
Little Glow
6th August, Tuesday 10:00am – 11:00am
Jerningham Room, The Costessey Centre, Longwater Lane NR8 5AH
20th August, Tuesday 10:00am – 11:00am
Denby Room, Queens Hills Community Centre, Poethlyn Dr, Costessey, Norwich NR8 5BP
Lulu Baby Norfolk Turns Three (LOW COST)
Horsford Church Rooms, Holt Rd, Horsford, Norwich NR10 3DE
Tuesday 6th August 2024 10.30-11.30 (SOLD OUT) & 12.30-1.30
National Centre For Writing (LOW COST)
Dragon hall, 115-123 King St, Norwich NR1 1QE
Write About Home with John Osborne (9-11 years)
1st August 2024 10-12pm
Write A Historical Story With Isabelle King (9-11 years)
8th August 2024 10-12pm
Design & Illustrate an Artist’s Book with Amanda Addison (9-11 years)
15th August 2024 10-12pm
A Shy Writer’s Guide To Telling Stories with Hannah Jane Walker (9-11 years)
15th August 2024 10-12pm
SIM Racing Esports Academy (FREE)
Drive Lounge, Level 2, Unit 90 Castle Quarter NR1 3DD
6th August – 5th September 2024
Free Summer SIM Racing Esports Academy for 10-16 year olds – introduction to Esports and SIM racing
Newton Flotman Stay & Play (FREE)
Village Hall, Newton Flotman, Norwich NR15 1RF
30th July 2024 at 09:30 – 11:00
Free Stay and Play sessions for 0 to 5 year olds and their parents/carers run by Norfolk’s Early Childhood and Family Service.
Norwich Millennium Library Summer 2024 (FREE)
Summer Reading Challenge
Bounce and rhyme
Discover Sundays
Norwich Theatre Summer 2024 (LOW COST)
A selection of drop in classes / workshops from street dance to poetry
See HERE for full list
Waterloo Park (FREE)
Angel Rd, Norwich NR3 3HX
Community Fun Weekend: 20th July 10-4pm & 21st July 12-4pm 2024
Summerfest: 20th – 25th July 2024
Bugs & Beasts: 1st August 2024 11-4pm
Summer Music: 14th July Norwich City Concert Band / 28th July Wensum Valley Quintet / 11th August Hellesdon & Sprowston Band / 25th August Tasters Folk Band
One Button & The Sea: Storytime, Live Drawing and Crafts (FREE)
Waterstones, 11-17 Castle St, Norwich NR2 1PB
10th August 2024 11am
We will be joined by author Sara Stanley and illustrator Viviane Schwarz for story time, paper plane crafting and live drawing.
Little Yogi’s Teddy Bears Picnic (LOW COST)
Waterloo Park, Angel Road, Norwich NR3 3HX
9th August 2024 10-2pm
Fundraising for Baby Bank Norfolk, this day of yoga and nature activities for babies, toddler and children outside in Waterloo Park.
Free – with suggested donation and raffle fundraising for Baby Bank Norfolk.
Chantry Place Free ‘Sporting Summer’ Events (FREE)
40-46 St Stephens St, Norwich NR1 3SH
Saturday 20th July – Tuesday 3rd September 2024
Visitors will be able to enjoy a daily sports-themed trail, plus a range of fun and free sporting activities at Chantry Place on select dates throughout the summer holidays
Castle Quarter Summer Events (FREE)
100 Castle Meadow, Norwich NR1 3DD
2024
Lots of free activities over the summer, visit HERE for details
KIDS EAT FREE / CHEAP
Here’s where you can dine out and save this summer with free and cheap meals for children:
ASDA – Supermarket confirms kids £1 café meal deal to run all year round
Marks & Spencer – Enjoy a hot or cold main, like our cheesy toastie and chicken munchies with chips & beans or tuna & sweetcorn wrap and ham munchie roll, a snack, and a drink for only £4. Kids eat free deal TBC
Tesco – One free kids’ hot Meal Deal, kids’ breakfast or kids’ Pick ‘n’ Mix deal per any adult item purchased in The Café for dine-in only, a child must be present. Clubcard/app required.
Sainsbury’s – Special offer, Kids eat for £1! Enjoy one children’s hot main meal or lunch bag for £1 with the purchase of an adult hot main meal from £5.20 in the Sainsburys café.
Morrisons – Children up to the age of 16 can eat a free lunch or dinner when you purchase any one adult meal with a value of £4.50 or over.
Hungry Horse Pubs – Children can get a free breakfast every day at Hungry Horse restaurants, if one adult breakfast is bought. Two children’s breakfasts can be claimed per one adult. Kids eat for £1 on Mondays.
Beefeater and Brewer Fayre – At Brewers Fayre, up to two children can receive a free breakfast with one paying adult. The All-You-Can-Eat buffet costs £9.50, with two kids under 16 eligible to fuel up with every adult breakfast purchased.
Bella Italia – Kids Eat Free all day every Thursday and for £1 between 4-6pm, Sunday to Wednesday. Kids can enjoy three delicious courses & a drink! Meals are suitable for 2-11 year olds.
The Real Greek – Kids eat free every Sunday for every £10 spent by an adult.
Yo! Sushi – From the 1st July – 30th August 2024 kids eat free all day in our restaurants when dining with a full-paying adult (minimum £10 spend).
Pausa Cafe at Dunelm – All day, every day: enjoy a free mini meal deal with every £4 spent in the café. FREE KIDS’ MEAL WHEN YOU SPEND £4.
Bill’s – Up to two kids can eat free ALL DAY when one adult orders any main dish (breakfast, lunch or dinner).
BrewDog – Make us your first stop on any family days out, as kids eat for free with a paying adult when you book a table with us.
Hello Friends, Kings Lynn: Paying children eat free (breakfast or lunch) from 22nd July – 30th August 2024
The Range: Kids Eat Free with the purchase of 1 adult main meal, from 20th July 2024
Zaks: For every adult main meal ordered between 12-3pm Monday-Friday (22nd July-30th August 2024, excluding bank hols) you get a JNR meal deal for free.
Stamp Pizza: Every Wednesday – Sunday (excluding Saturday!) kids mains are still free between 4-6pm! With a choice between pizza, pasta or wood fired meatballs, there’s something for everyone
De Cuba Norwich: Kids eat for £1 with every main meal purchased.
Woods Coffee Bar: Kids eat free✨ From today get a free children’s meal deal when purchasing an adults meal (over £8)
Briarfields Hotel Norfolk: Kids eat free when adults eat Monday – Saturday 12-5pm plus Saturday 3rd August 2024 at the Summer Party
TGI Fridays: We’re giving away a FREE kid’s meal when you order and adult’s main, available every day including school holidays.
Stonehouse Pizza: Kids eat for just £1 all summer, Monday-Friday
Pizza Express: This offer gives you one Piccolo meal (includes Dough Balls, pizza, pasta or salad, dessert and Bambinoccino) for free when you dine-in and purchase an adult main. Available when dining in one of our pizzerias Monday to Sunday, until Sunday 11th August 2024
LOW COST SUMMER SAVERS
Twilight Hours: Visit Norfolk Museums one hour before closing and you can get yourself a Twilight Ticket. Norwich Castle is reduced to £2.50, Museum of Norwich £2.50, Strangers’ Hall £2, Time and Tide £2.50, Cromer Museum £2.
Explore the Outdoors
We live in such a beautiful city and are spoilt for choice when it comes to parks, gardens & nature reserves. Lots are free to enjoy or have a small entry fee. Have a walk, bike ride or take a picnic…Make it more exciting with nature bingo, a hunt or doing some leaf rubbings – Lots of free ideas available with a quick internet search.
Here’s just a few places to explore:
The Broads – Ranworth and Salhouse have all been recommended by Mumblers
Strumpshaw Fen
Whitlingham Country Park
Thetford Forest
Holt Country Park
Taverham Mill
Here are some of our posts with outdoors suggestions:
Go Outdoors
Norwich Walks
Norwich Play areas with Cafes
Walks and the Great Outdoors
Where to feed ducks
Geocaching
Playgrounds
We have so many parks and playgrounds to visit in Norwich. There is a list and interactive map HERE, if you visit any then take a snap and send it to [email protected] I’ll post it on the listing for that park so other Mumblers can see what is there before they visit.
Walking Trails & Treasure hunting
Geocaching
The worlds largest outdoor treasure hunt – visit the website or download the free app.
Mumbler tip:
“Be prepared that the app locations aren’t always bang on so you may have to do a bit of hunting when you get within the General area of a cache”
Here is the info Mumbler Rachel put together for us on Geocaching.
The Walking in Norfolk page has LOADS of suggested walking trails. Each one has a PDF with details, including suitability and length.
Home based Activities
Free Fun Further Afield – the Norfolk Coast!
Hopefully the weather will be nice enough for plenty of trips to the beach- Winterton, Cromer, Great Yarmouth, Happisburgh, Hemsby – take your pick! See the Beaches in Norfolk page for more info or our post about Just Beaches (no arcades).
Don’t forget there’s a Mumbler free activity ideas sheet:
Let us know if we’ve missed anything HERE and we can add it on!
Don’t forget you can join the Norwich Mumbler Chat Group on FB for advice and recommendations, or follow on Instagram where we post in real time what’s going on for families and Mumbler!
