I think woodland walks have to be my favourite as the kids never fail to be entertained by all things nature and everyone always seems to come home in a better mood than when they set off – always a bonus!
We spent a lovely morning at Harrison’s Wood today and I cannot believe we haven’t been here before, as it is only a short drive from where we live! There is a small car park on one side of the road, but you cross over to get into Harrison’s Wood itself, where you will find DENS APLENTY (we found soooo many dens!), a few rope swings dotted around and, apparently, there are some fairy doors dotted about too. I’ll pop the address and some pics below.
We’ve put together a list of as many of the woods around Norwich & Norfolk as we can, but get in touch HERE if you know of any more and we’ll add them to the list.
If you’re looking for outdoors inspiration, check out the Days Out for Families page, where you will also a list of Norfolk Broads, Parks & Playgrounds and Walks & The Great Outdoors.
Bacton Woods
Bacton Wood, North Walsham, Norfolk, NR28 9UE (whatthreewords: terminate.chef.treble)
Just north of North Walsham, Bacton Wood is apparently an excellent spot for orienteering, cycling, walking and horse riding!
Bintree Woods
Breckland (NR20 5LE)
“Bintree Wood is a large, peaceful wood with wide grassy rides for you to meander, discover woodland wildlife and be treated to delightful views of the Wensum Valley and Elmham.”
Website
Broadland Country Park
Haveringland Rd, Norwich NR10 4DF (whatthreewords: regularly.weekend.riverside)
Located between Felthorpe and Hosford with two circular walks around the park.
Burlingham Woods
NR13 4TA (whatthreewords: spaceship.groom.valve)
Around a 20-minute drive from the centre of Norwich, there are a number of walks of various lengths and include those suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Danby Wood & Marston Marsh
NR4 6LY (whatthreewords: drew.timing.shiny)
Danby Wood is a local nature reserve on the southern outskirts of Norwich. This is a beautiful, yet tiny, wood and is a fantastic short walk for toddlers.
Read more about why it is recommended by Routes for Little Boots as a top Norwich walk here.
Fairhaven Woodland & Water Garden
School Road, South Walsham, NR13 6DZ (whatthreewords: prank.haunt.bless)
130 acres of cultivated, wild and natural plantings, a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Nearly 4 miles of woodland pathways to explore. Tearoom, Gift Shop and Plant Sales also open to non-garden visitors.
Felbrigg Estate
Felbrigg, Norwich NR11 8PR (whatthreewords: flopping.everyone.nicer)
With a lake, 211 hectares (520 acres) of woods and waymarked trails, Felbrigg is a great place to explore nature and wildlife and has buggy friendly surfaces on main visitor routes.
Foxley Wood
Foxley Wood, Foxley, Norfolk, NR20 4QR (whatthreewords: tasteful.clots.escape)
Foxley Wood near Fakenham is the largest remaining block of ancient woodland in Norfolk (300 acres) and is managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. It is famous for its stunning displays of bluebells from mid to late April to early May,
Note: Foxley Wood is closed every Thursday for important habitat management works and dogs are not permitted.
Harrison’s Wood
NR7 9AD (what3words: either.reach.needed)
Hevingham Park
NR10 5LY (whatthreewords: shelved.genius.also)
A nice walk round a Forestry Commission England wood in Hevingham the full trail loop is approximately 4 miles. I’ve heard that good boots or wellies are advisable if it has been raining recently as the last part can get muddy.
Half way round you will apparently walk past an old scrap yard that has some really interesting old items.
Holt Country Park
Holt Country Park, Edgefield Hill, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 6SP (whatthreewords: watched.textiles.quilting)
Holt Country Parks offers from woodland routes to heathland walks through heather and bracken. Play area close to the carpark and there are unusual sculptures and artwork dotted around the park to spot, a visitor centre, tearoom and plenty of places to enjoy a picnic.
Honeypot Wood
Honeypot Ln, Dereham, NR19 2NG (whatthreewords: billiard.sunset.spires)
Thought to be a remnant of wild wood dating back to the retreat of the last ice age!
Mousehold Heath
Heartsease Ln, Norwich NR7 9NT (whatthreewords: trying.newly.below)
A unique 88 hectare (184 acre) area made up of heathland, woodland and recreational open space located in the north of Norwich.
Mystical Wood
NDR, Drayton, NR10 4DX (whatthreewords: collides.snipe.roadways)
The Mystical Woods, Thorpe Marriott is a 3.4 kilometer loop trail located near Norwich, off the NDR. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips.
Pigneys Wood is situated 2 miles northeast of North Walsham and is signposted from the town by brown tourist signs. I actually took my class here on a school trip to do some pond dipping and mini beast hunting! No loos though.
Pretty Corner Woods
Sheringham, NR26 8PA (whatthreewords: overdrive.walked.mascot)
Pretty Corner is a beautiful 165-acre patchwork woodland and heathland, which forms part of a larger network of woods and heaths.
Sandringham Park
The Sandringham Estate, Sandringham PE35 6EH (whatthreewords: ounce.judges.quiz)
The Royal Park is open daily throughout the year to walk or cycle and is dog friendly. There are two waymarked Nature Trails, one a leisurely 1½ miles long and the other 2½ miles long with many additional woodland paths to explore.
The Children’s Play Area has recently undergone improvement and expansion works during the winter months to replace the current small play area, adding more challenging equipment, high level walkways, a high tower inspired by local Appleton Water Tower with multi-level water play, which has wheelchair access.
Sheringham Park
Sheringham, Norfolk, NR26 8TL (whatthreewords: hacksaw.lessening.titles)
Large carpark, picnic tables, visitor centre, café and several waymarked routes. Dogs are welcome.
Thursford Wood
Thursford, Fakenham, Norfolk, NR21 0BB (whatthreewords: fenced.curls.restores)
Thursford Wood is a 25-acre site located just over 3 miles north-east of Fakenham and is managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Good for bluebells in the spring, ferns in the summer and fungi during autumn!
Tyrell’s Wood
Pulham Market, Diss, Norfolk, NR15 2UZ (whatthreewords: hologram.painter.usage)
An historic woodland that is made up of five smaller woods, with different paths and trails.
Wayland Wood
Near Watton, IP25 6PS (whatthreewords: part.equal.juggled)
Wayland is one of the largest woods in south Norfolk. There is a small carpark and a circular walk, which leads round the reserve.
Follow Norwich Mumbler on:
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Or join the Norwich Mumbler Facebook Chat Group
