Best for big sky sunrises, hunkering down and having the countryside and beaches all to yourself

After the initial hurrah of the New Year’s Day fireworks at Cromer, January is the time to go slow in Norfolk, to embrace cosy stays, fabulous pub lunches, winter walks and spectacular skies. It’s also time to witness one of Norfolk’s great wildlife spectacles being the sight and sound of huge flocks of pink-footed geese. Best seen and heard at dawn and dusk you’ll likely catch them over Wells or Holkham, and often flying overhead at the garden at Crown Cottage Norfolk.

January is also a great time to see the seal pups at Blakeney Point. Visit Beans for times and prices.

Best for swathes of snowdrops and school holiday stays without the crowds

Walsingham Abbey , a couple of miles from Crown Cottage , is one of the best places to see snowdrops in Norfolk. Carpets of snowdrops and other winter flowers cover over 18 acres of woodland around the Abbey and along the banks of the River Stiffkey, Open throughout February, check the Abbey website for dates, times and prices, as well as National Garden Scheme website for other open gardens showcasing their snowdrops throughout February.

For those visiting during half term school holidays, Pensthorpe nature reserve and action packed playgrounds are bringing back their “poo trail” suitable for all ages! Head to their website for more info!

Sandringham has a series of events from 17-24 February 2024 including wild flower workshops

Nearby Holkham is hosting its “Wellies of Fun” events from 18-24 Feb.

Guest favourite the North Norfolk Railway is reopening for half-term.

For something a little bit different Wroxham Barns “Lambing Live” is on from 17-24 February.

In case of a rainy day Sheringham Little Theatre is hosting Encanto Sing-a-Long!

Beautiful Felbrigg Hall is worth a visit at any time of year but in February half term it will be running its “Guess Who” trail

Norwich Science Festival runs from 17 – 24 Feb with all manner of experiments, fun discussions, performances and activities to get stuck into

Best for embracing the first signs of Spring

The first signs of Spring begin to emerge in March and the Crown Cottage garden becomes a blanket of primroses. It’s tulip season too, and fields of them can be visited at the Tulips for Tapping event (date tbc)

Visit Walsingham snowdrops by the 3rd of the month (see February).

Mother’s Day is 10 March. Watch this space for news of special offers and events.

The National Garden Scheme kicks off its open gardens this month with East Ruston Old Vicarage opening on 16 March

19 March sees the opening of neighbouring and glorious Hindringham Hall gardens, open through until October.

Best for jam-packed Easter fun

With Easter holidays in full swing it’s time for lots of family fun across the county -check out Pensthorpe’s Giant Egg Hunt (28 March - 14 April ) National Trust sites such as Felbrigg and Blickling and the events page at Holkham in particular.

The Happy Huts beach huts are now open 7 days a week for pre-peak season beach days and a day at a beach hut is available for all week-long stays at Crown Cottage Norfolk (add it to your cart when booking).

1 April 2024 is Fakenham Races Easter Monday meeting, followed by the Norfolk Artisan fair on 6/7 April at the same location.

6 April 2024 sees Sheringham Viking Festival and Parade 2024

21 April sees the opening of Houghton Hall’s exhibition of Sir Antony Gormley’s works, which runs until 31 October

Best for teeming wildlife and seeing Norfolk in bloom

It’s bluebell season and a trip to the Blickling Estate to see the bluebell covered expansive woodland is highly recommended.

5 May is Holt’s Sunday market with street food, makers’ markets and a fabulous buzzing atmosphere.

4-6 May is Sandringham’s Food, Craft and Wood festival

5 May is Stody family fun day - a magical day at Stody’s beautiful gardens with treasure hunts, fete games and a dog show!

Folk music fans should head to Cromer’s folk festival: Folk on the Pier between 10-12 May.

Sunday 12 May the March Brass band will be playing in the grounds of Sandringham.

16 May book limited availability tickets for Sandringham’s sparkling garden tour and tea. More details can be found on their website.

Between 25th May - 2nd June 2024 a group of over 100 artists and makers will be opening up their workshops, gardens and studios for Norfolk Open Studios. This is a wonderful way to experience the creative talent in this part of the country.

The Sandringham Pageant of Motoring takes place on Sunday 26 May, showcasing seven decades of motoring, live music and aerial displays alongside a variety of culinary delights and a craft & vintage fair.​

Best for summer fun without the crowds

If you don’t need to visit during the summer school holidays this is arguably the best time to visit North Norfolk and Crown Cottage, with the garden at its best.

Take advantage of the long days and hire a beach hut to watch the setting sun over Wells-next-the-Sea (a beach hut day at The Happy Huts can be booked at check out - just ad) it to your stay!).

Or get out on the water on a high tide coinciding with sunset, for an epic sailing experience with Zoe at Sail North Norfolk.

This would also be an ideal time to dine Marshside at the White Horse Brancaster Staithe and catch the sunset.

2 June 2024 is Fakenham Ladies Day

8 June is the incredible Norfolk Superhero - a sight to behold!

26/27 June is host to the Royal Norfolk Show

29 June sees the opening of the Cromer Summer show

Best for long days at the beach and adventure

This is the time to explore the countless beaches along the North Norfolk coast. Take a picnic and make a day of it with a beach hut (a day included for week-long stays) , or explore the dunes and pinewoods at Holkham. Perhaps you fancy some rock pooling at West Runton? Or watching the sunset at Old Hunstanton?

A few miles from Crown Cottage is Blakeney which will be a hive of activity for simple pleasures such as crabbing and mudsliding, or perhaps you’ll take advantage of the long days and give that paddle boarding a go!.

6/7 July Norfolk Outlaw at Holkham

13-28 July Holt Arts Festival

31 July Sandringham Flower Show

Best for School Holiday adventures

The school holidays are in full swing and Norfolk is BIG on summer entertainment!

If you tire of the beaches (never!) it’s time to check out events at Holkham for outdoor theatre and cinema, as well as tractor tours and hall tours. Or perhaps you’ll explore some of Norfolk’s themed parks such as Bewilderwood, Rroar or Pensthorpe?

National trust properties such as Blickling and Felbrigg will also have their own events for slower summer days.

2-11 August Wells Carnival

3 August Blickling Classic Ibiza

8 August Houghton Festival

8-11 August Holkham Gone Wild festival

18 August Hunstanton Tennis Week

Keep an eye out for the oyster festival at White Horse Brancaster

Best for last of the summer sun and getting into the water!

There’s something rather beautiful about catching the final summer days and the first hints of a change in the season. The water is at its warmest so its a great time to brave paddleboard adventures over at Burnham Overy, perhaps as far as Scolt Head island.

It’s also a great time to be spotting wildlife with the first of the migrating birds making an appearance.

Dates tbc sunflower picking at Walsingham farm

7 /8 September Sandringham country fair

13-15 September Brancaster Sea Shanty Festival

21/22 September Holt and Sheringham 1940s weekend, a celebration of the 1940s, remembering the music, the dancing, the fashions, the classic vehicles, the historic displays, the sights, and the community spirit shown in times of adversity.

22 September Hunstanton Soap Box Derby

28 September is the ever popular Garden and Outdoor Living Fair at Holkham

Until 29 September see Magdalene Odundo at Houghton Hall, along with the incredible Sir Antony Gormley Time Horizon installation - not to be missed.

Best for woodland walks, pumpkin picking and packed half-term fun.

With autumn upon us it’s time to take in the change of the seasons with gorgeous displays at Holt country park and Sheringham Park.

October is also a good time for seal-spotting as they come into the beaches before pupping.

Norfolk goes BIG at half-term with pumpkin picking sites across the county (check out the Pumpkin House in neighbouring Thursford) and halloween themed events ar Rroar, Pensthorpe and Bewilderwood.

Holkham also goes BIG with its events sheduled at this time of year which include deer and wildlife safaris among many other things!

15/16 October is for the budding artists among you as Bryony Knight hosts an oil painting workshop at Holkham inspired by its art collection.

Blakeney hosts its end of season fireworks and fair on 26/27 October (date tbc)

Best for pre-Christmas pottering and getting into the Christmas spirit

Norfolk does Christmas REALLY well with a whole host of events ranging from light shows, dance shows and train rides to Father Christmas arriving to Wells by boat.

The famous Thursford show, in the neighbouring village to Crown Cottage, starts in November, through December during which time we offer 2 night stays. Thursford also hosts the Enchanted journey of light, also commencing in November.

Beautiful Burnham market is provisionally set to switch its lights on on 16 November. A great opportunity to explore the town and do some Christmas shopping.

15-17 November sees Sandringham’s Christmas Craft, Food and Gift Fair

Burnham Market light switch on is set for 16 November.

On 29/30 November 2024 Wells Tide sees Father Christmas arrive by boat for this novel and very beautiful experience.

Best for the ultimate cosy cottage stay and indulging in pure Christmas magic

Christmas in Norfolk is special with events at Holkham leading the charge with the real Father Christmas in residence and tours of the hall by candlelight. There’s even a doggy carol service!

Sandringham also puts on a fantastic display with Luminate light show and a vintage fair.

The North Norfolk railway runs through the month with themed outings.

Neighbouring Thursford however provides numerous options with its Christmas spectacular, enchanted journey of light and Santa’s Magical Journey. You can spot the Thursford laser beams from the Crown Cottage garden - or could they be a sign you’re being watched from the North Pole?!