Whether you’re fancying a leisurely beach day or seeking to have a little more adventure close by, Sea Palling and its surroundings have something for everyone.

To help you plan your next trip, we’ve pulled together a list of the best things to see and do that will keep the whole family happy.

The best things to see and do in and around Sea Palling

Sea Palling is a stunning, quiet village which boasts some of Norfolk’s most spectacular coastline. Whether you’re thinking of a low-key long beach day or have something a little less sandy in mind, don’t miss our suggestions.

1. Sea Palling beach — Blue Flag beauty for miles

Step up the picture-postcard sand dunes and be greeted with the endless expanse of Sea Palling beach — certainly one not to be missed.

This incredible stretch of coastline has been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag, which means it has met varied and stringent standards for cleanliness, environmental considerations and more.

In short, it’s a wonderful and beautifully maintained space to enjoy the Norfolk coast.

The beach has wide sandy bays helped by artificial flood defences which means you can often see a variety of water sports taking place as you relax on the sandy shores. The beach is only a short walk from the market town of Stalham, so you can easily visit both.

We highly recommend bringing a picnic and soaking up the view for several hours. This beach really is one of the jewels in Norfolk’s crown. In fact, it’s even one of our top five most secluded, quiet, hidden-gem beaches in Norfolk!

2. Horsey Gap & windpump — for year-round seal spotting & grade II-listed local heritage

There’s nothing quite like seeing any animals in their natural habitat — let alone cute, delightful grey seal colonies. That’s exactly what you can expect if you take the brisk walk down the coast from Sea Palling towards Horsey Gap. If you’re in the car, it’s less than a 10-minute drive.

Horsey is also home to a historic windpump. Run by the National Trust, this grade II-listed building offers panoramic views of the stunning Norfolk scenery. The building was recently refurbished after being put out of service by a lightning strike in 1943, and can be enjoyed by all.

Walk along the waterways and be sure to stop for some refreshments — there’s even a quaint on-site tea room. There are also gardens which regularly play host to all sports of fun and games for kids in the holidays, so be sure to check before your visit to see what’s on offer. Just up the road is Brograve Mill, another undeniably-Instagrammable grade-II listed structure.

If you’re looking to take in Horsey Gap and the Horsey windpump, be sure to lace up the walking boots and try the three-mile Horsey Village walk. It’s a fairly relaxing trail and you’ll soak up some quintessential Broads surroundings. We’ve got more details in our breakdown of our favourite short and circular trails in Norfolk.

3. Waxham Great Barn— one of the longest Tudor barns in the country

Dating from the late 1500s, this recently-refurbished, grade I-listed thatched Elizabethan barn is just on our doorstep in Sea Palling. It’s a proper slice of local heritage and history.

As one of the longest of its kind, Waxham Great Barn has a range of exhibitions year round. The site even boasts its own café, Dunes, which is an absolute must-visit for afternoon tea and a homemade bite to eat.

4. East Runton Old Vicarage Garden — to wind the afternoon away on exotic walks

Just a short 10-minute drive from Sea Palling is this beautiful, 32-acre modern garden. Mediterranean, subtropical, exotic and even the King’s Walk — there’s a range of incredibly designed, immaculately manicured themed garden rooms and walks to explore.

Established in 1973 by garden designers Alan Gray and Graham Robeson, this really is a hidden gem that’s more than worth a visit.

Throughout the year, there are even a number of events and guided tours by Alan. Their on-site tea rooms are open from midday and even serve lunch until 2:30pm.

5. Wroxham Barns — award-winning farm for kid-friendly fun

Just a 10-minute journey from Sea Palling is Wroxham, known as the ‘capital of the Broads’ together with Hoveton.

At Wroxham Barns, there’s all sorts to keep you and the little ones entertained. Meet and watch as artisans craft and make everything from fudge to stained glass. Then, you can move on to enjoy the junior farm and fun park with unlimited rides and mini golf.

Wroxham is famous for its seasonal events too, so depending on when you visit you may be able to enjoy lambing, pumpkin season, potato picking and more. Of course, no day out is complete without all the necessary sustenance, and Wroxham Barns has plenty of food and drink on offer to fuel your adventures.

Be sure to check your dates and plan your visit to make the most of your trip.

6. BeWILDerwood — an exciting treehouse adventure

A day out for the family like no other, just a 12-mile journey from Sea Palling. Award-winning BeWILDerwood is set in woods and forests decked out with exciting treehouses, wobbly bridges, trails and treats.

These are adventure trails through the woods with lots to see and do and when you’ve scaled all the treetop heights and houses, you can take a leisurely boat ride or keep your feet on the ground with some more traditional trails!

An uniquely imaginative adventure park, BeWILDerwood will be a holiday highlight for the kids for sure! Keep an eye out for characters as you explore too, and make sure to stop and listen to the stories as you go.

Discover Sea Palling and its surrounding areas with us

This is just a taste of what’s on offer around the stunning coast of Sea Palling.

For anyone seeking the ideal base from which to explore this seaside treasure trove, our Waxham Sands Holiday Park offers luxury touring and camping holidays just two ticks from Horsey Gap beach.

If you’re seeking a more permanent commitment to Norfolk, we also offer holiday home ownership at Golden Beach, our second location in Norfolk and those at Azure Seas, our owners-only park in Suffolk, will also be able to pop up to the Broads in no time!

Discover the beauty of Sea Palling with Lovat Parks