As we start to emerge from the short winter days there are lots of outdoor activities to keep you busy, have a filling breakfast, wrap up warm and make the most of the winter sunshine, remembering that you have a warm cosy room to return to!
The Seals & The Beach
The seals at Horsey have now finished having their pups, around 4,000 since November, but there are still plenty to be seen playing in the sea and on the beach. There are some great walks that incorporate the beach and Horsey Mere which is the home of the National Trust Mill. Alternatively walk from Sea Palling to Waxham on the coastal path, you can walk on the beach to Waxham or Horsey and then follow the coastal path through the Dunes back to Sea Palling where you will find cafes and doing great hot chocolate, coffee and seaside style donuts! Although many of the seals have left you should still see some chilling on the beach or swimming in the sea, please always respect their space as they are a wild animal.
Hickling Nature reserve Winter watertrail 18 February 1.30pm Join us for a Winter Watertrail on Hickling Broad. We’re delighted to be able to offer you a journey into the heart of the reserve with the intention to seek and observe winter wildlife. The trip will explore areas of Hickling Broad and may venture further into Heigham Sound, Meadow and Candle Dykes. Large gatherings of waterfowl congregate in the area over the winter months with wild swans being recorded most winters, along with a large wintering mute swan population. Diving ducks in the form of pochard and tufted duck are likely to be present, as will a variety of dabbling ducks.. Raptors will almost certainly be seen hunting over the surrounding reedbeds and grazing marshes, Otter and both red and Chinese water deer may also be spotted. Booking essential. The reserve is also open for walking on the trails and paths throughout the winter
https://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/whats-on/all-events
Snow Drop Garden Visits and Walks
https://eastrustonoldvicarage.co.uk/events
East Ruston Gardens Snowdrop Day and Snowdrop garden open days
Sunday February 4th, 10 00 am till 4 00 pm, entrance cost £5 00 per person. Nurseries and sellers of interesting Snowdrops and other early bulbs. Talk by Richard Hobbs botanist and bulb expert. View our ever-growing collection of Snowdrops throughout the garden. The garden will also open on the 7th, 8th,9th, and 10th February 11 00 am till 4 00 pm, admission £13 00 per person. We have around 150 varieties of Snowdrops to see throughout the garden. Hot and cold refreshments available and plants for sale.
Guided Snowdrop walk with lunch included, Hoveton Hall Estate on 11 & 13 February. Booking essential
Raveningham Hall Snow Drops Walk open 11am to 4pm, daily excluding Sundays throughout February
http://raveningham.com/gardens/
Walsingham Abbey Snowdrop Season
Carpets of snowdrops mingled with aconites have naturalised throughout our 18 acres of grounds and woodland, and along the banks of River Stiffkey which runs through the Abbey Grounds. Open daily 10-4. https://www.walsinghamabbey.com/
Snowdrop Open Gardens Part of the NGS Yellow Book Scheme
10 & 11 February Horstead House
22 & 24 February Old Hall Farm House, Melton Constable
25 February Chestnut Farm West Beckenham Holt
Star Night at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden
17 February 6.30pm
Embark on an enchanting celestial journey with Shaun Reynolds and our stellar team of stargazers and imagers, Weather permitting, our expert astronomers will unveil the wonders of Norfolk’s night sky through telescopes, guiding you to celestial marvels and sharing insights on their celestial coordinates.
Underneath the starlit canopy of our courtyard, a marquee will host another projector, illuminating a breathtaking slide show of celestial wonders.
https://www.fairhavengarden.co.uk/what-s-on
Other ideas
Weekly Monday auctions at Keys Sale Ground Aylsham, 9.30 plants and yard sale and 11am antiques and collectables https://www.keysauctions.co.uk/
Greyhound Racing at Great Yarmouth Stadium
https://www.yarmouthstadium.co.uk/greyhoundracing
Greyhound Racing every Monday and Wednesday, first race 6.30pm, doors open at 6pm,
along with Saturday evenings at 7.30pm, doors open at 6.30pm,
This month’s choice for a lovely lunch or afternoon tea…..
Dunes Café, Waxham Barn
Open 7 days a week 10 til 4
NR12 0DZ
Dunes Café is a delightful country cafe, sat next to the historic Waxham Great Barn and is just a short walk to Waxham and Horsey Beach. This bustling cafe offers a range of delicious homemade cakes, and an assortment of drinks from Coffee, Teas, Hot Chocolates to Beers and Prosecco. Why not pop by for a slice of homemade, freshly baked cake. The lunch menu includes mouth-watering seaside specials and a wide variety of sandwiches (that can be eaten inside the cafe, in the stunning courtyard or wrapped up and taken as a picnic down to the seashore). Dunes Café caters to everybody’s needs with vegetarian, Gluten free and children’s options available.
