Hello Norfolk explorers 👋

Heritage Open Days is done for another year, but there's a fresh run of autumn events waiting for you this week.

That said, we made the most of its final few days ourselves, with a couple of places that don't usually let visitors in. Hunstanton Hall is a moated manor house that's been home to the Le Strange family since medieval times, with a gatehouse dating to 1487 and Jacobean wings added in the 1620s. Local legend says it's haunted by Armine le Strange, who made her son promise on her deathbed never to sell a Persian carpet gifted to her by the Shah of Persia. The Hall is now split into private apartments, so we only got as far as the courtyard (pictured above), but even that meant standing inside centuries of history, moat and all.

My favourite Heritage Open Days event was the behind-the-scenes tour at The Forum in Norwich. We got to see some of the library's most treasured books, the plant room, the sprinkler room, the upper level and balconies, and the BBC Norfolk radio and TV studios, right down to the dressing room, control room and green room.

Sunday took us back to Hunstanton for the Soap Box Derby, where home-built gravity karts raced down the hill with far more creativity and speed than you might expect. You can get a feel for it from our short video.

Now it's your turn. This week brings folk music at Deepdale Festival, ten days of cocktail trails around Norwich, Norfolk's biggest comic convention and a literary festival at Mannington Hall, alongside plenty more.

Here's what else is happening across Norfolk this week ⬇️

✨ What's Happening Around Norfolk This Week?

🪕 Deepdale Festival (24 - 27 September)

Now in its 8th year, this folk festival brings together more than 40 acts across three stages at Deepdale Camping & Rooms. Expect a warm, community feel with food and drink stalls, workshops, and pop-up shops at Dalegate Market running throughout the weekend. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on leads.

Get more information here.

🍸 Norwich Cocktail Week (25 September - 4 October)

Ten days of Norwich's bar scene showing off, with participating venues each creating a signature cocktail and mocktail for the week. Download the free app to follow five themed trails and collect digital stamps as you go, plus look out for extras like cocktail-making masterclasses.

Get more information here.

📚 Mannington Book Bash (25 - 27 September)

A literary festival in the grounds of Mannington Hall, bringing well-known authors, poets, and speakers together for talks and conversation over the long weekend. Weekend and day passes are available, and ticket sales help fund free literary sessions for local primary school children.

Get more information here.

🎬 Nor Con (26 - 27 September)

Norfolk's biggest TV, film and comic convention celebrates its 15th year with guest appearances, cosplay competitions for kids and adults, trader stalls, stage talks and character meet-and-greets. It's aimed at families, with free on-site parking and a fully wheelchair-accessible arena.

Get more information here.

🎧 YARMONICS (26 - 27 September)

A festival of sonic art and new music celebrating the sounds, people and places of Great Yarmouth. Saturday's performances pop up in locations around the town, from the Hippodrome Circus to the Royal Hotel, before Sunday moves to St John's Church for talks and performances on sound system culture.

Get more information here.

🚜 Big Machinery Weekend (26 - 27 September)

More than 20 pieces of farm machinery, from combine harvesters to tractors, are on display at Pensthorpe Natural Park, alongside a surveying drone for a weekend of hands-on exploring. There's plenty to fill a full day, with pond dipping, the sculpture trail, den building and both indoor and outdoor play alongside the machines.

Get more information here.

🍽️ Lloyd Addison's Moveable Feast (29 September) - SOLD OUT

This annual charity dinner in aid of Parkinson's UK, where diners enjoy three courses across three different city centre restaurants in one evening, has sold out. Keep an eye out for next year's tickets.

Get more information here.

🥾 Walk Norfolk (12 September - 11 October)

This charity-run festival of guided walks continues through to mid-October, led by volunteers and local experts across a wide range of Norfolk landscapes and history. Every walk offers free places for children and carers, so it's worth checking the programme even if you missed the earlier dates.

Get more information here.

🖼️ Bayfield Hall Sculpture Trail (16 September - 18 October, Wed - Sun)

More than 45 artists have work on show across the grounds at Bayfield Hall, near Holt, with the trail open Wednesday to Sunday through to mid-October. Dogs are welcome on leads, under 18s go free, and the Natural Surroundings wildflower cafe next door is worth combining it with.

Get more information here.

🗓 Explore More Events

There’s plenty more coming up:

👉September Events | October Events | November Events​

🍺Oktoberfest Events​

Need a Recommendation? 💬

Torn between all these options? Hit reply and tell us what sounds good, whether you're after live music, a festival, a family day out or something a little different, and we'll help you pick.

Until next time, happy adventuring!
​
Anisa and Russell

PS 🧡 Halloween is creeping up faster than we'd like to admit. We've rounded up the best Halloween events across Norfolk for 2026, from family-friendly trails to some much scarier experiences. See the full list here.​

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