Weโre Anisa and Russell, the husband-and-wife team behind Norfolk Local Guide. Each week, we share whatโs happening in Norwich and across Norfolkโfrom hidden gems and foodie finds to family fun and seasonal events. Join our community and make the most of every week in this beautiful corner of the England!
๐ซ Heritage Open Days Booking Opens Today + Bank Holiday Events
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Hello Norfolk explorers ๐ The August Bank Holiday weekend is nearly here, and it's shaping up to be a busy one across Norfolk. Last week we made it to Cromer Carnival to catch the Red Arrows fly past (pictured above), which never gets old no matter how many times we've seen it. Beyond that there was plenty to enjoy: good food stalls, fairground rides, and a motocross show that turned out to be one of our favourite parts of the day. Cromer wasn't the only crowd we joined this week, we also packed into the Norwich City Fan Forum to hear from Philippe Clemente himself. The season's off to a slow start, but after listening to him talk, we're feeling genuinely optimistic. There's one more important thing that we need to share before we get to this week's events. Booking for Heritage Open Days opens today at 10am, and most events can be booked directly through their website. There are a lot of events, but I narrowed it down to my top picks here. Tickets will go quickly because all the events are free. Norwich Castle's Heritage Open Day is ticketed this year, so if that's on your list, claim your free slot here once booking opens. Read more about what to see when you visit Norwich Castle here. As you might expect, this week's diary is packed for the Bank Holiday. There are several beer festivals to choose between, vintage tractors and steam engines at Bressingham, livestock and machinery at the Aylsham Show, and a full weekend of dog-friendly fun at All About Dogs Show. Here's what else is happening across Norfolk this week โฌ๏ธ โจ What's Happening Around Norfolk This Week?๐๏ธ Sheringham Beach Life (24โ27 August) The free children's activities at The Leas wrap up on Thursday, so thereโs not much time left to catch the beach games, songs, drama and the ever-popular gunge tank before the summer holidays end. Get more information here. ๐บ Wymondham RFC Beer Festival (28โ29 August) Wymondham Rugby Club's Barnard Fields fills with craft beers, ales, ciders and a gin bar for the Bank Holiday weekend, plus street food and live music from local and tribute acts. Under 18s go free with an adult but must leave by 9pm. Get more information here. ๐ถ Blakeney Harbour Room Beer & Music Festival (28โ31 August) Four days of real ale, live music from Bandwidth, a DJ, BBQ and children's entertainer at the Harbour Room over the Bank Holiday weekend. Entry is free and dogs are welcome. Get more information here. ๐ Mid-Norfolk Railway Beer Festival (28โ31 August) Over 60 real ales and 30 ciders across bars at Dereham and Thuxton stations, with steam and diesel trains running throughout, including late evening services on Friday and Saturday. Booking ahead saves money, and profits support the railway's charitable trust. Get more information here. ๐ฆ Dinos in the Dark at ROARR! (29 August) ROARR! Dinosaur Park stays open late for a night-time adventure through the lit-up Valley of the Dinosaurs, with Dippy's Splash Zone, twilight high ropes, and rides running until late. Up to two kids go free with each paying adult. Get more information here. ๐ณ๏ธโ๐ Great Yarmouth & Waveney Pride (29 August) A celebration of the LGBTQ+ community with a parade, live entertainment, drag performances and community stalls, run by a local non-profit. It's grown into one of the area's most well attended Pride events, and it's family-friendly and welcoming to all. Get more information here. ๐ค The Canal Festival (29โ30 August) The North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust's free festival returns with boat and wherry trips, live music, canoe and paddleboard taster sessions, rural crafts and food stalls, and a licensed bar. Get more information here. ๐ง The Festival of Wellness Mind Body Spirit & Art Craft Event (29โ30 August) Over 80 exhibitors bring therapies, readings and holistic healing sessions to The Halls, alongside arts and crafts stalls, free talks and workshops. The first 50 visitors each day get a free gift. Get more information here. ๐ Festival of Transport - Bressingham (29โ31 August) Steam engines, vintage tractors and classic cars gather at Bressingham for a weekend celebrating transport by road, rail and water, with rides on the narrow gauge railways and a go-karting track on the top field. Get more information here. ๐ All About Dogs Show Norfolk (30โ31 August) Two days of arena displays, breed meet-ups, fun dog shows and expert advice at the Norfolk Showground, with dogs welcome on a lead throughout and camping available for the full weekend. Booking ahead saves on admission. Get more information here. ๐ Aylsham Show (31 August) The 78th Aylsham Show takes over Blickling Estate on the Bank Holiday Monday with livestock competitions, rural crafts, cookery demonstrations, vintage machinery and live entertainment. Children aged 16 and under and car parking are free, and booking ahead saves money on tickets. Get more information here. ๐ญ Cromer Pier Show (27 June โ 19 September) The world's only full-season end-of-pier show continues its run at the Pavilion Theatre, with singing, dancing, comedy and a rotating cast of guest acts through to mid-September. Get more information here. ๐ก Summer Circus & Water Spectacular (8 July โ 13 September) Great Yarmouth's Hippodrome keeps the water spectacular going, with international circus acts building to the stage sinking into a pool for a synchronised swimming finale. Get more information here. ๐จ Raveningham Sculpture Trail (15 July โ 6 September, WedโSun) Sixty artists' work is spread across three acres of meadow, garden and woodland at Raveningham for this year's Ritual-themed trail, open Wednesday to Sunday with some wheelchair access. Get more information here. ๐ผ๏ธ Fakenham Arts Festival (1โ30 August) Fakenham's month of creativity draws to a close this week, with the free family art trail and shop-window artwork running through to the end of August, alongside the final Tuesday evening film screening at the local cinema. Get more information here. ๐ Explore More Events Thereโs plenty more coming up: ๐ August Events | September Eventsโ Need a Recommendation? ๐ฌ Got a free afternoon and no plan for it yet? Hit reply and tell us what kind of day you're after, we love putting together a shortlist that fits. Until next time, happy adventuring! PS ๐งก Fingers crossed for good weather this Bank Holiday weekend. If it holds, it's a great excuse to check out one of our favourite riverside pubs in Norwich.
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โNorfolk Local Guide
Weโre Anisa and Russell, the husband-and-wife team behind Norfolk Local Guide. Each week, we share whatโs happening in Norwich and across Norfolkโfrom hidden gems and foodie finds to family fun and seasonal events. Join our community and make the most of every week in this beautiful corner of the England!
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