We’re Anisa and Russell, the husband-and-wife team behind Norfolk Local Guide. Each week, we share what’s happening in Norwich and across Norfolk—from 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!
🐌 Snail Racing, Folk Music and a Greasy Pole in Norfolk This Week
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Hello Norfolk explorers 👋 Hope you're having a lovely week! We've properly enjoyed ourselves. Friday took us to Wolterton Hall (pictured above) for an immersive production of The Turn of the Screw, with dinner in the library beforehand and the cast leading us through the Hall and gardens as the story unfolded. It made the whole thing feel less like a play and more like something we'd stumbled into by accident. The weekend was just as full. We caught the Lord Mayor's Celebration and got our yearly humbling at the Great Norwich Duck Race, four ducks entered, four ducks lost, we have never once won in all the years we've been going, but this time we got there early enough to bag a spot right on the bridge. The Lanes Summer Fayre cheered us up with a strawberry rose doughnut from Benedicts. This week's newsletter has world championship snail racing, a very slippery greasy pole down in Blakeney, Sandringham's first ever RHS flower show, and a Groupon deal on tickets to the Hippodrome's summer circus. Here's everything happening across Norfolk this week ⬇️ ✨ What's Happening Around Norfolk This Week?🍺 Aylsham Beer & Gin Festival (17–18 July) A charity beer and gin festival run by Aylsham Round Table, with two evenings of unlimited beer, cider, gin, live music and food, all raising money for local community causes. Tickets need booking in advance. Get more information here. 🚐 Norfolk Motorhome & Campervan Show (17–19 July) Three days of new and pre-owned motorhomes and campervans from local and national dealers, alongside outdoor leisure retailers and family activities like axe throwing, archery and bushcraft. Dogs are welcome everywhere, including the Big Top. Get more information here. 🐌 World Snail Racing Championships (18 July) This quirky championship sees snails go head to head over a 13 inch course, with the Snail Master's cry of "Ready, Steady, Slow" starting each race. This year it's part of a bigger Summer Big Bash, with a family fun day, a memorial cricket match and live music in the evening. Entry is free. Get more information here. 🎶 Folk in the Town (18–19 July) Two days of free live music in the Tuesday Market Place, spanning traditional folk, Americana, folk rock and bluegrass. It's a relaxed, family-friendly way to spend a summer weekend, with the full line-up confirmed closer to the date. Get more information here. 🎸 Cromer Hall Concerts (18 July) A one-day outdoor concert in the parkland at Cromer Hall, with live tribute acts covering 80s music, classic rock and more. Bring a picnic or pick up food from the vendors on site. Please note dogs aren't permitted, aside from assistance dogs. Get more information here. 🌊 Blakeney Greasy Pole (20 July) Part of the Blakeney Sailing Regatta and dating back to 1873. Expect tug of war as the tide comes in, swimming races, and the main event: competitors trying to cross a heavily greased 30ft telegraph pole suspended over the water. Get more information here. 🌸 Sandringham Flower Show (22–26 July) The RHS comes to Sandringham for the first time in 2026, with five days of show gardens, talks and demonstrations from horticultural experts, alongside local food and drink in the estate's historic grounds. Tickets need booking in advance. Get more information here. 📜 Norwich History Festival (14–24 July) Now in its second year, this eleven-day festival explores why history matters, with talks, walks, film screenings, workshops and exhibitions taking place across venues in the city, covering Norwich's rich and varied past. Get more information here. 🎪 Summer Circus & Water Spectacular (8 July–13 September) International circus acts share the bill with the Hippodrome's famous water spectacular, where the whole stage sinks into a pool for a synchronised swimming display. Hosted by Jack Jay and Johnny Mac, it runs all summer at Britain's last surviving standalone circus building. There's a Groupon deal on tickets right now, good until 31 July. Get more information here. 🎨 Raveningham Sculpture Trail (15 July–6 September, Wed–Sun) Now in its 13th year, this outdoor sculpture exhibition spreads across three acres of meadows, gardens and woodland at the Raveningham Centre in south Norfolk. This year's theme is Ritual, with 60 artists creating site-specific work. Get more information here. 🎭 Cromer Pier Show (27 June–19 September) The only full-season end-of-pier show left in the world, running at the Pavilion Theatre with singing, dancing, comedy and rotating guest acts right through to mid-September. Tickets from £24. Get more information here. 🗓 Explore More Events There’s plenty more coming up: 👉 July Events | August Events Need a Recommendation? 💬 Got a question about somewhere to eat, stay, or visit in Norfolk? Just hit reply, we love helping out. Until next time, happy adventuring! PS. England play Argentina tonight in the World Cup semi-final, 8pm kick off. Come on England! It's Coming Home 🏴
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Norfolk Local Guide
We’re Anisa and Russell, the husband-and-wife team behind Norfolk Local Guide. Each week, we share what’s happening in Norwich and across Norfolk—from 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!
Hello Norfolk explorers 👋 September has arrived, and there's plenty happening across Norfolk this week, from heather walks and food festivals to cycling, running and live entertainment. We spent some of the bank holiday weekend checking out the heather before it fades, watching the sunrise from John Denver's bench at Dersingham Bog (pictured above). If you fancy planning a trip of your own, we've put together a full visitor guide,. This year's heather is patchier than usual after such a dry...
Hello Norfolk explorers 👋 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...
Hello Norfolk explorers 👋 We hope you were able to get out and enjoy the eclipse. We had a picnic at St. Benet’s Abbey and watched it from there (see photo above). If you missed it, the next chance comes on 2 August 2027, but it won't be as big. The UK won't see one this size again until 2030. Between the eclipse and everything else, it's been a full week around here. We were invited to a popup Beef and Burgundy dinner at Raynham Estate (only on through 20 August), took a Bishy Barney Boat...