Summer Things to Do (Whatever The Weather)

We would all cherish the fiction of long, hot sunny days lasting all summer long but (and don’t get me wrong, it’s an absolutely fabulous summer day as I write this) but we all suffer the vagaries of the English weather.

We have designed Cranmer Country Cottages to offer facilities even in less than great weather. We have a lovely heated indoor swimming pool – salt dosed for comfort and a well stock games room with table tennis, darts, pool, books and DVDs.

However the kids will want to go out and there are lots of things you can do, even if it’s raining. Here are a few of our favourites:

This is our guests’ number one favourite destination. Pensthorpe Natural park is an “award-winning mix of meandering nature trails, beguiling woodland walks and a showcase for British Wildlife and nature conservation.” It works for both adults and children and this year opened Hootz House, a truly amazing indoor nature adventure playground. It fits seamlessly with all the natural ethos of Pensthope. Guests at Cranmer get special discount vouchers.

My particular favourite. Travel the Poppy Line between Sheringham and Holt through North Norfolk’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – lovely whatever the weather. Enjoy the nostalgia of the Sheringham buffet, where you can eat in or have a picnic and watch the activity on the station platform. Sheringham is the quintessential east coast seaside town, so is well worth a visit.

www.nnrailway.co.uk.

For more traditional adventure playground fun with a country twist Farmer Freds Playbarn at Norfolk Lavender is great fun for children aged 0-12 years. There is fun filled maze of slides, tunnels, rope swings, drop slides, walkways and bridges. Toddlers can play safely in a separate area. There is also an Animal Farm, the Walsingham Farm Shop for tasty treats and a lovely café for after fun sustenance.
www.farmerfredsplaybarnnorfolk.co.uk

Ok, I admit younger children might not like the idea of trailing around a stately home but the Sandringham Museum is full of the most amazing finds. We all have stuff we never get to through out but with this house the ‘stuff’ is really interesting. Vintage cars and fire engines (they had their own), costumes, vintage household equipment and not too much stuffy history. Oh and there’s a fabulous café and restaurant with freshly prepared local food by Royal Warrant holders, Debbie Steward Catering.

Many of the artists and artisan producers in North Norfolk offer workshops aimed at children and grown ups.

Dale at the Chocolate Deli in Walsingham offers chocolate making courses, Langham Glass in Fakenham for glassmaking, Salt Glass Studio in Burnham Thorpe for creative glass and print making.

You can learn to paint and decorate pots at Doodle Pots in Holt.

Information on all the above and more can be found in our Games Room. Have a wonderful stay at Cranmer and enjoy all the delights of Norfolk.