Keeping everyone entertained can quickly get expensive, but some of the best family days out in Norfolk are completely free. Think sandy beaches, big open spaces, woodland adventures, parks, trails and seasonal entertainment – with no admission fee required.
We’ve picked 10 free things to do with kids in Norfolk for family days out that are fun, easy on the budget and genuinely worth leaving the house for.
1. Spend the Day at Eaton Park
📍 Norwich – entrances via South Park Avenue and North Park Avenue.
One of Norwich’s best free family spaces, and one of our most loved days out. Eaton Park has a large children’s playground, skate park, open parkland, miniature railway, boating pond and plenty of space for bikes, scooters, games and picnics. The skate park and cycle speedway track are specifically free to use.
Cost: FREE to enter and use the park/playground; some sports (e.g mini golf) and attractions (e.g. the fabulous miniature railway, when operating) charge.
Parking: Charges apply 9am – 9pm.
2. Explore Sheringham Park
📍 Upper Sheringham
You don’t have to be a National Trust member to explore the parkland. We love this place and visit frequently, so much so we’ve become NT members. Entry to Sheringham Park itself is free, giving families almost 1,000 acres of woodland, countryside, trails and viewpoints to explore.
Cost: FREE entry.
Parking: £6.50 per car for non-National Trust members; free for members.
3. Have a Beach Day at Gorleston-on-Sea
📍 Gorleston
Pack the bucket, spades and picnic and you’ve got one of Norfolk’s best completely free family days out. Explore the huge sandy beach, paddle in the sea, walk the promenade and head up onto the cliffs for views across the bay.
Cost: FREE.
Parking: There is some free parking on the seafront and in some of the local car parks. We always manage to find free parking when we visit.
Fancy a walk instead of a beach day? We tried the the Gorleston Quayside and Town Circular Walk.
4. Spend a Day on Great Yarmouth Beach
📍 Great Yarmouth
Just along from Gorleston… You don’t actually have to spend money in the arcades and attractions to enjoy Great Yarmouth, and we’ve never had a bad day out here. Head onto the sandy beach, build sandcastles, paddle, walk the Golden Mile and soak up the traditional seaside atmosphere. Local visitor information specifically highlights the beach as one of the area’s free activities. During the 2026 school holidays, Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach has free entertainment every Saturday afternoon from 1pm to 4pm on the main stage, featuring various singers and bands. Entry to the Pleasure Beach is not free but the cheapest ‘wrist band’ (fun card) for entry only (not rides) is £1.
Cost: FREE.
Parking: There is free parking at certain times in certain areas, otherwise there are several pay and display car parks.
5. Follow the Norwich City of Stories Summer Trail
📍 Norwich city centre
Available until 31 August 2026, this free family trail sends you around Norwich city centre hunting for clues while celebrating books, stories and Norwich’s status as England’s first UNESCO City of Literature. You can complete it at your own pace. Download the Trail Map here.
Cost: Completely FREE.
2026 dates: 18 July – 31 August.
6. Visit Caister North Beach
📍 Caister-on-Sea
For a quieter seaside adventure, head to Caister’s wide sandy beach. There are dunes to explore, a long esplanade and miles of coastline for walking, shell collecting and sandcastle building.
Cost: FREE.
7. Explore The Forum
📍 Norwich
The Forum is an impressive public building that’s open to everyone, and regularly hosts free exhibitions, festivals, activities, markets and events. Featuring a brilliant children’s library, it’s worth checking what’s on before visiting because there’s frequently something extra happening for families.
Cost: FREE to enter; many events and exhibitions are also free.
8. Visit The Sainsbury Centre Sculpture Park
📍 UEA Campus, Norwich
The Sainsbury Centre Sculpture Park at the University of East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich is a free, 350-acre outdoor trail set across parkland, woods, and the Yare valley. Get some fresh air while getting up close to some really incredible art and architecture. Open every day. Download a free trail map here.
Cost: FREE.
9. Enjoy Entertainment at Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach
📍 Great Yarmouth
Every Saturday afternoon from 1pm to 4pm on the main stage, Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach has live entertainment from various singers and bands singing. Entry to the Pleasure Beach is not free but the cheapest ‘wrist band’ (fun card) for entry only (not rides) is just £1 per person for the entire season. Buy online before you visit.
Cost: FREE (entry to the pleasure beach from £1 pp).
Great Yarmouth: Saturdays until 29 August 2026.
10. Explore the Felbrigg Estate
📍 Felbrigg, near Cromer
You have to pay to enter Felbrigg Hall and its formal garden, but the enormous 520-acre estate is completely free to explore. Try the family-friendly 2.6-mile church and ice-house trail, explore the woods, build dens or bring a picnic. A lovely day out.
Cost: FREE for the estate and parkland.
Parking: £5 for non-National Trust members; free for members.
From packing a picnic for the park to spending the day beside the sea, you don’t need a big budget to make the most of Norfolk as a family. Hopefully these free family days out in Norfolk provide a little inspiration for your next adventure.
A note on what we mean by FREE
Every activity above has been checked as of 14 August 2026 and has an option that genuinely costs £0 to take part in.
That doesn’t necessarily mean getting there is free. Some locations charge for their official car parks, and cafés, shops, rides, boat trips and other optional extras may cost money. Where a significant parking charge applies, we’ve highlighted it rather than pretending the whole trip can’t possibly cost you a penny.
But bring your own picnic, use free/on-street parking where legitimately available or arrive on foot/bike where practical, and there are plenty of genuinely free days out in Norfolk to enjoy.
Looking for more ideas? Download our Norfolk Bucket List of 75 Things To Do This Summer in Norfolk, completely FREE.
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