Bluebells

The name's a bit misleading - Bluebells isn't a woodland carpet of flowers, but a historic house just outside Great Yarmouth that belonged to the Colman family, made famous by mustard. The place sits quietly on its own, red brick and altogether rather Georgian in manner. Inside you'll find period rooms done up with furniture and fittings from the 18th and 19th centuries, which tells you something genuine about how people actually lived in Norfolk rather than in some grand estate.

It's the kind of place that works best if you've got a real interest in domestic history or Norfolk's industrial heritage - the mustard connection draws some visitors, but don't expect interactive exhibits or much in the way of signage. Kids under about fourteen will likely find it dull after twenty minutes, unless they're the bookish type who enjoys poking about in old rooms. Adults with a taste for social history, though, will find it absorbing. The garden's pleasant enough for a wander.

Finding exact opening details beforehand is tricky - it's worth ringing ahead or checking locally in Great Yarmouth before you visit. Most folks allow an hour and a half. If you're based at one of the nearby caravan sites - Clippesby Hall and Norfolk Broads Caravan and Motorhome Club are both within easy striking distance - Bluebells makes for a decent rainy-day diversion rather than a main event. Pair it with a broader Norfolk Broads exploration and you've got a proper day sorted.