Cranwich Heath

You won't find crowds at Cranwich Heath, and that's rather the point. This stretch of open heathland east of Thetford is the real Norfolk - gorse and heather, wide skies, and the kind of silence you've probably forgotten exists. It's a proper working landscape, not a prettified nature reserve, which means it feels genuinely wild in a way many protected areas don't.

The heath is best explored on foot. There are decent walking routes that let you get out into the scrubland, and on a decent day the light across the open ground is genuinely lovely. You'll spot birds if you're patient - this is good habitat for ground-nesting species - and the whole place has a contemplative quality that makes it worth the drive from Thetford.

It's free to visit, and you can spend anywhere from forty minutes for a quick stroll to a full morning if you're a keen walker. Summer is ideal, though spring brings its own interest. Families with young kids might find it a bit sparse unless they're already keen on nature; it's really the place for walkers and birdwatchers who want to get away from the managed park circuit.

If you're staying at Oak Lodge Glamping or Grange Farm Touring Park nearby, Cranwich Heath makes a decent morning excursion. It won't dominate your itinerary, but it's the sort of place that reminds you why Norfolk's worth more than a quick visit.