Dilham Canal Lock

The lock itself is a modest brick structure, but it's the setting that makes the trip worthwhile. Dilham Canal Lock sits quietly east of North Walsham, part of what was once an ambitious waterway project that never quite came off as planned. Walking around it, you get a proper sense of Norfolk's industrial past - the kind of place where you can actually imagine barges moving through here two centuries ago.

It's not a major attraction, to be honest. You won't spend hours here. But if you're staying at Two Mills or Manor Caravan Park nearby, it's an easy cycle or short drive for a wander and a bit of local history. The canal setting is pleasant enough, and there's something satisfying about seeing how the lock mechanism works up close. Kids aged eight or older might find it interesting; younger ones will probably get bored quickly.

The real appeal is bundling it into a broader exploration of the Broads area. North Walsham itself is walkable, and you're close enough to the main attractions without the crowds. Visit on a weekday morning if you want peace and quiet. There's no cafe at the lock itself, so bring a flask if you're making an afternoon of it. Free to visit, no facilities to speak of, but it's the kind of unpretentious Norfolk stop that reminds you why the Broads matter beyond the obvious tourist trail.