Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary

Massive hooves and gentle giants dominate this working sanctuary just outside Cromer, where rescued Shire horses find their retirement home. The sanctuary houses around 40 of these magnificent draft horses, some standing over 18 hands high and weighing close to a tonne each.

Visitors can wander through the paddocks and stables, getting properly close to these impressive animals. The horses have all been saved from various situations - some from neglect, others simply pensioned off from working life. Staff are brilliant at explaining each horse's story and the breed's history in British agriculture.

Children absolutely love it here, though parents should keep little ones close as these are genuinely enormous animals. The horses are incredibly docile, but their sheer size can be overwhelming for toddlers. Horse-mad teenagers will be in their element.

Best visited on a dry day when the horses are out in the fields rather than sheltered indoors. Allow a good hour, possibly two if you're really into horses or want to chat with the volunteers.

Perfectly positioned for a Norfolk coast holiday, with several caravan parks within walking distance including Beeston Regis Holiday Park and West Runton Camping & Caravanning Club. Makes a lovely inland break from beach days, and the kids will have stories to tell about meeting horses bigger than small cars.