Litcham Common

A stretch of open heathland just outside Fakenham, Litcham Common is one of those Norfolk spaces that rewards a proper wander but won't keep you for hours. It's manageable in scale - not vast, not crowded - with a few footpaths threading through gorse and bracken that give you genuine countryside without needing to trek for miles.

The appeal is straightforward. You get uninterrupted views across the Norfolk plains, the kind of flat-horizon landscape that either thrills you or leaves you cold depending on your mood. On a clear day it's genuinely pleasant; in drizzle it's a bit bleak. There's a car park and the walks are easy enough for most fitness levels, though the paths can get muddy after rain.

Historically it's been commons land for centuries, which matters if you're into that sort of thing. Now it's mostly valued as a breathing space for locals and a decent spot to let the dog burn off energy without battling crowds. Birdwatchers sometimes do well here, especially in winter.

Realistic time allowance? An hour, maybe ninety minutes if you amble both routes. It's a good addition to a Norfolk park holiday - Wild Meadow Glamping is just five miles away and makes a logical base - but on its own it's a supporting act rather than a headline attraction. Worth the detour if you're in Fakenham anyway; worth planning a trip around it? Probably not.