Royal Airforce Coltishall

The runway at Coltishall is silent now, but walk around the old RAF base east of North Walsham and you can almost hear the Spitfires screaming overhead. This was a proper wartime station - active from 1938 right through to the 1990s - and the buildings, hangars, and scattered remains tell the story of decades of flying operations across Norfolk's flatlands.

What you get is a chance to poke around genuine Cold War and Second World War infrastructure. The control tower still stands. Some of the original airfield buildings have been converted or preserved. It's not a slick museum experience with café and gift shop - this is the real thing, weathered and honest. History buffs will spend hours here, picking through the details of the squadrons that flew from here and the role the base played across two wars.

For families with kids, it depends how keen they are on aircraft and military history. Under-tens might find it a bit slow unless you're prepared to tell stories and make it come alive. Walkers get a decent circuit around the perimeter, and the Norfolk countryside around here is lovely - flat, open, shot through with those long sight-lines that define East Anglia.

Timing-wise, allow ninety minutes to two hours. It's free to wander the public areas, though check locally for any visitor restrictions before you go - these sites sometimes have access rules. Pair it with the nearby holiday parks - Two Mills and Dilham Hall are both within easy reach - and you've got a solid half-day option alongside a proper Norfolk break.