The Bug Parc

The Bug Parc near Bylaugh is exactly what it sounds like - a zoo dedicated entirely to insects and creepy-crawlies. You'll find yourself wandering through enclosures of stick insects, beetles, spiders, and all manner of arthropods that most people actively avoid at home. The setup is straightforward: glass cases, information boards, live specimens. It's the sort of place that either fascinates you or doesn't, and there's not much middle ground.

Kids aged 6 to 12 tend to get the most out of it. They'll spend a good hour pressing their noses against the glass, asking endless questions about tarantula venom and whether that scorpion could actually kill you. Adults who are into natural history will find it worthwhile too. The staff know their stuff and will chat properly if you ask them anything beyond the basics.

Allow around 90 minutes unless you've got a particularly insect-obsessed child. It's free or very cheap to enter - typical zoo pricing - though I'd confirm before you go. Best visited on a quieter weekday if possible; school holidays get cramped.

If you're staying at Bylaugh Country Park Caravan and Campsite just down the road, this makes a decent rainy-day option. Same applies for Moat Island Glamping or Ashcroft Glamping - all within 10 minutes' drive. It's not a full day out, but paired with a proper walk in the Norfolk countryside, it fills an afternoon sensibly enough.