North Walsham

Railway lines once carried everything from grain to holidaymakers through this proper Norfolk market town, and the Victorian station still anchors North Walsham today. The high street runs wide and unhurried, with independent shops that actually stay open past teatime - a rarity in many Norfolk towns these days.

History buffs will find the Norfolk Motorcycle Museum worth an hour or two, particularly if you appreciate British engineering from the glory days. Saint Botolph's Church dominates the town centre with its impressive tower, while the North Walsham Village Sign tells the story of a place that's been trading since medieval times.

What makes this corner of Norfolk special is how quickly you can escape into proper countryside. Lord Anson's Wood offers decent walking just minutes from the town centre, and the network of quiet lanes leads to villages like Knapton and Felmingham, each with their own painted village signs - a Norfolk tradition worth collecting if you're that way inclined.

Getting here couldn't be simpler. The train line connects directly to Norwich in about 20 minutes, making this an excellent base for exploring both the Broads and the Norfolk coast. You're roughly 10 miles inland from Cromer, so sea breezes and fish and chips are never far away.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense if you want to explore the northern Broads without the crowds that descend on Wroxham. Norfolk Broads Haven has particularly good reviews and puts you within striking distance of both the waterways and the coast. Victory Swim and Fitness Centre keeps the family entertained on rainy days, though honestly, you'll probably spend most of your time discovering just how much Norfolk countryside you can cover from this quietly central spot.