Pick up any map of the British Isles and you can't fail to see Norfolk. Even if the map hasn't got any names or numbers, Norfolk is easy to find.
It's the bit in the right that sticks out y'see. You could of course be looking at the map upside down and be looking at Wales, but for the duration of this opinion, I'm going to assume that you aren't all stupid

:-P

Anyhoo .... Instead of letting you in on the delights of a couple of the tourist attractions that the fine [!] county of Norfolk [Naaar fik to the locals] has to offer, I'm about to embark on a trip to cover several of em.
An A to Z of fun things to do for the whole family if you will. Well, I say an A to Z but don't be surprised to find a couple of the more obscure letters of the alphabet missing. I'm working on Q but I don't give much hope of finding J, K or X!!

*[A]* AFRICAN VIOLET CENTRE

Situated just 5 miles from Kings Lynn off the A17, the African Violet and Garden Centre is a unique working nursery of African Violets [I'm guessing that's where the name came from?] Not only can you browse the nursery but also take a few of the house plants, hardy shrubs, seasonal plants and terracotta stoneware home with you [after paying of course].
There is a visitors centre, a gift shop, a Courtyard Cafe and Children's play area.

Open every day. Mon - Sat 9am - 5pm. Sun 10am 5pm. Closed Christmas, Boxing, and New Years day.
Free admission. For more information Tele~: 01553 828374. Or visit: www.africanvioletcentre.ltd.uk

*[B]* BURE VALLEY RAILWAY

An 18 mile round trip on the longest narrow gauge preserved line in East Anglia will start at either the Aylsham or Wroxham station. The train, one of those 'dinky little steam things' rather than the 5.15 from Norwich to Liverpool Street, will take passengers through some of Norfolk's most unspoilt countryside.
An all inclu
sive ticket is also available for the boat train connecting with cruises on the broads.
There is a gift shop and Whistlestop restaurant, and free coach and car parking at both stations.

Departure and Station opening times vary considerably so ring before travelling.
For more information Tele~: 01263 733858. Or visit: www.bvrw.co.uk

*[C]* CASTLE ACRE PRIORY AND CASTLE

If ruins are your thing, take a trip, and audio tour around Castle Acre Priory , 5 miles north of Swaffham.
Here you'll find in a peaceful village location extensive ruins spanning seven centuries. A priory with an elaborately decorated Norman façade, and a modern herb garden recreated from old plans to grow medicinal and culinary herbs. And nearby you'll find Castle Acre Castle with its two moats.

Open 29th March - 30th September 10am - 6pm daily. 1st - 31st October 10am - 5pm daily. 1st November - 31st March 10am - 4pm Wednesday - Sunday.
For further information Tele~: 01760 755394.

*[D]* DINOSAUR ADVENTURE PARK

Head 9 miles out of Norwich while following brown signs along the A1067 and there's very little chance of you missing the Dinosaur Adventure Park.
With a whole array of 'big green scaly animal' related attractions, this is a great day out for the whole family. Dinosaur Trail, play areas, Jurassic Putt, Raptor Racers, Fossil Workshop, Deer Safari, Fossil Dig, and a Climb-a-Saurus to name just a few. There is also Dippy's Diner, and Dinostore.

Open from 10am - 5pm March - Oct [dates subject to change]
For further information Tele~: 01603 870245. Or visit: www.dinosaurpark.co.uk

*[E]* ECOTECH

If your little ones, or even the big ones of your family are into Scientific and Enviromental discovery, you need to make a trip to Ecotech. Head towards Swaffham and then follow the signs off the A47 and A1065 and you'll know you've arrived when you see the Ecotricity
Wind Turbine. If the tour up the turbine [limited availabilty and height restrictions apply] doesn't 'float your boat' take a walk around the Discovery Centre, or the Organic Garden. Or pig out in the café, or spend some money in the gift shop. The Ecotech is a charity so your money is going to a good home [as is your 3p .... Me :)]

Open from Easter - End of October 9am - 5pm.
For further information Tele~: 01760 726100. Or visit: www.ecotech.org.uk

*[F]* FRITTON LAKE

If you live in the town or the city, escaping to the countryside once in a while must be high on your list? And with 250 unspoilt acres to explore, Fritton Lake Countryworld is the ideal place for you to visit. Situated on the A134 near Gt. Yarmouth and boasting a Boating lake, Putting and Par 3 Golf, a Childrens Farm, Course Fishing, Heavy Horses, a Falconry Centre, an Adventure Playground, a Miniature Railway and various eating establishments there is no way you won't enjoy yourself on a day out here. With craft displays and a Licensed Restaurant, there should be enough to keep the whole family happy? Well, it the idodoyou clan anyway!

Open daily 10am - 5.30pm from Sunday 24th March - Sunday 29th September. Weekends and Half Term in October.
For further information Tele~: 01493 488208. Or visit: www.frittonlake.co.uk

*[G]* GRIMES GRAVES

7 miles north west of Thetford and you'll find some graves. Morbid? Not really. Interesting? Very much so.
4000 years ago prehistoric man dug some holes. Out of these holes came Flint. He dug some more. These holes became mines. Today, 4000 years later, you can descend the 30 feet by ladder into an excavated shaft. You can see the exhibition. Or spend some money in the gift shop.

Open 29th March - 30th September 10am - 6pm daily. 1st - 31st October 10am - 5pm daily. 1st November - 31st March 10am - 4pm Wednesday - Sunday.
Closed 1 - 2pm throughout the year. [Lunch time
I reckon!]
Special flint knapping days : 21st April/26th May/27th July and 25th August.
For further information Tele~: 01842 810656

*[H]* HOLKHAM HALL AND BYGONES MUSEUM

Still staying with the past, although not quite so far back as the 4000 years we had a slice of in [G], [H] finds us at Holkham Hall and Bygones Museum.
Housed in one of Britain's most majestic stately homes you'll find a collection of 4,000 items from years gone by.
With a restaurant, a gift shop, Nursery Gardens, a lake, a Deer park and an Art Gallery all to be visited and admired, an enjoyable day can be lost here without much trouble at all.
Head for Holkham, near Wells-next-the-sea on the North Norfolk coast and just follow the sign posts.

Open May 26th - September 30 Sunday to Thursday [inclusive] 1pm - 5pm plus March 31/April 1st/May 5th & 6th/June 2nd, 3rd & 4th/August 25th & 26th 11.30am - 5pm. Restaurant, shop, and gardens open from 10am.
For further information Tele~: 01328 710227. Or visit: www.holkham.co.uk

*[I]* INSPIRE HANDS ON DISCOVERY CENTRE

Situated in the city of Norwich, St Michaels Church, Coslany Street you'll find the Hands on Discovery Centre.
Here you'll find exhibits, shows and special events all pertaining to Science.
There is also a shop and a café.

Open 7 days a week 10am to 5.30pm.
For further information Tele~: 01603 612612

[J]

Just can't think of anything, or anywhere that begins with J. Sorry. I've failed you all ... :(

[K]

Kessingland. Knapton. Kings Lynn. Places, but no specific attractions beginning with K. This failing thing is not fun.

*[L]* LANGHAM GLASS AND RURAL CRAFTS

North Norfolk boasts a whole array of attractions for the fun seeking family, and not least Langham Glass.
Housed in a collection of restored 18th Century barn workshops you'll find not only Glass-making but
other traditional crafts on display. There are live demonstrations, Didgeridoo Crafts [Boomerangs and the like] Pottery Throwing, a small Museum, a factory Glassware shop, a Walled Garden and maze, as well as a Tea Room and an Adventure Playground.
The glass making thing never fails to amaze me, and I could watch for hours.

Open 7 days a week 10am - 5pm.
The Long Barn, North Street, Langham, Near Holt.
For further information Tele~: 01328 830511. Or visit: www.langhamglass.co.uk

*[M]* MUCKLEBURGH COLLECTION

Staying on the North Norfolk coast if you head 3 miles west of Sheringham, on the A139 coast road you'll come across Britain?s largest working Military collection. Privately owned and under cover, you'll be able to visit 8 exhibition halls and see Tanks, Armoured Vehicles, guns, Missiles, old uniforms, Aircraft and model ships. There is also a large gift shop.
[I must admit, I was bored senseless when we visited this place a couple of years back so if you ain't into this sort of stuff ... I wouldn't bother!]

Open 10am - 5pm everyday February 17th - October 27th.
For further information Tele~: 01263 588210

*[N]* NORFOLK SHIRE HORSE CENTRE

If you happen to find yourself in Cromer [and if you've just visited the Muckleburgh collection you're pretty close] head for the Norfolk Shire Horse Centre. Although, if you ain't horsey minded, this maybe isn't the best place to spend the day! With Heavy Horses working daily, a Childrens farm, Mares and Foals, a Museum, Café, Shop and Picnic area, there is plenty to do if you are equine inclined.

Open 10am - 5pm Sunday 24th March - Sunday 27th October. Closed Saturdays [which I thought was strange considering it's one half of the busiest times for such attractions?!]
For further information Tele~: 01263 837339. Or visit: www.norfolk-shirehorse-centre.co.uk

*[O]* OXBURGH HALL

7 mile
s south west of Swaffham and signposted from A134 at Stoke Ferry you'll find this medieval moated manor house. Take a walk round the restored kitchen garden, or take a peak at the Tudor tower, the priest hole or the Kings and Queens bedrooms. Or just admire the views from the roof.
There is a restaurant and a gift shop.

Open from 23 March - 3 November Sat - Wed. House 1 - 4.30pm.
Garden 11am - 5.30pm [daily in August] Shop and Restaurant 11am - 5pm.
For further information Tele~: 01366 328258

*[P]* PETTITTS ANIMAL ADVENTURE PARK

Billed as 'The family Park with everything' I think it just might be?
Pettitts, which you can find on the B1140 just off the A47 between Norwich and Gt. Yarmouth, boasts '3 parks in 1'. With live shows and fun rides, not forgetting the animals, this park will supply you all day entertainment with a capital E. Ample free parking, gift shops and restaurants galore will ensure that you have all you need on hand.

Open 7 days a week. Times vary with the seasons.
For further information Tele~: 01493 701403

*[Q]* (THE GREEN) QUAY

OK, so you're thinking that I've cheated a bit on the [Q] thing, but c'mon, Quay begins with Q so I figure I haven't really cheated, but bent the rules a touch!!

If you find yourself in Kings Lynn, and at a loose end. Head for Marriotts Warehouse South Quay.
Here you'll find an interactive Discovery Centre all pertaining to the Wash and its fish and wildlife. Not really a day out venue, but certainly enough to do for an hour or so.

For further information Tele~: 01553 818500

*[R]* ROOTS OF NORFOLK
(Roots of Norfolk ..... that's what its called honestly. I didn't just make it up to fit in with my [R])
If taking a walk back into the past is how you care to spend your days, or more realistically, mornings or afternoons, head for the Norfolk Rural Life Museum in
Gressenhall 3 miles north of Dereham on the B144.
Here, amongst 50 acres you can amble along the countryside trails, visit the Farm animals, wander around the gardens or stay indoors and witness life as it was in an old work house. Kids are catered for too with a playground.

Open daily 10am - 5pm from 24th March - 4th November.
For further information Tele~: 01362 860563. Or email: gressenhall.museum@norfolk.gov.uk

*[S]* SOMERLEYTON HALL

Where are you if you have 12 acres of beautiful gardens, and an early Victorian Stately Home to wander around? Well, you are either meant to be at the beach and very lost, or at Somerleyton Hall. Just off the B1074 between Lowestoft and St Olaves. With a gift shop, picnic area, a Miniature Railway and a café you can quite easily pass the afternoon here if you are so inclined.

Open Easter Sunday - Sunday 27th October on Thursdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays, plus Tuesdays and Wednesdays in July and August 12pm - 5.30pm.
For further information Tele~: 01502 730224. Or visit: www.somerleyton.co.uk

*[T]* THRIGBY HALL WILDLIFE

If wild animals are your thing, and I don't mean the kids or the husband, you'll be needing a Zoo, or a Wildlife Garden. As I'm on [T] and Thrigby springs to mind ... You'll have a Wildlife Garden and be grateful :)
Situated on the A1064 at Filby [near Gt. Yarmouth] Thrigby Hall has a myriad of animals, wild or otherwise along with the usual Childrens play area, café and gift shop and free parking.

Open daily from 10am but closing times vary with the season.
For more information Tele~: 01493 369477

[U]

You, your family, and friends. All you need for a great day out. Get in the car. Head towards to Norfolk and pick an attraction. There is bound to be something for [U] all to enjoy?

(I tried with the [U] thing .... really I did)

*[V]* VILLAGE EXPERIENCE

If you happen to b
e driving along the A1064 between Acle and Caister with nothing much to day for the day, drop into The Village Experience.
With rides, fast and slow, a haunted Conservatory and Old Hall Cellars and a Maze to name just a couple of the attractions, there is something for the whole family. Dump the 'old bids' [soory, very unPC of me there! Of course, I mean old folks ...] in the Tea Room, lose the kids in the Maze you can head for the traditional pub. Either that or just escape into the 35 acres that there is to explore with a pic nic. There are also gift shops and shows to be enjoyed. This is a pay once, then all rides are free park and a family ticket [2 big kids ;) and 2 little ones] will set you back approx. £20.00

Open 7 days a week from March - October.
For further information, as well as opening times [they vary] Tele~: 0870 5134890. Or visit: www.thevillage-experience.com

*[W]* WROXHAM BARNS

Situated approx. 10 miles from Norwich, and about a mile and a half from the centre of Wroxham you'll stumble across Craft Workshops, a Junior farm, a traditional Fair, Gift shops and a Tea Room.
Whether you want to watch the traditional and contemporary craftsmen at work, watch the 'little ones' pat the array of animals or just stop and have a cream tea, a morning, or afternoon soon disappears when you visit Wroxham Barns.
Admission and parking are free. Juniour Farm £2.25. Under 3's free. The traditional Fair is seasonal, 11am ? 5pm and all rides are individually priced.

Open all year round 7 days a week 10am - 5pm. Closed 25th and 26th December and 1st January.
For further information Tele~: 01603 783762. Or visit: www.visitbritain.com

[X]

(e) Xitement comes in many shapes and forms. What I consider to be fun, exciting, and worthy of a day out will differ from yours. Not all the attractions that I have listed here would make me rush to the car and head for them. Howe
ver, there is a bit of everything for all in this list I reckon?
And I told you I'd never be able to think of an [X] :)

*[Y]* YARMOUTH STADIUM

Whether it be the Dogs, or Banger Racing that gets your hearts pumping will depend on when you visit Yarmouth Stadium, which you'll find if you head out of Yarmouth towards Caistor. If you hit the roundabout .... you've gone too far! And ... How an earth did you miss it?
As East Anglia's premier Greyhound racing venue [and probably only Greyhound racing venue!], Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights see's hoards of screaming punters egging on lean mean running machines chasing a bit of brown fur. Even more so if they have money riding on the lean mean running machine [and the majority do].
Other evenings will see grown men, and women destroying the hell out of each others cars. It must be fun because there are several meets and they all go back for more!

Greyhound Racing from 7pm throughout the year.
For further information and dates of Banger Racing Tele~: 01493 720323

*[Z]* ZOO ~ BANHAM

If 'Which' magazine has voted Banham Zoo as one of the top 3 Zoo's in the UK, it must be good ?
If you don't want to take 'Whichs' word for it, and wish to see for yourself, head towards Attleborough and Diss, and don't miss the signposts on the A11 and A140.
Once there you will find all manner of wild and exotic animals. There are also feeding talks and flying displays. An undercover 'Rainbuster' route, which I think you'll agree with me, is something that all out door tourist attractions in the UK needs! A Safari Roadtrain, and a Tarzan Towers adventure play area.

Open all year. Daily from 10am.
For further information Tele~: 01953 887771. Or visit: www.banhamzoo.co.uk

Right then, that's me done and dusted for another posting.
If there are any fellow 'Noor fikians' out
there that can suggest an attraction for [J] [K] [U] or [X] please mail me and I'll willingly add.

Cheers me dears ....