Guidebook for Bergh Apton, Norfolk and Suffolk
Sightseeing
Norwich Castle is currently undergoing some refurbishment but it is still a great place to visit. There is a fascinating exhibition running at the moment about the story of the wreck of the Gloucester with several artefacts, including the ships bell, wine bottles and other artefacts including clothing, spectacles and other personal effects. There’s also a long running exhibition of Norwich artists including the wonderful works of John Sell Cotman who painted some beautiful pieces of local scenes. Great for adults and children.
204 locals recommend
Norwich Castle
24 Castle MdwNorwich Castle is currently undergoing some refurbishment but it is still a great place to visit. There is a fascinating exhibition running at the moment about the story of the wreck of the Gloucester with several artefacts, including the ships bell, wine bottles and other artefacts including clothing, spectacles and other personal effects. There’s also a long running exhibition of Norwich artists including the wonderful works of John Sell Cotman who painted some beautiful pieces of local scenes. Great for adults and children.
Traditional market town with several lovely pubs, restaurants and a lovely waterfront.
53 locals recommend
Beccles
Traditional market town with several lovely pubs, restaurants and a lovely waterfront.
A medieval city, great for shopping, eating out, sightseeing, entertainment, with traditional pubs and a good club scene.
115 locals recommend
Norwich
A medieval city, great for shopping, eating out, sightseeing, entertainment, with traditional pubs and a good club scene.
Southwold has a lot to offer. Many of the pubs and hotels are owned and run by the local brewery Adnams where you are able to do a tour. The beach is lovely and the harbour great for fresh fish and chips.
287 locals recommend
Southwold
Southwold has a lot to offer. Many of the pubs and hotels are owned and run by the local brewery Adnams where you are able to do a tour. The beach is lovely and the harbour great for fresh fish and chips.
Blickling Estate
Beautiful house and gardens where Anne Boleyn lived.
Parks & Nature
Chet and Waveney Valley Vineyard is a family run vineyard producing award winning Sparkling and still wines. We would recommend a tour and tasting which is run by the owner and winemaker John Hemmant
The Playbarn
Farm Shotesham RdChet and Waveney Valley Vineyard is a family run vineyard producing award winning Sparkling and still wines. We would recommend a tour and tasting which is run by the owner and winemaker John Hemmant
Out door activities, water sports including sailing and kayaking plus archery, climbing etc
41 locals recommend
Whitlingham Country Park
Whitlingham LaneOut door activities, water sports including sailing and kayaking plus archery, climbing etc
Horsey Gap is a great place to go for seal watching. Around Christmas and New Year you will see seal pups. Don’t get too close!
106 locals recommend
Horsey Gap
Horsey Gap is a great place to go for seal watching. Around Christmas and New Year you will see seal pups. Don’t get too close!
This is a great place to take children and those interested in wildlife. A great day out.
92 locals recommend
Africa Alive!
Whites LaneThis is a great place to take children and those interested in wildlife. A great day out.
This is the perfect day out for small children interested in Dinosaur and all things Jurassic!
96 locals recommend
Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure
This is the perfect day out for small children interested in Dinosaur and all things Jurassic!
A great day out for families with young children. The snow leopards and Red Pandas are a real highlight.
54 locals recommend
Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens
A great day out for families with young children. The snow leopards and Red Pandas are a real highlight.
BeWILDerwood
Beautiful gardens and a great spot for steam enthusiasts! There’s a Dads Army museum too.
48 locals recommend
Bressingham Steam & Gardens
Low RoadBeautiful gardens and a great spot for steam enthusiasts! There’s a Dads Army museum too.
A great favourite for bird enthusiasts and people with young children. There is a very good indoor play area for children and an outdoor adventure playground. Highly recommended.
128 locals recommend
Pensthorpe Natural Park
Pensthorpe RoadA great favourite for bird enthusiasts and people with young children. There is a very good indoor play area for children and an outdoor adventure playground. Highly recommended.
Blakeney Point
A lovely place to visit to watch seals.
Fantastic spot to explore the broads by canoe or paddle board. You can paddle to a nearby pub and back or take a picnic.
7 locals recommend
Three Rivers - Pitch & Paddle
Station RoadFantastic spot to explore the broads by canoe or paddle board. You can paddle to a nearby pub and back or take a picnic.
Incredible garden. Beautifully laid out abc tended. Well worth a visit whatever time of year. There is always something stunning to see.
53 locals recommend
East Ruston Old Vicarage Garden
Vicarage RoadIncredible garden. Beautifully laid out abc tended. Well worth a visit whatever time of year. There is always something stunning to see.
Beautiful natural gardens. The drumstick primulas in spring are a highlight.
32 locals recommend
Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden
School RoadBeautiful natural gardens. The drumstick primulas in spring are a highlight.
Alpacas Of East Anglia
Acle RoadA must for alpaca lovers!
Beautiful estate with a walled garden and extensive estate. Lovely shop and tea rooms.
261 locals recommend
Holkham Hall
Holkham RoadBeautiful estate with a walled garden and extensive estate. Lovely shop and tea rooms.
Vineyard tours and wine tastings
This family run award winning vineyard and winery offers vineyard tours and wine tastings during the season (April to October) and other times by appointment. These are normally led by John Hemmant the owner and wine maker. Contact via the website www.chetvineyard.co.uk. Chet vineyard specialises in producing award winning sparkling wine.
The Chet Valley vineyard is literally on the doorstep. Regular vineyard tours and wine tastings are available on Wednesdays and Saturdays 11-1pm or 3-5pm. Up to 5 wines will be tasted with nibbles of cheese and charcuterie. Lunches are available to book from 1:30pm.
There is a small deli at the winery door and wine, cheese, charcuterie, crackers, and chocolates from local artisan producers are available to buy.
6 locals recommend
Chet and Waveney Valley Vineyard
Loddon RoadThe Chet Valley vineyard is literally on the doorstep. Regular vineyard tours and wine tastings are available on Wednesdays and Saturdays 11-1pm or 3-5pm. Up to 5 wines will be tasted with nibbles of cheese and charcuterie. Lunches are available to book from 1:30pm.
There is a small deli at the winery door and wine, cheese, charcuterie, crackers, and chocolates from local artisan producers are available to buy.
Food scene
White Horse Chedgrave
5 Norwich RdThe Dove
Bungay RoadExcellent restaurant café as well as a well equipped garden centre and farm shop. Stocks local wines and other local produce.
6 locals recommend
Green Pastures Plant Centre & Farm Shop
Mill RoadExcellent restaurant café as well as a well equipped garden centre and farm shop. Stocks local wines and other local produce.
The Victoria Inn
Park RoadExcellent food featuring local food and drink suppliers.
The Wildebeest
82-86 Norwich RdExcellent local food
Brasted's
Fox RoadFine dining in a very rural location. Excellent for outside catering.
Excellent Italian food in a relaxing family restaurant, hosted by Gail and Rafe. One of our personal favourites. Just a 15 minute drive from the Vine House and we’ll worth the trip. Taxi is even better
13 locals recommend
The Olive Tree
28 Old Yarmouth RdExcellent Italian food in a relaxing family restaurant, hosted by Gail and Rafe. One of our personal favourites. Just a 15 minute drive from the Vine House and we’ll worth the trip. Taxi is even better
Bailey’s is a lovely spot in Beccles for coffee and light lunches
9 locals recommend
Baileys Delicatessen
2 HungateBailey’s is a lovely spot in Beccles for coffee and light lunches
The Swan Inn is a short distance from the Vine House. Located in Loddon it serves good food in the restaurant with prompt service. A lovely varied menu. Definitely recommended
7 locals recommend
Swan at Loddon
23 Church ClThe Swan Inn is a short distance from the Vine House. Located in Loddon it serves good food in the restaurant with prompt service. A lovely varied menu. Definitely recommended
Thurton George & Dragon
2 The StreetThe George and Dragon is our closest pub. Good pub grub.
Lovely restaurant by the water. A great place to paddle board or canoe to.
11 locals recommend
Waters Edge Woodsend
Woods EndLovely restaurant by the water. A great place to paddle board or canoe to.
Lovely restaurant for a special occasion in central Norwich.
14 locals recommend
Bishops Dining Room & Wine Bar
8-10 St Andrews HillLovely restaurant for a special occasion in central Norwich.
Zizzi Norwich
25 TomblandVery handy for food when in Norwich. Lovely outdoor seating area.
The Ivy Norwich Brasserie
30 London StGood reputation for excellent food.
Lovely wine bar and restaurant with excellent menu and wine list. Highly recommended.
14 locals recommend
Last Wine Bar & Restaurant
70-76 St Georges StLovely wine bar and restaurant with excellent menu and wine list. Highly recommended.
Lovely restaurant and bar with an extensive menu with many locally sourced foods and wine
Fritton Arms
Church LaneLovely restaurant and bar with an extensive menu with many locally sourced foods and wine
Smokey Joes American Bar And Grill
8 Norwich RdAmerican style bar. Great for treating kids.
Zaks Waterside
Barrack StreetAmerican style diner. Great for treating Kids.
American style diner. Great for treating Kids. Just 10 minutes drive from the Vine House.
Zaks Poringland Diner
119 The StAmerican style diner. Great for treating Kids. Just 10 minutes drive from the Vine House.
Zaks Mousehold
Gurney RoadAmerican style diner. Great for treating Kids.
Entertainment
Local theatre with diverse selection of shows and productions.
Maddermarket Theatre
Norwich Theatre Royal
Theatre StreetThe Fisher Theatre
10 Broad StShows, plays and entertainment
Set in natural grounds this is a fabulous outdoor experience for active children
168 locals recommend
BeWILDerwood
Set in natural grounds this is a fabulous outdoor experience for active children
Hollywood Bowl Norwich
1 Wherry RdGreat family fun
ODEON Norwich
Wherry RoadGood cinema in Norwich
Cinema City
Saint Andrews StreetLovely independent cinema with its own restaurant and wine bar
Southwold Pier
North ParadeWho can resist a pier at the seaside? Nice café too.
Great for kids. Seasonal opening so best to check the hours on line before visiting
45 locals recommend
Beccles Lido
PuddingmoorGreat for kids. Seasonal opening so best to check the hours on line before visiting
Cathedral
Norman Cathedral which dates back to 1100 AD
Norwich Cathedral
65 The CloseArts
Art exhibitions
Excellent selection of arts exhibitions plus courses available to suit all levels of experience. Also regular music events.
Anteros Arts Foundation
11-15 Fye Bridge StExcellent selection of arts exhibitions plus courses available to suit all levels of experience. Also regular music events.
Fantastic permanent exhibition with regular program of changing exhibitions of arts and crafts.
69 locals recommend
Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts
Norfolk RoadFantastic permanent exhibition with regular program of changing exhibitions of arts and crafts.
Mandells Gallery
Elm HillArt exhibitions