Family-Friendly English Heritage Days Out in Norfolk

Looking for historical days out that won’t break the bank? Norfolk is packed with castles, abbeys and Roman ruins that are perfect for children to explore, and English Heritage makes it easy to turn these outings into affordable family favourites. We’re huge fans of somewhere peaceful to enjoy a picnic or explore crumbling stone towers and secret passageways, so this guide highlights some of the best English Heritage days out for families in Norfolk.

Let’s start with ticketed sites (where savings can really add up via membership offers), followed by free English Heritage places in Norfolk for those who want to soak up history without spending a penny on entry, parking or memberships.

Castle Acre Priory – Entry Costs For an English Heritage Day Out

Set in the heart of the village, Castle Acre Priory is one of the most impressive monastic ruins in England. Founded in the 11th century by the wealthy de Warenne family, this sprawling Cluniac site includes a soaring church façade, cloisters, a recreated herb garden, and wide-open grounds where kids can roam freely.

Children love the freedom to explore the ruins, and there’s enough history to spark any imagination. Whether they’re pretending to be monks, knights or treasure hunters, the site invites curious minds and energetic legs. There’s also a visitor centre with a small exhibition and shop, plus regular family-friendly events during school holidays.

• Admission: Adult £11.00, Child (5–17) £6.00, Family (2 adults + up to 3 kids) £28.00
• Facilities: On-site toilets, baby-changing, gift shop, picnic benches
• Picnic potential: Excellent. Loads of space, bring a blanket or use the benches in the peaceful priory grounds
• Access: Free parking at Priory Road car park. Paths are mostly gravel and grass, suitable for buggies in dry weather

Top tip: Combine with a walk to nearby Castle Acre Castle & Bailey Gate (free) for a double historical hit.

Castle Rising Castle – Another English Heritage Charged Entry Property

With its towering Norman keep and mighty earthworks, Castle Rising Castle is a magnet for adventurous families. Built in the 12th century, it has royal connections (Queen Isabella lived here in the 14th century) and its atmospheric rooms, stairs and open grounds make it ideal for exploring.

Children can clamber safely around the inner courtyard, peek through arrow slits, and enjoy learning about medieval life from the interpretation panels. The bailey offers plenty of space to run, and the ramparts provide great views for little climbers.

• Admission: Adult £6.00, Child (5–15) £4.00, Family (2 adults + 2 kids) £18.00
• Facilities: Free parking, toilets, café and shop on-site
• Picnic potential: Superb – lots of grassy slopes and a dedicated picnic area inside the outer bailey
• Access: Ground floor and surrounding bailey accessible for pushchairs

How Much Can You Save with English Heritage Membership?

If you’re planning to visit more than one site this year, membership pays for itself quickly, and even more so for larger families or those taking friends’ children along.

Example Costs for a Family of 4 visiting Castle Acre Priory and Castle Rising Castle twice in one year

Site	Family Ticket	Two Visits Total
Castle Acre Priory	£28.60	£57.20
Castle Rising Castle	£18.00	£36.00
Total		£93.20

A year of English Heritage family membership (2 adults + up to 6 children) costs £111. Just these two visits come close to the full cost, and any extra days out make it a bargain.

Membership also includes:

• Free or discounted parking at bigger sites
• Discounts in cafés and gift shops
• Free entry to 400+ English Heritage properties across England
• Quarterly magazine and a free handbook

Bigger families benefit even more

• Covers up to six children, making it perfect for grandparents, childminders or group days out
• Many bank accounts and staff benefit schemes (like CSSC) offer discounted or free membership. See the SavvyDad Guide to Saving on National Trust & English Heritage guide for some great current offers and ways to save

Norfolk’s Best English Heritage 15% OFF Membership Offer

Claim your discount here (Use code EHAFF25)

Valid Until 31/12/2025 on all Gift & Annual Memberships.

Creake Abbey – Free Entry National Trust Property

Tucked in the peaceful village of North Creake near Burnham Market, Creake Abbey offers a tranquil, uncrowded ruin with plenty of room for free play and relaxed wandering. The 13th-century remains, including walls, piers and the abbey’s footprint, are atmospheric and easy to explore.

It’s open daily with no entry fee, and there’s an on-site café, a farm shop and courtyard shops – ideal for combining history with a bit of local browsing.

• Admission: Free
• Facilities: Café and toilets available at the Courtyard
• Picnic potential: Yes – picnic in the meadow surrounding the ruins or grab lunch at the café
• Access: Flat ground and paths suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs

Nearby: Why not follow up on your visit with a walk at Holkham Beach or lunch at Burnham Market?

Thetford Priory – Free Entry English Heritage Day Out

In the middle of Thetford sits one of Norfolk’s most overlooked historical gems. Thetford Priory, once a powerful Cluniac monastery, now offers wide lawns dotted with impressive stone ruins, perfect for families to explore.

Children can run along the cloister paths, spot hidden nooks, or learn about monks from the info boards. It’s also ideal for a riverside picnic or part of a bigger Thetford town day out.

• Admission: Free
• Facilities: No toilets, but shops, cafés and public loos are a short walk away
• Picnic potential: Yes – Abbey Meadows park across the road has grass, benches and play space
• Access: Level paths circle the site – buggies are fine

Caister Roman Fort

Step back to Roman times at Caister Roman Fort, near Caister-on-Sea. This 3rd-century fort was part of the coastal defence system and still has visible foundations, wall lines and interpretation signs.

It’s completely open to the public and rarely crowded. Kids can freely explore the layout and imagine life as a Roman soldier, with the added bonus of a beach day nearby.

• Admission: Free
• Facilities: No toilets or refreshments on-site
• Picnic potential: Yes – open grassy areas on-site or head to Caister seafront
• Access: Paths are grassy but flat – take care with wheels in wet weather

Binham Priory

A mix of peaceful solitude and grandeur, Binham Priory is our favourite English Heritage property on our list. It’s a great free destination for a gentle, reflective family day out. With part of the priory still used as a parish church, the ruins include a huge west front and cloister area, with lots of open grass for relaxing and spreading out to read a book, have a picnic or just chill.

It’s ideal for more reflective visits and works well for families with younger children looking for space without big crowds.

• Admission: Free
• Facilities: No on-site toilets, but The Parlour Café and pub nearby have facilities, plus the nearby Priory Church of St Mary and the Holy Cross have toilets when open.
• Picnic potential: Yes – scenic views of the priory and across the valley beyond, plus fab produce on sale from The Little Dairy Shop, which is next to the site, with vending machines selling local milk, cheese and butter.
• Access: Grassy paths; pushchair access with care

Make an Affordable Family Day of It 

All of these English Heritage sites in Norfolk offer a chance to enjoy history in the fresh air, with no need to spend a fortune. Many are perfect for picnics, and most are dog-friendly, too.

If you can stretch to membership, the savings quickly add up, especially with a big family or adventurous plans across the UK. But even if you’re keeping costs tight, these free English Heritage sites in Norfolk prove that unforgettable days out don’t need to come with a price tag.

Pack a picnic, bring the kids, and enjoy some of Norfolk’s most memorable historic landscapes.