Barnham Broom, Norfolk, England

Norfolk is rich in places of historical and cultural interest, as well as markets, craft barns and fairs, beaches, wildlife reserves and pubs. Its countryside is a rich tapestry of towns and villages, almost all with something interesting or unusual to make a visit worthwhile.

Food lovers are increasingly being attracted to the county's certified farmers' markets, which offer delicious wholesome local produce and are all within easy reach of Barnham Broom.

Invitation to View offers visits to 49 houses and gardens throughout Norfolk and more widely in East Anglia. Its innovative approach helps single visitors to form groups to visit genuine family homes of historic or architectural interest by appointment.

Stay local, with something for everyone

Stay local, with something for everyone

The Easton College tennis centre, which has eight indoor courts, offers both adult and children's tennis breaks, arranged by Nick Ring Leisure. It has weekly social tennis sessions and group sessions with a coach. Private coaching is available and visitors can also hire the indoor courts.

Weston Longville's Dinosaur Adventure Park has lots of friendly farm animals and giant dinosaurs, as well as adventure play areas, a fossil workshop, Jurassic putt and lots more.

For something more traditional, there's the Norfolk Rural Life Museum in nearby Gressenhall. Dereham is the headquarters of the Mid-Norfolk Railway to Wymondham.

Wymondham itself has a heritage museum and a twin-tower abbey, which was founded in 1107 and is the focal point of a pleasant market town that has kept much of its historic character.

Lots to do in Norwich, from theatres to planes

Lots to do in Norwich, from theatres to planes

Norwich's newly modernised and extended Theatre Royal celebrated its 250th birthday in 2008. It's East Anglia's premier venue for comedy, drama, musicals, dance, opera, music and entertainment, with seats at competitive prices.

The Norwich Puppet Theatre, based in the converted medieval church of St James, has a year-round programme of family-centred entertainment.

Designed by Norman Foster, the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts (SCVA) is home to Sir Robert and Lady Sainsbury's collection, which they gave to the University of East Anglia (UEA) in 1973.

Other attractions include the City of Norwich Aviation Museum, with its massive Avro Vulcan bomber and displays relating to the aeronautical history of Norfolk, and the Strangers' Hall Museum, which is housed in a building that dates from 1320 and brings the Tudors and Stuarts to life.

Celebrate classical music or visit the King

Celebrate classical music or visit the King

King's Lynn, less than an hour's drive west from Barnham Broom, hosts a Festival of Classical Music, which is held every year in historic venues throughout the town.

Head north from King's Lynn to the King's country estate at Sandringham, or up the coast to Hunstanton, which faces westwards onto the Wash and enjoys sunsets that can last more than five hours.

Head to the coast and a wealth of attractions

Head to the coast and a wealth of attractions

It's only a 45 minute drive north from Barnham Broom to Holt, the Georgian gateway to the peaceful Woodlands Country Park. Or pay a visit to Langham Glass in Fakenham, where you can follow the ancient glassmaking process (from sand to finished product) and then have a go yourself.

Keep going to the coast and Wells-Next-the-Sea, with its working harbour and miniature railway to the beach. It's also the departure point for the steam railway to the pilgrim village of Little Walsingham.

Burnham Market, just west of Wells-Next-the-Sea, is thought of by many as Norfolk's loveliest village. It's the home of the Hoste Arms, a favourite haunt for lovers of good cooking.

Or head east along the coast to Sheringham Park, the 'favourite and darling child' of the great landscape designer Humphrey Repton. Nearby Cromer is a classic Victorian seaside resort, whose locally-caught crab is a prized delicacy.

If you have an interest in history, Norfolk has lots of stately homes to visit. Holkham Hall, near Wells-Next-the-Sea, and Felbrigg Hall, near Cromer, are among the best known.

Norfolk has giraffes too

Norfolk has giraffes too

Banham Zoo is only half an hour's drive south from Barnham Broom, with more than 1,000 animals from around the world. Enjoy the talks and presentations, visit the education centre or get up close and personal with a giraffe!

Only slightly further south and almost on the Suffolk border, Diss spreads around a six-acre mere, which is one of the deepest inland lakes in England. The small town has a busy Friday market.