things to do

There are few, if any, outdoor sports and activities which are not catered for in Norwich, Norfolk and the Norfolk Broads. They are wide and varied from golf, Tennis and Football, to great woodland and country walks, quiet cycle routes, archery, bowls and horse riding. With activities across the spectrum from activity centres and outdoor sports for the hyperactive, the reasonably active and the not quite so active. The choice rests entirely with you, but we'll be most surprised if your needs are not catered for somewhere within this diverse and beautiful area.

And nearby Fakenham Racecourse, and not so much further away, famous Newmarket Racecourse, provide the opportunity for a great day out and of course a ‘flutter.’

Golf

There are some superb golf courses all within easy reach of the hotel, making Norwich an excellent destination base for great value, fulfilling golf breaks and holidays in east England. Here are our highlights:-

Royal Cromer Golf Club
Whether you play on a calm, peaceful summer day, or during the cold winter months, Royal Cromer offers a challenge to players of all abilities. Regarded as one of Norfolk's finest courses.

Royal Norwich Golf Club
This superb undulating Course set in mature parkland provides a challenging game of golf to professionals and amateurs alike. The layout has remained largely unchanged since James Braid's alterations in 1924.

Sheringham Golf Club
A superb course, laid out on the west side of the town on a strip of rolling, gorse-clad clifftop that lies between the preserved North Norfolk Railway and the North Sea.

Eaton Golf Club
Eaton Golf Club was founded in 1910 and is one of the oldest established golf clubs in Norfolk. The course, designed in part by the four times Open champion JH Taylor, offers a challenging 18-hole test to golfers of all standards.

Costessey Park Golf Club
Situated on the western outskirts of Norwich, Costessey Park Golf Club occupies some 100 acres of picturesque parkland that was once the site of Costessey Hall. The ruined remains of the belfry tower stand over the 18th fairway, providing an ivy covered testament to the former glory of a once substantial hall.

Entertainment

Visitors to Norwich are also spoilt for choice when it comes to entertainment. Once famous for having a pub for every day of the year, the city now offers a diverse range of clubs, pubs, bars and restaurants, serving everything including Greek, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Indian, Italian, Belgian, Russian, Mexican and, of course, English. The recently developed Waterfront complex also offers a relaxed waterside atmosphere with restaurants, clubs and a multiplex cinema, and the city is home to three theatres, offering an eclectic choice for a great show.

The Theatre Royal
The Theatre Royal is Norwich, Norfolk and East Anglia's premier theatre, a 1300 seat Art Deco theatre presenting a high quality mix of comedy, drama, musicals, dance, opera, music and family shows all year round. It plays host to pre West-end productions and touring productions, normally on a weekly changeover basis. Plays, Ballet, Opera, Musicals and of course the dreaded Christmas Panto.

Horse Racing

Fakenham Raceourse
A great little National Hunt course, where a day's racing is an exciting day out for people of all ages and from all walks of life. Fakenham prides itself on its friendly, casual atmosphere and it has no formal dress code. Children aged 16 and under are admitted free, and will love the thrill of the races and the roars of the crowd.

In 100 years of racing at Fakenham many changes have taken place. There are now nine scheduled fixtures per season with racing taking place every month from October through to two meetings in May. The Easter Monday meeting where it all began a century ago, now attracts an attendance in the region of 10,000. Traditions still remain, with a knowledgeable, loyal and local support from the surrounding community - confirmed by an improved Annual Membership, the envy of many a racecourse throughout the country.

Newmarket Racecourse
A little further afield, and Nestling on the Suffolk-Cambridgeshire border at the gateway to the East of England, Newmarket is both the historical home and the current powerhouse of British horseracing. The town has a unique environment consisting of the world's most extensive training grounds (situated on the world's largest expanse of tended grassland), over 2500 racehorses, some 70 licensed trainers and more than 60 stud farms where the racehorses of the future are bred. It was the original home of the Jockey Club, remains the headquarters of many national and international racing organisations and boasts two totally separate, dynamic and contrasting racecourses where some of the world's best flat racing takes place each year. – including the immortal ‘2000 Guineas’ and the filly equivalent the ‘1000 Guineas’.

Other activities

If your preference is to use your legs and walk, enjoy hundreds of miles of roads and country lanes in East Anglia and the Norfolk Broads for Walking, Rambling and Hiking. Hidden down these lanes are the little villages and hamlets, where the real English folk live. Here you'll find plenty of pubs, in which to whet your whistle or satisfy your hunger. The Norfolk and Suffolk coast offer one of the finest areas of natural beauty in the country. The North Norfolk coastline is of international renown for its bird, wildlife and unspoilt nature.

Or if your preference is for pedal power, biking or cycling, enjoy hundreds of miles of roads and country lanes in East Anglia, along which you can indulge your chosen recreational pursuit, of cycling. It's strongly recommended that you keep to the lanes, which meander between the hedgerows enclosing this predominantly agricultural landscape. Hidden down these lanes are the little villages and hamlets, especially around the Norfolk Broads where the real English folk live. Again you'll find plenty of pubs!!

It goes without saying that with over 200 miles of rivers and inland waterways, there is an abundance of choice when it comes to the pursuit of fresh water fishing. Some, if not the best rod & line fishing is to be found in and around the Norfolk Broads. You can hardly fail to get a bite! Off-the-beach sea fishing is another option and can be enjoyed all along the over one hundred miles of beached coastline.

Water Sports inlcude Jet Skis, Rowing and Windsurfing. Shooting schools, Archery, Simulated Shooting, clay and laser clay shooting centres abound.

There are numerous Equestrian Stables and Riding Schools, where you can hire, ride and com pete frequent competitions. Many Equestrian Events are staged within the region throughout the year.

Norwich City, Ipswich Town and Cambridge United are the top rated football (soccer) clubs within the region. The visitor, during the mainly winter season of August through to May, is especially welcome to join the crowds at Britain's premier national sport.