Norfolk Treasures & Trails

Make a break for the past and get away from it all as you head to North Norfolk on the East Coast of England with its big skies, agricultural heritage, stunning coastline, pretty flint houses and tranquil countryside. This new tour is bursting with fine national treasures, wildlife wonders, heritage and history. Step inside the grand entrance of the Marble Hall at 18th century Holkham Hall for a private tour; encounter local wildlife on a boat trip to England's largest seal colony; whistle through the heart of Norfolk's unspoilt countryside on the Mid Norfolk heritage railway and maybe grab a bargain at Norfolk's largest selection of antiques and collectables.Norfolk Treasures & Trails
Day 1 - After boarding your tour coach, head east to King's Lynn with an interesting stop en-route. Check into the Duke's Head Hotel in the centre of town where welcome tea, coffee & biscuits await as your luggage is taken to your room. 4 nights DBBDays 2 - 4 At leisure in Norfolk with three Included excursionsINCLUDED EXCURSIONS\nHolkham Hall & Blakeney Harbour Seal Trip\nThe imposing 18th century Palladian country house, Holkham Hall, awaits today where you will enjoy a private guided tour of the state rooms, libraries and old kitchen with tales of 400 years of the influential Coke family. Nestled within 25,000 acres of rolling parkland, Holkham Hall was built by Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester and the current Earl and his family take great pride in opening their doors and sharing the treasures within. You'll find the Marble Hall a truly breath-taking introduction to your visit, with its impressive 50ft dome ceiling and elegant walls of English alabaster - not marble as the name suggests! A grand staircase leads to a myriad of state rooms, from the Saloon with its rich, red velvet-lined walls, gilded coffering, and lofty ceiling to many sumptuous bedchambers where royalty once lay. Tea, coffee & biscuits are includedThen it's off to Blakeney and Morston Quay to join a boat trip which offers a rare opportunity to 'get up close and personal' to the resident Grey and Common Seal colonies without causing disturbance. The open boat heads up Morston Creek and out into Blakeney Harbour as you relax and enjoy the beautiful Norfolk Coastline from the shelter of the harbour or keep an eye out for resident and migrating birds. As Blakeney Point is one of the most important sites for migrating birds in Europe, there's plenty to see on the way to the Seal Colony. Passing the old Blakeney Lifeboat station the crew tell you about local history and about the harbour before you arrive at the end of Blakeney Point where Common and Grey Seals can usually be found hauled out. The boat turns to allow plenty of opportunity for photos and inquisitive seals will also frequently pop out around the boat. The crew will assist with embarkation / disembarkation and the trip lasts approx. one hour. There are limited toilet facilities on Morston QuayMid Norfolk Railway Journey & Norwich\nTake a step back in time and feel what journeys were like in the yesteryear through miles of beautiful countryside in the Heart of Norfolk on the Mid Norfolk Heritage Railway. Board at Dereham, the MNR's HQ where both heritage diesel and steam locomotives operate with carriages and units from a variety of eras in railway history. Dereham is a fine Victorian station restored to the way it would have looked in the late 1950s and features a period ticket office, tearoom and souvenir shop. Enjoy a return ride from Dereham to Thuxton, a classic 'Tudoresque' station.Spend the afternoon in Norwich with its wonderful fusion of the modern and historic, one complementing the other. Like any great city its centre is easy to walk around and has a river at its heart. As well as being the most complete medieval city in the UK, it has a flourishing arts, music and cultural scene, superb independent as well as High Street shopping, lively restaurants, bars and a heritage that is a delight to explore. It was also England's first UNESCO City of Literature - this is a city of stories! Norwich Market is an attractive and vibrant mix of food, crafts, flowers, services and much more. It is one of the oldest and largest outdoor markets in the country, trading daily except SundaysKing's Lynn and The Warehouse Antiques\nThe Hanseatic town ofKing's Lynn was one of England's most important ports from as early as the 12th century and this maritime past is still very much in evidence today. Fine old merchants' houses stretch down to the river between cobbled lanes and the elegant Custom House overlooks the harbour. The town's heritage is reflected in an amazing array of historic buildings as well as the Tuesday Market Place, quite possibly one of England's grandest squares (Tuesday market approx. 09.00 - 16.00). There is a great self-guided walk to help you discover the town's past - the Maritime Trail - which you can download here. Enjoy time at leisure in the town today and you may like to join the coach for a trip to the nearby Warehouse Antique this afternoon.\n\n\nThe Warehouse Antiques and Collectables is the largest antiques centre in East Anglia and has featured on TV's 'Bargain Hunt'. In 15,000 square feet of space, you'll find over 100 exhibitors offering a wide range of silver, coins, stamps, medals jewellery, militaria, vinyl, glassware, ceramics, art and furniture. Beautiful, high quality and affordable antiques range from the Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco periods. There is also a specialist book shop with a selection of used and antiquarian books from best sellers to out of print rarities. You will also find a Steiff shop and a restaurant and bar with beer garden.\n\n\nDay 5 - Check out and with a stop on the way you will arrive at interchange late afternoon.

Highlights
- Hotel for 4 nights with breakfast & dinner- Welcome drink and porterage- Private Tour of Holkham Hall with tea, coffee & biscuits- Blakeney Harbour Seal Boat trip- Return ride on Mid Norfolk Railway Dereham - Thuxton- Visit to Norwich- Leisure time in King's Lynn on Market Day (Tuesday)- Visit to The Warehouse AntiquesThe Duke's Head Hotel, King's Lynn Central location
This historic 4* hotel faces the market square and is less than a minute's walk from High Street. Its striking powder-blue façade, a study in Georgian elegance, is as much a part of King's Lynn's Tuesday Market Place as the stalls that have traded there for generations. It's the quintessential market town hotel - a handsome hostelry with history at every turn, restored and restyled. Over the years it has hosted an impressive guest list including political icons, princesses; the who's who of King's Lynn's past - the Dukes Head has played host to them all. The hotel combines period charm and contemporary chic and spacious guest rooms offer comfort and modern facilities including tea / coffee making facilities and flat screen TV. There is a restaurant and lively bar. A lift serves the modern part of the hotel whilst some 'classic' rooms are accessible by stairs alone.