7 of the best Norfolk villages to visit according to locals

The likes of Burnham Market and Brancaster tend to get all the praise but there are plenty of other places to visit in the county.

Here are seven of Norfolk's best villages as voted for by you.

1. Heydon

Heydon is a village in north Norfolk with around 100 people living there. 

The village has a number of Artisan businesses including the Heydon village tea rooms and independent interior design house Moochi Moda.

Dave Pearce recommended the Earle Arms where he had a "superb" meal in the pub which serves British classics and a selection of ales.

2. Banham

The Garden House in Banham, one of the pubs recommended by readers (Image: Garden House)

Although it is most known for its zoo, Banham has other lesser-known attractions in its picturesque village. 

Graham Shay praised Banham for its "great zoo, awesome campsite and a couple of great pubs" including The Barrel and The Garden House.

Tracey Red Hart also praised the Garden House and said: "It's just as good as it used to be and was my local for 28 years." 

3. Salthouse

The salt marshes at Salthouse in North Norfolk

A small village nestled in the salt marshes of north Norfolk, Salthouse has beautiful views out to sea.  

The village was named due to the settlement there which profited off the supply of salt in the area.

Although the village is small, the scenery more than makes up for it and there is a number of local businesses to visit.

Victoria O'Regan Roger's commented on the best features of the village she grew up in.

She said "the sea, the heath, the big church in the middle, the pub shop and crab shop and duck pond" are all worth a visit. 

4. Worstead 

Worstead festival will be held this July (Image: Archant)

This village which holds its annual festival on the last weekend of July was one of the most recommended.

Worstead has a rich history and is named after a woollen cloth woven by Flemish weavers who settled here in the Middle Ages.  

5. Great Massingham

Great Massingham is a scenic village, characterised by flint and cobble cottages and ponds.

The ponds have their origins as the fish ponds for an 11th-century Augustinian Abbey in the village.

Many of our readers said the award-winning Dabbling Duck pub is a place people must visit. 

Great Massingham has also been named one of the most fashionable places to live and has been growing in popularity since. 

6. Walsingham

Snowdrops at Walsingham Abbey this February (Credit: Linda Ibrom) (Image: Linda Ibrom)

The Abbey at Walsingham is an attraction which brings visitors to the village throughout the year.

And in February the village is seen as one of the best places to see snowdrops in Norfolk.

Walsingham consists of two North Norfolk villages - Little or New Walsingham and a mile away, Great or Old Walsingham.

Both villages have fascinating attractions for visitors including historic buildings, shops and places to eat and drink. 

Walsingham has a long history of religious pilgrimage, dating back to the 11th century, and many people still visit the shrine of Lady Catherine.

 7. Kirby Cane and Ellingham

Kirby Cane and Ellingham are two villages that intertwine to become one civil parish.

Kirby Cane is home to a historical Grade I listed church called Kirby Cane All Saints Church.

Alaina Ratcliffe said: "I like visiting Kirby Cane and staying at Wardley Hill Campsite which has the most amazing atmosphere and surroundings."

The off-grid campsite was voted as the Best campsite 2022 in the East of England by Campsitesuk and has been featured in TimeOut.