We all have a favourite season and, for many, autumn is a golden moment in Norfolk as nature puts on a colourful display with leaves in every colour to splendour on long forest walks, and often surprisingly warm sunny days to stretch out the last rays of summer… followed by cooler evenings, the perfect excuse to cosy up with a hot chocolate in hand (marshmallows on top, of course!). Norfolk still has plenty of events and activities to enjoy this season, so if you are holidaying at Searles Leisure Resort this autumn, read on and plan a fun-filled getaway for all the family to enjoy.

Enjoy Norfolk’s natural landscape

One of the best things about holidaying in Norfolk at this time of year is that the crowds have thinned, leaving our award winning beaches largely empty and, while it might not be warm enough for a daily dip, there are plenty of locals still willing to enjoy the water – all along the coast, the seals are preparing to start pupping and you’ll often see them banked on the sands.

From Hunstanton to Holkham, a beach walk is a wonderful way to reconnect with nature and, even if the weather is less than stellar, sit awhile and skywatch as the clouds roll by. You can also catch sight of the thousands of migratory birds as they pitstop in Norfolk on their way south. Chief among these are the Pink Footed Geese which, having spent the summer breeding in Iceland, pass overhead in spectacular ‘v’ formations daily – you will usually hear them long before you see them.

Another superb spot to spend time birdwatching is at nearby RSPB Snettisham where you might catch one of nature’s ‘spectaculars’ as thousands of wading birds take flight en masse as the rising tide forces them off the mudflats. Or catch the Coastliner bus from Hunstanton and hop off at RSPB Titchwell to walk the boardwalks and enjoy some pond-dipping.

If it is fall leaves you seek, the 600-acre Sandringham Estate is a 15-minute drive away. Centuries old chestnuts and oaks line the nature trails and woodland paths, and it’s a great place to stretch little legs and challenge young adventurers to find a red, orange and golden leaf! Parking charges do apply after 30 minutes, so click here to plan your visit.

September events in Norfolk

Early autumn is harvest time and the perfect excuse to indulge in Norfolk’s delicious produce at the North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival on 2-3 September. Held in the Walled Garden at Holkham, meet some of the county’s many producers who grow, rear, produce and sell their delicious wares. Parking costs £5, but entry is free and there will be plenty of samples to try as you fill your shopping bag with tasty treats.

September is also Norfolk Heritage Open Days month with fantastic events taking place across the county. Right on our doorstep, Hunstanton Lighthouse is offering the chance to visit the dungeon and climb the iconic tower on 8 and 15 September, while moated Old Hunstanton Hall can be toured on 14 September.

Further along the coast at Thornham, Drove Orchards owner Andrew Jamieson will lead guided tours of his family’s 40-acre fruit farm, which contains more than 160 varieties of apples, on 13 September – you can even PYO! With limited availability, pre-booking is essential for all events.

Kick up your heels further afield at the Steam Back to the Forties weekend, which takes place at Sheringham, Weybourne and Holt on 16-17 September. With live music and dancing, vintage vehicles, military camps and wartime fashions on display throughout the towns, you might even spot Captain Mainwaring and his men on patrol! Ride the North Norfolk Railway between the towns and experience the golden age of steam.

Halloween and Fireworks events in Norfolk

Autumn is synonymous with Halloween and Fireworks Night, and Norfolk has plenty of whizzy events to entertain all ages during October and early November too.

Start the season gently with a visit to The Pumpkin House in Fakenham, just 30 minutes’ drive inland from Hunstanton and choose from more than 1,000 pumpkins on its wooden shelves. There will be hay bale towers and a maze to navigate, along with games and face painting.

Holkham also has plenty of Halloween activities for little ones over October half term with pumpkin carving, web weaving and a haunted hunt, plus a chance to meet some ‘Not so creepy crawlies’ – click here for details and entry fees.

For those who prefer their spooks to be a little stronger, PrimEvil offers a hair-raising Halloween experience. Billed as Norfolk’s biggest scare experience, the event takes over the Roarr! Dinosaur Park at Lenwade, just outside Norwich, from 13-30 October with a series of haunted zones to navigate. Watch out for some scary characters and this year’s new addition, a terrifying horror maze inhabited by creatures who have evolved after a toxic spill in a quarantine lab!

Halloween is big news, but Guy Fawkes Night is also a firm favourite in Norfolk. To ensure you don’t miss out on the fireworks fun, book a stay during the Searles Bonfire & Fireworks Weekend on 3-5 November, which includes free entry to the town’s fantastic fireworks display on the clifftop near Hunstanton lighthouse. Plan a Norfolk break and see autumn out with a big bang!