Five Norfolk places to make a little space for yourself

Norfolk has no shortage of places where the pace seems to soften. Wide beaches, quiet woodland, open parkland and waterside paths give us room to walk, wander, sit or simply spend a little time somewhere different.

For World Mental Health Day, we are sharing five places across the county where you can step outside and enjoy some fresh air, whether that means a long walk with the dog, a gentle stroll with someone you love or ten quiet minutes taking in the view.

Time outside can offer a change of scene, some movement and a little breathing room. But we also know that looking after our mental health is not as simple as going for a walk. A walk is not a cure for poor mental health, and nobody should feel they ought to be able to walk their way through a difficult time. Sometimes we need support, conversation or professional help, and knowing where to turn matters too.

Holkham

There are few places that make you feel quite as small, in the best possible way, as Holkham.

With parkland stretching out around the Hall and the North Norfolk coast just beyond it, there is plenty of space to choose your own pace. Holkham Park has seven waymarked routes, ranging from gentle walks around the lake to longer routes through woodland, grassland and the wider estate.

You do not have to go far. A wander beside the lake, a pause beneath the trees or simply finding somewhere to sit and watch the world pass by can be enough.

Explore walking at Holkham

Sheringham Park

Woodland, parkland, countryside and glimpses of the North Sea all meet at Sheringham Park, making it somewhere you can return to again and again and still discover something different.

There are around 1,000 acres to explore, with four waymarked routes ranging from one to five miles. You can head further into the estate or keep things simple with a gentle stroll along the Main Drive.

At this time of year, when the leaves begin to turn and the light changes through the trees, it is an especially lovely corner of North Norfolk in which to slow down for a while.

Explore Sheringham Park

Sandringham Royal Parkland

For a West Norfolk walk, Sandringham offers mile upon mile of woodland and open parkland to explore.

Two waymarked trails wind through the Royal Parkland, alongside other footpaths that take you further into the woods. The parkland is free to access throughout the year, so it can be just as suited to an impromptu half-hour wander as it is to spending the best part of a morning outside.

There is something particularly restorative about being among the trees, with very little required of you other than deciding which path to follow next.

Explore Sandringham Royal Parkland

Whitlingham Country Park

Just outside Norwich, Whitlingham Country Park is proof that you do not have to travel far from the city to find a little more space.

The Great Broad circular path is around 2.3 miles, taking you beside the water and through a landscape filled with trees and wildlife. The surfaced route is suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs, while there are further paths to explore through the woods and meadows.

It is somewhere that works just as well for a catch-up with a friend as it does for putting your phone away and walking quietly for a while.

Explore Whitlingham Country Park

High Lodge, Thetford Forest

The deeper you head into Thetford Forest, the further away everyday noise can begin to feel.

At High Lodge there are walking trails ranging from a short 1km loop to routes of up to 12km, so there is no expectation that a visit needs to become a great expedition. The Heritage Trail offers a particularly accessible option, with a firm surface, shorter loops and places to stop along the way.

Choose a trail, listen to the trees and take as much or as little time as you need.

Explore walking at High Lodge

A little space, however that looks for you

Getting outside does not have to mean pulling on walking boots and covering miles. It could be a coffee on a bench, taking the dog somewhere different, meeting a friend for a wander or simply standing beside the sea for ten minutes.

There is no right way to spend time outside, and there is certainly no right way to feel afterwards.

World Mental Health Day is also an important reminder that some days need more than fresh air. If things feel difficult, reaching out and talking to someone can matter.

Please check individual locations before travelling for the latest information on opening times, parking and accessibility.

Please check individual locations before travelling for the latest information on opening times, parking and accessibility.