HIRE THE TENNIS COURT AT HOCKERING HOUSE
£10 per hour to hire the hard court. Balls & racquets not provided. Please call Sam Berney on 07909 510192 to book a time slot. Lessons can also be booked if notice is given and coaches are available.
WALKS
There are many lovely walks and such as along the Wensum starting from Swanton Morley or Marriotts Way (ideal cycling) setting off from Lenwade (26 mile off road route). Both have lovely bakeries close by to stock up on snacks before setting off!
HOCKERING PLAYGROUND
A lovely playground for children. Turn left out of the Hockering Drive towards the village, turn right just before the Village Hall and follow the road to the end. Park on the side of the road and walk alongside the end houses, follow the fence. No dogs allowed.
MULTI AWARD WINNING ROARR DINOSAUR ADVENTURE PARK
Everything from a huge outdoor playground, Dinomite soft play inc three massive slides for adults and children, Giant tree house, Dinosaur walks through the woods with sound effects, dippys splash zone, children’s farm, giant zip wire, coffee shops and much more.
Open daily from 9.30am. A five minute drive from Gorsey Meadow. Turn right out of the drive, right at the immediate junction and left at the T junction. Stay on this road for five minutes until you see the entrance on your right.
www.dinosauradventure.co.uk
PENSTHORPE NATURAL PARK
In the beautiful and tranquil Wensum Valley, Pensthorpe Natural Park is an award- winning mix of meandering nature trails, beguiling woodland walks, and a showcase for British wildlife and nature conservation. As one of the leading Norfolk attractions, it's a brilliant place to visit, with beautiful gardens, spectacular wildlife and magnificent adventure play...nature's way! Whether you choose to try your hand at pond-dipping, wander around the lakes and trails, investigate the numerous projects helping to protect endangered and vulnerable species, or simply enjoy the delights of some superb home- cooked food and the amazingly well-stocked Gift Shop, Pensthorpe Natural Park is a great way to spend your day. WildRootz is a fantastic outdoor playground for children of all ages, well worth a visit and now their is a brilliant Indoor centre also. Check the events calendar as there is always something on!
Open daily from 10am, 20-25 mins from Gorsey Meadow.
BEWILDERWOOD
The multi award winning curious tree house adventure not to be missed and now with the new road (NDR) that circles Norwich can be reached within approx 35 mins from Gorsey Meadow. Open 7 days a week.
WHITLINGHAM LAKE & WATER SPORTS CENTRE
This woodland and water park just southeast outside Norwich at Trowse is a great place to walk, cycle, picnic or bird watch. Whitlingham offers a full range of water-based activities, including sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, rafting and canoeing - all of which can be undertaken in a safe and fun learning environment. Training is available for novices from the water sports centre, where you can hire a craft on the day, or you can bring your own and buy a day-pass to float your boat. The education centre also operates courses in a number of non-water-based outdoor activities, such as off-road biking, climbing and archery. Other things to do around the country park include moth and bat evenings, pond dipping, quarry safaris and a canoe trail. You will find miles of paths to walk or cycle along and a historic flint barn, which has been converted into a visitor information centre, cafe and WC. NOTE: Be aware you will get a parking ticket for being only a minute or two late on their expiry time!
Open daily, 25 mins from Gorsey Meadow
www.whitlinghamcountrypark.com
NORWICH PADDLEBOARD HIRE
Norwich Paddleboard Hire - Norfolk .
NATIONAL TRUST OWNED, BLICKLING HALL ESTATE
The Blickling Estate is one of Norfolk's top visitor attractions and is just short drive from the county's famous sandy beaches. The estate was once the home of the Boleyn family, and now encompasses nearly 5000 acres, with an impressive Jacobean house, a garden you'll want to try to recreate at home, and parkland and lake perfect for walking. You can also have a guided tour on Segways. Check the events calendar as there is always something going on.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/blickling-estate/
THE BEACH!
Norfolk has some of the finest beaches in the country. Wells and Holkham are the two most famous with miles of sand and wild coastlines but there are many to explore including Bacton, East Runton and Overstrand which are slightly quieter! Cromer and Sheringham have more amenities.
EXPLORE THE FINE CITY OF NORWICH
From Norwich Cathedral and Castle Museum steeped in history to the new, modern Chantry Place shopping centre with all of the latest brands, Norwich has something for everyone. Plenty of car parking or a number of park and ride buses make access easy.
VISIT ONE OF THE MANY MARKET TOWNS
Holt, Aylsham and Reepham are all lovely places to visit.
THE BROADS
The Norfolk Broads is one of Britain’s National Parks; being the largest protected area of wetland amidst this area of outstanding natural beauty; of large open shallow broads linked by rivers and navigable waterways with the surrounding reed beds and marshes. It is truly a unique place with a wide variety of wildlife and breath-taking scenery that is waiting for you to discover next time you have a day out on the Norfolk Broads. There are so many parts to choose from and many offer boat and canoe tours and day boat hire.
www.norfolkbroads.com/boating-days-out
Ranworth broad is lovely and has activities by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust.
http://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife-in-norfolk/nature- reserves/reserves/ranworth-broad
For guided Canoe trails please see the link below. These tours have become extremely popular and highly praised.
http://www.thecanoeman.com/guidedcanoetrails.php
FAIRHAVEN WATER GARDENS
Set in the heart of Britains magical waterland, Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is a secret hideaway just waiting to be discovered. Fairhaven is a unique garden rich in wildlife. The Garden is an eclectic mix of native and cultivated plantings with a network of dyke systems and a private broad. Boat trips, themed events and a café are also there. The Ship pub offers good food close by.
Open Daily from 10am
http://www.fairhavengarden.co.uk/
GOLF BARNHAM BROOM GOLF CLUB & SPA
Barnham Broom is home to two beautiful 18 hole Championship golf courses, The Hill and The Valley. Considered one of the finest golf clubs in Norfolk, the courses provide golfers of all abilities with an exciting challenge. There is a well stocked pro shop and tuition on offer. 10 mins from Gorsey Meadow. NR9 4DD
ROYAL NORWICH GOLF CLUB
Less than a 5 mins drive from the meadow. An 18-hole course or 6-hole academy course both designed by leading course designers European Golf Design, along with state-of-the-art practice facilities including range, bunkers and putting green. The club’s restaurant, The Stables serves delicious food and beverages.
BAWBURGH GOLF CLUB
The 6720 yard par 72 course is full of character and presents a variety of challenges to a golfer of all abilities, with its undulating landscape, trees and pond. The 9 hole course is suitable for all abilities. There is a family golf centre, driving range, bar & carvery and beauty rooms. 15 mins from Gorsey Meadow. NR9 3LU
Other clubs close by are The Links by the sea at West Runton, The Marriott Hotel Sprowston and De Vere Dunston Hall are outskirts of Norwich.
CYCLING
Gorsey meadow is lucky enough to be close to many windy country roads, most with a lovely country pub at the end of them! For the more adventurous then the stunning Marriotts Way route is worth a look. Marriott’s Way is a 26 mile footpath, bridleway and cycle route, which follows the routes of two disused railway lines, and runs between the historic market town of Aylsham and the medieval city of Norwich. http://www.marriottsway.info/
http://www.visitnorfolk.co.uk/things-to-do/Cycling.aspx
FISHING CATCH 22 FISHING CENTRE, LYNG
Catch 22 Fishing Centre has become one of the top carp waters in the U.K providing anglers with the chance of catching fish to over forty pounds.
It features two well stocked lakes with nicely maintained purpose built swims. The Day Ticket and No.2 Season Ticket Lake are home to large fin and strong fighting Dutch bred carp, as well as specimen size roach, bream, tench and pike. On site they have a large tackle shop, breakfast cafe, indoor toilets and showers, two Scandinavian holiday lodges, outside toilets/drinking water and a quad/trailer service to save you barrowing your gear to your swim. Security cameras are installed and gates are locked at night to help provide a safe environment.
http://www.catch22fishingcentre.com/
DAY FISHING AT PARK FARM LAKES
Heath Rd, Hockering (next door)
There are three lakes in total all of which are accessible by vehicle and enjoy good disabled access and comes with the use of a toilet. All lakes are stocked with carp (10lbs), bream (2lbs) and roach (1lbs). The lakes are all stream and spring fed and are run as a day ticket fishery but also holds club and open matches.
1. Woodhouse - 20 platforms
2. Copse - 15 platforms
3. Deer Park - 30 platforms (also stocked with Tench) Total 65 platforms (swims)
The Lakes are a two minute drive from Hockering House towards the village of Hockering.
http://www.fisharound.net/location/public/4145/Park-Farm-Lakes
BEAUTY TREATMENTS
Barnham Broom Spa call to book on 01603 759393 or email spa@barnham-broom.co.uk
www.barnham-broom.co.uk/spa/
CONGO RAPIDS ADVENTURE GOLF
Rapids is a great crazy golf course for all ages. Spectacularly themed and full of obstacles including a real plane, jeep, rafts, waterfalls, cave, streams, a caged gorilla, snakes, crocodiles, tigers, elephants...just turn up and play. Based at the Norwich Family Golf Centre just 10 – 15 mins from Gorsey Meadow towards Norwich. NR9 5GA
Open daily from 8am.
http://www.congorapids.co.uk/
PLANET ZOOM INDOOR SOFT PLAY & STRIKES BOWLING, DEREHAM
Strikes family entertainment centre is a fun filled activity centre offering Children’s indoor play and Ten Pin bowling for all together with simple food and refreshments. Strikes is a great place to spend a morning, afternoon or evening especially in wet weather! 10 mins from Gorsey Meadow along the A47 towards Dereham NR19 1DF
Open daily from 10am
http://www.derehamstrikesbowl.co.uk
SOUTH GREEN ACTIVITY CENTRE, MATTISHALL
High Ropes Course – Challenging and scary yet entirely secure, the Skyropes uses a ‘safe roller’ system to ensure your safety at all times 8m up! With tricky crossings and obstacles that will test your balance, this is a fantastic experience you won’t forget.
Segway Course – These two-wheel electrical Segways are fast and highly
manoeuvrable. They are easy to get the hang of too! Segways are technologically fascinating and offer an entirely new and unique experience that’s thrilling, great fun and full of excitement. Boulder wall – This team task combines a physical challenge with lessons in encouragement and direction and the giving of instructions. 10 mins from Gorsey Medow.
http://www.poultec.co.uk/training-courses/team-building/sky-ropes/