Pensthorpe — Local services in North Norfolk

Pensthorpe Nature Reserve is a gem nestled in the heart of Norfolk. The serene ambiance and meticulously designed landscapes make it a haven for nature enthusiasts and families alike. The diverse range of habitats, from wetlands to woodlands, offers a rich tapestry of wildlife.

One of the standout features is the captivating array of birdlife, with well-maintained hides providing excellent vantage points for birdwatching. The informative displays and knowledgeable staff further enhance the experience, offering valuable insights into the local ecosystem.

The well-maintained gardens and picturesque walking trails allow for a leisurely exploration of the grounds. The thoughtful incorporation of art installations adds an artistic dimension to the natural surroundings, creating a unique blend of culture and wildlife.

For families, the WildRootz and Hootz House adventure areas provide hours of fun and educational activities, ensuring that younger visitors leave with a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

The on-site facilities, including a welcoming café with locally sourced fare, offer a chance to recharge and reflect on the day's discoveries. The gift shop offers a selection of quality souvenirs, making it easy to take a piece of Pensthorpe home.

Overall, Pensthorpe Nature Reserve offers a harmonious blend of nature, education, and leisure. Its commitment to conservation and visitor experience is evident in every corner. A visit to Pensthorpe is not just a day out, but an enriching journey into the heart of Norfolk's vibrant...

Pensthorpe is such an amazing find and I'd highly suggest a visit if you're coming to Norfolk. It's primarily focused on wildlife and being able to view animals in their natural habitat, be it wetlands, grassland, or woodland,and it certainly does not disappoint on this. There are what feels like miles of trails through differing habitats, where you can spot dragonfly, grasshoppers, monk-jack, cranes and flamingos, and many other types of animal. You can sit and watch in the hides dotted around the grounds, or take a wander through the Millennium gardens to check out the more cultivated fauna. Knowing not all kids are into flowers and nature, they've added an amazing outdoor adventure area for kids of all ages to come and play on whilst grabbing a picnic on the many tables surrounding it. There is also an indoor soft play area (at additional cost - we didn't do this). Events are held during the day too, such as pond dipping, story-telling, craft making and den building (unsupervised), all which makes you feel they really thought about the types of people who'd be visiting them - primarily families and children. That said, you can enjoy what's on offer at any age, and many of the trails are suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs alike. There's also a small shop, as well as a number of on site cafés and snack shacks (although most were closed when we visited). Bring a picnic, get outdoors and have some fun. Oh, and don't forget to wear comfy shoes as you'll be doing a lot...

Really nice place to visit , beautiful surroundings well kept. Children can feed the ducks and birds. The play areas are brilliant clean and fun. We ate in the cafe pleasant selection of food and they also offer gluten free.

The only problem we had was the brown haired lady with glasses on the admissions desk - she was seriously rude and unpleasant on arrival, our sutuation was, we had booked christmas eve tickets and when we arrived they werent open it didnt state this on the website, and it also still took payment so we arrived as did others only to relaise it was closed so we had a wasted journey. So I rung this morning to see if we could pop down and use our bought tickets the lady in in the cafe on the phone who was so friendly said yes sure.

When we arrived we went to the admissions desk and explanied to the lady, my the lady on the admissions desk was abrubt, rude and utterly unprofessional. We had our son of 8 with us as were on holiday up in norfolk and he was shocked at her rude outburst to us. Dont ask her any questions she doesnt like it, or just maybe doesnt enjoy her job! How she is working in such a pleasant place i will never no. There was no need to be so rude to us today and speak to us the way you did! Have respect for you customers and visitors. She ruined the start of our day out. Other members of staff were lovey and so welcoming and friendly so thankfully they made our visit much nicer...