26 Reasons We Love Living in Norfolk

Norfolk Day gives us the perfect excuse to celebrate everything that makes our part of the world such a special place to live, work and visit.

Held every year on 27 July, Norfolk Day was launched in 2018 as a county-wide celebration of Norfolk’s landscape, history, culture, businesses and communities. In 2026, it falls on Monday 27 July, bringing people together to share their pride in the place they call home.

Here at Broadland Radio, we are proud to be local every day. However, to mark Norfolk Day, we have gathered together 26 reasons why we love living in this unique corner of the country.

1. The Norfolk Broads

Miles of rivers, lakes, reed beds and open countryside make the Broads one of Norfolk’s most distinctive landscapes. Whether you are hiring a boat, walking beside the water or relaxing outside a riverside pub, life always seems to slow down here.

2. Our enormous skies

Norfolk’s famously flat landscape gives us some of the biggest and most dramatic skies in Britain. Sunrises, sunsets, storm clouds and endless summer blue all seem slightly more impressive when there is nothing blocking the view.

3. Norwich

Our fine city combines centuries of history with independent shops, restaurants, entertainment and a lively cultural scene. Norwich Cathedral, Norwich Castle, the Lanes and the market are just a few of the places that give the city its unmistakable character.

4. Norwich Market

The colourful striped roofs of Norwich Market are part of the city’s identity. Its stalls offer everything from fresh produce and flowers to street food, clothing, household essentials and traditional market bargains.

5. Our coastline

From traditional seaside resorts to peaceful stretches of sand, the Norfolk coast offers something for everyone. Cromer, Sheringham, Great Yarmouth, Gorleston, Wells and Hunstanton all have their own personalities and loyal visitors.

6. Cromer crabs

Sweet, flavourful and closely associated with the North Norfolk coast, Cromer crab is one of the county’s most famous foods. It tastes even better when eaten within sight of the sea.

7. Great Yarmouth’s Golden Mile

Arcades, doughnuts, ice creams, rides and family attractions make Great Yarmouth one of Britain’s great traditional seaside destinations. Generations of families have created happy holiday memories along the seafront.

8. Gorleston Beach

Its wide expanse of sand, promenade and sea views have made Gorleston a firm favourite with local families. It is just as enjoyable for a winter walk as it is for a summer day beside the water.

9. Cromer Pier

Cromer Pier is one of Norfolk’s most recognisable landmarks and remains home to one of the world’s last traditional end-of-pier variety shows. It is difficult to imagine Cromer without it.

10. The Norfolk accent

Our voices and local expressions are part of the county’s personality. Whether something is “bootiful”, someone is “on the huh” or we are simply calling someone “bor”, the Norfolk dialect deserves to be celebrated.

11. Independent shops

Norfolk’s towns and villages are filled with independent retailers, cafés, galleries and family businesses. Shopping locally helps preserve the character of our high streets and supports the people who live and work around us.

12. Village pubs

A welcoming pub, a good meal and a seat in the garden can turn an ordinary afternoon into a memorable one. Norfolk has everything from historic inns to waterside pubs overlooking the Broads.

13. Our local food and drink

Mustard, cheese, seafood, beer, gin, fruit, vegetables and meat are all produced across the county. Norfolk’s agricultural heritage means some exceptional ingredients can travel only a few miles before reaching our plates.

14. Fish and chips by the sea

Few meals are better than freshly cooked fish and chips eaten on a bench overlooking the coast. The only challenge is protecting them from Norfolk’s highly experienced seagulls.

15. The seals

Seeing seals at places including Blakeney Point and Horsey is one of Norfolk’s most memorable wildlife experiences. Their colonies attract visitors throughout the year and remind us how important the county’s coastline is for nature.

16. Our wildlife

Norfolk’s marshes, woodlands, beaches and waterways support an extraordinary variety of wildlife. Birdwatchers travel from across the country to visit nature reserves including Cley Marshes, Titchwell and Strumpshaw Fen.

17. Thetford Forest

Walking, cycling, wildlife spotting and outdoor concerts make Thetford Forest one of the county’s great open spaces. It offers a completely different Norfolk landscape from the coast and the Broads.

18. Our market towns

Dereham, Diss, Wymondham, Aylsham, Fakenham, Swaffham, Thetford and Attleborough each have their own identity. Their markets, historic buildings and local businesses remain at the heart of their communities.

19. Sandringham

The Royal Family’s Norfolk home attracts visitors from around the world. Its house, gardens, parkland and surrounding countryside are an important part of the county’s story.

20. Our windmills and windpumps

Windmills and windpumps rise above the Norfolk landscape and have become symbols of the county. Some are restored visitor attractions, while others remain striking reminders of Norfolk’s agricultural and drainage history.

21. Our historic churches

Norfolk is known for its remarkable collection of medieval churches. From grand town-centre buildings to tiny churches reached along country lanes, they tell stories about generations of local life.

22. Summer events and festivals

Carnivals, agricultural shows, outdoor concerts, village fêtes, food festivals and firework displays fill the Norfolk calendar. Many are organised by volunteers who give their time to bring communities together.

23. Our hidden corners

You do not need to visit one of Norfolk’s best-known attractions to enjoy the county. A quiet footpath, an undiscovered village, a small café or a nearly empty beach can become a new favourite place.

24. The pace of life

Norfolk can be busy, but it also offers room to breathe. There are countless places where you can escape traffic, noise and crowded streets and enjoy a little peace and quiet.

25. Our community spirit

When someone needs help, Norfolk communities often step forward. Local charities, volunteers, community groups, sports clubs and neighbours quietly make an enormous difference every day.

26. The people

Ultimately, Norfolk is made special by the people who live here. They run our businesses, organise our events, protect our landscapes, welcome visitors and preserve the traditions that give the county its identity.

Norfolk Day is not only about celebrating famous landmarks or visitor attractions. It is also about the smaller things: recognising someone in the local shop, knowing the best back road home, watching the light change over the fields or returning to a favourite stretch of coast.

It is about the places that form the backdrop to our lives and the communities that make those places feel like home.

So, wherever you are celebrating this Norfolk Day, take a moment to appreciate something you love about our county.

What would you add to our list? Tell Broadland Radio the place, person, tradition, food or unmistakably Norfolk experience that makes you proud to live here.