This is worth checking out for all the family. Well run and inspiring natural led activities. Kayaking, yoga, nature walks, sailing, crafts etc...

Very mini train that runs from the town (playground) to the beach car park and back. Small children all seem to love this.

This is in Heacham in the newly developed complex by Norfolk Lavender. Great fun for smaller children on a rainy day.

Pond dipping, bird feeding, bug detectives, swings, gorgeous nature reserve walks. Shop and cafe. Seasonal: Discovery Safari Tour.

Good playground and running space on the green in Burnham Thorpe, across the street from The Lord Nelson Pub. Otherwise the closest and best near to Big Sky Barn are on the playing fields in Brancaster, Burnham Market, South Creake and Hunstanton.

Lavender fields, Rare breeds, Walsingham Farm Shops and Farmer Fred's Playbarn.

Indoor and outdoor tennis courts, squash, gym. Daily memberships available. Also, holiday activity camps for children.

Feed the animals, ride a toy tractor.

This is a full day out, just under an hour's drive from Big Sky Barn, walks through Weston Park, punctuated with life size dino figures, huge adventure playground, petting zoo, deer safari, shop and cafe.

South Creake

Indoor play centre for small children. On the front at Wells next the sea. Outdoor playground (unaffiliated) next door.

Adult courses throughout the year and family/children's courses in school holidays. Focuses on the fabulous natural, coastal flora and fauna here in Norfolk.

Great day out for whole family. Treehouse based play park, accessed by boat, make woodland forts, explore the treehouse slides, zip wire, swings and more...

Seals, otters, penguins, and North Sea fish. On the sea front.

Tropical theme indoor pool, wave machine, giant water slide, sun terrace, children's paddling area.

Canoes, super bouncy trampolines, kayaks, mini and crazy golf. Next to car park at Wells beach. Open from March to October, weekends and school holidays.

By the sea front, indoor pool with wave machine and leisure centre.

Funfair, arcades, joke shop, bowling, donkey rides on the beach, mini and crazy golf... what more can I say. This is a useful link with map and photos.

Paint plates, pots etc. In the centre of Holt.

Has children's shows and movies... panto, sooty, tribute bands... The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Panto (17th April, 2009), meet the cast too!

Good family friendly pub, play area and pleasant family room.

Working windmill. There is a bakery and tea room with tables outside, animals to pet, space to play and you can even climb up inside the windmill. Gorgeous, especially for small children. Cycle hire here too.

Every thursday from early moring, all over the town centre. Large traditional market. Top tip: fruit and veg stall near the cinema.

Near Burnham Market, on the first Saturday of each month. This is a terrific farmer's market with delicious home produced food. Cakes, curry, gourmet meals, honey, cheese, pies, sausages, you name it!

Visit the market square where Stephen Fry has his office, as Peter Kingdom, in the BBC series "Kingdom". Traditional Market every Saturday.

Traditional market every Tuesday, smaller market on Saturdays.

Look out for the French Market, often in Norwich, occasionally in Kings Lynn and Hunstanton. Usually, Sept or December. Worth a visit for fresh bread, cheese and honey.

Sail training, powerboat training, kayak and dinghy hire and sale, wetsuits to hire or buy and cool sailing kit for sale

Sail training, canoeing, windsurfing, powerboat training, great spot down on the harbour at Wells...

Call 07787 557357 or 01485 512474 and go sea fishing out of beautiful Brancaster Staithe with Adam Wright on his boat 'Katie Louise'. He is not an ancient mariner, but very experienced and the trip will be a highlight.

Inland lake sailing for juniors and offshore sailing and powerboating. Open to non-members.

Local tide information, crucial.

Beautiful traditional sailing boat. Goes from Morston. Must book in advance. Mainly adult only (over 12's).

Take the ferry if you don't sail... Really beautiful beach and walking.

Just past Thornham, towards Holme on the A149 (coast road). PYO apples, strawberries and a farm shop and deli. All good. Worth a look.

Order homemade meals in advance by telephone, or just pop in. The shop is a partnership with local farmers and bakers. Butcher, cheeses, fruit, veg, fresh bread... open Sundays. It is special. Next door to chocolatier & fab sweetie shop.

Fresh Sushi to take away, also lobster, shrimp, samphire, veg, game, meat, cakes, herb plants etc etc etc! And a post office next door, what else could you possibly need?

Fourth Saturday of each month, 10am to 3pm. In the Sandringham Visitor's Centre. Also selection of Estate and Duchy produce and products in and around the visitors' centre every day.

Butcher in Burnham Market, Binham, Wells and Walsingham. Salt marsh beef, free range pork, own smoked bacon, home made sausages, local free range eggs, Holkham venison, local pheasant and other game in season... open on sunday in Wells High Street.

Organic and artisan farm shop near Holt, beautifully done. Juice and coffee to takeaway and cafe. Top class butcher, cheeses, charcuterie, organic veg, fruit... Really good shop.

Famous for thai and english fish cakes, but also everything else that you could hope for in a coastal town's fish shop. Potted shrimp, asparagus, organic lemons, lobster, locally smoked fish...

Community Centre, second Thursday of each month. Contact Rita Holland (01953) 681715

Fourth Saturday of each month, in the Market square.

First Wednesday of each month, War Memorial, info: Tel: 01760-722922

Order your hamper online for a picnic on the famous beach, they will cater for children's tastes also.

From 2007, but still fairly accurate and comprehensive.

Family farmers producing outstanding salt marsh Norfolk beef.

First Saturday of each month, near Burnham Market

Also, you could walk out to see the seals...

Area of outstanding natural beauty, join the path very close to Big Sky Barn.

Comprehensive list of all types of walk, all areas.

With maps, estimated times and difficulty ratings.

Local government site with maps, cycle and bridle paths, exhaustive detail.

@ 10 miles of marked walks in between Chosely and Ringstead. Very close to Big Sky Barn and is spectacular country for gentle walking. Sea views, woodland areas and gorgeous, soil association approved, farmland.

5 different walks in the Walsingham area. Really is gorgeous countryside.

Article in 'The Times' detailing the amazing walk from Wells to Cley.

Still a destination for many pilgrims, especially at Easter.

Cycles, helmets, locks, pumps, route maps, child trailer, seats and tagalong bike attachments.

Tandem cycles, tagalong, route maps, helmets, maintenance service, etc...

This has a great list of links. Really comprehensive and just better than anything I have seen.

Central Market Fakenham. New releases, small and personal.

Dotted around Norfolk. New releases, quirky.

Seriously bags of character, a bit of a trek, but an experience. New releases.

Kings Lynn. Beautiful but faded from the glory days, cinema. New releases.

This is a real trip down memory lane, close to Big Sky Barn, inexpensive and the films are fairly new releases. Well worth a look.

This is a good spot for the slightly less mainstream films, as well as oscar winners and slightly late new releases. Usually does have an intermission, with ice cream! Seat size can be slightly trying for many men. Is an experience...

Riding school in Little Walsingham near Holkham Park.

Totally gorgeous.

In nearby Holme next the Sea.