The pretty little village of Heacham with its good choice of shops, restaurants, pubs and takeaways is the centre of the Norfolk lavender-growing industry, and Caley Mill, where the essence is distilled can be visited free of charge

Hunstanton (2 miles) has all the seaside attributes for a lovely holiday: miles of sandy beaches with rock pools, majestic cliffs, amusements and water sports, as well as tennis, croquet, bowls, golf, shops, restaurants and inns, leisure and Sea Life centres

The bird reserves of Snettisham and Titchwell are both within easy reach

There are numerous quality pubs nearby that are child friendly, offering excellent food, wine and traditional ales

Inland, there are splendid stately homes to visit, with the Queen's country home at Sandringham closest at 6 miles

Holkham Hall makes for an enjoyable day out. Within the grounds, there is a 80-foot-high obelisk on top of a grassy mound, where views of both the hall and grounds can be seen. There is plenty of birdlife found within the grounds, and a footpath leads from the estate to Holkham Bay, where one of the finest sandy beaches, fringed by pine-studded sand dunes can be found

Kings Lynn offers a wealth of shops, restaurants and theatres as well as a large leisure centre