7 of the best unsung villages you should visit in Norfolk

There are plenty of spots for a day trip where you can escape the crowds and explore some new locations.

Here are seven of the best unsung villages to visit in Norfolk.

1. Binham

Binham Priory (Image: Ian Burt)This village is home to the Binham Priory and an award-winning farm shop and café.

Binham Parlour Café was included in this year’s BBC Good Food Guide which described it as a “local gem” in a “stylish, dramatic space”.

Run by husband-and-wife team Alexandra and William Wales, the café opened in 2022 after the couple had time to plan expansions to the business during the coronavirus lockdown. 

Close to the village are the remains of the Benedictine St Mary’s Priory, a Grade I listed building. 

2. Harpley 

The Rose and Crown (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Sometimes overshadowed by its glamorous neighbour of Great Massingham, Harpley is a Norfolk gem.

Visitors can find the church of St Lawrence in Harpley and the village is also home to The Rose and Crown pub. 

The award-winning pub, which was taken on by Alice Darlow in 2018, has just opened a street food hut serving different cuisines in the pub garden.

3. Heydon

The Heydon Village Tea Rooms and Shop (Image: Heydon Village Tea Room)

Heydon is a village in north Norfolk home to around 100 people. 

Although its population is small, there is a variety of artisan businesses including the newly opened Folks Coffee Co.

Visitors can also try out its village tea rooms and the Earle Arms, a country pub serving a selection of ales and spirits.

4. Salthouse

The pub garden at the Dun Cow in Salthouse (Image: Danielle Booden)

A small village nestled in the salt marshes of north Norfolk, Salthouse has beautiful views out to sea.  

The village was named due to the settlement there which profited off the supply of salt in the area.

Although the village is small, the scenery more than makes up for it and there are a number of local businesses to visit.

5. Ranworth

The view over Ranworth broads from the top of Ranworth Church (Image: Nick Butcher)

Although it may be one of the quieter Norfolk Broads destinations, Ranworth has a bustling hospitality scene.

The Granary opened next to the water earlier this year and has just appointed an 18-year-old head chef.

Steve and Penny Gray have run the site overlooking Malthouse Broad for 15 years and launched the restaurant in March this year.

When you need a break from exploring Ranworth you can also head to the popular Maltsters Pub.

​6. Itteringham

This picturesque and tiny village near Aylsham is the home of the newly opened Walpole Arms.

Craig Allison, 35, and Rory Smith, 30, are the new tenants at the pub which dates back to 1813.

The pair is also behind the Gyre and Gimble gin distillery and bar in Charing Cross in Norwich, which opened in 2019.

The village is close to Mannington Hall and is also home to the Itteringham Shop Cafe which serves a selection of savoury and sweet treats. 

7. Kirby Cane and Ellingham

Kirby Cane and Ellingham are two villages that intertwine to become one civil parish.

Kirby Cane is home to a historical Grade I listed church called Kirby Cane All Saints Church.

Wardley Hill campsite, near Ellingham, was voted the best campsite in the East of England by Campsitesuk and has been featured in TimeOut.