Fun and games

We've made this a bit of a "catch all" page, principally for the physical (the term has been applied loosely!) activities that don't sit too naturally in the other sections such as Walking, Cycling and Golf, but that should not be seen as a statement that they're of less appeal as this section includes some of the top attractions in Norfolk and North Suffolk in terms of visitor numbers.

Tree top adventures

Picture of Phil on the cargo net at Go Ape! Thetford Forest is the venue for the original tree-top assault course, 'Go Ape'. Well worth a visit - if you're at least 10, over 1.4m tall, are not scared of heights and are moderately fit. Extreeme Adventure at Weasenham also offers a tree top assault course with some extras, including a 1,000ft zip wire.

Ten pen bowling

Number Ten is a modern facility with 30 lanes. Just by the Royal Norfolk Showground, it’s a 20 minute drive from White Lodge Farm.

A little smaller, with 10 lanes, is Strikes in Dereham and, in Brandon, there’s Mr G’s Bowling Centre with 8 lanes.

It's worth asking for a discounted rate for a large party, or perhaps a free drink.

Ballooning

This one is weather-dependant, of course!

Balloons flights, with baskets carrying up to 12 people, take off from several sites with 30 minutes' drive of White Lodge Farm. It's quite an eery, but very uplifting experience.

Whereas Broadland Balloons has a launch site close to to the junction of the A11 and A47. Breckland Balloons launches from Wensum Valley Golf Club or Mattishall Golf Club and Virgin Balloons from Dunston Hall, Earlham Park and Wymondham. All of the launch sites are within 15 to 20 minutes drive of White Lodge Farm, Dunston Hall being the furthest by a few minutes.

Clay pigeon shooting

Within an hour's drive of White Lodge Farm you can try you hand-eye co-ordination with some tuition and practice from Churchills of Dereham , who offer tuition at a variety of grounds, the Mid Norfolk Shooting School or the Suffolk Shooting School.

Tank driving

Believe it or not, there are two venues accessible from White Lodge Farm Cottages which offer this activity to those over 18 and with a driving licence. The Muckleburgh Collection at Weybourne has 16 working (subject to availability!) tanks in its museum collection of over 120 tanks, guns and vehicles.

Swimming

You really are spoilt for choice here. So we've dedicated a page to swimming.

Karting

There are "turn up and drive" and pre-booked sessions on the two tracks at Anglia Karting at North Pickenham, barely twenty minutes from White Lodge Farm Cottages

The fun of the fair

In 2007 over 1.4 million people visited The Pleasure Beach at Great Yarmouth, making it the third most popular "paid entry" attraction in the UK (which is slightly bizarre as entry is free!). The main park has over 20 large rides as well as crazy golf courses, water attractions and children's rides (some of the main have minimum height requirements).

The Roller Coaster is undoubtedly the star attraction at The Pleasure Beach, having been in place since 1933, although the ride actually dates back to 1928, having been operational in France before coming to Great Yarmouth. The traditional coaster is made from wood with a single pull-up. Each car has an operator at the back operating the brakes as, unusually, there is no braking on the track itself.

Aimed principally at the younger visitor, whilst Pleasurewood Hills has six thrill rides, it also has over twenty family rides and activities. The summer of 2007 saw the opening of 'Wipeout' which, according to their website, stands 120 feet tall, touches speeds of almost 50mph and pull over 5-G. But, for those not seeking such adrenalin rushes, there's a miniature railway, racing karts and dodgems. Again, there are minimum height requirements for some rides.

According to their website, "Fritton Lake is one of the most beautiful stretches of water in East Anglia, extending two and a quarter miles from end to end and covering 150 acres". As well rowing boats and pedaloes on the lake, a 20/25 minute guided tour of the lake is available on an electric-powered launch. There's also as adventure playground with an assault course and aerial slides for older children and there's a separate play area for under sevens and a mini assault course for adults and children. Also within the grounds are marked woodland and waterside trails, pony rides, fishing and a putting green.

Contact details

Dinosaur Adventure Park 01603 870245
Go Ape 0845 643 9215
Fritton Lake 01493 488288
Riverside Swimming Centre 01603 625166
Anglia Karting 01760 441777
Extreeme Adventure 01328 838720/07775 593477
Brandon Park 01842 810185
Pleasure Beach - Great Yarmouth 01493 844585
Fritton Lake Countryworld 01493 488208
Pleasurewood Hills 01502 508200
Norwich City Football Club 0870 444 1902
Sportspark (UEA, Norwich) 01603 592398
Newmarket Races 01638 675500
Fakenham Races 01328 862388
Yarmouth Races 01493 842527
Churchills of Dereham 01362 696926/07850 038323
Mid Norfolk Shooting School 01603 860436
Suffolk Shooting School 01638 751985
Mr G's Bowling Centre 01842 813111
Strikes (10 pin bowling) 01362 696910
Number Ten Bowling, Norwich01603 740730
Broadland Balloons 01603 495004
Breckland Balloons 01362 687006
Virgin Balloons 0871 663 0047