Enjoy North Norfolk Making the most of North Norfolk
Now in its 14th year, the award winning Fairyland Trust returns with the magical Fairy Fair this Spring.
The Norfolk based charity with a national reputation for introducing families to nature will run the Fairy Fair, amid the stunning 86 acres of gardens, ancient woodlands and lakes of Holt Hall, over the late May Bank Holiday weekend (24th/25th May).
Tickets for the Fair, which we’ve been to for the past 4 years, and highly recommend as a lovely family day out in Norfolk, go on public sale from 16th March. The event is once again packed with magical activities to delight children and entertain all the family such as the Trust’s renowned workshops including: Fairy Crowns, Fairy Gardens and the ever popular, Magic Wings.
Wildflowers will be a major theme of the Fair this year. Sarah Wise who created the Fairy Fair says: “Folklore tells us that Fairies like wildflowers, while natural history and science show that wild flowers are also best for bees and other wildlife. If you come to the Fairy Fair you’ll discover which the fairies favourites are – and which ones are easy to grow in your garden.”
For the first time, a team of Wildflower Fairies will be on hand at the Fair to help children make their own wearable Fairy Wildflower.
And it’s not just fairies and flowers. Pirates are running games and there are Magic Animal Shields and Elf Sticks to make; Secret Dens to create in the Woods and a Woodland Trail to explore.
Children can also tend cuddly British wildlife and other magical creatures In the Fairyland Wildlife Hospital, or visit the Fairy Queen and King. The King and Queen will be residing in the woods, telling children about trees and all their magic. Budding Fairies and Elves can take part in Elf and/or Fairy Training which covers all the important elements of how to be a proper Fairy or Elf (Little Man has done ‘Elf Training Camp’ 2 years running – great fun!). Mum and Dad may enjoy live music and performances, plus quench their thirst in the Trusts own onsite pub, The Good Elf.
Drop-in activities include building your own Fairy House in the woods, sending a post card from the Pixie Post office and the popular Fairyland Photobooth.
Fairyland Trust spokeswoman Abbie Panks said “It’s been a good year overall for the Fairyland Trust, not only were we runners up in the Festival Kidz Families Choice award but we also received nominations for Best Family Day in the What’s on for Little Ones Awards, which is a great testament to our handworking crew. On top of this we were thrilled to reach almost the halfway point in our fundraising to help us buy a piece of land to create a wildflower meadow”.
The event, which has been described as ‘THE children’s event of the year’ also features Maypole Dancing, the return of Mr Pineapple Head, three story tellers, great live music, stilt-walkers and Stripy the giant Swallowtail Caterpillar . The Trust’s own Corncockle Café and a host of other local food outlets will be open to keep people fed, and for shopping there are craft stalls, selling hand-made and fairly-traded goods.
Tickets are on sale to general public on 16st March, www.fairylandtrust.org with tickets priced at £10.00 for Adults, £8.50 for Children, under 3’s free.
A proportion of each ticket sale goes to support the charity’s Fairy Meadow Fund, which aims to craete new wildflower meadows which families can visit to picnic and discover nature.
Fairy Fair, Holt Hall, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 7DU.
Sunday May 24th and Monday May 25th
Open to public 10am – 5pm both days (car park opens 0930)
Tickets: £10/ adult £8.50/ child/ day from www.fairylandtrust.org.
Car Park £2/ car (except those taking part in car share) – cash on the day.
All of the activities take place either within one of the Trust’s beautiful medieval tents or outside in the woods. Children are encouraged to dress up if they like. Parents or carers need to be present.
Workshop prices vary.
Sorry, no dogs to be brought on site whatsoever, with the exception of guide dogs.
Getting There
Where: Holt Hall, Kelling Rd, Holt Norfolk, NR25 7DU (*do not use satnav).
Public transport:
Nearest mainline train station: Sheringham.
Nearest steam train station, Sheringham to Holt: arrive Harry Potter style on the Poppy Line call 01263820800 or www.nnrailway.co.uk for times.
By Bus: see www.traveleastanglia.co.uk
By car: Many Sat Nav systems will take you to the back gate of Holt Hall on Cley Rd which will be locked. Please make sure you head for the Kelling Rd entrance. Yellow direction signs will be put up the night before in Holt.
Dogs: Please do not bring dogs (guide dogs accepted) as we do not permit them to be left in cars in the car park all day as there is little or no shade and they cannot come into the grounds of Holt Hall.
Accommodation: Holt Hall is only 10 minutes drive from the beautiful North Norfolk coast and there are many options for accommodation. Have a browse through our handpicked selection of fabulous North Norfolk accommodation and see if anything takes your fancy.
