Alby Crafts

Alby Crafts sits in the Norfolk countryside east of Norwich, and it's one of those places that rewards a proper poke around. You're looking at working craft studios where actual makers - potters, woodworkers, jewellers - create pieces on-site, so there's genuine activity happening rather than just finished goods behind glass. The workshops are open to visitors, which means you can watch people at their benches and sometimes have a chat about their process.

It's the sort of spot that appeals to anyone with even a passing interest in handmade goods. Families with younger kids might find an hour enough before restlessness sets in, but if someone in your group is serious about craft work, they could easily spend a couple of hours browsing the studios and chatting to makers. There's a decent gift shop element too - prints, ceramics, jewellery, the usual crafts fare.

The admission and opening hours aren't widely publicised online, so ring ahead or check their website before you head out. It's only five to six miles from the holiday parks clustered around West Runton and the coast, so it works as a rainy afternoon diversion or a gentle half-day when you fancy something low-key. Not a day-long destination by any means, but a solid addition to a Norfolk break if you're staying at Forest Park, Woodland Holiday Park, or any of the other sites in the area. Pair it with a mooch around Norwich or a seaside walk and you've got something worthwhile.