Amazona Zoo

You'll find Amazona Zoo just outside Cromer, a small collection that punches above its weight for a Norfolk seaside break. It's the sort of place that keeps children occupied for a solid two to three hours without feeling like a sprawling day-long commitment - which matters when you're camped nearby at The Grove or Forest Park.

The zoo focuses on exotic animals and birds, with enough variety to hold younger visitors' attention. You get up close to creatures you wouldn't normally encounter on the Norfolk coast - parrots, reptiles, and various exotic mammals. The enclosures are compact, which means you're not trudging miles between exhibits. It's all fairly manageable, even if your kids are flagging.

Being within striking distance of several caravan sites - Seacroft and Manor Farm are barely more than a mile away - makes this a useful rainy-day option or a half-day activity to slot between beach time and exploring West Runton's fossil cliffs. That said, don't expect London Zoo levels of infrastructure or range. It's modest and local.

The real value here is convenience. If you're staying at one of the nearby parks, you won't need to drive far, and admission costs are unlikely to break the bank. Bring waterproofs though - Norfolk weather can turn quickly, and there's limited covered areas. Worth a visit if you've got restless kids and you're already in the Cromer area, but not a reason to plan your entire holiday around.