Gunton Park Sawmill

Steam rises from the engine house as the Victorian sawmill creaks back to life, its massive circular saw slicing through Norfolk timber just as it did 150 years ago. This working museum east of Norwich demonstrates industrial heritage at its most authentic - no sanitised displays here, just proper machinery doing what it was built for.

Families with older children who appreciate how things work will find plenty to fascinate them. The guided tours reveal the ingenuity of 19th-century engineering, from the steam engine that powers everything to the belt-driven saws that turn local logs into planks. It's properly hands-on stuff.

Check their website before visiting as opening times can be irregular - this is a small operation run by enthusiasts rather than a major tourist attraction. Allow at least two hours to see the mill in action and chat with the knowledgeable volunteers who keep the machinery running.

For families staying at nearby parks like Deer's Glade or Glen Farm Norfolk, it makes a cracking alternative to yet another beach trip. The sawmill sits well with Norfolk's other industrial heritage sites, and you're only a short drive from Norwich if the weather turns. Just don't expect theme park polish - this place succeeds precisely because it feels authentic.