Wroxham Barns

This is the place to go to tempt your taste buds. This is because of the tearoom that can be found there and also the collection of local shops. From fudge to homemade meals full of flavour. I like to go and stock up on delicious preserves, chutneys, wines and beers. You will definately find yourself returning again and again.

A short drive from Wroxham town you will find Wroxham Barns, a collection of independent workshops where you can see real craftsman at work and perhaps treat yourself to one of their finished goods. My other half particularly likes the apple-pressing shop which sells Norfolk apple juice and cider and where you can try before you buy! If I need inspiration for something special I come here to pick up an individual and unique gift that I know I will not find on the high street.

Another reason for coming is the Junior Farm that our kids love. There is a small admission fee for this. The farm is not large but it is fun and quite hands on. They love cuddling the rabbits, guinea-pigs and little chicks, bottle-feeding the lambs, collecting eggs from the chickens and grooming the Shetland ponies.

Other attractions include a traditional family fair (check opening times as not open all year) and a children’s playground, as well as a cafe for that much needed break.

A really lovely place to visit with a variety of things to offer.

Back in June, enjoyed a weeks holiday in the Norfolk Broads. Made a point of visiting Wroxham Barns. Various independent stores selling delightful craft goods. The goods made from wood shop, the man had a cat on his counter, which he warned young children about, because he said it was more feral than house trained. Bought a memo pad and bookmark with wooden decoration. Plenty of free parking with bays reserved for disabled.

The Wroxham Barns is one of those odd places you find yourself at when driving around on a Sunday Afternoon. There’s certainly enough to see and do. Complete with petting zoo, garden center, arts and crafts center, jewlery store and what looks like a perpetually swamped mini golf course. There’s enough to buy as well, so you’re guaranteed to come away with a bag stuffed fill of oddities.

I’ve only really been around the shops at Wroxham barns, but there are some truly beautiful things there. I understand the farm part is wonderful for children of all ages!

The shops can be quite expensive, my favourite one is the fudge shop! But there is also pottery, wood working and much much more.

There are some genuine cottage industries here, in particular a glass workshop and a wood turners. Other industries are a little more suspect. Whilst the website gives details of lovingly crafted articles almost every shop had commercial goods for sale - imports from the East - together with their craft-ware. We were at the end of the season, but only one workshop actually had a craftsman (well woman) performing her magic.

For me the joy of craft fairs and centres is the opportunity to view unusual goods and see handmade products. Thus the presence of imports and goods that you could easily buy on the high street being sold at craft centre inflated prices was very disappointing. I appreciate that imports might be a way of making a quick bit of money, but for me this really did detract from the whole enterprise.

For those with children there is quite a nice little Junior farm. Rather like a traditional pets’ corner, this area allows children to get up close to some lovely farm animals and to help with some of the more fun chores such as egg collection. There’s a regular timetable of events so you can call up in advance to find out when certain things are happening if that is your bent.

In the season (late March through mid September) there is also a children’s funfair. Payment for the rides is by token. The fair had closed when we visited and so I cannot comment on how good (or busy) it was. It might just provide some entertainment though!

There is also a fairly large area of open space where one could picnic or have a bit of a run around. This area, at the end of the season, was a bit muddy, but provided it is dry, high season shouldn’t be a problem.