Norfolk’s First Wild Beaver Kits in Over 500 Years Born at Pensthorpe

An extraordinary new chapter in the return of beavers to the River Wensum

Our Biggest Pumpkin Festival to Date

Experience Autumn at Pensthorpe from £5.00 (October 24th – November 1st)

Go Big or Go Home!

Join us for our big machinery weekend on 26th & 27th September!

The Summer Swan Song

Join us for our final date night as summer turns to autumn!

The Big Summer Price Drop is here!

We’re passing on the savings this Summer with lowered admission tickets through to September.

Tickets are now on general sale!

Step into the secret world of Christmas in 2026.

Brand New Outdoor Play

We’ve just launched an exciting new outdoor play area ‘The Living Towers’

Journey into nature

Explore magical gardens, adventurous play, and our stunning nature reserve

Conservation calls

Learn about our conservation efforts for some of the most endangered British birds

Norfolk’s First Wild Beaver Kits in Over 500 Years Born at Pensthorpe

An extraordinary new chapter in the return of beavers to the River Wensum

Our Biggest Pumpkin Festival to Date

Experience Autumn at Pensthorpe from £5.00 (October 24th – November 1st)

Go Big or Go Home!

Join us for our big machinery weekend on 26th & 27th September!

The Summer Swan Song

Join us for our final date night as Summer turns to Autumn!

The Big Summer Price Drop is here!

We’re passing on the saving this Summer with lowered admission prices through to September.

Tickets are now on general sale!

Step into the secret world of Christmas in 2026.

Brand New Outdoor Play

We’ve just launched an exciting new outdoor play area ‘The Living Towers’

UK’s only permanent Biosonification Garden

Journey into nature

Explore magical gardens, adventurous play, and our stunning nature reserve

Conservation calls

Learn about our conservation efforts for some of the most endangered British birds

Pensthorpe Rd, Fakenham

NR21 0LN

Open Today: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Welcome to Pensthorpe

Pensthorpe is the ultimate destination for discovery and an action-packed day out for the whole family. Explore enchanting gardens, wander wildlife-rich trails through our internationally recognised nature reserve, get up close with feathered friends, and let imaginations run wild in one of the region’s biggest and best outdoor adventure areas – plus epic indoor play for all weathers!

See what people are saying about Pensthorpe!

Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
StarB profile picture
StarB
September 2, 2026
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Bit worn Seems a bit flat we have been coming since my son was 2 he is now 11 . His sister 4 and wheelchair user. Paths are rather bumpy in a wheelchair and in places looking tired and worn . We did pond dipping , staff didn’t seem to have the energy and were just chatting to each other . Which deflated the environment as my son kept asking what things were to me . Soft play was okay but the area my daughter can use safely does say for 3 year olds only . I think maybe a better age would be 5 year olds as a lot of 4/5 year old was enjoying playing in this area . Not being rough or boisterous . I don’t think we would visit again any time soon . But maybe in the future if changes can be made.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Alex W profile picture
Alex W
August 27, 2026
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
First Time Camping Experience We stayed for three nights camping in August on our first camping holiday. Camping Warden was friendly, helpful and always making sure the communal areas were clean and well stocked. Showers / Toilets, Kitchen Area and BBQ area were all clean, well equipped and plenty for all to access. Play area in the campsite with garden games was great. Many of the tent pitches were booked, but it did not feel over crowded. Loads of space between each pitch and plenty of communal facilities. During our stay we took advantage to explore the nature reserve on several occasions including the Family Nights on the Saturday too! All the staff were welcoming and friendly - particularly Joe who did talks in the courtyard on Saturday and Sunday morning and the lady in the cafe. It was lovely to see the same faces over the weekend. The cafe opened late on the Friday and Saturday evening. We had the pizza on Friday night and it was delicious, cooked to order. We enjoyed the early morning cafe opening too. All the food / refreshments / ice creams during our stay were delicious. I felt it offered fantastic value for money for 3 nights camping with the nature reserve admission. It was just me and my 8 year daughter visiting - the whole site felt safe and secure, and a great first experience of camping for us! Have already recommended to lots of friends and will look to come back!
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Helen R profile picture
Helen R
August 21, 2026
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Lovely and peaceful. What a lovely place. We got soaked within the first hour but dried out quickly and sought shelter in the hides. Lovely areas to walk, lots of wildlife to see and well maintained. Had lunch in the cafe and was impressed. Rainy day free ticket issued and will definitely be using it.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Toni O profile picture
Toni O
August 19, 2026
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Fantastic day out, play areas are awesome Visited with my 4 year old, and my brother and his 1 year old on Monday 17th august. We had a fantastic time! My little one thoroughly enjoyed the play areas, and nephew really enjoyed watching the birds. We had the 11.30 slot for hootz house and whoever the attendant for the actual play area was (im so sorry, I didnt get his name!) Was absolutely fantastic! He helped my little one who tried to go the wrong way up the slide, and got someone to show him where to go. I also saw him playing peek a boo with a little one. Truly a credit to you.... Staff in shop also fantastic, truly friendly. We only had a few hours, and could have spent a lot longer. Would highly recommend!
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
peter h profile picture
peter h
August 19, 2026
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Great family visit on the hottest day We visited on the hottest day of yhe year, shady activities, deb building and pond dipping went down well with grandkids 7&5. Greatchoice of food and great access for my buggy. Pn site hireable ones looked great. Will come again.

Latest News

Events

Big Machinery Weekend Registration

Patrick Johnson

July 30, 2026

Family

Summer Memberships Now Available

Pensthorpe Brings Back Popular Summer Membership at Even Lower Price to Support Families Pensthorpe Nature Reserve has announced the return of its popular Summer Membership, now offering even greater value for visitors with a reduced price of just £25 – down from £30 last year. The limited-availability membership provides unlimited access from 18th July to… Read more »

Patrick Johnson

April 19, 2026

Family

Brand-New Play Adventure Opens This Easter

Easter at Pensthorpe is set to be bigger than ever this year. We’re thrilled to announce that our £300,000 outdoor play expansion, The Living Towers, will officially open in time for Easter half term — marking our first brand-new outdoor play development in almost 12 years. And that’s not all… this Easter will also see… Read more »

Patrick Johnson

February 25, 2026

🦩 Flamingo Fridays 🦩

Did you know flamingos have their own waterproofing oil... and (of course) it's PINK! 🩷

Ever wondered how birds manage to spend so much time around water without becoming completely waterlogged?

Many birds have a special uropygial gland, also known as the preen gland, located on their back just above where the tail feathers meet the body.

You can often spot this really clearly with ducks. When they're preening around the base of their tail, they're collecting oil produced by this gland on their beak before carefully spreading it across their feathers.

This oil helps condition and waterproof their plumage – essentially giving their feathers their own protective coating. 💧🪶

But, of course, flamingos have to do things a little differently...

Their preening oil is a fabulous PINK! 🦩🩷

The oil contains the same type of pigments (carotenoids) associated with their famous pink plumage, meaning that when a flamingo preens, it's not only looking after its feathers... it's also giving its colour a little helping hand.

📸 Rey Major
We're very sad to share the news that Tori, our much-loved Red-crowned Crane, has passed away at the age of 20. 🤍 

Tori spent 19 years with us at Pensthorpe and was a familiar face to so many of our visitors. She had been living with a long-term illness, which only began to affect her in her final few days. 

Our whole team is saddened by her loss, especially those who cared for her every day. We know she will be greatly missed by our members and visitors, but we're happy to have given her such a great life these past 19 years.

We’ve been keeping a close eye on Taro, who is coping well so far - and enjoying having all the food and treats to himself. We are now actively looking for a new companion for him, so rest assured he won't be by himself for too long. 

Thank you to everyone that came to see Tori over the last 19 years 🕊️
Cosy season has arrived at Pensthorpe ☔🍂

Rainy days are the perfect excuse to:

🎨 Browse Claire Frances Smith’s beautiful gallery
🦉 Play indoors at Hootz House
🎁 Discover something special in our gift shop
🪶 Explore the Wader Aviary and Viewing Gallery
☕ Warm up with a delicious treat in our Courtyard Café

There’s plenty to enjoy at Pensthorpe, and we personally don't mind some rain, but if you're looking to take cover, there's some lovely places to explore.

#Pensthorpe #CosySeason #RainyDayActivities #NorfolkDaysOut #VisitNorfolk #AutumnDays