Find out more

Journey into nature

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

Plan your visit

Run wild

Let the kids blow off steam at WildRootz, our outdoor play area

Check out WildRootz

Conservation calls

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

See our projects
Find out more

Journey into nature

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

Plan your visit

Run wild

Let the kids blow off steam at WildRootz, our outdoor play area

Check out WildRootz

Conservation calls

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

See our projects

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. Here you can explore magical gardens, take a trail through our internationally recognised reserve, and get up close with feathered friends.

For little nature lovers, there are awesome indoor and outdoor play areas, off-road rides, and lots to learn. Don’t forget to wet your beak at our café and stop off at the shop too. Are you ready for adventure?

Take a look around Buy Tickets

Upcoming Events

31 Mar

Discover Bird Watching

Do you want to get into birdwatching but don’t know where to

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05 Apr

Mosaic eggs with Dandelion Mosaics

Make your own mosaic egg with Rebecca Amphlett from Dandelion Mosaics.

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21 Apr

Badger Watching Evening

Spend an evening, from a viewpoint in the trees, watching these amazing

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03 May

Dawn chorus

Witness a beautiful sunrise across the Pensthorpe lakes and catch the sweet

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14 Jun

Butterfly & Dragonfly Walk

Find all the butterfly & dragonfly hotspots on this walk around the

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23 Jun

Glow worm hunt

Discover the allusive glow worm with a night tour of the reserve

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18 Aug

Creatures of the night

Join us for an after-dark evening of discovery where you will be

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26 Nov

Christmas Market

Get into the festive spirit and find the perfect presents for all

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29 Nov

Discover winter ducks & evening roost

One of our expert wardens will take you on a guided walk

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See what people are saying about Pensthorpe!

EXCELLENT Based on 935 reviews
Sue S
Sue S
2022-06-17
Glow-worm walk Just wow!Richard and Amy led us on a glow-Worm walk along with a few other guests, and we weren’t disappointed at all.We saw Glow-worms (including a oair getting jiggy!), bats galore (common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, daubenton’s and noctule), heard a whimbrel, Muntjac deer, roe deer, tawny owl, water scorpion (a lifer for me!), a horse leech, tons of different moths! Pike!When we first started the walk we were treated to a lovely little hedgehog going about its business, such a delight to see, also a brown hawker dragonfly hawking midges.We arrived a little bit early so parked on the entrance road and saw…Buzzard, Muntjac, hare, rabbits, baby great spotted woodpecker, baby goldcrest, meadow brown butterfly, ringlet butterflies, gatekeepers and could hear the song thrush singing away. Lovely.At the end of the walk we were treated to a moth trap opening, another wow! There were small elephant Hawk-moths, swallowtail moth, light emerald, various carpets, muslin moth to name but a few.If you get the chance to book onto a glow-Worm walk, it is well worth it.
assisttrustlazar
assisttrustlazar
2022-05-27
A great day had by all slightly tired afterwards quite hilly those with lower mobility would strjuggle lovely cafe quite cheap the brownie was very nice and moistthe gluten free sausage rolls were very nice saw lots of ducks and geese and flamingos I personally doesn’t like how there were lots of birds flying and they got close to us lots of hand sanitizer stations and seating along the route at pensthorpestaff were friendly and helpful in the cafe
Philippa T
Philippa T
2022-05-08
Wonderful family day out We had a wonderful family day at Pensthorpe today and would highly recommend it. 2 adults, 2 seniors and 2 under 8 and we all came away saying what an amazing place it was. The sunshine helped but the birds were great, and the kids play areas (both inside and outside) were wonderful. Thanks for a lovely day and looking forward to going back when we are next in the area.
GrannyZoo
GrannyZoo
2022-04-30
A magical place We are a group of 49 older people and were dubious as the park seems to advertise itself as a place for children. How wrong we were! It was amazing and we found we had not allowed enough time to see everything. The birds, including those in the aviary and the flamingoes, cranes and water birds were all fascinating. There is also and excellent cafe and shop. This should be advertised with less emphasis on the children’s adventure playground and more about the wildlife. Superb.
BecLou2022
BecLou2022
2022-04-12
Amazing place. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Today we visited Pensthorpe for the first time and wow, we were really impressed. Lovely place, lovely walks and Great for Kids, the play area is amazing.. especially loved the obstacle course ropes. Didn’t visit the indoor play area as we were so occupied outside but it looked just as amazing! Cafe was great, reasonably priced and really quick service. A full fun day out! We will definitely be returning!
Rachel G
Rachel G
2022-04-12
Brilliant day We had such an amazing time! The kids didn’t stop running around having fun from the minute we got there. There is so much to do, we had children ranging from 2-10 years old and they all really enjoyed it. Beautiful walks with beautiful views, doing the golden egg treasure hunt as we walked round. A lovely day out for the whole family. We will definitely be back 😊
Choxbird
Choxbird
2022-04-03
Lovely Pleasant Place Pensthorpe Nature Park is a very pleasant place to visit … Lots of trails around the park lead to various lakes and bird hides where you can stop off and watch the birds and wildlife in an unspoiled environment … Nice gift shop too … Well worth a visit
Amy @ Our Whimsical World
Amy @ Our Whimsical World
2022-03-24
Possibly the best play area in Norfolk! I haven’t been to Pensthorpe since I was a kid, and let me tell you, it is so much better than I remember! The indoor and outdoor play areas are incredible! Add this to the natural and manicured areas of the park, and you have a wonderful family environment for a full day out.
Tracey R
Tracey R
2022-03-05
WONDERFUL PLACE TO VISIT This is a wonderful place. Plenty of hides through which to explore wildlife. We visited in March which isn’t the best month to come but it was peaceful and beautiful and a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Cafe is also lovely. If you like walking, woods, wildlife, this is the place for you. I imagine it is quite stunning in late spring/summer.
BootsyEly
BootsyEly
2021-12-20
Fantastic even under present restrictions We went to the restaurant for a Christmas Sunday lunch. Nicki and all the staff we fantastic and the meal was hot and delicious.

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Cafe & Shop

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Latest News

PCT

Flamingo health check

This February the decision was made to catch our flock of 56 greater flamingos at Pensthorpe. One of our two year old chicks had a lump on his head that we wanted the vet to check out and we decided it would be an excellent opportunity to catch the whole flock to give them all… Read more »

Nikki Gutierrez

March 3, 2023

PCT

Bird flu hasn’t stopped me smiling

On February 4th 2021 I was perched of the side of the Sierra Negra mountains in Cape Verde collecting biometric data of red billed tropic birds and deploying GPS trackers. I was blissfully unaware of the events occurring back at Pensthorpe. I knew there were still cases of avian influenza being reported daily in the… Read more »

Nikki Gutierrez

February 7, 2023

PCT

World Wetlands Day

World Wetlands Day is celebrated on 2nd February each year, to raise global awareness about Wetlands and the vital role they play for people and the planet. Wetlands are amazing, they sustain life; teem with biodiversity; naturally filter pollutants; store carbon and provide vital flood protection from storms. They are dynamic and ever changing throughout the… Read more »

Nikki Gutierrez

February 2, 2023
Pensthorpe

pensthorpeuk

1,784 8,721

NIGHT CAM

Our reserve team have set up a night cam at various locations around the reserve to see areas which are not seen during the day. It means we’re able to scout out locations for new walks and talks and helps us learn about the wildlife that call Pensthorpe it’s home.

#pensthorpe #wildanimals #wildlife #deer #woodland #birds #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers #ukwildlife #norfolk #northnorfolk

35 0
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NIGHT CAM Our reserve team have set up a night cam at various locations around the reserve to see areas which are not seen during the day. It means we’re able to scout out locations for new walks and talks and helps us learn about the wildlife that call Pensthorpe it’s home. #pensthorpe #wildanimals #wildlife #deer #woodland #birds #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers #ukwildlife #norfolk #northnorfolk

New life.

The first frogspawn captured by our Reserve Warden David!

All of the ducklings, goslings and froglets showing their fluffy and slightly slimy faces around the reserve. Spring really is a spectacular time of year.

#firstfrogspawn #Nature #Outdoors #pensthorpe #wildlife #newlife #norfolk #spring #northnorfolk #photooftheday #naturephotography #outdoors #picoftheday #wildlife #conservation #photography

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Open
New life. The first frogspawn captured by our Reserve Warden David! All of the ducklings, goslings and froglets showing their fluffy and slightly slimy faces around the reserve. Spring really is a spectacular time of year. #firstfrogspawn #Nature #Outdoors #pensthorpe #wildlife #newlife #norfolk #spring #northnorfolk #photooftheday #naturephotography #outdoors #picoftheday #wildlife #conservation #photography

Lapwings in flight.

You can really see the beautiful vibrancy of their iridescent feathers when they`re in flight.

This stunning image was captured by Gareth Clifford.

📸 @gmecphotography

#Pensthorpe #goldcrest #UK #Nature #Natural #World #Animal #Animals #wildlife #bird #birds #birdringing #norfolk #northnorfolk #photooftheday #naturephotography #outdoors #picoftheday #wildlife #conservation #birdshots #birdingphotography #birdwatching #photography #lapwing

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Lapwings in flight. You can really see the beautiful vibrancy of their iridescent feathers when they're in flight. This stunning image was captured by Gareth Clifford. 📸 @gmecphotography #Pensthorpe #goldcrest #UK #Nature #Natural #World #Animal #Animals #wildlife #bird #birds #birdringing #norfolk #northnorfolk #photooftheday #naturephotography #outdoors #picoftheday #wildlife #conservation #birdshots #birdingphotography #birdwatching #photography #lapwing

Take a pew.

Sit down and take in the view. Even on those drizzly days it’s good to get out and clear away the cobwebs.

#nature #natureuk #beautiful #photooftheday #naturelovers #naturelover #naturephotography #outdoors #picoftheday #conservation #pensthorpe #birdshots #birdingphotography #pensthorpenaturalpark #northnorfolk #fakenham #photography #geese #getoutintonature #natureisamazing

50 1
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Take a pew. Sit down and take in the view. Even on those drizzly days it’s good to get out and clear away the cobwebs. #nature #natureuk #beautiful #photooftheday #naturelovers #naturelover #naturephotography #outdoors #picoftheday #conservation #pensthorpe #birdshots #birdingphotography #pensthorpenaturalpark #northnorfolk #fakenham #photography #geese #getoutintonature #natureisamazing