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!
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See what people are saying about Pensthorpe!
Latest News
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
Looking for somewhere to let them run wild this weekend? 👀🌿
We know just the place…
There’s a whole lot waiting for you at Pensthorpe! Discover our NEW outdoor play, head off on adventures in WildRootz, burn off some energy inside Hootz House and get gloriously lost in our epic maize maze. 🌽🙌
Plan your visit 👉 https://tickets.pensthorpe.com/book
🦩 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 🕊️
🍂 5 reasons to get excited for autumn at Pensthorpe 🍂
Autumn is on its way, bringing a whole new season of colour, wildlife and family fun. Here are five reasons to look forward to it:
🎃 Our Pumpkin Festival
Join us during the October half term for plenty of pumpkin-filled family fun and seasonal activities.
🍁 Spectacular autumn colours
Watch the reserve transform as rich reds, warm oranges and golden yellows sweep across the landscape.
🌾 The Millennium Garden’s golden season
Designed to take on a beautiful new aesthetic in September and October, the Millennium Garden is especially striking as its long grasses darken and the plants turn golden.
🍄 Fascinating fungi
Autumn’s cooler, damper conditions bring an amazing variety of fungi to life. Keep an eye out for different shapes, colours and textures as you explore.
☕ Seasonal treats in the Courtyard Café
Cosy up after your adventures with delicious seasonal additions to the menu—the perfect way to round off an autumn day.
#Pensthorpe #AutumnAtPensthorpe #PumpkinFestival #NorfolkDaysOut #AutumnAdventures #VisitNorfolk
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
🌅 One last date with summer…
Join us at Pensthorpe on Friday 18 September for our End of Summer Adult Date Night – a special evening celebrating the beauty of the reserve as summer gently gives way to autumn. 🍂
Explore our 700-acre nature reserve after hours, wander through the gardens at their late-summer best and watch the sun set across the water. Meet our cranes, avocets and flamingos during fascinating talks, browse our beautiful gallery and crack the case in our mysterious Maize Maze.
Our Wild Rootz outdoor play area will be open too because you’re never too old for an adventure! Then refuel with an improved loaded-fries menu and drinks from the licensed bar before getting cosy beside the fire pit with toasted marshmallows. 🔥
Whether it’s a romantic evening for two, a catch-up with friends or simply an excuse to experience Pensthorpe in a completely different light, this is the perfect way to say goodbye to summer.
📅 Friday 18 September
📍 Pensthorpe
🔞 Adults only
#Pensthorpe #AdultDateNight #DateNight #EndOfSummer #NorfolkEvents #NorfolkDateNight #VisitNorfolk #NatureAfterDark