Year 5 Norfolk Trip 2025

Year 5 pupils recently returned from their much-anticipated annual residential trip to Norfolk — an unforgettable journey packed with adventure, discovery, and natural wonders.

The trip began with a lively first day of pirate-themed activities, including low ropes, fire making and archery. After dinner, pupils ventured into the Felbrigg Woods for a twilight safari walk, complete with a spooky story inside a 15-th century church. Along the way, pupils encountered a 650-year-old veteran oak with a hollow centre, perfect for some magical disappearing acts. The evening was full of wildlife surprises, including a deer darting through the meadows, sweet lambs, playful calves, the distant call of an owl and even a bat detected through a sonic bat detector. 

Day two took the group to West Runton, famed for the discovery of the most complete woolly mammoth ever found in Europe. Pupils explored the shoreline’s liminal zones, investigating rock pools and discovering an array of marine life — from shore crabs and shrimp to sea anemones, limpets, and winkles. The day was also rich with learning, as pupils studied glaciation, erosion, and the coastal environment. The evening ended on a high with a fun-filled bowling session.

The adventure continued on day three with a visit to Blakeney Point, where a boat trip offered the chance to see both common and grey seals in their natural habitat. Pupils explored the unique landscape on a guided nature trail, learning about the importance of coastal defences like marram grass and sand dunes, the forces of longshore drift, and the effects of erosion. Wading through salt marshes and mudflats at low tide, pupils discovered the rich biodiversity of this intertidal ecosystem, where two rivers meet the sea.

The day concluded with a magical evening led by storyteller Paul Jackson, who transported pupils around the world through tales enhanced by rare musical instruments — from Indigenous American windpipes to Ghanaian calabashes and Indian iktaras.

Throughout the trip, pupils built strong bonds, learned new skills and developed a deep appreciation for the environment. A huge thank you goes out to all the staff and guides who made this incredible trip possible. The memories made and lessons learned will surely stay with the pupils for years to come!