Norfolk Coast Walk

Set out north along the Norfolk Coast Path and you’re sure to soon fall in love with some of the county’s most inspiring coastal scenery.

Head past the parish of Holme-next-the-Sea where Sea Henge (now in King’s Lynn Museum) was discovered in the sand and keep your binoculars to hand in the Holme Dunes Nature Reserve as you hug the marshes and pass the creeks en route to the little village of Thornham. Titchwell Nature Reserve alongside Brancaster Bay is a must for birdwatchers and best accessed by the regular Coast Hopper bus services from Thornham whilst the Norfolk Coast Path weaves inland to rejoin the creeks and marshes at Brancaster for the meanders of the boating channels around Brancaster Staithe.

Walk alongside young Horatio Nelson’s early sailing grounds, as you approach the villages, where he grew up. Collectively known as ‘The Burnhams’, you’ll find reference to the naval hero everywhere here around the River Burn. Clock up Burnham Deepdale, nudge past Burnham Norton and Burnham Overy Town en-route to Burnham Market for your overnight stop. Nelson’s birthplace, Burnham Thorpe parsonage, is slightly further inland, but Burnham Market with its smart set of galleries and eateries has arguably become the new attraction these days – it has such a fashionable and modern-day celebrity following that it’s often nicknamed ‘Chelsea-on-Sea’.

If you fancy cutting back on the walking miles today to spend more time exploring Nelson’s haunts or the local bird reserves en route, then no problem –there are all sorts of options from short taxi rides to jumping on / off the much-loved Coast Hopper bus at specific points. We are happy to talk you through options and (if agreed in advance) will organise appropriate taxi transfers for you.

Rejoin the Norfolk Coast Path today at Burnham Overy Staithe and walk through the wonderful Holkham National Nature Reserve and the awe-inspiring, wild, sandy expanse that is Holkham Bay. From Holkham Gap, if you’re feeling energetic, a visit the Earl of Leicester’s Palladian style mansion of Holkham Hall is well worth the detour (additional 2.8 miles). With its awesome interiors and Roman Basilica-style entrance hall by William Kent, impressive fountains and parklands, it is one of Norfolk’s finest great houses.

Finally, the Path takes a sheltered route along the back of the pine wood strip to the beach at Wells-next-the-Sea with beach huts on stilts and lifeboat station. For a unique and relaxing end to the day, why not take the miniature railway for the last 3/4 mile? It follows the beach road to the old fishing town, the quayside and almost to your overnight accommodation!

Overnight: Wells-next-the-Sea

Another day to have the binoculars at the ready! Head east along the sea wall path on the edge of the wild Warham and Stiffkey salt marshes and when you reach the creek, quayside and little village of Morston, there’s nothing like a boat trip to view the seal colony basking on the shores of the National Nature Reserve on Blakeney Point.

Seal-watching boat trips are also available a mile or so further down the Norfolk Coast Path at Blakeney, the truly historic little port where you spend the night. Don’t miss the ruins of the guildhall down by the quay or Blakeney’s impressive church, set on higher ground and a marker to mariners for centuries as well as a reminder of wealthy trading times past. Be sure to go inside, to view the medieval glass, possibly rescued from nearby Binham Priory or the town’s own, long-lost Carmelite priory whose ruins stand on the edge of the haunting marshes.

Today you can start the walk either from Blakeney or, with a pre-arranged taxi transfer, from Cley-next-the-Sea, the stylish little village with the occasional artisan shop/ café and iconic five storey tower mill. Beyond Cley, the path hugs the shoreline whilst on the landward side, you pass another of the nature reserves that attracts millions of wild birds to this area. Later the walk takes you inland, where you may catch a glimpse of the bygone age of steam as you cross the North Norfolk Poppy Line before entering the beautifully maintained National Trust (NT) property of Sheringham Park known for its great sweeps of rhododendron species and bluebells, its butterflies and birdlife.

When local lad and landscape designer, Sir Humphry Repton, created his vision for the park in 1812, views of the coast were all part of his plan. Be sure to save some energy for the 192 step climb up the towering gazebo which emerges from the tree canopy – you’ll be rewarded with stunning views back over your tracks across the coast and countryside. It’s a breath-taking sight to the naked eye and another of the walk’s great binocular moments too. From this high-point, it’s only a short distance to your final night’s accommodation at Upper Sheringham, located adjacent to the park.

Overnight: Upper Sheringham

Mileage: Min 9.4 (with taxi transfer at no extra cost) Max 10.6

Depart after breakfast. If you wish to linger a while, there’s always a gentle stroll with the binoculars along the wildlife-rich, wooded paths in Sheringham Park, or maybe take a longer walk to the charming Victorian resort of Sheringham. You may even choose to put your feet up and celebrate your achievements with a steam train ride back through the Norfolk countryside on the North Norfolk Railway to Holt.

To return to Old Hunstanton, you can take advantage of the coastal hopper service or, with notice, we can arrange a taxi transfer back (prices on application).

Alternatively, Sheringham is just a short taxi ride from your accommodation. From here you can take the nostalgic steam railway to Holt where there are appropriate bus connections to Old Hunstanton.

At Sheringham also has access to the national rail network with services to Norwich and beyond. 

Mileage: Min 0 Max 6