Norfolk Coast

Exploring the Norfolk Coast

The Norfolk Coast stretches from Hunstanton beside the Wash in the west to Great Yarmouth on the eastern coastline, through a changing landscape of sandy beaches, saltmarshes, dunes, grazing marshes, cliffs and coastal villages. Much of the coastline lies within the Norfolk Coast National Landscape, where tidal creeks, wide beaches and nature reserves create one of the most distinctive coastal environments in the East of England. Further east, the coastline changes character, with traditional seaside towns, sandy shores and low-lying dunes extending towards the Suffolk border.

The Norfolk Coast Path provides one of the best ways to explore the area on foot. Beginning at Hunstanton, the 84-mile route follows the coast east through Old Hunstanton, Brancaster, Wells-next-the-Sea, Blakeney, Cley-next-the-Sea, Sheringham and Cromer, before continuing through the eastern coastal landscapes towards Happisburgh, Winterton-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth and Hopton-on-Sea. The Peddars Way also reaches the sea near Holme-next-the-Sea, connecting the Norfolk coastline with an ancient route through inland Norfolk.

The western and central stretches of the coast are characterised by broad sandy beaches, tidal harbours, saltmarshes and dunes. Places such as Brancaster Beach, Holkham Beach and Wells-next-the-Sea provide access to open shorelines and coastal walking, while the harbours around Burnham Overy Staithe, Morston and Blakeney reveal a quieter landscape of tidal channels, saltmarsh and traditional coastal settlements. Further east, the coastline rises around Sheringham and Cromer, where cliffs, wooded slopes and seaside towns provide a different setting for walking beside the North Sea.

Wildlife is a defining part of the Norfolk Coast. Nature reserves and wild places including Holme Dunes, Titchwell Marsh, Scolt Head Island, Cley Marshes and Blakeney Point protect important habitats for migrating birds, breeding seabirds, seals and other coastal wildlife. Further east, Winterton Dunes National Nature Reserve protects a distinctive landscape of sand dunes, dune heathland and open beach, while the surrounding coastline provides opportunities to explore quieter stretches of Norfolk's eastern shore.

Beyond Cromer, the Norfolk Coast Path continues through coastal villages, beaches and changing landscapes around Overstrand, Mundesley, Happisburgh and Sea Palling. The coastline becomes increasingly open towards Winterton-on-Sea and Hemsby, where sandy beaches and dunes lead towards Caister-on-Sea and Great Yarmouth. South of the town, Gorleston-on-Sea offers a broad sandy beach and seafront walking before the route continues towards its southern finish at Hopton-on-Sea.

Historic villages, fishing harbours, seaside towns and coastal landmarks add another dimension to exploring the area. From the quieter villages of Thornham, Brancaster and Blakeney to the traditional seaside towns of Sheringham, Cromer and Great Yarmouth, the coastline offers a wide range of places to stay. Local footpaths, nature reserves and sections of the Norfolk Coast Path make it possible to combine shorter coastal walks with time spent exploring the towns, villages and landscapes along the route.