Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk – Clifftop and Sandy Shore on the Norfolk Coast Path

Low cliffs, open beach, and quieter shoreline south of Great Yarmouth

Hopton-on-Sea sits directly on the Norfolk Coast Path along the east Norfolk coast between Gorleston-on-Sea and Corton near the Norfolk–Suffolk border. The trail follows clifftop and beachfront paths above a long sandy beach, linking the residential stretches south of Yarmouth with the more rural coast approaching Lowestoft.

The village stands on slightly raised ground with low, grassy cliffs overlooking the sea. Underfoot, progress is firm and mostly level, alternating between paved promenade sections, compacted coastal paths, and short roadside links through the settlement. Steps and slopes connect the clifftop with the sand below. The beach is wide and gently shelving, with uninterrupted views along the shoreline.

Hopton has a quieter, residential character compared with Great Yarmouth to the north, with holiday parks, small cafés, and local services rather than large resort attractions. Open lawns and green spaces sit along the cliff edge, giving the frontage a more spacious and settled feel.

From the village, the Norfolk Coast Path heads north toward Gorleston-on-Sea and Great Yarmouth, following clifftop and promenade paths, or south toward Corton and Lowestoft, where the coastline continues along similar low cliffs and beach. The terrain remains straightforward and largely flat in both directions, creating an easy and continuous stretch of coast.