
Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk – Sandy Shore and Seafront on the Norfolk Coast Path
Broad beaches, open sea views, and historic shoreline between Hemsby and Great Yarmouth
Caister-on-Sea sits directly on the Norfolk Coast Path along the east Norfolk coast between Hemsby and Great Yarmouth. The trail follows the beachfront and sea defences beside a long, sandy shoreline, linking the quieter dunes to the north with the more urban seafront toward Yarmouth.
The village stands on flat coastal ground behind sea walls and flood defences. Underfoot, progress is mostly level and firm, alternating between promenade sections, compacted coastal paths, and minor roads through the settlement. The beach is wide and gently sloping, with uninterrupted views across the North Sea and easy access along much of the frontage.
Caister has a settled residential and seaside character, with shops, cafés, holiday parks, and everyday services spread along the main streets near the shore. Unlike the dune-backed stretches further north, the coastline here feels more open and developed, with buildings and defences close to the beach.
Just inland lie the remains of the Roman Caister Roman Fort, marking the site of one of the Saxon Shore forts and giving the village a distinct historic landmark alongside its coastal setting.
From the village, the Norfolk Coast Path heads north toward Hemsby, returning to lower dunes and quieter shoreline, or south toward Great Yarmouth, where the coast becomes more built-up with continuous promenade and resort frontage. The terrain remains flat and straightforward in both directions, creating an easy and continuous stretch of coast.