• Andrew's TravelsNorfolk Coastal PathTraveler
    Hopton-on-Sea; the start of the Norfolk Coastal Path (in the other direction!)
    Hopton-on-Sea; view of holiday camp and GroynesGorleston; cliffsGorleston; view of the Pavilion TheatreGorleston; the old lighthouseGorleston; an old jetty, formerly known as a dolphin, in the River YareGreat Yarmouth; view of Nelson's Monument (Norfolk Naval Pillar)Great Yarmouth; St Mary's Church, SouthtownGreat Yarmouth; view of the Town Hall from the bridge over the River YareGreat Yarmouth; Town HallGreat Yarmouth; remains of the Grey FriaryGreat Yarmouth; St George's Church, now a theatreGreat Yarmouth; St George's ParkGreat Yarmouth; The EmpireGreat Yarmouth; Brittania PierGreat Yarmouth; Venetian Waterways ParkGreat Yarmouth; Venetian Waterways ParkGreat Yarmouth; Venetian Waterways Park - the boating lakeCaister-on-Sea; view of Scroby Sands Wind Farm from the dunes en route from Great YarmouthRNLI Caister Lifeboat Station

    Hopton to Caister via Great Yarmouth

    April 14 in England ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    We take the Coastal Hopper bus from Caister-on-Sea to Hopton-on-Sea and cross through the Potters Resort, a holiday seaside resort, to the start (or end) of the Norfolk Coastal Path.

    We start walking up the coastal path before and follow it as it descends to the beach. We reach Gorleston-on-Sea, a seaside town in the south of the borough of Great Yarmouth, and situated on the River Yare. Gorleston was a centre for fishing, but the decline in this industry during Edwardian times changed to a seaside resort. The footpath follows along the road through Southtown, originally known as Little Yarmouth, but now part of the Great Yarmouth district.

    We cross the bridge over the River Yare into Great Yarmouth itself; it has been a resort since 1760, as it is a gateway to the Norfolk Broads and the North Sea, and holidaymaking rose in 1844 when the railway opened -it has blossomed as a resort during the 20th century. The Coastal path heads towards the South Quay area, but then then crosses over towards the coast, past the friary ruins, and St George's Park. We walk along the promenade and divert through Venetian Waterways Park; this was constructed in 1926 by local men to boost post-war employment.

    We carry on along the North Beach, where there are lots of sand dunes, up towards Caister-on-Sea; we head back to the accommodation at RNLI Caister Lifeboat station; it has been a 10.3 mile walk, with lots of interesting sites - see captions on photos for details.    Read more