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Norfolk Coastal Path
  • Andrew's Travels
May 2021 – Sep 2025

Norfolk Coastal Path

Walking the coastal path of Norfolk. Read more
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  • Trip start
    May 17, 2021
    Andrew's TravelsTravelerNorfolk Coastal Path
    Cromer Lighthouse
    Cromer PierCromer Parish Church of St Peter and St PaulCromer buildings and beach hutsWest RuntonThe Beeston Bump

    Cromer to Sheringham

    May 17, 2021 in England ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    We're stopping in Cromer for a couple of nights with a view to do some walking along the Norfolk Coastal Path. The route from Cromer to Weybourne is part of the Sea Palling to Weybourne section of the England Coast Path, which is opening in sections around the UK.

    Starting at Cromer lighthouse - now automated, so the lighthouse keeper's cottage alongside the tower is now let out as holiday apartments - we descend down the East Cliff to the town of Cromer, enjoying wonderful views of the pier and church tower. It is a lovely town, although very much a tourist resort now, and we see the church and explore some of the streets.

    We walk along the shingle beach as far as East Runton Gap and divert along the A149 for a few minutes before cutting down to the West Runton Cliffs and walking along these; the fossil remains of the "West Runton Elephant" were discovered here in 1990 - it was the skeleton of the best preserved specimen of a 4m tall steppe mammoth ever found and put the town on the map.

    We continue along the cliff walk past Beeston Regis and reach the "Beeston Bump", an isolated hill above this village, and descend down the other side to Sheringham.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsTravelerNorfolk Coastal Path
    Sheringham beach huts
    Sheringham - fishing boats and groynes1Clifftop walk - with golf course on the leftWeybourne windmillView back from Weybourne HopeWeybourne Priory remains

    Sheringham to Weybourne

    May 17, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Sheringham is another seaside resort and we enjoy our walk along the promenade; we see more beach huts, as well as fishing boats and lots of groynes along the beach front (physical barriers to limit the tidal movement of sand and sediment moving along the shore).

    We climb up to The Leas Garden and Shelter and then rejoin the clifftop path along the top of Weybourne Cliffs; Sheringham Golf Club is on our left and it is a long course! Further on we see Weybourne Windmill and then reach Weybourne Hope, heading up to the village here to visit Weybourne Priory - the standing remains are Grade II listed and attached to Weybourne All Saints Church.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsTravelerNorfolk Coastal Path
    Part of the Muckleborough Collection
    SalthouseOn the beachCley Windmill - an icon of NorfolkBlakeney EyeBlakeney Quay

    Weybourne to Blakeney

    May 18, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    Weybourne Hope is a two-mile stretch of land between Weybourne and Cley and was regarded as particularly vulnerable to invasion from the sea due to the deep inshore water that would allow ships to unload troops and stores here in the event of an invasion; for this reason a military camp was established here. This is now the site of the privately owned Muckleborough Collection, a military museum and we see many pillboxes and some guns as we take the coastal path around the outside edge.

    We walk along the edge of the Salthouse Marshes, a popular bird-watching site, and espy the Parish Church of St Nicholas in the village of Salthouse itself. The beach becomes more sandy as we approach the Cley Marshes Nature Reserve at Cley Eye, and then turn south to Cley next the Sea; there are great views of the iconic Cley Windmill, a five storey tower mill that has now been converted to a guesthouse and licensed wedding ceremony venue. We cross the River Craven and head north on this side back up the coastline to skirt round the edges of Blakeney Eye and down to the coastal village of Blakeney and its welcoming Quay area.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsTravelerNorfolk Coastal Path
    Blakeney Point - Watch House and Visitor Centre
    View back from Morston QuaySaltmarshAvocetWells-next-the Sea - lobster potsWells-next-the Sea - the old Granary

    Blakeney to Wells

    May 19, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    We leave Blakeney with the Morston Salt Marshes on our right to reach Morston village - like Blakeney, this used to be a major port 400 years ago but is now used by a small number of fishing boats, leisure craft and seal watching trips to Blakeney Point. There are distant views of the Watch House (formerly used as a lookout for sailors in distress and for smugglers) and the blue Blakeney Point visitor centre (formerly a lifeboat station).

    The coastal path now skirts the Stiffkey Saltmarshes, part of the National Trust, and then the Warham Saltmarshes; there are good views of the marshes themselves and the birdlife on them as we approach port the town of Wells-next-the-Sea. The distinctive landmark of the seafront is the granary with its overhanging gantry on the quay; this has now been converted into luxury flats (it ceased operating as a granary in 1990).    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsTravelerNorfolk Coastal Path
    Sea Palling; Lifeboat Station / Reef Barriers on the horizon
    Eccles-on-Sea; View back / View to HappisburghHappisburgh; View of coast / Lighthouse, Pill box and ChurchHappisburgh; Lighthouse / St Mary's ChurchBacton Gas Terminal; View from beach / Artificial dune to protect it from the seaMundesley; Lifeboat Station / View back to the Cliffs and Groynes

    Sea Palling to Mundesley

    October 18, 2021 in England ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Sea Palling is a small holiday resort village to the south of Cromer. The Environmental Agency has erected 9 barrier reefs here to protect the village from the North Sea, as there is a lot of coastal erosion in this area. We start our walk at the small RNLI station and take the beach walk option towards Eccles-on-sea; this was abandoned in the 17th century due to being engulfed by the sea, and now exists as the Bush Caravan Estate behind concrete sea defences.

    We reach Happisburgh, which has national archaeological significance as evidence of the oldest human occupation in the UK was unearthed here in 2010. There are many groynes along the shore here to slow erosion; we pass the iconic red and white striped lighthouse - the oldest working in East Anglia - and St Mary's Church, the tall tower of which is an important landmark for sailors.

    We pass Walcott, well known for its sandy beaches, to reach Bacton; there are extensive sea defences here.... The Bacton Gas Terminal is an industrial complex of 6 different supplier terminals, each receiving gas from the UK continental shelf; a scheme was undertaken here in 2019 to deposit 2 million metric tonnes of sand in front of the cliffs to form an artificial dune to protect the complex and local villages for the next 15-20 years from from further erosion.

    The path continues along the beach at the bottom of Mundesley Cliffs, a site of scientific interest, to reach the RNLI Volunteer Station at Mundesley.

    It has been a good walk of close to 10 miles.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsTravelerNorfolk Coastal Path
    Mundesley Beach / Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal Memorial and Maritime Museum
    Ploughing the fields near TrunchTrunch; St Botolph's Church / The font and canopy1Trunch; St Botolph's Church hammerbeam roofPaston; Stow Hill tower windmillMundesley village sign / The Ship Inn

    Mundesley Circular Walk

    October 19, 2021 in England ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    The coastal village of Mundesley is well known for its firm, golden sand beach. In the cliff top gardens above this is the memorial to the Bomb Disposal teams that cleared the Norfolk coast of landmines post WW2, which is next to the smallest maritime museum in the world (formerly a coast guard lookout station).

    Many of the coastal villages around here have circular walks, and the Mundesley circular walk heads inland, past the golf course and follows the Paston Way as far as Gimlingham. From here, we head towards Trunch; the village is known for its 14th century, Grade I listed parish church of St Botolph as it contains a magnificent carved and painted wood font canopy (one of 4 in tbe UK), as well as a decorative hammerbeam roof.

    We follow "quiet roads" as they are known here, back to Mundesley and enjoy a view of the Stow Hill tower windmill in the neighbouring village of Paston on the way.

    Back in Mundesley, The Ship Inn beckons.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsTravelerNorfolk Coastal Path
    Mundesley; Cliffs / Caravan Park
    Trimingham; RAF Radar Station / St John the Baptist's Head ChurchSidestrand and Trimingham CliffsOverstrand promenadeBirds on a groyne at OverstrandCromer; Town view / Cromer Pier

    Mundesley to Cromer

    October 20, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    The coastal path from Mundesley takes you through a caravan park - there are many along the coast here - on its way to the village of Trimingham. On the outskirts of the village, we pass the RAF Trimingham Air Defence Radar Station, which is shaped like a giant golf ball. We reach the parish church of St John the Baptist's Head; a life size alabaster head of the saint was kept at the church and visited by pilgrims. The church has a short, buttressed and unfinished tower.

    From here, it is back to the coast to walk along the Sidestrand and Trimingham Cliffs, another Site of Scientific Interest, en route to Overstrand. This village was originally a crab fishing centre like Cromer, but it became a holiday destination for wealthy Victorians and was dubbed "the village of millionaires". We walk along the promenade there and then on to the beach for the rest of the way to Cromer.

    It is a lovely stroll to Cromer and there are excellent views as we get closer. It has been another excellent walk (about 8.5 miles).    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsTravelerNorfolk Coastal Path
    Wells-next-the-Sea; Quayside / Lifeboat station
    Holkham Nature Reserve; by the pine treesHolkham Nature Reserve; viewsHolkham Nature Reserve; sand dunes along the tidal foreshoreBurnham Overy Staithe; from the eastBurnham Overy Staithe; Tower WindmillBurnham Overy Staithe; from the westViews en route to Burnham DeepdaleViews en route to Burnham DeepdaleView from Burnham Deepdale / View of Mow Creek from Brancaster Staithe

    Wells-next-the-Sea to Brancaster Staithe

    April 16, 2024 in England ⋅ 🌬 8 °C

    We take the Coastal Hopper 36 bus (free for people of a certain age) from Old Hunstanton to Wells-next-the-Sea and get off at Quayside to resume the Norfolk Coastal Path.

    We follow the coastal path to the lifeboat station, where it diverts across and through Holkham Nature Reserve. We walk along the outskirts of pine woods and then along alongside salt marshes and the tidal foreshore. We then turn sourh west through the Overy Marshes, water meadows, and the Overy Creek towards Burnham Overy Staithe, a hamlet and small harbour one mile north of Burnham Overy (Staithe means a landing place for boats in the local dialect).

    We walk close to the Burnham Overy Staithe Windmill, a Grade II listed Tower Mill that is now holiday accommodation, where the coastal path doubles back around the Norton Marsh and then goes on west past Deepdale Marsh and down to Burnham Deepdale. We then walk on to the neighbouring village of Brancaster Staithe - a landing place / harbour for the nearby Brancaster- with more saltmarsh on our right.

    Then it's back on the 36 bus, for a well-deserved cup of tea after a lovely 12 mile walk (despite the wind and rain at times!)    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsTravelerNorfolk Coastal Path
    Brancaster Staithe; Harbour / En route
    Brancaster; Village Sign/ Church of St Mary the VirginPig farming north of TitchwellView of countryside north of TitchwellThornham; Village Sign and Old ChapelThornham; Old School House / ChurchThornham; Old Coal Hall / View the other side of the coastal defenceHolme Dunes Nature Reserve; Views towards the seaEn route to Old HunstantonViews from Old Hunstanton Beach; Groynes / St Edmund's Point

    Brancaster Staithe to Old Hunstanton

    April 18, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    It's a nice day as we set off on the 9:34am Coastal Hopper to Brancaster Staithe to resume the walk from where we left off. After a short while, though, we had to retrace our steps as the path was flooded and workmen were rebuilding it. We walked back and followed the diversion to Brancaster along the A149. From there, the coastal path and diverts inland behind Titchwell.

    There are good views of the countryside and of a pig farm before the 1 mile walk down to Thornham and the coast. The path is raised as we walk along a coastal defence towards the Holme Dunes National Nature Reserve, enjoying great views of saltmarsh, water pools, and pasture. There is a "wild" beach at the Nature Reserve; this is ideal for coastal breeding; we see a lot of bird watchers and stop here for a late cappuccino and lunch.

    We then set off for Old Hunstanton along the coastal path and have good views from the beach on the walk there. Another good 12 mile walk.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsTravelerNorfolk Coastal Path
    Old Hunstanton; View from beach / Beach huts seen from the coastal path
    Hunstanton; Coastal Lookout / Lighthouse1Hunstanton LighthouseThe Ruins of St Edmunds ChapelSt Edmund Wolf SculptureThe path follows a long recreation ground along the top of the cliffThe Striped Cliffs of Hunstanton; Norfolk Carrstone, Red chalk, White chalkView of groynes / Esplanade Gardens, columns from the pier, destroyed in 1978 in a stormThe War Memorial in the Esplanade GardensThe Bandstand on the Green; behind it are The Golden Lion Hotel and Town Hall

    Old Hunstanton to Hunstanton

    April 20, 2024 in England ⋅ 🌬 7 °C

    It's a short walk from our accommodation to Old Hunstanton Beach, where we rejoin the coastal path and walk up to the lighthouse and cliffs at Hunstanton (a popular coastal resort on the North Norfolk coast). Both the coastal lookout and the lighthouse at the top are now holiday homes that are available for rental.

    A stone's throw away is the ruin of St. Edmunds Chapel, which was erected in 1272 in memory of Edmund who landed in 855 and was crowned King of East Anglia. He led an army against Viking invaders but was captured and killed. He was later martyred, becoming a patron Saint of England; when his body was found, it was being guarded by a wolf.

    We follow the path along the top of the cliffs, noted for their distinctive stripes of carrstone, white chalk, and red chalk, to the Esplanade Gardens and then further to The Green. The Norfolk Coastal Path starts or ends here.

    By coincidence, some family members are staying in Hunstanton this weekend, and we meet up with them for coffee.

    It's been a good morning!    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsTravelerNorfolk Coastal Path
    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

  • Andrew's TravelsTravelerNorfolk Coastal Path
    Caister-on-Sea; Village Sign
    Caister-on-Sea; Council HallCaister Roman FortCaister-on-Sea; Caister Point, by the stone lionsDiverting to the beach at ScratbyThe reason for the diversion - coastal erosion at HemsbyApproaching Winterton-on-SeaWinterton lighthouse and traditional Norfolk roundhouses (holiday lets)Winterton; view of Church of the Holy Trinity and All SaintsGroynes along the beach at Winterton DunesHorsey Gap; a sandy beach down for its grey seal colonyEn route from Horsey GapEn route from Horsey GapView of Waxham Hall, now a farmA dragon along the footpath towards Sea PallingSea Palling; Lifeboat Station

    Caister-on-Sea to Sea Palling

    April 15 in England ⋅ 🌧 10 °C

    Caister-on-Sea, also known as Caister, is a large village, seaside resort, and civil parish 2.75 miles north of Great Yarmouth and 18 miles east of Norwich.  Caister's history dates back to Roman times, and around 200 CE a fort was built here as a base for a unit of the Roman army and navy (which we visit as we leave the village).  

    We start from Caister Lifeboat Station and pass Caister Point on our way to California Gap and beyond; the Coastal Path has to divert to the beach at Scratby due to extensive coastal erosion further up towards, and at, Hemsby.  We can leave the beach here and re-join the footpath towards Winterton-on-Sea; there are excellent views along here, and at Winterton the path goes down to the beach and proceeds along the Winterton Dunes, a national nature reserve, as far as Winterton Ness where we re-join a footpath towards Horsey Gap. 

    Horsey Gap is a sandy beach known for its grey seal colony (we see some in the distance), and is a nature reserve that is part of the Norfolk Broads National Park; there are many groynes here, all numbered to help identify location of the seal pups.  The path takes us along Delve Bank towards Waxham and beyond to Sea Palling; Sea Palling Lifeboat Station is a voluntary-staffed and charitable-funded lifeboat station located in the village.    Read more

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