North Norfolk Coast

North Norfolk is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the UK.

Whether it’s discovering the abundance of local wildlife, exploring the many historic coastal towns and villages, or simply relaxing on the miles of unspoilt beaches, there is so much to see and do no matter the season.

The North Norfolk coastline stretches for 43 miles, and much of it is an officially recognised Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The diverse landscape includes wide sandy beaches, pine forests, salt marshes and mudflats.

Cromer and Sheringham have been popular seaside resorts for centuries and offer a more relaxed pace for those looking for a really laid-back holiday. Also close by are Blakeney, Cley and Wells-next-the-Sea, which are outstanding centres for wildlife and a paradise for birdwatchers. You can take a boat to Blakeney Point to see the seals or try crabbing on the quayside at Blakeney and Wells.

Holt is a small Georgian town nearby which is a great place for shopping or browsing around the many art and crafts galleries. You won't be able to resist the tempting cafes and speciality food shops.

Walsingham has been a place of pilgrimage since the Middle Ages and is one of the four great shrines of medieval Christendom alongside, Jerusalem, Rome and Santiago da Compostella. Although only home to around 800 residents, it attracts visitors from near and far and is often called ‘England’s Nazareth’. There are several religious buildings in the pretty village, and the peaceful atmosphere makes Walsingham a perfect place for those who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the larger resorts.

As well as all the stunning coastal towns and villages, North Norfolk forms part of the largest coastal nature reserve in England and Wales. Bitterns and terns, oyster catchers, avocets and marsh harriers are among the species which make North Norfolk a prime site for bird watching. And the Norfolk Wildlife Trust has several reserves along the coastal strip.

Further along the coast At Salthouse Marshes, a shingle bank protects the coastal grazing marshes and saltwater lagoons from the voracious appetite of the North Sea. Bird watchers can look out for black-tailed godwits, ruffs, redshanks, and snow buntings as well as several thousand Brent geese in the winter months.

For those seeking sophisticated exclusivity, the villages of North Norfolk, including Burnham Market, Blakeney and Cley-next-the Sea, offer stylish shops and award-winning restaurants.

So, if you like the idea of a stroll along Cromer Pier, enjoying a picnic in the grounds of Blickling Hall, riding on the North Norfolk Railway’s steam engines, visiting the seals at Blakeney Point or indulging in some shopping in the picturesque market towns, North Norfolk is the place for you!