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3 nights on the Norfolk Coast
The Norfolk Coast is an eclectic mix of the traditional English seaside created by the Victorians, huge sandy beaches, quaint waterside villages and tidal creeks and estuaries.
Blakeney Harbour
Seals on Blakeney Point
Seal mum and pup at Blakeney Point
Cley-next-the-Sea Smokehouse
Cley-next-the-Sea Picnic Fayre
Coasthopper bus
Cromer and its Victorian pier
Felbrigg Hall, close to the sea
Georgian Holt
Morston quay
Sheringham cliffs
The Poppy Line steam railway
Sheringham High Street
About 3 nights on the Norfolk Coast
The world's last end-of-pier theatre, a heritage steam railway to a Georgian market town, a boat trip to see the largest seal colony in the British Isles, the discovery site of the best-preserved mammoth skeleton ever found, Premier League birdwatching, the highest sea views in the region, the world's longest chalk reef off which feed succulent lobsters and the eponymous Cromer crab - the Norfolk Coast has lots of superlatives.
This is also the most dynamic coast in the UK, constantly changing. Cromer was once two miles inland and the heights behind the seaside town are the result of a terminal moraine glacier from the Ice Age. The east-facing coast suffers constant erosion from storms and tidal surges, often revealing new discoveries. It was here that scientists discovered the oldest human footprints found outside the Great Rift Valley in Africa, where humans came from. That's why we call it the Deep History Coast.
There are wonderful sandy beaches to enjoy along this stretch of coast, not least Cromer, Wells-next-the-Sea and Holkham. In between you can explore soaring cliffs with panoramic sea views and tidal saltmarshes from which we take tasty shellfish. This is all part of the Norfolk Coast National Landscape.
It's not in our itinerary, but swap any day for a brilliant trip on The Poppy Line heritage steam railway from Sheringham to Holt, a charming Georgian market town with great shopping and places to eat and drink.
Places to stay recommendations
In Cromer, try Virginia Court Hotel, The Grove and Sea Marge Hotel.
Close to Sheringham are The Maltings, The Dales Country House Hotel and The Links Country Park Hotel and in the town itself The Two Lifeboats.
If your coastal trip highlight is to see the seals at Blakeney Point with Beans Boats, try The Blakeney Hotel, Blakeney House or just inland there's the The Wiveton Bell.
The Crown and The Globe Inn are on the Buttlands at Wells-next-the-Sea - both are cosy, traditional pubs with rooms and superb restaurants just a minute's walk from the harbour. Also at Wells is Pinewoods Holiday Park.
Itinerary Info
Duration
3 nights
Itinerary Schedule
Very flat, Norfolk? Don't believe it
You can travel to Cromer easily by train via Norwich and then get around using our coastal hopper bus service and on foot.
After arriving, why not clear away the cobwebs with a clifftop walk - head for the Runtons on the Norfolk Coast Path between Cromer and Sheringham, and walk to the top of Beeston Bump, 207 feet (65 metres) above sea level. At the top you'll find the remains of a World War Two Y Station, one of a chain of secret listening posts that fed Enigma intercepts to the War Office’s Bletchley Park and also a collection site for spotting incoming Luftwaffe bombers during the Battle of Britain.
If you've time go down to the beach. This is the best spot in East Anglia for rockpooling and fossil hunting. It was here in 1990 that a local couple found a large bone partly exposed at the bottom of the cliffs. Excavation revealed the best remains of a Steppe Mammoth skeleton ever found. Standing four metres high, it would have been twice the weight of any male African elephant found now in Africa, and the largest animal ever to have lived on land during the time of humans.
Britain's best birdspotting
This day depends on tides and when the boats head out to see the seals at Blakeney Point, the largest colony in the British Isles. During the summer there are two boat trips a day, one in the winter. Check times with Beans Boats.
Head to Cley Marshes for a spot of birdwatching - this is one of the best places in the UK. Enjoy the views from the award-winning visitor centre before heading out to the marshes themselves. Don't miss a walk around the lovely village of Cley-next-the-Sea and spot the iconic windmill - you can even stay there.
Enjoy a walk along the River Glaven to Blakeney, a picture postcard harbourside village, before heading to Morston, which has a National Trust cafe and public toilets.
Seals of approval
You'll embark your boat at Morston Quay, beginning the trip through pristine saltmarsh and muddy creeks that are a haven for wildlife, including brent geese, spoonbills, little egrets and marsh harriers. The knowledgeable crew will be giving a running commentary but ask questions as well.
You'll then enter the open water of Blakeney Point, a confluence of creeks and the River Glaven. Make sure you're dressed for the weather - you're going out to sea, albeit staying close to the shore.
The trip will take a bit over an hour and you can get more information with our blog Where to see the seals in Norfolk, UK. Dogs can go on the boats and are welcome at Morston, but they must be kept on short leads.
How many beach huts?
Travel to characterful Wells-next-the-Sea, a working town with harbour and good range of eateries, pubs and shops. It's possibly the best spot in Norfolk to go crabbing. It's a short walk to the beach, where there's an excellent dog-friendly cafe by the deep pine forest, and you can set off on woodland trails to The Lookout at Holkham's Lady Anne's Drive.
But it's the beach you've come for, sandy with a huge row of higgledy-piggledy, multi-coloured beach huts. How many are there? Some are available for day hire from Pinewoods Holiday Park. If it's low tide, you'll see the breaking white waves about a mile away. Take a fabulous walk to get to the end of The Run where you'll be rewarded with... absolute solitude.
A visit to Holkham
Have lunch at The Victoria on the Holkham estate before heading to the house itself. Holkham is at the very least a three-hour stay to make sure you enjoy a tour of the house and museum, a visit to the walled garden, and perhaps hire a bike to explore.
Choose a National Trust property
Before you head home, we'd suggest a trip to National Trust Sheringham Park, the personal favourite of its designer, Humphry Repton. Visit the Repton exhibition to see the story of his 1812 design. Look out for the splendid rhododendrons and azaleas and climb to the top of the two viewing towers at Gazebo to experience majestic views along the coast to Blakeney Spit.
An alternative is National Trust Felbrigg Hall & Gardens which has a fabulous walled garden and lovely country walks.
If neither of those are for you, why not end your trip with a stand up paddleboarding lesson at Sheringham.
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