The North Norfolk Coast offers some of the most dramatic scenery in England, with open skies, salt marshes and sweeping sand beaches. This scenic route takes you along the A149 Coast Road through the Norfolk Coast National Landscape. There are around 40-50 miles between Hunstanton and Cromer. Take your time as there are lots to see along the way with flint villages, seal colonies and seaside towns. Here are 10 places to stop.
1. Hunstanton
This popular West facing resort is known as Sunny Hunny. With the iconic red and white chalk cliffs, long sandy beach and sunset views over the Wash. It will give you the classic seaside feel.
2.Holme-next-the-Sea
This peaceful nature reserve managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust has dunes, salt marshes, pine forests and reed beds. It’s great for seeing wading birds and wildfowl. Perfect for a peaceful beginning to your bird watching. You can take your time to explore.
3. Brancaster & Brancaster Staithe
This peaceful village has a wide tidal beach, dunes and salt marshes. This gives a more local feel than the larger resorts. Great for long walks and watching the tide. A peaceful location.
4. Holkham Beach & Holkham Hall
Often referred to as one of the best beaches in the country. Holkham has huge stretches of golden sands and pinewoods. Just nearby you can visit Holkham Hall which is an 18th Century hall. It has deer, landscaped gardens and estate walks. You can park in Lady Anne’s Drive. Be sure to get there early in the summer when parking can be scarce.
5. Wells-next-the-Sea
This picturesque seaside town has brightly coloured stilts beach huts and a busy quay. It’s perfect for crabbing and fish and chips. Pinewoods lead down to the beach and is easily linked to Holkham.
6.Burnham Market
Just a short detour inland. This beautiful Georgian village is sometimes called Chelsea-on-Sea. The village is full of boutique shops, galleries and cafes. It has a very upmarket yet relaxed feel with a village green in the centre. Definitely worth the short journey.
7.Blakeney & Morston Quay
Take a boat trip to Blakeney Point which has the largest grey seal colony in England. Thousands of seals live here all year round and seal pups come in Winter. It also has great salt marshes to walk.
8. Cley-next-the-Sea
This village has such a classic North Norfolk feel with its iconic windmill and flint cottages. Cley Marshes Nature Reserve is one of the best bird watching spots in the UK. It also has lots of delis and smokehouses.
9.Sheringham
This traditional seaside town has a sandy and shingle beach, steam train and access to the cliffs of the Deep History Coast. It makes a great base for walking to Weybourne or Cromer on the Norfolk Coast Path.
10.Cromer
This Victorian resort is the end of your trip. It has a grade II listed pier which has one of the last end of the pier shows. It has amazing cliffs, sandy beach and famous Cromer crabs. It is a great way to finish your trip. There are some prehistoric finds nearby at West Runton.
