The North-Norfolk Coastline

All this sunshine has got me thinking about going to the beach. The Norfolk coast is one of my favourite places to go and see the sea (because we all need to see the sea sometimes).

I have some very happy childhood memories of plunging into the North Sea in Happisburgh (which is actually pronounced hays-bruh, confusingly) and walking along the pier in Cromer. Norfolk has over 90 miles of unbroken coastline, some of it a bit touristy, but a lot of it is rugged, unspoilt and bloody gorgeous in the sunshine.

The following are two of my favourite spots along the north Norfolk coast; they are around a half-hour drive from each other, so make a nice itinerary for a weekend away:

Brancaster

Brancaster is bracing whatever time of the year: take plenty of layers with you because that sneaky wind can chill your bones. But it is miles and miles of white sand, with little pools of seawater with shells and seaweed that get warm enough that you can dip your toes in and not worry about losing a toe to hypothermia.

The wind also makes it a great place for surfing and wind-surfing etc. with some brave bodies always out on the water enjoying the waves.

I love Brancaster for the shells: I’ve not seen a beach in the UK so strewn with so many different types, all so beautiful and delicate.

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Brancaster is perfect for a walk with the dog (a walk which can be as long or as short as you like – the sand goes on and on and on), and a hot chocolate.

Wells-next-the-Sea

Think: lobster pots on the harbour. Think: golden sand dunes. Think: beach huts. All with that salty smell of the sea air.

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Wells-next-the-Sea can be a lovely day trip, but to truly enjoy it you should stay the night. Stay at The Globe Inn (no affiliation, I just had a really great stay there). The village is quiet but there are some lovely shops to walk round (including some independent art shops that are definitely worth a look at) and there are plenty of places for fish and chips or seafood. The rooms at the Inn are modern and set around a courtyard with tables which catches the sun and makes it a fab place to have drinks. The food here is also really good.

From Wells-next-the-Sea, it’s a ten-minute walk from the harbour to the beach and you walk past the sailing school to get there which is always fun to watch.

The beach is the rugged coastline that Norfolk does best. It’s got a sense of the wild to it from the little tufts of grass that pop up by the dunes and the pine trees that run along it. But the sand is soft to walk on and there is a lagoon which is good fun to try and wade across at the shallower bits.

You could spend all day at the beach exploring. Why wouldn’t you? You could inspect all the famous beach huts which are painted in every imaginable colour and pattern. Each one unique and thoroughly charming. You will take so many photos because you’ll think that you’ve seen the best one but then you’ll see another that’s even prettier.

The beach is part of the Holkham Estate and, if you want a break from the sand, the park is also really fun to walk round. Take some sandwiches and have a picnic overlooking the house and look out for deer and pheasants as you go.

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For my next trip to Norfolk, I would like to explore the Broads. I would especially like to do this by taking a gin cruise (yes, such a thing exists!) Have you been to the Norfolk Broads or to either of the beaches above? Let me know what you thought!