Norfolk Coast Path: A Coast of Contrasts

Cadw yn Fy Rycsac

Norfolk Coast Path: Blakeney - Cromer

A gentle coastal walk from the whispering reedbeds of Cley and Blakeney to the elegant Victorian seaside resorts of Sheringham and Cromer. Discover the abundant wildlife making its home on the wildest stretch of the Norfolk Coast, browse among independent galleries and boutiques and sample some of the finest seafood the English coast has to offer.

A short three-day walk which showcases the stark contrasts to be found in this quiet corner of England. Start your adventure on the tip of a lonely peninsula where hundreds of seals haul themselves out onto the remote beaches and seabirds wheel on the salty breeze overhead. Revel in the silence and solitude of the saltmarshes where the only sounds are the crashing of waves on the shingle beach and the whistling of the wind through the reedbeds. Indulge in a spot of fine dining in the stylish surroundings of Michelin-starred Morston Hall or pick up a bag of smoked prawns and enjoy a simple picnic on the beach. Take a detour inland on a wonderfully restored steam train to browse among the shops of the picturesque old town of Holt then continue over the undulating sea cliffs to the genteel coastal resort of Cromer – crustacean capital of England. Collect a fresh crab sandwich and wander along to the end of the pier to savour the definitive English seaside experience.

Tour Overview

The icons below highlight the distance, difficulty and theme of this itinerary.

Distance

23km

Number of Days

Grade

Gentle

Theme

Coastal / Food & Drink / Nature

Landscape Type

By Water / Rolling Countryside

Norfolk Coast Path: Blakeney - Cromer

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Itinerary

The perfect route for a long weekend walking break, this compact three-day itinerary offers a tantalising taste of Norfolk and includes ample time for further exploration. Extending from the wildest stretch of the North Norfolk Coast to the bustling resort of Cromer, the contrast between the landscapes could not be starker.

Day 1 Morston, Blakeney & Cley-Next-The-Sea

From Morston Quay, board a traditional wooden boat to visit England’s largest seal colony at Blakeney Point, then, back on dry land walk along the floodbank east to Blakeney – once a medieval port connecting England to the Netherlands and beyond. Continue on the coast path through the reedbeds to the village of Cley-next-the-Sea. Sample the delights of the wonderful deli and visit the Cley Smokehouse for kippers, salmon and the sweetest smoked prawns before moving on to Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s striking eco-friendly visitor centre, for some of the best bird-watching in Britain. 8km / 5 miles

Day 2 Sheringham to Holt

Ride in style through North Norfolk’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the historic Poppy Line to the lovely Georgian town of Holt with its abundance of stylish cafes, craft shops, galleries, antique shops and elegant boutiques. Stock up for an opulent picnic at Byfords or at Bakers & Larners, home to the region’s most impressive selection of food and drink. Take your picnic on the train to Kelling Heath and follow the footpath north across the heath to the shingle beach. Follow the National Trail east for a mile (1.6km), then turn inland to the village of Weybourne. Catch the Coasthopper bus or return to Sherringham with one final leg on the Poppy Line. 6.5km / 4miles

Day 3 Sheringham to Cromer

From the old fishing port of Sheringham, continue east on the path to West Runton, where the views of Cromer’s church tower and the pier frame your destination. On reaching Cromer, climb the tower of St Peter and St Paul church, the highest of all the Norfolk church towers, then visit the informative museum next door, where you’ll encounter stories of fishermen and the legendary local lifeboatmen. Cromer crab is the nationally renowned delicacy here, so a crab sandwich is de rigueur and as evening descends, take a final stroll along the promenade amidst the artwork illuminations. 8km / 5miles

Accommodation

Accommodation on this stretch of the Norfolk coast is abundant and varied, ranging from comfortable campsites to cosy B&Bs and upmarket hotels at both ends of our route. The Coasthopper bus service makes walking each section from a single base perfectly feasible.

Travel

Air / Rail

Train from Stansted Airport via Ely to Kings Lynn (1hr 40mins). Eurostar to London St Pancras then train to Kings Lynn or fly from Schiphol to Norwich International followed by train to Sheringham.

Ferries

Stena Line’s Dutchflyer Rail & Sail service provides city-to-city travel by rail and ferry from Amsterdam/Rotterdam to Norwich, via Harwich International. Then either take a train or bus to north Norfolk.

Bus

The trail is well-served by the dependable Coasthopper bus service, making it easy to try a different walk every day from a fixed accommodation base or hop on and off the trail to explore whichever sections appeal.

Advice

The walking on this coast is undemanding but rewarding and these itineraries are designed to combine walking with sight-seeing on foot or by using the Coasthopper bus service. The path can be walked all year round and in the summer months, sunscreen is likely to be more important than stout walking boots.

Food & Drink

This stretch of the Norfolk coast can lay legitimate claim to offering some of the best seafood on the east coast. Cromer crab sandwiches are a national institution while the smoked prawns on offer at Cley Smokehouse are the sweetest you’ll ever taste. Cookies Crab Shop at Salthouse is another local favourite and the delicatessens in Cley and Holt stock some of the region’s finest produce. The elegant surroundings of Morston Hall combine Michelin-starred sparkle with the very best seasonal, local ingredients to mouthwatering effect.