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The Norfolk Coast Path offers some of England’s finest coastal walking, with wide sandy beaches, salt marshes, nature reserves, historic fishing villages and big-sky views across the North Sea. This 8-day walking holiday follows the original section of the National Trail, combining relatively straightforward, mostly flat walking with the quiet landscapes and rich wildlife of the North Norfolk coast. With few significant hills and plenty of places to stop along the way, it is an excellent choice for walkers who want to explore at a comfortable pace or those who are new to long-distance hiking. The coastline is remarkably varied. Walk through Holkham National Nature Reserve, with its sweeping beach, sand dunes and pine woods, and alongside the salt marshes of Blakeney National Nature Reserve, famous for its grey seal colonies. At Cley Marshes, one of Britain's best-known birdwatching sites, look out for avocets, marsh harriers, spoonbills and migrating birds. Spring and early summer bring wildflowers and breeding birds, while autumn is an excellent time to witness bird migration along the coast.
There is plenty of history and local character to discover. The route passes through traditional coastal villages and former medieval ports, including Wells-next-the-Sea and Blakeney, where narrow streets, old harbour buildings and welcoming pubs reflect the area's maritime heritage. Norfolk is also known for its excellent local food, particularly Cromer crab, Brancaster mussels and freshly caught seafood, served in the region's pubs, restaurants and cafés.
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Day 1
Arrive in Hunstanton
Make your way to Hunstanton on the North Norfolk coast. From London, regular direct trains run from London King's Cross to King's Lynn, taking approx 2 hrs. From King's Lynn, take the short local bus journey to Hunstanton. Known as 'Sunny Hunny', Hunstanton is a traditional Victorian seaside town famous for its distinctive red and white striped cliffs, sandy beaches and seaside promenade. Unusually for a town on England's east coast, Hunstanton faces west across The Wash, making it one of the few places in eastern England where you can watch the sun set over the sea. If you arrive early, take time to explore the seafront, enjoy a walk along the beach or settle into one of the town's pubs and restaurants before beginning your Norfolk Coast Path walk tomorrow. Accommodation: Overnight in a characterful 3-star pub hotel dating from the early Victorian period, conveniently located for exploring Hunstanton. Some rooms enjoy sea views.
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Hunstanton to Brancaster Staithe, approx 12 miles /19.3km, 5 hr
Begin your Norfolk Coast Path walk beside Hunstanton’s distinctive red and white striped cliffs, following the seafront promenade towards Old Hunstanton Beach, known for its colourful beach huts and wide stretches of sand. Continue along the coast into Holme Dunes National Nature Reserve, an important habitat for coastal birds and migrating species, so keep your binoculars handy. The route takes you through a varied landscape of sand dunes, salt marshes and coastal grassland to Thornham, an attractive village with pubs and cafés that make it a good place to stop for lunch. Continue towards Brancaster, passing the site of Branodunum, a Roman coastal fort whose outline can still be traced in the surrounding fields. Your walk finishes in Brancaster Staithe, a small harbour village overlooking the salt marshes and tidal creeks of the North Norfolk coast, known for its fishing heritage and local seafood. Accommodation: Overnight in a stylish 4-star hotel combining rustic character with modern comforts, with a restaurant specialising in locally sourced seafood.
Meals: B
Day 3
Brancaster Staithe to Burnham Overy Staithe 4.3 miles / 7km, 2.5-3 hr
Today is a shorter walking day, allowing time for a leisurely start or perhaps an optional boat trip to Scolt Head Island National Nature Reserve, one of the oldest nature reserves in England and an important habitat for seabirds and seals. This is one of the most scenic sections of the Norfolk Coast Path, following the edge of salt marshes and tidal creeks, with open views towards Scolt Head Island. Keep your binoculars handy for spotting wading birds feeding along the mudflats and marshes. As you approach Burnham Overy Staithe, you'll pass the distinctive Burnham Overy Windmill, a six-storey tower mill built in 1816 to grind corn and now cared for by the National Trust. The walk finishes in this small coastal village, once a busy trading port and now known for its sailing boats, tidal harbour and views across the marshes. Accommodation: Overnight in a traditional village pub with rooms and a restaurant, known for its good food. If our preferred accommodation is unavailable, we may use an alternative in nearby Burnham Market, approximately one mile inland.
Day 4
Burnham Overy Staithe to Wells Next the Sea 11.2 km / 7 miles, 4 hr,
Today's walk follows gently undulating coastal paths alongside Holkham National Nature Reserve. At low tide, you have the option to walk along the vast sands of Holkham Beach, backed by dunes and pine woodland, before rejoining the main trail. This is one of England's finest beaches, with plenty of space and wide views across the North Sea. Continue towards Wells-next-the-Sea, passing its colourful beach huts before reaching the town's busy harbour and picturesque quay, where fishing boats still land their catches. Wells is a traditional North Norfolk seaside town, with narrow streets, independent shops, cafés and excellent seafood pubs. If time allows, explore the town or take a walk between the quay and the beach, enjoying the views across the tidal harbour. Accommodation: Overnight in a comfortable, characterful guesthouse or traditional pub hotel in Wells-next-the-Sea, conveniently located for exploring the town and its restaurants.
Day 5
Wells Next the Sea to Blakeney 7.7 miles / 12.5 km, 3-4hr
Today's walk is mostly flat, with gentle undulations, following the trail alongside salt marshes, tidal creeks and nature reserves. The open coastal landscape offers excellent opportunities for birdwatching, with views across the marshes and mudflats. Your destination is Blakeney, a historic harbour village set on a sheltered tidal creek. Once an important medieval trading port, Blakeney retains much of its traditional character, with narrow lanes, flint cottages and a picturesque quay. Look out for the distinctive Church of St Nicholas, with its unusual second tower, which once served as a landmark for sailors. Depending on the tides, weather and boat schedules, you may have time for an optional boat trip to see the grey seal colony at Blakeney Point, a long shingle spit and important wildlife reserve. Grey seals can be seen throughout the year, although the main pupping season runs from late autumn into winter. Walking to Blakeney Point is also possible, but involves a lengthy diversion across sand and shingle, with no facilities along the way. Accommodation: Overnight in a charming Victorian villa bed and breakfast, offering comfortable country-style rooms, attractive gardens and afternoon teas.
Day 6
Blakeney to Weybourne 8 miles / 13 km, 3-4hr
The first part of today's walk follows the path through a landscape of wide skies, salt marshes and tidal creeks towards Cley-next-the-Sea, a traditional flint-built village known for its nature reserve and birdlife. Beyond Cley, the scenery gradually changes as you cross shingle, heathland and open grassland around Kelling, before reaching the more rugged coastline and low cliffs near Weybourne. This stretch offers a contrast to the salt marshes of the previous days, with open views across the North Sea. Weybourne is a quieter coastal village with a slightly remote feel, set back from a shingle beach backed by cliffs. Its history includes the remains of a medieval priory and a long association with coastal defence. During the Spanish Armada of 1588, this part of the Norfolk coast was considered a possible landing site, and the area continued to play a defensive role in later centuries. Accommodation: Overnight in a beautifully restored 16th-century hotel, with stylishly refurbished rooms and excellent breakfasts.
Day 7
Weybourne to Cromer 8.5 miles / 13.7 km, 4 hr
Today is one of the most scenic sections of the Norfolk Coast Path, following clifftop paths and stretches of coastal heathland, with wide views across the North Sea. Along the way, you'll visit two of Norfolk's best-known seaside towns. The first is Sheringham, a traditional resort with a promenade, independent shops and plenty of cafés and pubs, making it a good place to stop for lunch. Continue along the coast towards Beeston Bump, a distinctive glacial hill offering panoramic views along the Norfolk coastline. From here, the landscape opens up and you can see Cromer Pier in the distance, marking the end of your walk. Arriving in Cromer, you'll find another classic Victorian seaside town, famous for its sandy beach and traditional fishing industry. Fishing boats are still launched directly from the beach, bringing in the town's renowned Cromer crabs. Take time to explore the seafront and celebrate completing your Norfolk Coast Path walk. Accommodation: Overnight in Cromer, usually in an elegant Victorian seafront hotel.
Day 8
Arrangements end after breakfast
Your walking holiday ends after breakfast. Depart Cromer at your leisure, with regular train services to Norwich, where you can connect with onward trains to London Liverpool Street and other destinations.
What's included
What's not included
You will stay in a range of hotels, inns and guesthouses, all chosen for their local character, proximity to the walking route and comfort. Rooms will usually have private bathrooms and generally a TV and tea and coffee making facilities. An English breakfast will be served and some of the accommodations have bars and restaurants specialising in locally-sourced food. Note that for the dates of your tour we may not be able to get you into the accommodation described. We will endeavour to get you into a similar standard of accommodation nearby, but please appreciate that there are limited accommodation options in rural England. Also, although we aim to get you into accommodations with ensuite rooms, this is not always possible.
The trails hugs the coast for most of the trip, and underfoot conditions can vary. There are areas of mild ascent and descent, and the elevation changes are not extreme. Trails will include sandy beaches, grassy footpaths, some sections of boardwalk and parts of the trail run along cliff edges with narrow and sandy , marshy or pebble paths. All areas can become muddy and slippery if it rains and care should be taken. A reasonable level of walking fitness is required but days are mostly quite short. We recommend cushion soled foot ware with some ankle support. Heavy boots are not necessary, but note foot ware may get wet
This walk is graded Introductory to Moderate (Grade 2) and is suitable for walkers with a reasonable level of fitness, including those new to long-distance walking. The terrain is predominantly flat, with gentle gradients and generally straightforward walking along well-defined coastal paths, grassy tracks and local footpaths. Some sections cross sandy beaches and dunes, where soft sand can make walking more tiring and slower going. Daily distances are relatively short, allowing plenty of time to explore the nature reserves, observe wildlife and visit historic coastal villages and sites along the way.
Per Person, Twin Share
The Norfolk coast is home to an abundance of wildlife and is a wonderful place for spotting seabirds especially through the spring and summer. Sedge warblers and Reed buntings can often be seen or at least heard. And you may be lucky enough to hear the boom of a Bittern. Marsh Harriers may fly over the fens and striking Advocets, a conservation success story may be sifting through the waters. There are the haunting sounds of Curlew, Wimbrel and Oyster Catchers, maybe you will see a Lapwing or two. There are coloines of grey and harbour seals and you may be lucky enough to spot porpoises and dolphins out to sea.
Compared to the rest of the UK, Norfolk's climate may be described as dry, cool and sunny. Although the Norfolk Coast is one of the driest places in England, with an average of only 500mm per year, you should be prepared for rain. Occasionally you might encounter mud on the path, particularly through agricultural areas
The Norfolk Coast Path is its own National trail is now also a part of the new King Charles III Coast Path in eastern of England. This is a new walking route that will follow the entire coast of England. The path is being opened in sections as permission of landowners is gained, rights of way improved and signage erected. When the King Charles III path is complete it will be the longest coastal path in the world.
Certainly an extra day spent in the villages such as Wells or Blakeney would be nice for a relaxing experience. Cromer also has attractions such as the Edwardian pier which has a theatre at the end where you could take in a show in season.Tides Restaurant is also situated on Cromer Pier, offering stunning sea views alongside delicious meals.This popular dining spot is known for its seafood, particularly the famous Cromer crab and fresh fish dishes. The ambiance is warm and inviting, perfect for a relaxing meal. You can dine indoors or choose an outdoor table to soak up the sea breeze. The scenic backdrop of the North Sea enhances your dining experience, making it one to remember. Then there is the “Poppy Line,” offers a delightful journey through the beautiful Norfolk countryside on aa vintage steam train. The railway runs between Cromer and Sheringham, providing a nostalgic feel of travel.
Your journey on the steam train will take you through scenic landscapes, lush fields, and along the beautiful coast.
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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