Famed for its dramatic skies and vast expanses, most of the Norfolk coastline is a designated area of outstanding beauty, internationally renowned for its prolific birdlife. Historic villages provide cultural interludes to the peace and tranquillity of this scenic coastal walk.

Detailed information

	Detailed itinerary
	Dates and prices
	Average temperatures
	Travel Information

Detailed itinerary

46 miles with 8 - 12 miles each day, minimal ascent on most days, with 750ft of ascent on the final day.

ITINERARY - 6 nights
Day 1: Arrival day
After the evening meal your leader will give you an introductory briefing to the walk.

From Thornham our route heads inland ascending through a lonely landscape, before approaching Brancaster along a country lane. Brancaster is a popular sailing centre and once had a regular sea trade in coal and grain and what is believed to have been one of the largest malthouses in the country.

Day 3: Brancaster to Wells next the Sea
Distance: 19km (12 miles)
From Brancaster we head into Nelson country, a world of birds, creeks, wind and sky. The area oozes reminiscences of the sea, with inns such as 'The Nelson, The Victory and The Trafalger. England's famous seaman, Horatio Nelson was born at Burnham Thorpe in 1758. In 1771 he joined HMS Raisonnable and 7 years later returned to Burnham Thorpe with his wife, Fanny, to live quietly. However in 1793 he was appointed captain of the Agamemnon, and by the time he landed at Great Yarmouth in 1800, with Sir William and Lady Hamilton (Nelson's mistress), following a host of daring escapades, he was a hero. A decade after his death his daughter, Horatia, returned to Burnham Market to stay with Nelson's sister and later married the curate there.

At Burnham Deepdale we follow the wide sweep of the sea bank stretching towards Scolt Head and Gun Hill before the marvellous vista of Holkham Bay opens up before us. It is the largest nature reserve in England and Wales. From Gun Hill it stretches towards the distant skyline and an expanse of sea and sand shimmers in the sun. We finish our walking today in Wells next the Sea, a fascinating mixture of old and new. Slightly out of the town is the Wells and Walsingham Light Railway, the longest 10 inch gauge railway in Britain. Between spring and autumn it makes the 8 mile return journey along the old Great Eastern Railway trackbed to Walsingham, an important monastic centre in the Middle Ages.

Day 4: Wells next the Sea to Blakeney
Distance: 13km (8 miles)
As we leave Wells next the Sea, salt marshes begin to dominate the landscape as we walk along paths of springy turf. The flint village of Stiffkey is only 1km off our footpath and famous for 2 things, its cockles and a former parson. The cockles known as 'Stewkey Blues' used to be gathered by the women of the village, but the fishery declined in the 1950s. The parson Rev Harold Davidson was involved in a famous scandal in the 1930s. Spending much of his time in Soho, Davidson became known as the 'prostitutes parson'. He embarked on a campaign to clear his name which involved appearing in a music hall, sitting in a barrel on Blackpool's Golden Mile, and in a lion's cage in Skegness. He died after been mauled by a lion. Continuing along the coast, Morston village hides away until the very last moment and is a popular place. Ahead the footpath zig zags alongside Agar Creek and the cobbled cottages of Blakeney come into view

Day 5: Blakeney to Weybourne
Distance: 13km (8miles)
A delightful couple of miles await us along the top of the sea bank, curving out towards Blakeney Eye. The views are stunning and a sense of solitude prevails. Cley next the Sea and its distinctive windmill slowly come into view. Cley was a port from where wool from Norfolk sheep was shipped to the Low Countries in the 13th century. By 1855, due to various reasons, the port fell into serious decline and even smuggling petered out. From Cley the sound of waves is our constant companion and if we are lucky, exquisite vegetation such as sea holly and yellow horned poppy may be spotted. The shingle of Weybourne Hope signals we are nearly at the end of our day. The water is very clear but swimming here is not recommended. The water is extremely deep and is the only place on the Norfolk coast thought to be deep enough for submarines to approach in World War II . From the coast a short walk brings us to Weybourne, an old-world village with flint houses.

Day 6: Wybourne to Cromer
Distance: 13km (8miles)
Our final walk commences with an energising cliff walk. Climbing Skelding Hill to the old coastguard lookout, the views are impressive as we start our descent to Sheringham. Sheringham is renowned for its lobsters, crabs and whelks and local fisherman still set their crab pots as they have done for generations. With no natural harbour the boats are hauled up on to the beach with their catch. Beeston Hill on the outskirts of Sheringham marks the end of our coastal walking for this holiday and we head inland towards the ruins of the 13th century priory of St Mary in the Meadow. Walking through the forest we reach the highest elevation in Norfolk at 105 metres (346ft)! Another couple of miles and we reach the sparkling sea of Cromer and celebrate our journeys end, maybe on the famous Edwardian pier.

Day 7: Depart after breakfast

Fitness
We want you to be confident that you can meet the demands of this walk and get the most out of your holiday. The walking day is normally 6-7 hours and it is important for your own enjoyment, and that of your fellow guests that you can maintain the pace.

Baggage Transport
Transport of your luggage will be arranged by us through local operators and is of course, included in your holiday price. It would be appreciated if you limited your luggage to one medium sized bag, rucksack or suitcase. Because the final hotel is so close to the rail station a transfer is not included.

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Dates and prices

Single supplement: £16 per night

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Average temperatures

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Travel Information

Travel by rail: Travelling by train is a convenient method of travel. For further information and train times visit www.nationalrail.co.uk or call 08457 48 49 50 (from overseas call ++44 020 7278 5240).

Holiday Start: The nearest station to the start of the holiday is at Kings Lynn. There are direct trains every hour from London King’s Cross to Kings Lynn, with the journey taking hr 35mins. A transfer to the first hotel leaves Kings Lynn railway station in the late afternoon (times to be supplied in your final despatch). Our first hotel is located in the village of Old Hunstanton, a 40-minute drive from Kings Lynn train station.

Holiday Finish: Our last hotel is in Cromer approximately a mile from Cromer railway station. The hotel staff will be happy to arrange a taxi transfer where required. Cromer is situated on a branch line with hourly trains to Norwich, from where there are regular trains on to London and the rest of the UK.

Travel by Car: It is possible to leave your car in the hotel car park in Old Hunstanton for the duration of the holiday. A transfer is not provided for those wishing to return to their car, however this journey is possible by public transport. From Cromer there are very regular buses (several each hour) to the nearby resort of Sheringham; journey time 10-15 minutes. Timetables are available at www.traveline.org.uk. From Cromer the ‘Coasthopper’ bus runs every hour from Sheringham to Old Hunstanton; journey time 1hr 20 mins - see www.norfolkgreen.co.uk

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