Why You Should Visit the Norfolk Coast

In this post-pandemic world, holidaying in the UK has boomed, becoming the new norm for those wanting to get away. With so many options, from the wilds of the Scottish highlands to the tourist hotspots of Cornwall, Chrissie Bristow makes the case for the beautiful coastal county of Norfolk.

Norfolk is a part of the UK that attracts people from all walks of life, up and down the country with its spectacular beaches, countryside, harbours and coastal towns. It’s part of the country I’ve been lucky enough to grow up in, and I have spent many days wandering its beaches. Being a younger local in the area, I never used to appreciate Norfolk for the stunning area it is, and it was only when I went away to university that I realised the beauty of the place that I lived in. Norfolk is an area that everyone should be able to enjoy at least once in their life.

The Norfolk coast harbours many beautiful towns, each with a unique community and way of life. My home town of Heacham brings a slower pace of life and a sense of community. It’s a town where everyone knows everyone, and the tourists are welcomed into the area through the pubs, beaches and caravan sites.

Being a smaller town, it allows everyone to enjoy the nature of the Norfolk coast a little more without the busy crowds of the summer. Heacham is where I often go paddleboarding; the prom allows for an easy launch, and you can easily head to the cliffs at Hunstanton and paddle around there. It’s a stunning paddle out.

The promenade also connects to Hunstanton, allowing you to walk from a calmer area of the Norfolk coast to the hustle and bustle of the popular seafront town.

One of the first coastal towns I visited while living in Norfolk was Hunstanton, one of the main seaside centres that brings in tens of thousands of tourists annually. Hunstanton has many attractions, from famous red and white cliffs to man-made attractions like amusement parks and arcades.

One of the best things about this town is that there is always something to do: grab a coffee at one of the many brilliant cafes, go for a walk along the prom or by the bottom of the cliffs at low tide, head out for a swim, or go out on the paddleboards.

I loved the place growing up, but even as I got older, I could never turn down a night in Hunstanton’s amusement park. There’s something different about being able to go on rides by the sea: the rainbow lights, the sound of the sea, and the genuine joy in people’s laughter.

Wells-next-the-Sea is the next best-known town along the coast, but there are some small towns along the way that hold their own unique appeal.

Thornham is a highlight; not only does this town have a couple of beautiful family pubs and Thornham Deli — definitely one of the best places for a hot chocolate — but the town holds a beautiful little harbour with weathered ropes and jetties and worn fishing boats waiting for the next high tide.

The whole harbour is brimming with character, with the coal house adding an extra touch of history to the area. It used to be a place for smugglers along the Norfolk coastline, but now it’s somewhere I go to just sit alone and watch the tide come and go.

Wells is one of the most beautiful towns along the Norfolk coast. The town overlooks the harbour, where fishing boats come and go each morning with the tides. The granary adds contrast to the quay, which is one of my favourite areas, watching the boats come and go, the tide rising and falling across the marsh.

In summer, you can often see people crabbing here. A couple of tips if you do go crabbing, though: use saltwater in the buckets, do not leave the buckets and wires along the quay, and buy eco-friendly crabbing kits, which you can buy in some shops in the area. Plastic does not need to go into the ocean, so take it home or bin it.

Wells Beach is a fantastic place to go swimming or rent out a little beach hut. The beach huts themselves add a stunning shade of rainbow as a backdrop to summer days well spent.

Pinewoods is also an excellent little walk if you’ve spent your day down the beach and looking to get out of the sun. I often grab breakfast here at one of the many amazing cafes and then head down to either the beach or East Quay.

I was lucky enough to attend high school in Wells and continue working in that little town afterwards.  I have so many memories of coming out of high school, wandering around the town, going to the shops, grabbing snacks, and then heading down to East Quay or the beach. One of my favourite times in Wells is when I need to be at work super early, and the tide is just coming in. Hours can be spent in the seaside town, and it’s highly recommended if you want a day by the Norfolk coast.

From Wells, most people might continue onto Sheringham and Cromer as these are the next towns along the coast, attracting larger summer crowds. However, just like with Wells, there are some coastal towns along the way that deserve some recognition.

Last year, I discovered Stiffkey. Whilst I had driven through it many times, I had never actually stopped and had a look around; I never saw the point. How wrong I was. I have fallen in love with Stiffkey, and so many people would if they took the time to explore it. Stiffkey is a little haven full of nature and hidden little coves where small boats are hidden. If you walk towards Stiffkey Greens, there are some beautiful boats scattered around the marshes, which make for stunning photos.

Stiffkey also has its famous Five Bridges, which take you out from the salt marshes and to the beach and make a fun difference to an afternoon coastal walk. If you know your way around Stiffkey Saltmarsh, some secret swimming spots are hidden between the creeks towards Wells. Furthermore, Stiffkey stores do an amazing hot chocolate, which is the best company on colder summer days.

My favourite thing to do in Stiffkey is to find the wooden signpost in the middle of the footpath before the Salt Marshes, and each time, walk a little bit further left or right and discover new little spots. Stiffkey is definitely going to be the place I go to the most in summer.

Further down the coastal road from Stiffkey lies Salthouse, a tiny little town with a small hall and a stony beach. It doesn’t seem like much, but maybe this is the lure of this coastal spot. I have only recently discovered Salthouse after a friend introduced me to it. I find it so peaceful here. As the beach is stone, there usually aren’t that many people around, but on some days the beach can be lined with fisherman trying their luck. It’s interesting to watch, though, seeing what they reel in.

Further down the beach towards Sheringham is a small cliff-type hill where you can walk up and sit with a coffee. Here, you can enjoy a better coast view, with the best views towards Sheringham. With this little spot being quieter, it will also be a little swimming spot for me in summer after work and especially with the beach being stony, there isn’t the annoyance of sand — what a bonus!

The Norfolk coast is beautiful, and there is no doubt about it. It is a different way of life, but it is a beautiful one. Norfolk is a place that everyone should go to enjoy and relax. The smaller towns should be explored more, and the independent shops of the bigger towns should be supported.