Brancaster is renowned for its wide expanse of sandy beach and has the advantage of being one of the few places along this stretch of the North Norfolk coastline that you can park the car less than 50m from the beach. This makes it a popular choice for families and as one of the driest parts of the UK it makes it an excellent choice for a traditional English seaside holiday.

Throughout the year the beach is used by dog walkers, kite-surfers and bird-watchers, and in warmer climes by paddlers, swimmers and basking seals.

For those needing more intellectual stimulus, at very low tides the remains of a petrified forest can be seen here. Brancaster was the site of the Roman fort of Branodonum, built to guard against raids by Frankish and Saxon pirates, although some local legends claim it was to counter Druids living nearby. All that is left of the fort now are a few ditches to the east of the village, and some Roman bricks in various cottages and outhouses. More recent history may be seen in St Mary’s church, a Saxon building with a characteristic round tower nearly a thousand years old. The church has some beautiful medieval stained glass, and a fifteenth century bell cast in Kings Lynn.

For the more energetic the National Trust runs Brancaster’s Millenium Activity Centre, offering sailing, orienteering and kayaking for children and parents, and just outside there is the Royal North West Norfolk Golf Club which is one of the best courses in the area.

The local pub The Ship has just been taken over by Kiwi Masterchef Chris Coubrough and will be a good quality gastropub (opens March 2010).