Wherever you stay in north Norfolk, there’s a beach within easy reach. From sand dunes with Hollywood credentials to elegant Victorian piers, find your idyllic seaside spot
Marvel at the red and white striped cliffs and have fun sorting the coloured stones below. When you’re ready, head back to town and enjoy an ice cream and one of Hunstanton’s famous sunsets (it’s why we call it Sunny Hunny!), in Norfolk’s only west-facing, coastal town.
While Hunstanton has the bustle of a traditional seaside town, Old Hunstanton has a more relaxed vibe with sand dunes and pretty pastel beach huts, which are perfect for relaxing with friends and family. The beach is soft white sand, with just a narrow spit of shingle that the sea has left behind as it recedes.
A hidden gem, Holme Beach is quieter than its well-known neighbours, but no less stunning. You are almost guaranteed a solitary spot to enjoy its wide-open space. As the tide goes out, small pools are perfect for younger children to splash and play in safely, within eyesight.
One of our favourite walks through salt marshes and creakes, Thornham Beach leads to RSPB Titchwell, a nature reserve with reedbeds and lagoons which attract birdwatchers year-round.
Nestled next to RSPB Titchwell, Brancaster Beach is burgeoning with wildlife making it a fantastic spot for nature lovers to catch sight of migratory birds, along with the occasional seal bobbing along during the summer months. A great spot for wind- and kitesurfing.
The backdrop for many Hollywood films, Holkham Beach is one of Norfolk’s finest. The walk from Lady Anne’s Drive leads to a majestic pine forest which then reveals its sandy beach and dunes.
Take a leisurely walk from Holkham Beach, along the sands to Wells, just 21⁄2 miles away. When you tire of the sand, head up to the quayside and try your hand at crabbing – all you need is a line, bait and bucket which you can buy from a nearby traditional seaside shop.