Gillies

Harbour/Beach

A picturesque fishing and sailing harbour with multiple winding tidal creeks and salt marshes stretching from the harbour side and leading to sand dunes: the biggest known as Gun Hill. From Burnham Overy Staithe you can take a scenic walk to Gun Hill which takes about half an hour. In the summer there is lovely wildlife to be spotted including wading birds and beautiful butterflies. A gap in the dunes, locally known as Burnham Harbour, opens up and there are miles of golden sandy beaches stretching out towards Holkham and Wells to be admired. During the summer there is a ferry out to the nature reserve of Scolt Head Island which is a lovely trip for bird watchers and seal spotters.

Village

An area of outstanding natural beauty, the village is a large hamlet and a great destination for your stay. The views across the harbour are lovely whatever time of year you decide to visit. There is a great little gastro pub in the centre of the village called The Hero (in honour of Admiral Lord Nelson) which has a great menu of tasty dishes. Also, in the centre of the village there is a large playing field with hard tennis courts and basketball area and a children’s playground. Just outside the village is the noticeable landmark of the stunning six-storey Burnham Overy Windmill and neighbouring watermill, although neither are open to the public, they stand proud on the edge of the village, a beautiful sight when the sun catches the sails against Norfolk's big blue skies. In June Burnham Overy Staithe hosts the popular Norfolk Superhero Challenge, a quadraphonic event where teams of 2 work together to swim, kayak, cycle and run across the beaches and through the creeks. A lovely charity event to spectate. To pop to one of the other coastal villages you can catch the Coasthopper Bus which runs along the coast through many of the delightful villages and seaside towns - a great green way to explore the coast and without the worry of where to park!

History

Part of Burnham Overy was the original port for The Burnhams and set on the river Burn. Trading ships once reached the village by the river until the end of the Middle Ages when the river silted up and along with it the commercial trade. Until the end of the First World War the trading ships used the Staithe. This made a distinction between the two villages Burnham Overy Town and Burnham Overy Staithe that exist a mile apart from one another today. The most notable resident of Burnham Overy Staithe is Richard Woodget who resided at one of our cottages Flagstaff East/West and was the captain of the Cutty Sark. Horatio, Admiral Lord Nelson according to letters learned to row and sail a dinghy at Burnham Overy Staithe at the age of 10 just two years before joining the Navy.

Visit

A great central location on the north Norfolk Coast right on the coastal path ideal for popping on your walking books and walking for about 30 minutes to reach the glorious wide open beach. If you are looking for family days out there are the beaches of Wells and Brancaster where you can park nearby and reach the beaches within a few steps.