Where to Holiday in North Norfolk, East England
From Cromer to Hunstanton, via Wells, Holt, Cley, Blakeney, Burnham
Aug 27, 2009
The North Norfolk coast is one of the most magical parts of East England, stretching roughly from Cromer in the east to Hunstanton in the west. Both those are busy holiday resorts, popular with families and with plenty to do.
So too is Sheringham, and to a lesser extent Wells-next-the-Sea, but not all the North Norfolk towns are like that. Towns like Cley-next-the-Sea and Blakeney are much smaller and quieter, with a lot to attract birdwatchers and others interested in wildlife and walking.
Slightly inland from the North Norfolk coast are small but sophisticated towns like Burnham Market and Holt. Here are bookshops and upmarket shopping, delis and fine restaurants, and smart hotels like Byfords in Holt, which calls itself a 'posh b&b'.
Here are the main places to think about when planning where to holiday in North Norfolk:
Cromer in North Norfolk
Famous for its Cromer crabs and other seafood, here's the place to try fish and chips too. Cromer has an excellent beach and dramatic cliffs, and is the place to choose if you want a typically busy British seaside resort.
Sheringham on the North Norfolk Coast
Just a few miles west of Cromer, Sheringham is a similar-sized seaside resort, also a good place for fish and chips and family fun. Escape the seaside frenzy south of the town to Sheringham Park, a magnificent landscaped park and gardens covering an area of 770 acres and run by the National Trust.
Holt: Shopping and Sophistication
Holt is about three miles inland from the coast road and is a lovely little town, with good shopping and more sophistication about it than resorts like Cromer and Sheringham. Instead of seaside guesthouses and rather fading hotels, for accommodation options Holt can offer places like Byfords, a 'posh b&b' (more akin to a boutique hotel), with its own smart deli and restaurant.
Cley-next-the-Sea on the North Norfolk Coast
Cley (pronounced to rhyme with 'eye') is a delightful little village, that is no longer 'next-the-sea'. Coastal land here has been reclaimed so that the village is now inland, and it appeals to birdwatchers, wildlife lovers and walkers. The marshes around here are a haven for wildlife, and Cley is in the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Blakeney: Bird Watching and Boat Trips
From Cley it's possible to walk along the coast and through the marshes to the equally delightful little Blakeney. Its small and beautiful harbour attracts children who like to go crabbing and fishing, dangling their bait in the water and hoping to fill the buckets by their side. From here too there are regular boat trips to see the seals that live offshore.
Wells-next-the-Sea on the North Norfolk Coast
Seven miles west of peaceful Blakeney is busy little Wells-next-the-Sea which is a bustling seaside resort with many attractive old houses. There's a beach and a harbour, and a train running between the two in high season. A local delicacy is samphire, an edible plant that grows in the salt marshes.
Burnham Market, or Chelsea-next-the-Sea
Burnham market is about a mile inland and is one of several nearby towns and villages with the name 'Burnham' in them (Lord Nelson was born down the road in Burnham Thorpe.) Burnham Market is a smart and busy town, with good restaurants and a well-to-do air about it. So many Londoners have holiday homes round here that it is sometimes referred to as Chelsea-next-the-Sea.
Hunstanton: Seaside Family Fun
Hunstanton has the distinction of being on the east coast of England but facing west across the Wash. It has sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs and is a mix of old-fashioned Victorian seaside resort and a brash modern place with amusement arcades and good family fun. About eight miles south of Hunstanton is Sandringham House, owned by the Royal Family and where the Queen traditionally spends Christmas.
Where to Stay on the North Norfolk Coast
Read about Byfords in Holt, a recommended North Norfolk hotel.
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