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In Norfolk, we are inundated with serene views, good weather (or at least we hope!) and great people. Yet, many locations fall somewhat to the wayside because they do not get nearly enough recognition as wonderful places. So today, I shall be giving you a few ideas for your next trip to this ethereal county.
#1 Horsey Windpump & Winterton: These wonderful locations were ravaged, as all of Norfolk’s coast was, during the storms of 2013, which saw rampant endangerment of Horsey’s and Winterton’s most recognisable and numerous creatures; the Grey Seal. With a weekly count being carried out by the Friends of Horsey Seals, these animals are rarely out of the public eye. With hundreds of baby seals on the beaches of Horsey, you can understand why they are cared for with such fervency. Of course, where there are baby seals there are adult seals, and with over a thousand counted on the beaches of Winterton, you’ll rarely struggle to see at least a few seals. I myself, have swam with the seals of these waters, one getting so close as to gently graze my foot.
Their breeding season takes place from November to January, and as such I must ask that should you visit Horsey and/or Winterton, you do not approach any of the seals on the beach, and keep your dogs on a lead while around seal breeding areas. If you see a lone seal on the beach and are concerned, especially baby seals, call Friends of Horsey Seals on 07706 314514 (emergency number) or the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.
#2 Bacton & Walcott: I cannot write about Bacton without writing about Walcott, because if you visit Bacton you’ll most likely go to Walcott. A pair of villages that shot into notoriety after the Sandscaping scheme of 2019, in an attempt to stop the sea pummelling the sea wall and the properties along it. This scheme highly increased tourism in the area, I remember seeing the first new tourists trickle onto our lovely beach. With a temperate climate and many amenities, Bacton and Walcott are the perfect little villages to do a beach day at. With a large car park (seasonal), village shop and a knockout chippy, you’ll certainly make moments to remember. For any fans of local paranormal activity, check out Bacton Woods, it is said that you can, at times, see the ghost of a murderer stalking through the woods. Crazy folklore….. or true story?
As with Winterton and Horsey, Bacton has seals that occasionally join the beach, so remember to keep distance. Due to local regulation, there are parts of the beach that dogs are not allowed to be present on from May 1st to September 31st so remember to keep an eye out for the signs that are dotted along the sea wall.
#3 Mundesley: This clifftop village is a wonderful paradise secreted on the Norfolk coast. Surfing, swimming and lounging alike, Mundesley has a large beach with enough space for whatever your heart desires, and a selection of eateries for whatever your stomach craves. Got a hankering for some seafood? Visit The Lobster Pot, with adjacent parking and reasonable prices, you cannot go wrong. One of my favourite things about Mundesley is the arcade, which is conjoined with an ice cream parlour and cafe. The Mundesley cliffs are designated as a County Wildlife Site, this is down to the birds which nest there. Mundesley itself is also surrounded by what is considered an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the centre of Mundesley itself is a conservation area. But, enough of my technical mumbo jumbo. Mundesley is a spectacular place to go with your kids, or even on your own.
Interlude: I wanted to take this paragraph to talk about individual locations that I personally find brilliant in Norfolk. Firstly, my favourite place to go in Norfolk is Muckleburgh Tank Museum, this is my star subject as I love history, but my favourite specific subject is tanks, and there are plenty at Muckleburgh. It is the largest private collection in the UK, from T34s to Shermans and 88mm cannons alike, it is a historians dream. However, if you have young ones and they do not care for history, by all means check out the brilliance that is BeWILDerwood, a self proclaimed “curious tree-house adventure”, it is good for all ages, as kids can do activities ranging from building dens to carving wooden spoons to lazing about in the large rope nets.
#4 Happisburgh: This stunning village (pronounced Haysbruh, or so I am told) has a population of over 2 thousand, and is exceedingly popular for one hobby in particular; beach combing. Due to heavy erosion along this strip of coast, combing is a lucrative hobby. On this very coast, combers have found everything from Jet to flint hand-axes and even, most famously, mammoth teeth. This coast is peppered with intriguing artefacts from bygone ages, my good mother once found a 50 caliber shell on this coast, made in 1942. As long as you stay attentive, and have an eye for detail, you’re bound to find an interesting piece of Norfolk history. If, however, you do not like combing and would rather metal detect, you can absolutely find unique items, such as, in 1983, an Edward III groat was found not too far from the Happisburgh cliffs. If you go to Happisburgh, happy hunting!
#5 Cromer: the most famous location on the list, no trip to Norfolk is complete without a trip to Cromer. Where do you begin when talking about Cromer? Let’s start with Cromer Pier, a landmark that can be seen for miles. My father always used to tell me the stories of when his parents owned a caravan at East Runton, that he used to walk from East Runton to Overstrand. Having done this walk myself, I can tell you that it is a spectacular walk and you can gauge how far you have to walk by looking for the pier. At the tip of Cromer Pier you have the lifeboat house, which has free entry. A building of massive historical importance and necessity to this day. Walking through Cromer, you have a grand selection of restaurants and pubs alike. One of the most popular is No. 1, which is a fish and chip shop by the sea front. Lines for this place often go out the door, so get in early to taste their chips! Not 2 minutes away from No. 1 is there an ice cream shop, so if you want a cold and tasty treat, be sure to visit Windows Ice Cream (no, they do not provide computer support)! Seafood is for sale in many locations over the Cromer area, and you can even buy direct from the fisherman. Indulge in the world famous Cromer crabs, with a deep, rich crab flavour that is hitherto unrivalled!
Wherever you choose to go for your next holiday, remember East Coast Hideaways and our luxury self catering holiday homes!