Norfolk in the Summertime – Part 2

From Windmill to Windmill

Following on from our last blog, we continue our hike along the Norfolk Coastal Path with ‘Norfolk in the Summertime’ – Part 2′. We hit the trail where we left off – at the windmill in the tiny village of Weybourne.

We re-joined the coastal path with the pebble beach on our right and the Salthouse Marshes to the left. There were very few people in sight apart from an occasional bird-watcher. Even in Norfolk in the summertime, it is usually possible to escape the crowds and find a quiet spot. The stretch of beach here was empty.

Remnants of World War II

We passed a group of missiles in a cordoned off area, all of which were strategically placed, aiming towards the North Sea. These are part of the Muckleburgh Military Collection, the largest private military museum in the UK. On the beach, we spotted a pillbox, used in World War II as a guard post, with a slit in it from which weapons would have been fired.

We trudged along the beach, not realising that we could have followed a circular path inland which would have required considerably less effort! The views along the coast, however, were panoramic. Eventually, with Cley-next-the-Sea in sight, we took an inland path and continued until we reached the village.

The Largest Grey Seal Colony in the UK

We followed the trail from the village, passing Cley Windmill to the right. The windmill has been converted into a hotel and apparently a stay there is a unique experience. It was built back in the early 19th century and was used for grinding corn. It is also rumoured that the windmill was a smuggler’s den back in the day.

The flat trail cut through the fields to the village of Blakeney. From there, it is possible to take a boat tour to Blakeney Point, home to England’s largest grey seal colony. The colony consists of about 500 seals which can be observed at close quarters. We purchased some refreshments at Buoy, a little coffee shop, and set off on our way across the open landscape. On one side was the Norfolk countryside and on the other the salt marshes. Indeed, at this point the hike felt more like a country walk than a coastal one, as for much of it, we couldn’t see the sea.

The Salt Marshes

We kept walking and by-passed the village of Stiffkey. Although we didn’t stop, we should mention that there’s an excellent pub in Stiffkey called the Red Lion. Apparently their speciality is the excellent freshly-caught crab that the area is known for.

The salt marshes that we walked through are a popular spot for bird-watchers who travel from all over the country and beyond. Migratory wildfowl are easily spotted and the area forms part of the Blakeney National Nature Reserve.

Walking with Alpacas

Between Stiffkey and Wells-next-the-Sea, we came face to face with a group of alpacas who were out for a stroll. Standing back to give them space to pass along the trail, they looked incredibly cute as they were led along. Alpaca Trekking arrange walks along the coastal and bridle paths of the area. Alpacas are much more friendly than llamas and don’t spit or bite, so walking with them is a much more enjoyable experience.

Wells-next-the-Sea

It was a long six miles from Blakeney to Wells-next-the-Sea, and the scenery didn’t really change. At Wells, we walked through the bustling harbour where kids were catching crabs. Families were strolling along enjoying ice cream or sitting on the wall tucking into fish n’ chips. In fact, the seaside town was brimming with people who were making the most of the hottest day of the year.

Although we took the inland path which passed through the forest, the beach at Wells-next-the-Sea is stunning. We have enjoyed walks along the vast, sweeping sandy beach many times. It is also home to a long line of photogenic and colourful beach huts which appear in paintings and photographs displayed in local shops and galleries.

Journey’s End at Holkham

We concluded our hike at beautiful Holkham Beach. Sand, sea and sky dominate, but the beach also backs onto a vast nature reserve. In fact, as its name indicates, the circular Lookout Cafe is designed as a base from which to observe wildlife. The café is also extremely ethical, only using re-cyclable packaging. Holkham was a perfect place to finish as it also happens to be our favourite beach. Norfolk in the summertime can be very busy, but the expansive beach has enough room for everyone to find a spot of their own.

The Facts

Altogether, we completed approximately 30 miles of the Norfolk Coastal Path from Cromer to Holkham. Here is the approximate mileage for each section:

Cromer to Weybourne: 10 Miles

Weybourne to Cley-next-the-Sea: 6 Miles

Cley-next-the-Sea to Holkham Beach: 14 Miles

The segment that we enjoyed most was between Cromer and Weybourne. On most of this stretch, we walked along the top of the cliffs and there were great views of the North Sea to the right and the Norfolk countryside to the left. Having said that, it was also the most crowded section of the hike, although it did became quieter between Sheringham and Weybourne.

From there, much of the remainder of the hike passed through the salt marshes until Wells-next-the-Sea. If you have the energy to trudge over the sand between Wells and Holkham, you will be rewarded with sand dunes and sea views galore.

The entire route of the Norfolk Coastal Path runs for eighty-four miles from Hunstanton to Hopton-on-Sea. For anyone thinking of hiking the whole trail, there are plenty of accomodation options on route including campsites, caravans, B&B’s and hotels, not to mention the windmill at Cley-next-the-Sea. The path should take 3-5 days depending on experience and how much walking you want to pack into each day.