No time for lounging around

Whatever the time of year, there is always much to see and explore on the Norfolk Coastal Path stretching from Hunstanton to Sea Palling, passing through an area known for its outstanding natural beauty.

Stroll though dunes and nature reserves, along firm flat paths and cliffs or head down to the beach. It is a perfect dog walking area, although there are areas where dogs need to be kept on leads to protect wildlife. Overnight accommodation is readily

Norfolk

Feathers in Holt allowing visitors to relax en route. Holme, Brancaster Staithe and Salthouse are good locations for walks through the mudflats and saltmarshes, teeming with wildlife. At Cley, the route takes you through the Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s oldest nature reserve attracting vast numbers of migrating birds in wintertime as well as marsh harriers and bitterns. Watch out for sand martins in the cliff faces around Weybourne.

Take a boat trip at Morston Quay to see the UK’s biggest colony of grey and common seals, before stopping off at the Blakeney Point National Nature

Reserve. This shingle spit is home to countless birds including plovers, oystercatchers, lapwings, bearded tits and reed warblers. Vast expanses of sandy beaches, especially near Hunstanton and Holkham, are popular destinations along the North Norfolk Coastal Path. Each summer, the Household Cavalry bring their horses for a gallop along the beach allowing the horses to have a holiday away from London streets. At low tide these beaches can stretch for miles, interspersed with sandy spits and salt-water lagoons. Take care not to get marooned on those spits, as the tide can change very rapidly.

This is also a route that takes you through time, from the prehistoric world to World War II. Back in the 1990’s, the wooden remains of Sea Henge were discovered at Holme-next-the-Sea. Fossils of ammonites and other sea creatures can often be spotted among the rocks on shingle beaches. A skeleton of a gigantic prehistoric mammoth was found in the cliffs at West Runton while beyond Cromer, the remains of prehistoric forests can be seen. Explore the historic quayside of Wells-next-the-Sea and admire the horse sculpture rising out of the waves. Walk down narrow cobbled streets and alleys, before heading to The Globe to enjoy fresh lobster and crabs caught ‘ This way to sea

‘ daily by the fishing fleet.

The prevalence of World War II concrete pillboxes along the North Norfolk Coast reflects the way in which this open shoreline had to be protected from invasion. Even today, the sound of tanks can often be heard as you pass through Weybourne due to the presence of the Muckleburgh Collection military museum.

Easily accessible, the Norfolk Coastal Path is a delight for walkers. No two sections of the path are ever the same, as it is constantly changing through the seasons ensuring that Chestnut’s coastal pubs with rooms offer a perfect solution to relax and dine in comfort after enjoying a long coastal walk.