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Hunstanton, the best known resort in West Norfolk, is an ideal location for a family seaside
holiday. Most of the town dates from 1846 and it still retains much of its
Victorian charm. With its famous striped cliffs, Hunstanton is the only
west-facing resort on the east coast of Britain. It enjoys higher than average sunshine hence the
name 'SunnyHunny' and visitors can enjoy
spectacular sunsets from the promenade. As you drive further along the coast
you will find more long, white sandy beaches such as
those at Holkham, Wells and Brancaster.
This part of the coastline stretches for
over 40 miles and much of it is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty. Besides sandy beaches, the landscape includes pine forests, saltmarshes and mudflats.
BEACHES .
HOLKHAM. A picturesque beach used as a location for
the film Shakespeare in Love, Holkham is backed by
pinewoods and dunes. The massive stretch of sand, four-miles long and
almost a mile wide at low tide, attracts birders, cyclists, dog-walkers and horseriders .
WELLS. The beach at Wells is approximately a mile from the town. To get there
you can either walk, drive to the beach car park, or
during the summer, take the miniature railway. The sandy beach, backed by
dunes and pine trees, stretches for miles to the west. Eastwards, the beach
continues but can be cut off by the tide. The beach is part of the Holkham Estate and the vast un-spoilt beach and woodland
provide ample opportunities to enjoy peace and solitude. Further along are
salt marshes. The area is part of a nature reserve and is good for
bird-watching. .
SHOPPING & PUBS: The villages of North Norfolk, including Burnham Market,
Blakeney and Cley-next-the
sea, offer a wide variety of shops, restaurants and some very good pubs;
including the Lifeboat at Thornham, The Hoste Arms
at Burnham Market and the Lord Nelson at Burnham Thorpe. .
The Peddars Way is probably one of the most
famous paths in the UK. It starts from Thetford and as it approaches the coast at Holme next the Sea it becomes the Norfolk Coast Path. The
route runs all the way to Cromer but there are several optional detours on
the way. Walking along the path is a wonderful way to see the North Norfolk countryside from a different
perspective. .
BIRDWATCHING: North Norfolk forms part of the largest coastal
nature reserve in England and Wales. Bitterns and terns, oyster
catchers, avocets and marsh harriers are among the species which make North Norfolk a prime site for birdwatching. The Norfolk Wildlife Trust's reserve at Holme Dunes is one of the north Norfolk coasts most attractive
landscapes; a combination of mudflats, sand dunes, saltmarsh
and reedbeds. It is an important birdwatching site where you can see a variety of species
including avocets, ringed plovers, redshanks, curlews and lapwings At Salthouse Marshes, further along the coast, a shingle
bank protects the coastal grazing marshes and salt water lagoons from the North Sea. Here you can see black-tailed
godwits, ruffs, redshanks and snow buntings as well as thousands of brent geese in the winter months.
From Blakeney or Wells You can take a boat to Blakeney Point to see the seals or try crabbing on the
quayside.
or email:
Nicky & Angus Runciman | (01223) 246382 | angusrunciman@hotmail.com | 8 Luard Rd, Cambridge, CB2 2PJ
Robert & Victoria | (01353) 610115
| nicolarunciman@hotmail.com
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