45 miles of unspoiled coastline means there are some serious treasures to be found amongst the sandy dunes and shingle shores
Discover the best spots for beachcombing in North Norfolk and find your perfect laid-back luxury Barefoot Retreat…
Can there be anything more enjoyable than beachcombing? The gentle sound of waves lapping the shore, the rush of excitement when you find a treasure in the sand. North Norfolk has an abundance of spots that are waiting to be beachcombed. From driftwood, pebbles and sea glass to fossils, shells and seaweed, the world’s your oyster.
But before we bring you the lowdown on the best beachcombing spots, we need to highlight one thing. The Coast Protection Act of 1949 states that it’s unlawful to take natural materials like sand and pebbles from the beach, no matter how small the amount. Shells, sea glass and driftwood, on the other hand, are fine. However, do remember that seashells, for example, play a role in our coastal ecosystems – so we suggest that while you have all the fun beachcombing, you leave your bounty on the beach when you leave. That way, everyone is happy.
Brancaster beach
The beach at Brancaster offers up miles of golden sand in either direction, as magical in winter as it is in summer. Here, children build sandcastles while dogs frolic in the water – note that there is a small dog-free zone from May to September – and it’s a popular kitesurfing spot. There’s also a shipwreck of SS Vina, once a WW2 naval blockade ship – it is visible from the shore, but you’re strongly advised not to visit the wreck. What we love to do here, however, is beachcomb – the turning tide leaves in its wake every manner of coastal detritus, from thousands of razor shells, which crunch underfoot, to sea urchin shells, fossils, semi-precious carnelian stone – and people have even found whale vertebrae before.
Take a look at our dog friendly cottages in Norfolk so your entire family can enjoy the beaches in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Cley-next-the-Sea
This shingle stretch of coast, adjacent to NWT Cley Marshes, is beautiful year-round. In cold weather, it’s invigorating to walk along this stretch with the waves crashing dramatically on the stones. In summer, the beach is dotted with families and friends, meeting for sundowners, swimming and perhaps a little shore fishing – and it never ever feels too crowded. Park in the carpark, turn left, and you can walk to Blakeney Point (best done on the hard sand at low tide), home to England’s largest grey seal colony in Norfolk; you’ll often spot them on the beach. Amongst the shingle, there is plenty to beachcomb, from crab legs and mermaids’ purses to perfectly spherical stones.
West Runton
Not only is this a Blue Flag beach but it’s also part of Norfolk’s Deep History Coast, a 22-mile stretch of coastline which has yielded some incredible archaeological finds. In the case of West Runton, it was a fossilized steppe mammoth skeleton unearthed following a storm in 1990. Though we can’t promise you’ll find something on quite this scale, West Runton remains a popular spot for fossil hunters and rock poolers (and beachcombers too). The former come for fossils of animals, birds and insects that can be found as a result of the eroding cliffs (don’t remove any from rocks or cliffs and do leave large fossils for all to enjoy); the latter come for the brilliant rock pooling on the chalk reef when the tide is retreating. Look hard enough and you might find winkles, crabs, anemones, black squat lobsters, long-spined sea scorpions, fossil sponges, amber, belemnites and more.
Scolt Head
Owned by the National Trust, Scolt Head is a paradisical offshore barrier island that’s a national nature reserve. Park at Burnham Overy Staithe on the hard standing and from here you can catch the Scolt Head ferry. Alternatively, you can take your own boat – and some do it by paddleboard too. Whichever way you get there, you’ll be rewarded with sand dunes, salt marsh, mud flats and shingle – and, of course, lots of shells and seaweed to collect. Alternatively, take the coast path to the beach and Gun Hill – the walk is about half an hour, and you’ll be rewarded by swathes of golden sand with hardly a soul in sight. On a glorious sunny day, nothing beats it.
Hunstanton
The beach at Hunstanton has something for everyone. It’s the only resort town in East Anglia that faces west making it a great place to watch the sunset. There are two main sections of the beach. The South part is a wide stretch of golden sand, ideal for sunbathing and sandcastles. The North beach comes with pink-and-white-striped cliffs of carstone and white chalk that are Instagram gold. It is also full of huge, moss-covered boulders amongst which you’ll find lots of interesting rock pools. Keep eyes peeled for marine fossils, and you might even find shark’s teeth and fish skeletons. Separate still is the beach at Old Hunstanton, again a sweeping area of fine sand which, when the tide is out, offers up the sea’s own treasures.
Whichever location piques your interest take a look at our Norfolk luxury cottages to find your perfect beach stay.
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