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There aren’t many things us British folk love more than talking about the weather, getting fish and chips come Friday or enjoying a nice long lunch at a proper pub-pub but flocking to the beach come rain or shine to get a little taste of life by the sea is one of them — and it doesn’t get better than North Norfolk.
Discover your dreamiest seaside town in North Norfolk and find your perfect Barefoot Retreat, a luxury home from home…
Hunstanton
There’s something about Hunstanton that makes it the best kind of unique, and that something is the direction it faces. Yup, Hunstanton is the only west-facing town on the whole of the east coast, making it the most postcard-worthy place to watch the sunset over the sea. But it’s not just seeing the waves turn into liquid gold that makes this place so rare, it’s the famous striped cliffs that sit below this Victorian-style town. There really is no other way to describe it except magical. The perfect place for a family adventure, full of beautiful beaches, pretty rock pools, pubs, coffee shops, crazy golf courses, tranquil gardens, walking trails and even its own lighthouse. Welcome to Sunny Hunny, where sunshine is almost guaranteed – kind of.
Wells-Next-The-Sea
Before you arrive at Wells-Next-The-Sea, we need to warn you that there is an extremely high chance you won’t want to leave. It’s that kind of a place; a place with something for every kind of staycationer. There’s a huge sand beach (lined with beautiful beach huts) that you can follow round to the Queen of all beaches, Holkham. There are award-winning fish and chip shops that will raise your standards to heights never tasted before. And there are plenty of places to pop into, from old-fashioned arcades to gastro-pubs to clothes shops, coffee stops and even an independent cinema. Basically, this is somewhere to come whether you want to walk, fish or relax — a hustling and bustling port town where freshly caught seafood can be enjoyed in every eatery.
Blakeney
With so much to do and see in Blakeney, it’s hard to say what the biggest draw is, but we’d argue it’s the colony of seals that call Blakeney Point home. Simply head down to the harbour front, hop on one of the seal boats heading out, taking in the sea air as you head through The Pit (a beautiful marsh-lined channel filled with boats of every shape and size) and then get your camera out for some seal-selfies. But like we said, that’s not all there is to do here. There are three atmosphere-filled pubs to enjoy, quaint little shops to pop into, hills to climb for the perfect panoramic photo, marsh walks and also has an incredible history; one that is even recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. And just down the road you have the likes of Wiveton one way and Morston the other. There’s no wonder it’s such a local favourite.
Cromer
Famed countrywide for its taste-bud-pleasing local crab, Cromer is seaside favourite for almost everyone that lives in north and west Norfolk. From catching these crabs with your own lines as you sit with your legs dangling safely over the edge of the pier to snacking on the tastiest renditions of crab as you wander through the town, it is a huge part of what makes Cromer so special. But the fun doesn’t stop there. Soak up the sun on the soft sand beach, take in the local history at Felbrigg Hall, have a pinch yourself moment as you stroll past the Cromer Parish Church and have some fun on the boating lakes. Oh and if you’re looking for the best crab you’ve ever tasted, we recommend either the Crab Pot Café and The Old Rock Shop Bistro.
Holkham
Is Holkham technically a seaside town? No. Does it still deserve a place on any and every article about Norfolk? Absolutely. That’s because it is consistently voted as one of ‘Britain’s Best Beaches’, and you’ll give a knowing nod the moment you’ve reached the end of the wooden boardwalk beneath the pines and made it to the endless expanse of sand and dunes, high tides and happy vibes. Of course, there’s so much more to Holkham than just an oh-so-dreamy beach. From one of the biggest National Nature Reserves in the country to one of the most incredible stately homes you could ever wander into, as well as coffee stops, gift shops, pizza places, high-wire ropes courses, boating lakes, cycle routes, and more wildlife than you could possibly put on your Insta-feed; this is the palace to come with your picnic and take in the scenic surroundings, especially the herds of deer.
Cley-Next-The-Sea
This seriously picturesque patch of Norfolk coastline is an instant hit with anyone that visits, but it’s particularly popular with birdwatchers and nature lovers because the saltmarshes here are home to an amazing number of rare birds, including bitterns, spoonbills and pintails to name just a few of the feathered beauties. That’s part of the reason it has been protected by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust for nearly 100 years, making it the oldest county Wildlife Trust in the whole of Britain. That said, you don’t need a pair of binoculars around your neck to enjoy the magic of this place. You just need to walk through the marshes and onto the shingle beach where you can enjoy the sight and sound of gently crashing waves as you slurp on your second coffee of the day. And once you’ve done that, there’s the picturesque village, 18th-century windmill, a church and famous smokehouse to explore.