12 FABULOUS NORFOLK COAST CIRCULAR WALKS
A good walk will take you via breathtaking views to the coast or through forests and glades to Houghton Hall and there is also a fair few good pubs nearby to rest awhile whichever way you go. At Ringstead there is Courtyard Farm, which has opened his estate to walkers: there are some 10 miles of lovely paths and circular walks. HRH's Sandringham also has a huge country park which is open free to the public. Anna's Walk at Thornham is a lovely 5 mile circular walk with a mix of woodland, coastal and beach walking. The trail has the added advantage of passing closeby to three great taverns. There is also the Holme Dunes reserve, beach and old harbour which are all quite special. But for those who have caught the bug...
The Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path Peddars Way and the Norfolk coastal path runs for 93 miles along a distinctive Roman road from Knettishall Heath Country Park to just beyond Magazine Wood at Holme-next-Sea and then the path crosses wide sandy beaches to Cromer pier. The national trail combines two contrasting paths, each of which is a superb walk in its own right. The trail follows the line of a Roman road, built during Rome's battle against the rebellious Iceni tribe led by the legendary Queen Boadicea. It is an enjoyable mix of country lanes, footpaths and tracks through a varied landscape of open heath and meres, woodland, rich farmland divided by flower-filled hedgerows and pretty flint and carrstone villages.
The Norfolk Coast Path runs from the Victorian resort of Hunstanton to the busy port of Cromer, the hub of Norfolk's crab fishing industry, along a coastline that is famous for its remoteness and wild beauty. It is a wonderfully diverse landscape of sweeping sandy beaches, grass tufted dunes, saltings, reed beds, creeks, tidal inlets and unspoilt villages such as Thornham, Brancaster Burnham Overy Staithe and Holkham. The spectacular seal colonies at Blakeney Point and the prolific birdlife along the coast add to the charm of this scenic National Trail.
The award winning Coasthopper bus service shadows the Norfolk Coast Path National Trail all the way along from Hunstanton to Cromer - you can catch this service at most significant points along the Norfolk Coast Path. Simply drive out to where you want to start, walk your chosen route, enjoy a nice lunch and when you're ready, catch the hopper back to where you started. It's a great way to explore the trail. They run every 60 minutes during the day.
There are some lovely circular walks around the Norfolk Coast and in 2022 Norfolk Trails in conjunction with Norfolk County Council highlighted a number of enchanting walks along with detailed maps. For your convenience we feature 12 of these fabulous circular walks from Snettisham to Sheringham on the Norfolk coast. More can be found on the Norfolk Trails site or at the norfolk.gov.uk website.
THORNHAM
Anna's Walk, a pretty walk around Thornham and Holme Dunes on the Norfolk coast was named in 2023 as one of 'The Best UK Winter Beach Walks' by the Sunday Times. A 5 mile circular walk around the village Thornham and then out to the sands of Holme Dunes. In these modern times this trail would also make an excellent early morning jog. This is a beautiful part of the Norfolk Coast. Easy walking that should take no more than 2 hours but may take longer if you linger at any of the lovely places you pass along the way. The route also takes in Holme Dunes beach and again you also may decide to take in a bit more of one of England’s most wild and unspoilt beaches
RINGSTEAD
This is the longest of the Coastal Treasures walks. The sense of remoteness that exists along this walk’s green and pleasant lanes is a wonderful experience for the more adventurous walker and the perfect excuse to indulge in some great local food afterwards. Ringstead Circular Walk runs along the High Street passing by the Gin Trap Inn, the Old School, St. Andrew’s Church and Ringstead Towermill. It then passes out into the countryside with some fine views over land managed by Courtyard Farm.
SNETTISHAM
This circular walk has a wonderful variety of landscapes to enjoy. It crosses green grazing fields, a shoreline once overwhelmed by the sea and passes through pleasant woodland. This route is at its best during dry periods between late spring and early autumn. Snettisham Circular Walk passes along the front at Snettisham that was inundated in 1953. It carries on up Beach Road and past Locke Hill Farm. As the route skirts the edge of the woodland on Lodge Hill there are extensive views across the fields toward the beach.
KEN HILL
Spanning from the village of Snettisham, this short but charming walk takes a route which snakes through the mixed woodland of the Ken Hill Estate. The western tip of the route commands fine views over the estate’s farmland and the Wash beyond. The Ken Hill Circular Walk takes a route around Lodge Hill Plantation on the Ken Hill Estate, passing the site of a medieval tower. Now surrounded by trees, the tower would once have commanded extensive views over the Wash.
BURNHAMS
Following in the footsteps of two of Norfolk’s maritime heroes, this stunning route visits three of the historic ‘Seven Burnhams by the sea’. There are numerous opportunities to enjoy north Norfolk’s famous hospitality, whether you are visiting for the day or making a longer trip. The circular walk at The Burnhams follows in Captain Woodget’s footsteps, visiting each of the locations mentioned above, and of course, The Hero public house, named in honour of another local maritime celebrity, Admiral Lord Nelson.
BRANCASTER
The Brancaster Circular Walk passes the Ship Hotel and St. Mary’s Church. It continues toward the Royal West Norfolk Golf Club, built near the site of the old lifeboat house. Returning inland, it passes the round-towered church of St. Mary’s at Titchwell, and the medieval village cross. Titchwell chalk pit is also accessible from the trail. Once used as a dump, it has now been transformed into a mini nature reserve.
BRANCASTER STAITHE
The Brancaster Staithe walk is a contrast of saltmarsh and sailing regattas, wind and woodland. The views from the highpoint at Barrow Common are breathtaking. From here it is easy to picture traders visiting Branodunum, the Roman fort built near the shore to defend the coastline. The route of Brancaster Staithe Circular Walk crosses Barrow Common as well as passing the sites of the Roman settlements and fort. St. Mary’s (Burnham Deepdale) is also within a few steps of the trail.
HOUGHTON
Circling one of Norfolk’s most important Bronze Age landscapes, this route is a wonderful chance to get off the beaten track and sample high culture in the same day. Houghton Hall offers an array of outdoor sculpture in its gorgeous gardens as well as indoor art exhibitions. Houghton Hall Circular Walk takes a route from the south gate, out along hedge-lined paths, through agricultural land via Peddars Way - itself an ancient feature of the landscape - and alongside severalwell-preserved Bronze Age burial mounds, before returning through mixed woodland and parkland.
HOLKHAM
Holkham Hall is one of Norfolk most famous stately homes and is set within hundreds of acres of parkland and of course Holkham Beach. This is where parts of the fiilm 'The Beach' were filmed and it's miles of dunes and trees are home to a whole variety of flora and fauna as well as the late Queen's private beach hut.
SANDRINGHAM
This circular walk has a wonderful variety of landscapes to enjoy. It crosses green grazing fields, a shoreline once overwhelmed by the sea and passes through pleasant woodland. This route is at its best during dry periods between late spring and early autumn. Snettisham Circular Walk passes along the front at Snettisham that was inundated in 1953. It carries on up Beach Road and past Locke Hill Farm. As the route skirts the edge of the woodland on Lodge Hill there are extensive views across the fields toward the beach.
ROMAN CAMP
Starting at West Runton, experience some of the mmost spectacular views of the North Norfolk coast, intimate woodland paths and sunken lanes. The walk climbs toward the summit of Beacon Hill, also known locally as ‘Roman Camp’. Standing 103 metres above sea level, the hill is part of the Cromer ridge, a line of glacial moraines formed during the last Ice Age. A great challenge for any walker, the climb is worth it not only for the view, but also the unique feeling of reaching the highest point in the whole of East Anglia.
SHERINGHAM
You'll discover a beautiful range of landscapes on this walk - whether it’s the undulating clifftops between Sheringham and Weybourne, the sweeping parkland, ancient oak woodland and famous rhododendrons of Sheringham Park, or the quiet marsh, fen and grassland of Beeston Common, this walk has a bit of everything. Heading between the clifftop path and Sheringham Park you'll also cross the Poppy Line railway - if you're lucky you may even see a steam train chugging past.