Introduction
Initial discussions for the North Norfolk Coast Path .adjoining the Peddars Way began in the 1960’s, in the late 1970’s a feasibility study was completed, with the report being published in 1982.
Eventually, on the 8th July 1986 HRH Prince Charles the Prince of Wales officially opened the route on the beach at Holme.
The North Norfolk Coast is classed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and is 47 miles long.
We had difficulty deciding where the start of the route was, but after research we came to the conclusion that it was on Hunstanton Green by the Pier Site, it is a shame there is no sign to say that this is the beginning of the path.……
We have found the waymarking of this path not very good, and we did a fair amount of guesswork.
Again there was no definite end to the walk, so we finished at Cromer Railway Station.
Sunday 10th July
Hunstanton to Thornham 5 ½ miles approx
The route opened officially on the 8th July 1986, we are virtually starting the walk exactly 19 yrs after its official opening.
A glorious day for the start of our North Norfolk Coastal Walk, there were a lot of people around, we are not used to all these people.
We started at the old Hunstanton Pier site, it was difficult finding the beginning of the North Norfolk Coast, but from what we can ascertain, this is about the start.
We passed St Edmunds Chapel ruins in Hunstanton and saw this plaque:-
God Willed
They were Long
They Lived They Loved
They Found They Held
God Willed
Aye Do Not
Grieve
It was difficult to read in places but we think it is right.
We passed the lighthouse, and went through old Hunstanton and passed the Lifeboat and the golf course, then followed the River Hun into Holme, we went through the Sanddunes and passed Norfolk Wildlife Trust house The Firs.At Gore Point in Holme where the Wash meets the North Sea, we saw some spectacular views, at the end of the walk we had to go down a steep grassy slope, I had difficulty getting down I thought I would slip. We arrived at Thornham at about 2pm, a lovely walk.
Sunday 24th July
Thornham to Brancaster 4 miles approx
This was quite boring, a lot of tarmaced roads. Through Thornham we saw some lovely houses and gardens.
Then we went up Choseley Road, it seemed like miles, we thought we had gone too far then we came across the sign.
We passed a small gypsy encampment but luckily saw nobody.
Sunday 14th August
Brancaster – Burnham Overy Staith 6 miles approx
A very cloudy with the odd couple of light showers, but it wasn’t cold.
Some lovely views over the saltmarshes.
When we passed Brancaster Staithe, the masts of the boats were very noisy, clanging together in the breeze.
After that we followed a bank, which seemed to go on for miles this straight bank, we met several people doing the Coastal Path.
The gulls were very noisy at times.
During lunch as we sat down the sun came out, then as we got up it went in again.
We told Bob to collect us at Burnham Overy Staithe when we got there he wasn’t there so we went and had a quick look at the harbour then returned to the A149. where we waited and waited, then he rung up and said where were we, he had driven up and down the A149 several times and couldn’t see us after asking several questions I eventually asked Where are You, he was in Brancaster Staithe.
Sunday 11th September
Burnham Overy Staithe – Wells – Next - Sea 6.7 miles approx (should have been)
It was cloudy and overcast but not too bad
We continued our walk of the North Norfolk Coastal Path today from Burnham Overy Staithe to Wells should have been 6.7miles.
Burnham Overy Staithe Harbour is lovely, really pretty, there are seats you can sit and watch the water, boats and birds. . We walked along the sea bank for ages, it was spectacular views, at the end of the bank, we came across a vandalised sign so we didn’t know which way to go, their was a three way choice, the way we chose, led us to the beach, so we went back and chose another way, it soon became obvious we were wrong and were lost, it was a nice walk going over land reclaimed from the sea, we continued on, I panicked to begin with, then figured as long as sea is on our left, we must reach Holkham and pick up the Acorns again, then we went by a pine forest which was planted to stop sand blowing on farmers fields, we found a bench and had a lovely lunch overlooking Holkham Bay, then we continued on and reached Holkham where we picked up the Acorns again, first time since Burnham Overy Staithe.
We saw a refreshment kiosk and had an ice cream, then continued through Holkham woods, and reached Wells, we went to the harbour and had chips.
Sunday 18th September
Wells – Next – Sea - Blakeney 7.5 miles approx
It was a lovely day, it was cloudy but clear and it was very warm
We continued our walk of the North Norfolk Coastal Path today from Wells to Blakeney, 7.5 miles.
It was good walking with some spectacular scenery over the salt marshes, we saw lots of birds and migrating geese.
At one point we came across some brightly coloured tents in the distance looking like Medieval tents, and they were playing very loud music, we come to the conclusion it was one of those illegal raves, we passed a group of people sitting on haystacks, obviously from the rave and asked what was going on, they said oh just a group of us having some fun, which reinforced our suspicions, I said is it going very early or very late they laughed and said very late.
Overall the walking was very good, however, at times it was very muddy and at one point jenny slipped over and ended on her knees, I however, didn’t mess around I did it properly, I elegantly slid down and ended on my rear end sitting in the mud.
We continued on quite muddy by now.
At morston was the harbour one side of us and some birding lakes the other side, the lakes were full of geese and birds, making an awful noise it was quite spectacular.
At Morston we treated ourselves to a well deserved ice cream. Then continued on to Blakeney which is very pretty. On the route we have saw some very pretty harbours, i didn't know existed, amazing all the times i have travelled down the A149 and not realised what was a few minutes away
Sunday 25th September
Blakeney - Salthouse 5.2 miles approx
It started off cloudy and drizzly, but it improved and ended up a very nice day.
Blakeney is lovely, with the harbour, a very busy lake, with lots of birds, we continued along the banks, and hit a footpath diversion, due to construction works, we then continued on to Cley-next-sea, passing Cley windmill, it is a lovely village, Cley.
We then continued onto Salthouse, along some lovely paths, seeing some spectacular scenery.
During this part of the walk we passed some lovely birding lakes, with lots of birds.
Sunday 2nd October
Salthouse - Sheringham 6 miles approx
It was cloudy and very windy, but it wasn’t cold and there was some sun.
It was the nicest walk of this stretch, some spectacular views from Weybourne to Sheringham. We saw the steam train.
Sunday 9th October
Sheringham - Cromer 5 miles approx
A lovely day, warm and sunny couldn’t be better.
On leaving Sheringham, we climbed Beeston Hill, and had some spectacular views of Sheringham below us.
Then we winded our way down and crossed the A149 then we started to go up, through some lovely woodland, reminding me of being a child, and kicking all the leaves on the ground.
We passed the flag pole at Roman Camp which signifies the highest point in Norfolk.
Then started going downhill again (thank goodness). We saw some lovely views, it was a great walk, one of the best, for weather and views.
Then we arrived at Cromer, we have finished the whole of the North Norfolk Coastal Walk.
Since January we have walked 94 miles, in 9 months, taking it in stages, we succeeded what we set out to do and walked The Peddars Way and North Norfolk Coastal Path. A wonderful experience.
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