The North Norfolk Coastal
Path was developed
as an extension of the Peddars Way walk, which follows a track of
prehistoric origins, which ran from Thetford north-west to the
coast at Holme-next-the-Sea. It extends fora distance of 40
miles eastward along the coast to Cromer,
Here the path is described in its course from Thornham to
Weyborune (some 28 miles of its length). Where streams and rivers
have an outlet to the North Sea it is sometimes necessary for the
track to move inland, sometimes as far as the A149 main road.
Walkers should prepare themselves according to the weather and
conditions underfoot are especially important. Whilst some sections
follow well prepared surfaces, for much of its course it runs
either along beaches, or (after Weybourne, for those going beyond
to Sheringham or Cromer) on a grassy clifftop, most of the way is
alcross the salt marshes which characterise so much of this coast.
Conditions underfoot can (especially in autumn to early spring, and
dependant on recent weather) be very muddy.
Thornham
to
Brancaster
If you came from Holme, you would have had to turn inland to
the village
From Thornham, the path takes you inland across rolling
agricultural land. When you reach the A149, cross carefully (the
road can be very busy, especially in summer) and turn left for
about 400 yards, and then turn right along a metalled raod
(Choseley Road) which climbs steadily upward to about 150
feet amsl. You will have excellent views behind you out to the sea.
In 1 1/4 miles, you turn left by a small copse along a field track.
You will cross two country lanes, before after another 700
yards turning left at a 'T' junction in the footpath. The way is
now back downhill, until after passing the back of a cemetry you
come into Brancaster. Cross the main road (again with care) - you
will notice Brancaster church on the far right-hand corner. Just
after the houses end, there is a gateway on the right, go through
and you follow through onto a boarded walk which leads you after
just over 1 mile into a grass field: cross this and come onto
Brancaster Staithe.
Brancaster
to Burnham
Overy Staithe
Keeping past the Sailing Club, keep the general direction to pass
along the backs of houses, with marshes on your left. The
path turns left, then right in front of fencing, and so on to
Deepdale Marsh. The road now follows sea-defences, curving gently
right. Just under 2 miles, the path turns diagonally right.
Continue along the defence bank and you will until you come to a
'T' junction, cross the river Burn and then in about 200 yards you
come on to the A149. The footpath follows a field edge parallel to
the road until you come after 1/2 mile to Burnham Overy Staithe,
with a grassy bank overlooking Overy Creek (see photo below)
Thornham:way to
the
coast
|
Burnham Overy
Staithe
|
Burnham
Overy Staithe to
Wells-next-the-Sea
In Overy Staithe walk along the Harbour Way and at its easternn
end as the road tunrs away to the right go through a gateway and
after 100 yards, left on teh sea-defence wall and head out
northward. (On your right, the mudflats ar rich with
bird-life). The path turns right, then left until another
paths joins from the right. The following 400 yards are very narrow
and in winter very muddy and alippery. Eventenually you come on to
a boarded way which leads up into high dunes; across them you come
on to a wide sandy beach. Walk out towards the water then bear
right and follow the water line. After 1/2 mile you will see
pinewoods to your right. The beach will curve right
until 2 1/4 miles you reacg Holkham Bay. Climb up onto the
sand dunes and on to the boarded walkway which leads you for 200
yards through the pines on to the end of the Car Park on Lady
Anne's Drive. Turn left through the gate, and follow the path along
the souther side of the pines and dunes. After about 1 1/2 miles,
the footpath comes into an open area. Do not follow it soutward;
the Coastal Path branches off to the left and passes alongside the
Pinewoods Caravan Park on to a Car Park, with adjacent shop and
refreshment kiosk.
Cross Beach Road at the end of the Car Park, climb on to the Sea
Bank and head right. In 1 mile you come to Wells Harbour. Make you
way alongside a Car Park on to the Quaysdie and turn left. The next
500mn yards are along Wells Quayside. At its end bear left on to
East Quay (see photo below).
Way through
pines:Holkham
|
Wells-next-the-Sea:
East Quay
|
Wells-next-the-Sea
to
Morston
700 yards along East Quay you come to a group of shacks. Pass the
shacks on your left and then onto the Sea Defence and on to
Warham Greens, which you enter turning left through a gateway
on to a green swathe. At its end (after 2 miles) through the
gate and 'Coclestrand Drove' will join from the right. In 1/2 mile
you come to an N.T. sign 'Stiffkey Salt Marshes'. Pass an old
miltary camp and then along the sandy track which continues to hug
the edge of the marshes. After passing through marsh and gorse
bushes, climb the bank over the River Stifffkey and continue across
the marshes until after 2 1/2 miles you reach Morston
Harbour. (National Trust)
Cross the open space of the harbour, past the N.T. office
and on your right is the Coastal Path set on a grassy bank
set above the marhses. Eventually dropping down to the level of the
marshes (down some steps), bear left as another path joins from the
right and follow along on to 'North Granary' which leads on
to the quayside at Blakeney (see photo below). Walk along the
Quayside until you come to the National Trust Car Park.
Blakeney
Quayside
|
Between Morston
and
Blakeney
|
Blakeney
to
Cley-next-the-Sea
The distance by road is just over 1 mile: by the path it is much
further. At the far end of the Car Park, back on to the sea-defence
bank, but do not turn off over the stile on to the marsh. Follow
the bank: eventually a fence will force you right and you will see
Cley, with its famous windmill in front of you. The bank heads
inland until it bears right at the A149. Stay on the bank if
possible. Eventually you will have to join the footpath at the side
of the busy A 149 into Cley.
Cley-next-the-Sea
to
Weybourne
Follow the A149 through Cley. The road is twisting, narrow and
busy- so do so WITH CAUTION. At the end of the village turn left
into the Windmill Car Park. At its far RH end go up some steps,
turn left down a bank, then right along the bottom of the bank.
Turn right up on to the bank, along it to where it turns right,
then down on to a lower bank. Follow this until it reaches the main
sea-defence bank ( a high shingle bank).
The footpath now follows the land side of the bank all the way to
Kelling. You may, of course, climb the bank and on to the beach.
(This is shingle and makes walking hard work for any
distance!) Eventually after 3 1/2 miles you will reach
Kelling, having passed Salthouse en route. At Kelling the shingle
bank ends at a Car Park. Cross this and continue with the
fence of a military installation on your right. Eventually you come
to the shinle bank sheltering Weybourne, and come out on Weybourne
Car Park. The route ends here: the Coastal Path continues, and if
you wish to do so take the path which climbs up, and you will walk
along the cliiff top across grassy fields. DO NOT GO TOO CLOSE TO
THE CLIFF EDGE
Cley Marxhes
|
Overlooking
Salthouse
|
Clifftop
path:Weybourne
|
There
are many
interesting villages along the way: read about them.
The OS maps needed to cover this Path are 'Explorer Sheets'
23,24,25 (2 1/2 inches to 1 mile)
