Norfolk Coast Path

The Norfolk Coast Path has been extended to Hopton taking the trail west of Cromer (shown in blue)

see also: Walk in 7 easy stages using the Coast Hopper bus and Walk in 5 days

Length Original (yellow) About 45 miles
OS Map OS Explorers : Norfolk Coast West (250), Central (251), and East (252)
Toughness 3 out of 10 – mostly level paths, or beach walking, but occasional stretches of hard going shingle
Features The North Norfolk Coast path is a national long distance trail that, as its names suggests, follows the north Norfolk Coast.The path follows a mixture of low cliffs, sand dunes, very wide sandy beaches, salt and fresh water marshes. It is great for birds and, in one place, seals. The beaches are very wide with firm sand, and the sea goes out a long way, making great beach walking. There are barrier islands that can be explored at low tide. There are a few inland sections that can be bypassed by bus, or at low tide, by following the coast. There are many small harbours, which are ‘sea’ at high tide, and mudflats at low tide. The eastern end of the walk is quite different – gentle cliff top paths, or coastering at low tide, and some seaside resorts.There is a regular bus service (1/2 hourly in summer) that follows the entire route, making day trips, or returning to your car very easyGiven the distance, this would be a good weekend trip from London
Nature and History
Links
Transport

Coasthopper bus service

Route : Kings Lynn – Hunstanton – Wells – Sheringham – Cromer.

The great advantage of this walk is the Coasthopper bus service, 1/2 hourly in summer, which follows the entire route. It links with the rail network at Kings Lynn at the west end of the walk, and goes via Hunstanton (where the walk starts), and follows the coast to Shrringham and Cromer (both have stations) at the east end.

 

London to Kings Lynn

There are direct trains from London Kings Cross (1hr 35 mins). Inside the Network Railcard area. Connects with the Coasthopper bus (and routes #10, #11 which run later). About 40 mins to Hunstanton.

London to Cromer

London Liverpool Street to Norwich, then change on to the Bitten Line (good website) Takes about 3 hours. Outside the Network Railcard area.

By Car

About 2 to 3 hours from London. Nice places to stop along the way are: Bury St Edmunds (historic town), Cockley Cley (NT, moated house), Blickling Hall (NT, large house and parkland, south of Cromer), and Kings Lynn (large cathedral)