Top Things to do in Norfolk
Things to do in Norfolk, England: The Best Beaches
A holiday in Norfolk is not a glamorous break. While the Norfolk Broads of East Anglia are a beautiful part of the UK, they represent a relaxing rural getaway rather than a high-powered city-break. Although its reputation is mostly rural, with people associating the county mostly with the wetlands of the Norfolk Broads, there are also towns such as Norwich and King's Lynn to visit, both of which provide shopping opportunities, nightlife and entertainment. Norfolk also contains a large stretch of coastline, and seaside destinations such as Cromer and Great Yearmouth mean there are great beaches to be found as well. Many areas of the Norfolk Broads and the coastal region are sites of outstanding natural beauty, and are also protected as bird reserves, so take a pair of binoculars on holiday. There are also popular wildlife attractions such as Banham Zoo, with a great collection of big cats, and Great Yarmouth's Sea Life Centre, one of the biggest of its kind in the country, complete with tropical sharks and conger eels. And of course, if any of your family are interested in boating, you'll need to rent a boat and explore the waterways of the Broads themselves!
Restaurants in Norfolk
1. Horsey Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,029 reviews
Reviewed By MisterBee123 - Chippenham, United Kingdom
We were advised to go to Horsey Gap to see the seals. So we did. We dined from the burger van in the car park (very good) then went to see the seals. There were a lot of seals and a lot of people watching them! It was great to see them in their natural habitat and seemingly not too bothered by their audience!
2. Mundesley Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By MymnM - Bury St. Edmunds, United Kingdom
The beach is one of our favourites time after time we visit and enjoy ideal for children and families, couples etc. Dog walkers are allowed at certain times on the designated areas. Friendly little village with a nice pub and two hotels plus two fish & chip shops if needed. Has good parking, large children's play areas catering for both younger and older kids. Surrounding countryside is very pleasant plenty of walks, plus only a fairly short distance to the broads for example, Wroxham not far. We stayed on a pleasant well kept chalet site within a short walking distance of the beach and village excellent accommodation.
3. Walcott Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By Eric51 - Luton, United Kingdom
Lovely big clean sandy beach, great for kids. Free parking nearby, along with a convenience store, ice cream parlour, fish and chip shop and public conveniences. Best beach I have visited in Norfolk by far.
4. Holkham Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 528 reviews
Reviewed By Dencroft - Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
We parked the car at Lady Anne’s drive opposite the Victors Inn and Holkham hall. £9 for the whole day. Fantastic dog friendly beach, nice walk along the beach to the beach huts at Wells where you have to cut up into the pine woods (as beach by life boat station is DOG FREE) towards the car park and beach cafe. Toilets and water for the dog provided next to the car park. You can either walk back to the car via the North Norfolk path through the woods or return back to the beach through the pines and down the steps back onto the beach. Lovely few hours of walking and taking in the beautiful views and see air!
5. Hunstanton Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,601 reviews
Reviewed By tyketyke - King's Lynn, United Kingdom
Making the most of a mild February by driving up to the coast and taking in the sea air. There's free parking along the roadside and at lowish tide - a great circular walk along the beach and then back up to the cliff tops. See if you can find the ruins of St Edmund chapel and the legend of the howling wolf!
6. Happisburgh Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 171 reviews
Reviewed By CazBUk - Great Yarmouth, United Kingdom
A lovely walk along the top of the cliffs, which are being eroded quickly, so keep well back from the edge! There is a Pay & Display car park with toilets at the northern end of the cliffs ( at the end of Beach road) You can make this a circular walk by going away from the cliffs towards the lighthouse and following the path back to the road, turn right along the main road and right again along the road back to the car park. The lighthouse can be visited on some Sundays and Bank holidays during the Summer ( details can be found on the Happisburgh village website)-no visits this year though,due to COVID-19. Happisburgh cliffs and beach are part of the ‘Deep History Coast’ where the earliest known human footprints outside Africa were found in 2013.
7. Gorleston-on-Sea Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,205 reviews
A stunning bay with a huge, wide curving, sandy beach with ramp access plus model yacht pond and children's splashpad. With adjoining shops, cafes, amusements and amenity area, everything you need is close by.
Reviewed By Jacbates72 - Tamworth, United Kingdom
Absolutely love this place. Brilliant for families. Life guards on patrol and free parking...if you get there early enough..clean beach and a small range of shops to get ice cream breakfast chips etc...and bucket and spade. Public toilets clean ....and just off beach....we have been here 4 times already and can't fault it....
8. Sheringham Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 657 reviews
Reviewed By 3ts1966 - Norwich, United Kingdom
High tide, well worth a visit as the waves were hitting the rocks and it was totally exhilarating. Beautiful beach, whatever the weather.
9. Cromer Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 939 reviews
Reviewed By tinkle_24 - Northampton, United Kingdom
when tide’s out and sand so soft for walking. You can walk for miles in bracing wind, if blowing. Huge expanse of sky and sea.
10. Wells Next The Sea Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,799 reviews
At low water, Wells beach has huge open views and mile upon mile of sands and shallow channels to enjoy. When the tide comes in, the beach is transformed into a harbour, with the entrance channel suddenly busy with visiting yachts, fishing boats setting out for the day or returning with their catch, local small boats going out to fish as well as clouds of small sailing boats racing or cruising within the harbour. The golden sands are backed by colourful beach huts which have been the subject of many a painting and postcard. The popular Beach Cafe nearby is perfect for refreshments during your visit.
Reviewed By NortholtPaul - London, United Kingdom
Lovely view, worth seeing at high tide when the fishing boats are unloading, and at low tide when the horse sculpture can be seen in all its glory.
