Cromer to Mundesley Beach Walk

An alternative beach walk to the official Norfolk Coast path between Cromer and Mundesley

This beach section of the Norfolk Coast can only be walked when the tide allows as high tide reaches the foot of the cliffs and is impassable at Overstrand. There is frequent erosion all along the route so the scenery changes from year to year. The beach is predominantly sand with numerous groynes that present frequent obstacles to get past - sometimes decaying steps assist getting over the groynes and sometimes, at low tide or with boots and socks off, it is possible to get around the end of some of the groynes. Mostly, it involves clambering as best as you can over these eroded, seaweed covered, mussel encrusted defences but that is half the fun of it!

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Ale Trail - Mundesley to Cromer

A beach walk along the Norfolk Coast between Mundesley and Cromer including a clifftop stroll from Cromer to Overstrand.

This section of the Norfolk Coast can only be walked when the tide allows as high tide reaches the foot of the cliffs and is impassable at Overstrand. There is frequent erosion all along the route so the scenery changes from year to year. The beach is predominantly sand with numerous groynes that present frequent obstacles to get past - sometimes decaying steps assist getting over the groynes and sometimes, at low tide or with boots and socks off, it is possible to get around the end of some of the groynes. Mostly, it involves clambering as best as you can over these eroded, seaweed covered, mussel encrusted defences but that is half the fun of it! Although there is a cliff top path from Cromer to Overstrand, which has some outstanding views, beyond this there is no official right of way and a full circular walk would involve heading inland, using the Paston Way. However, a frequent bus service links Overstrand and Mundesley to make a good and easy days coast walking.

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Mundesley to Happisburgh Circular Walk

A 13 mile walk between the Norfolk coastal villages of Mundesley and Happisburgh

This walk comprises of a circular route taking in both the beach and the cliff-top paths between the two Norfolk coastal villages of Mundesley and Happisburgh. The centre of this walk is at Walcott where the cliffs recede and access to the beach is obtainable. This enables the walker to customise this route according to tidal conditions as both Happisburgh and Bacton beaches can be cut off by high tides.

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Paston Way - North Walsham to Mundesley

An 11 mile walk along Norfolk's Paston Way between North Walsham and Mundesley

The Paston Way is a veritable Trail around some of East Norfolk's medieval churches. This section includes the delights of North Walsham, Edingthorpe, Knapton, Paston and Bacton. Although all are impressive, it it the small church at Edingthorpe which must not be missed, a treasure to behold.

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Norfolk Coast Path Extension

A 21 mile extension has recently been completed to the Norfolk Coast Path taking it through to Sea Palling

As part of the English Coast Path project, the Norfolk Coast path has now been extended to Sea Palling with waymarkers and direction signs being added during the first half of July. This includes a redirected section between Beeston and Cromer that now follows the coast rather than its original route which headed inland through the hills above Cromer.

• Notes
• Directions
• Links

Norfolk Coast Path Extension - Essential Information

Walk Statistics:

• Start location: Sheringham 
• End location: Sea Palling 
• Distance:   miles (  km)
• Total Gain:   ft (  metre)
• Total Descent:   ft (  metre)
• Min Height:   ft (  metre)
• Max Height:   ft (  metre)
• Walk Time:  
• Walk type: Linear
• Walk Grade: A mixture of cliff top footpaths and beach walking. A small amount of roadside walking
• Terrain: Sandy Beaches plus well used cliff top paths

Maps:

The following maps and services can assist in navigating this route. There are links to printed maps and links to downloadable GPX route data for importing into navigational software and apps.

 

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map

OS Explorer 252 - Norfolk Coast East

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map

OS Explorer OL40 - The Broads

GPX Route File

Walk Notes

It has been known for sometime now that one of the first stages of the All England Coast Path would be the Norfolk coast. Well, it has started to happen. Without any fanfare or announcement the waymarker and sign posts have appeared along the Norfolk Coast declaring Norfolk Coast Path and enabling the walker to continue from Cromer all the way through to Sea Palling. This does not officially open until the winter of 2014 as detailed by the Norfolk Trails website. Even so, it is still currently accessible to the would be coast walker.

The response from the Secretary of State to the petitions and objections for the path can be viewed at www.gov.uk.

The route has used a mixture of existing public and permissive footpaths and the legislation will enable the path to recede landwards with any ensuing erosion. Some of this can already be seen between Overstrand and Trimmingham where erosion has already taken some of the existing footpath forcing the walker to rightfully take a route at a safe distance from the cliff.

In addition the route taken from Sheringham to Cromer has now been altered to take a coast route rather than diverting away from the cliff top and up to Roman Camp before coming back down to Cromer. This certainly is more in keeping with the coast path status.

The extension provides a contrast to the North Norfolk section which is typified by salt marsh and flood defences. From Sheringham the scenery changes to tall cliffs and broad beaches. Beyond Happisburgh the cliffs recede and the final section is low level dunes with acres of sandy beach. Although the path uses a mixture of both cliff top paths and beach, it can nonetheless be completed along the beach throughout providing the tides are suitable.

The sections where the official route does take to the beach there are also alternative permissive paths along the cliff top. These can be used when high tides prevent access, especially the section in front of Bacton which is regularly cut off by tides. Walks on this site provide details of both cliff top paths and beach routes.

Transport Connections

The route from Hunstanton through to Cromer continues to be served by Norfolk Greens Coasthopper service. Beyond this there is a regular service that links Cromer, Overstrand and Mundesley served by Sanders Coaches. The far reaches of the new path out to Sea Palling are unfortunately not currently well served at all. There is a bare bones service that offers just two weekday journeys between Happisburgh and Sea Palling during the morning and two in the opposite direction during the evening. Saturdays , this is reduced to a single journey in each direction. There is no service that connects Mundesley to Happisburgh which would necessitate a connection with other services from North Walsham.

Beyond Sea Palling

Consultations are already underway to extend the coast path through to Hopton with the expectation of this being opened during 2015. This section can already be walked by both beach or navigating along the low cliffs and through the housing and holiday camps that adorn the seafronts of Caister and Scratby.

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Path at Mundesley

Directions

The Norfolk Coast Path extension is well defined throughout with the usual acorn symbol waymarkers that typify a national trail

Beeston to Cromer

This section follows the original route over Beeston Bump although new steps and hand rails have been implemented for this climb. Beyond this the new route uses the old permissive paths in front of Beeston Campsite and along the clifftop, past the beach road at West Runton and on to Woodhill Park campsite. It then follows the western and southern perimeter of the campsite before exiting onto the pavement to continue into East Runton village. As the road leaves East Runton there is a track on the left between two caravan sites. The path follows this for several hundred yards before returning to the road via a footpath on the right. There is a short distance along the pavement past a terrace of cottages and the Wyndham Caravan Park before it cuts across a grassed area to the clifftop where it continues down into Cromer. There is currently no additional marker on the waymarker post in front of the pier. However the path does continue onwards along the promenade towards Happy Valley.

Cromer to Overstrand

The path proceeds along the prom and then up to the path that leads along the cliff tops to Happy Valley. Opposite an octagonal shelter is a waymarker pointing down the cliffs via a set of steps. The path then continues along the beach to Overstrand following the route of the Paston Way. It is unknown why negotiation with the golf club to use the permissive path beyond the Cromer Lighthouse was not undertaken as this would have been a much more favourable route with some spectacular views. The beach route is accessible during most states of tide but given an unusually high tide the route will be unpassable and this permissive path can act as a viable alternative route through to Overstrand.

Overstrand to Trimingham

The path follows Overstrand Prom until its end where it then ascends the steep roadway into the Eastern end of the village. This leads out onto the main coast road where there is a pavement through to a track just beyond Manor Farm. This leads up to an old permissive footpath along the cliff tops through to Trimmingham.

Trimingham to Mundesley

The route follows the coast road out of Trimingham. After a couple of field boundaries, a country lane bears off to the right. The signage here is a little poor as there is no clear indication that this lane should be taken but this is most certainly the correct route. Proceeding along the coast road is hazardous as there is no verge or pavement throughout the double bends in front of the radar station. Not far down the lane there is footpath on the right that leads around the back of the radar station and back to the main coast road. From here a high verge has been trimmed down to allow walking access alongside the road through to a junction with another lane. Opposite this junction is the entrance to the Trimingham House Holiday Park where a Coast Path waymarker directs down the entrance road. Continue on the access road, beyond the barrier and follow the road through the holiday park. At the far end another waymarker confirms that this is the correct route. The path continues along the cliff top, crosses a beach road to continue along the cliffs, in front of another holiday park. Eventually the way ahead is barred by a low wooden fence, but a path leads into the holiday park and then out to the main Coast Road where finger posts once again confirm this is the correct route. Follow the road down into Mundesley village where a waymarker then directs down to the prom adjacent to the Mundesley Maritime Museum.

Mundesley to Bacton

This is a beach walk following the route of the Paston Way. This can be blocked at the Bacton end by high tides, therefore tide times need to be consulted. The adoption of this route appears to have been taken as the making a public right of way from the permissive path that runs along the clifftops in front of the Bacton Gas Terminal is deemed a security risk for the site. Nonetheless if the tide is not right then the permissive path can be a viable alternative. This can be found by following the road out of Mundesley and just past the sharp turn inland take the left hand lane and follow this to its end where it leads into a path along the cliff tops through to Bacton.

Bacton to Happisburgh

This follows the concrete defences in front of Walcott then negotiates its way thorough Bush Estate at Ostend to the clifftop path to Happisburgh

Happisburgh to Sea Palling

The route continues along the cliff top path to Eccles and then follows Doggetts Lane behind the chalets to Cart Gap where the beach is followed to Sea Palling. An alternative route here is the track that is on the landward side of the dunes.

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Summary of Document Changes

Last Updated: 2021-12-07

2021-03-17 : Update website improvements and removal of ViewRanger reliance

2021-12-01 : Removal of ViewRanger links due to its imminent demise

Related Walk Links

• Walks around Cromer
• Walks around Overstrand
• Walks around Mundesley
• Walks around Bacton
• Walks around Happisburgh
• Walks around Sea Palling
• Walks along the Norfolk Coast Path
• Walks for OS Map 252, Norfolk Coast East
• Walks for OS Map OL40, The Broads

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The Original Paston Way Route

Walking the original route to Norfolk's Paston Way

The Paston Way is a long distance trail around north east Norfolk that takes its names from the eminent Paston family who lived in the area during the 15th century, originating from the village of Paston. Although the route of the trail has been altered in more recent years in order to incorporate additional villages and churches in the area, originally it was a sub-20 mile trail with branches to outlying villages and churches. The original route can still be accessed and is a great way to spend a days walking between Norfolk's North Walsham and Cromer.

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Completion of The Woodfordes Ale Trail 2011

The Woodfordes Ale Trail ended on 30th September and it was time to total up our stamps and collect our prizes. To recollect the rules, one has to visit Woodfordes outlets that are contained in their 2011 guide and on purchasing a pint of Woodfordes ale the publican will add an entry to the Trail Card with a unique stamp. There is only one stamp allowed for each venue and the trail only runs from June to the end of September. There is a different prize for collecting multiples of 10 stamps with the top prize being a polypin of ale for 60 stamps. In 2009 we managed to fill 2 Trail Cards and had started a third giving us a bounty of 2 polypins and a Nelsons Revenge t-shirt. This year we were not as successful due to being away from the area for a few weeks over the summer months. The end result was that we only completed half of the card. Nonetheless, this was thirty stamps collected which was rewarded with a mighty fine Woodfordes Hoody worth £25 as modelled by Kat in the photo above, an item that will most certainly keep us warm on our camping and walking expeditions

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Paston Way - Trimingham to Cromer

A 13 mile walk along Norfolk's Paston Way from Trimingham to Cromer.

This is a customised walk linking sections of the Paston Way to provide a route passing the churches of Trimingham, Trunch, Bradfield and Southrepps as well as the local village pubs which are obligingly open all day on a Sunday. The final section from Northrepps offers an alternative wander past Sally Beans Cottage, renowned for being the lookout from the old Smuggling days of the 17th century, into Cromer.

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Bittern Line Walk - Cromer to North Walsham

A 11.5 mile walk following the Bittern Line between Cromer and North Walsham

The Bittern Line provides the rail gateway to North East Norfolk from Norwich. Although there are no officially documented walks that link its stations, this walk seeks to rectify this and links Cromer and North Walsham using country lanes, footpaths and tracks. Stunning countryside, typical Norfolk villages and always something new to discover.

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Norfolk Coast Path - Cley to Wells-next-the-Sea

A 10 mile walk following the Norfolk Coast Path between Cley and Wells-next-the-Sea

An easy walk along the Norfolk Coast Path navigating out across the marshes to Blakeney then along the marsh perimeter to Wells. Blakeney is a worthy stopping point to explore Mariners Hill and the Guildhall and take in the legends of the Blakeney tunnels and the tragic story of the Blakeney Fiddler who is depicted on the village sign.

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Paston Way to Gunton - Pubs, Churches and Wartime Conspiracies

A 7 mile walk along Norfolk's Paston Way from Cromer to Gunton.

The Paston Way has a few alternative paths that stray from its main route between North Walsham and Cromer, and this walk takes the optional route out to Gunton from where a train can be taken back to Cromer. There are some worthy country pubs along this simple walk so a good old English pub crawl can also be had along with taking in the sights of the impressive churches at Northrepps and Southrepps plus local tales of wartime German conspiracies!

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The Paston Way

The Paston Way is a 20 miles Norfolk footpath linking North Walsham and Cromer. The path takes its name from the Paston Family who, during the Medieval and Tudor periods, were the dominant and wealthy landowners in which much of the trail passes. The Paston Family in turn had taken their name after the north eastern coastal village of Paston. The route can be walked within a day and there is ample public transport connecting start and end of the route. The first time I walked this route I was so impressed that I walked it again the next year. It encompasses both coutryside and seaside and Cromer is a fitting end to the walk with plenty of refreshment houses to recuperate in.

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Alternative Coast Path Route from Sheringham to Cley

A 10 mile alternative route for the North Norfolk Coast Path between Sheringham and Cley

This walk takes diversions from the official route of the North Norfolk Coast Path via the North Norfolk Railway and the Weybourne Priory Ruins. A further alternative is then used to navigate away from the strenuous shingle walk along the coast to a more gentle amble up to the village of Salthouse and across the hills to Cley. This provides a scenic and interesting alternative to the official route of the North Norfolk Coast Path and gives some spectacular views across the marshes from the hillside between Salthouse and Cley.

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Norfolk Coast Path - Wells-next-the-Sea to Burnham Overy Staithe

A 7 mile walk following the North Norfolk Coast Path between Wells-next-the-Sea and Burnham Overy Staithe

This amble includes some magnificent beach walking along the sands in front of the Holkham National Nature Reserve. Acres upon acres of golden sand when the tide is out with big skies and thousands upon thousands of razor shells which are washed up on the high tide mark. The walk ends at Burnham Overy Staithe, the quiet hamlet which is said to be where Nelson learnt to row and sail.

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The Aftermath of the 2013 Storm Surge - Cromer and Sheringham

A 6 mile beach walk to witness the damage caused by the 2013 Storm Surge at Cromer and Sheringham

Both Cromer and Sheringham bore the brunt of the storm surge on the night of December 5th 2013. Although repair work is well under way there are still the signs of what damage the sea can cause. There have also been many cliff falls along this length of coastline with the cliff faces providing a fascinating view sculptured by the weather and tides and offering multi coloured strata.

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North Walsham to Bacton Woods Circular Walk

A 7 mile circular walk connecting the Norfolk town of North Walsham with Bacton Woods

The Norfolk countryside holds a lot of hidden gems and this walk discovers a few. The route uses country lanes and footpaths to provide an easy circular ramble. The woods are worth the effort and hold a hidden secret of the location of a gibbet on which, during the late 18th century, William Suffolk's body was hanged in chains for his murderous deeds. The return route passes the iconic Ebridge Mill and then leads onto the Weavers Way for the final section back to North Walsham

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A visit to the rather curious Happisburgh

A simple 3 mile circular walk along the Norfolk Coast between Happisburgh and Eccles

Happisburgh is curious - it is slowly being taken by the sea, its houses slowly falling victim to the tides. The pub gardens boast a signal box to a railway line that never got built. A lighthouse stands guard to the south and its lifeboat is located at the next village of Eccles. In recent times the tide has uncovered prehistoric human footprints. And there is local folklore of ghostly smugglers and misdeeds. Very curious indeed.

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Old Coast Path Route - Cromer to Sheringham

A 6 mile walk along the original route of the Norfolk Coast Path between Cromer and Sheringham

Up until December 2014 the official route of the Norfolk Coast Path from its start at Cromer Pier through to Sheringham navigated inland along the hills of the Cromer Ridge, the highest ground in Norfolk. This original route can still be walked and contrasts with the cliff-top route of the realigned path which is now part of the England Coast Path. With shady lanes and tracks through the woodland, spectacular views from the summit of Beacon Hill and the challenging ascent to the iconic Beeston Bump, this walk is a worthwhile excursion from the coastal route.

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In Search of the myths and legends of Stiffkey

An 8.5 mile walk along a section of the Norfolk Coast Path between Wells-next-the-Sea and Morston, with a diversion through the village of Stiffkey.

Stiffkey (locally pronounced Stewkey) is referred to as Stivecai in the Domesday Book, which means "island of tree stumps". This is thought to relate to the remains of an ancient wooden structure dating back 8,000 years, that was found on the marsh. Today it is a sleepy little village on the North Norfolk Coast Road renowned for its topiary including a line of elephants all trunk to tail at Nellie's Cottage, a guitar sitting proudly atop a hedge at the home of a guitar teacher and a fox by the gate post of the Fox family's house. It does, nevertheless, have an intriguing recent history with stories of Black Shuck, the ghostly devil dog, and the tale of the infamous Reverend Harold Davidson, Rector of Stiffkey who was defrocked in a national scandal involving ladies of the night and ended up being mauled by a lion.

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Holkham to Wells Circular Walk

A 9 mile circular walk along the North Norfolk Coast between Holkham and Wells-next-the-sea

An alternative to the North Norfolk Coast Path, which follows the landward side of the large belt of pine trees known as Holkham Pines, is to walk along the glorious sandy Holkham beach. This was such a well worth experience with acres upon acres of sandy beach and dunes. With clear blue skies and a little sunshine this makes for a superb walk at any time of the year. The Albatros, a sailing ship that is permanently moored at Wells Quay provides some fine and simple lunches including fresh mussels which provide a fitting half way point to this walk. The return uses the tracks around the Holkham estate taking in views of the hall, the lake and obelisk.

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