An almost uninterrupted stretch of beach ribbons along the Norfolk coast. Whether it’s soft, golden sand or pebbly shores, there are plenty of secluded spots where you can picnic alone, even in August. The shallow North Sea is ideal for paddling and the slow incoming tide provides plenty of family fun as it fills the moats of shell-decorated sand castles. But choose your swimming spots carefully. If you’re an anxious swimmer or have young children in tow, head to the beaches that are lifeguarded during the summer months. Deceptively strong currents and undercurrents can make these waters dangerous.
For more inspiration, visit our guide to Norfolk and discover the best restaurants, pubs, hotels and things to do in the area.
Hunstanton
Known locally as ‘Sunny Hunny’, this resort has a three kilometer long beach of gently sloping sand, which is packed on warm days. There is lots to do at this resort including cliff top walks, boat trips, pitch & putt and a Sea Life centre. Donkey rides are sometimes available during peak months and the shallow waters are popular with kitesurfers and windsurfers.
Insider tip: This is the only resort beach in East Anglian that faces west, meaning it is sheltered from the sea breeze and good for sunset watchers. The more northerly beach at Old Hunstanton is less pebbly than the stretch closest to the town.
Facilities: Parking, cafe, shops, lifeguard in summer
Best for: Fun by the sea, paddling, picnicking
Brancaster
The tides are strong along this stretch of coast, but the sand is perfect for picnics and sand castle building, and the water recedes leaving shallow lagoons where young children can paddle and play safely. Rich in wildlife, you can spot avocets, oystercatchers, terns and sometimes seals hanging out on the shore. There is a links golf course in the dunes, against the sand.
Insider tip: At low tide, the shipwreck of the SS Vina from the 1940s is visible, half submerged in the sand. Don’t be tempted to walk out to check it out once the tide turns, though, as fast-moving incoming water can quickly close it off.
Facilities: Parking spot
Best for: Sand castles, paddling, picnics, isolation
Holkham
A horseshoe-shaped beach of pale sand, sheltered by pine forests, popular with horse riders and perfect for kite flying. When the tide is out it’s a long walk to the sea, so not the best choice if you have small children and need to take a lot of stuff with you. If you head east you can walk to Wells-next-the-Sea beach.
Insider tip: Even if the Lady Anne’s Drive car park is full, you can always find a quiet stretch of sand that is peaceful and away from the crowds, by walking a short distance behind the pine forest before cutting through the trees to the sea.
Facilities: Parking lot, cafe
Best for: Dog walkers, sandcastles, isolation
Wells-next-the-Sea
A cheerful bucket-and-spade beach, a mile from the lively town, which joins Holkham beach to the west. Characterized by its collection of brightly colored beach huts surrounded by pine forests, it has a dog-free zone on the east side and is popular with families with young children who don’t want to walk too far.
Insider tip: Beware of strong currents (a siren will sound when the tide turns) and observe the swimming areas to avoid the large boats that service the offshore wind farm. A patrol boat provides extra safety for swimmers during the summer months.
Facilities: Parking lot, cafe, summer lifeguard
Best for: Sandcastles, families, picnics
Cley-next-the-Sea
No place for sand castles. Instead, this beach is a long, romantic stretch of smooth stones and gravel, backed by a large area of grazing marshes and reed beds. It is reached by a short walk or drive from the village, famous for its characteristic windmill. Come here to escape the crowds and enjoy a peaceful walk along the waterfront with binoculars at hand.
Insider tip: Cley Marshes, immediately behind the beach, is the Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s oldest and best known nature reserve, established in the 1920s. The area of pebble beaches and salty pools attracts large numbers of migratory birds, including bitterns and marsh harriers.
Facilities: Parking spot
Best for: Insulation
Cromer
Together with neighboring Sheringham, Cromer has a Blue Flag beach. It is well managed, long and made up of a mix of gravel and sand, and is backed by a large resort with a traditional pier and zoning for water sports. Fishing boats unload their catch on the sand and there are plenty of cafes and ice cream parlors within easy reach. Dogs are not allowed on the beach during the summer season.
Insider tip: It is quite a steep walk from the car park to the promenade and beach, which can be a challenge for families with small children and beach bags to transport or for disabled holidaymakers. Limited parking spaces are available on the boulevard for blue badge holders.
Facilities: Parking, cafe, shops, lifeguard in summer
Best for: Fun by the sea, paddling, picnicking
Zee Palling
This idyllic stretch of beach is surrounded by dunes, with occasional outcrops of large gray boulders and fine gravel. There is a series of artificial reefs just off the coast, part of a sea defense plan built by the Environment Agency in the mid-1990s to protect the area from flooding, preventing sand from ending up in the sea.
Insider tip: The reefs also help to calm the water close to shore, making this a good option for swimming (the area is summer zoned). It’s also popular for water sports, such as kayaking, windsurfing and jet skiing, so don’t expect complete peace and quiet.
Facilities: Parking lot, cafe, summer lifeguard
Best for: Swimming, water sports, picnicking
Waxham
Located just south of Sea Palling, Waxham Beach is a continuation of its neighbour’s beautiful yellow sands, but offers more tranquility, with seals often sunbathing on the shore. In a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the coastline here feels very remote, although Waxham Sands further south has a busier atmosphere thanks to a small holiday park nearby.
Insider tip: Behind the marram grass covered dunes in the village of Waxham lies the Waxham Great Barn, built in the 16th century, which has now been restored and open to the public. There is a small museum on site, a picnic area and Dunes Café, which serves light lunches.
Facilities: Car park at Waxham Sands
Best for: Isolation, wildlife
How we choose
Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to bring you their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveler. We update this list regularly to stay informed of the latest vacancies and to provide current recommendations.