North Norfolk has a special place in my heart. Having spend the majority of my childhood growing up there, I have fond memories of spending weekends crabbing and sunny days at the beach. The coastline has something for everyone, from impressive cliffs, sandy beaches, woodland walks and much more.

In this post, I’ll be sharing my top five destinations to visit in North Norfolk. It was very difficult choosing only five locations, so I’ve added the places that didn’t quite make it onto the list at the bottom of the post.

Holkham Hall

Holkham Hall is a truly magnificent building. Being home to the Coke family since the early 17th century, the hall is steeped in history giving it true character.

The estate provides several things to do for all the family. You get the opportunity to take a look inside the hall- an Italian villa style space containing treasures from across Europe. Or you have the choice of outdoor attractions, such the walled garden, the park, cycle hire, a weekly parkrun- alongside regular organized events such women’s walks and children’s nature workshops.

Just across the road from the hall is Holkham Beach, a beautiful and expansive sandy beach which is a favourite of dog walkers and horse riders alike (in the summer there’s often an ice cream truck parked at the end of the drive- which is a bonus!). With ample parking and easy accessibility to major routes, Holkham is a stress-free location you can just bundle up and go to last minute.

After your day of activities, kick your feet up at the café or the Victoria- a cosy pub just opposite Lady Ann Drive.

Burnham Market is the ideal place to visit if dismal weather halts your sunbathing plans, or if you fancy a more relaxed wander around some shops on your holiday. It’s a bit of a hidden gem, with it not being a typical location on Norfolk holidaymaker’s lists. However, I think if you’re in Norfolk this is a must-see location.

If I’m told to think of a ‘postcard-perfect Norfolk town’, Burnham Market would be the first place to come to mind. The traditional architecture and large greens in the centre of the town gives the whole place a ‘quintessentially Norfolk’ vibe. Even in the height of summer when the town fills with people, it still manages to keep its relaxed feel.

Though not particularly large, the town features a range of locally owned shops and restaurants. The hat shop is a favourite of mine- it has the largest range of hats I’ve ever seen in one place, with a range of fascinators (for the ladies attending weddings this year). There’s also a Jack Wills, Joules, and Gun Hill.

For food, there’s The Hoste, a fantastic hotel/pub/restaurant, Gurney’s Fish and Chips, alongside No Twenty9, which has music nights if you fancy getting the dancing shoes out.

Wells-Next-The-Sea

Wells has got it all: a sandy beach, shops, restaurants, prime crabbing locations, an arcade, even a 19th century ship-turned restaurant!

This in my opinion is the best place to go in North Norfolk if you have children. It has everything you need all in one place for a fun-filled day on the coast. Go for a morning walk along the beach, head back through the woods (finding the famed rope swing on the way), have an award winning fish and chips from French’s Fish and Chip Shop, go crabbing on the quay, try your hand at the arcade games, and top the day off with a delicious meal at one of the many fantastic restaurants.

The high street offers a great selection of family run shops. I’ve spent many hours wandering through wells, looking at clothes, art, pottery, and lounging in the sun drinking coffee. My personal favourite is BTOI, a homewares and souvenir shop which has a beautiful selection of ceramics.

Alongside the various attractions Wells-Next-The-Sea offers, there’s also Pinewoods, a beautiful holiday park next to the beach hosting a large selection of luxury lodges and caravans.

Hunstanton

Hunstanton is a classic Victorian seaside town. Being the northernmost seaside town in Norfolk, It’s often the first stop when doing a tour of the coastline.

And what a good way to start the holiday! The most striking feature is the cliffs, technically located in Old Hunstanton but I’ve grouped them together for the purpose of this guide. Hunstanton is another place which is great for children, with two arcades, a bowling alley and a swimming pool. The biggest attraction of the town is the funfair, which serves as great entertainment for the children and is running over the whole summer.

The seafront is over a mile long, and when the tide is out its a good place for walking and swimming. If you prefer a more ‘interactive’ experience, take a ride on Wizzy the Wash Monster, an amphibious tour bus which takes you into the sea to get up close to the seals. There are also various watersports to try your had at, such as windsurfing and wakeboarding.

Sandringham

Sandringham Estate is most famous as the private country retreat of Their Majesties The King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The house is open to tours throughout spring, summer and autumn for visitors to have a glimpse inside the historical building and the beautiful treasures which are held within. The gardens which have been shaped by five generations of monarchs are a stunning sight to behold, with a variety of colourful flowers and two ornamental lakes.

The 20,000 acres of parkland, woodland and farmland which surround the house are intertwined with both marked and unmarked footpaths great for both walking or cycling. There’s also a children’s play area and trail which are free to access all year round.

A range of facilities in the Courtyard cater for everything from a light bite to a sweet treat or ice cream. There is also a shop, which stocks an extensive range artisan products, many sourced from the estate.

Honourable Mentions

These locations didn’t quite make it onto the top five list, but I felt they needed mentioning, so I’ve listed them below. Make sure to check them out as well, as they have lots to offer!

• Brancaster Beach
• Cromer
• Binham Priory
• Creake Abbey
• Thorham