Circular & Linear Walks

This 6.5 mile (10.5Km) circular walk takes you to some of the very best coastal scenery in the Suffolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

Starting at Fort Green car park in Aldeburgh, which has public toilets, it takes you past The House in the Clouds, a Martello Tower, and a fabulous scallop sculpture. 

The walk is mostly level on public footpaths and permissive routes, and an old railway line. In places it may be muddy in places in wet weather. 

The walk is reproduced with kind permission of the Suffolk Coast Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty, from a project funded by the Coastal Communities Fund. 

Starting in the seaside village of Bacton village, this 4.5 mile walk takes in a beautiful area of Norfolk. Most of the time you'll not even be aware that the extensive industrial complex of Bacton Gas Terminal lies on the cliff top to the west of the village. The route crosses verdant countryside to link St Andrew’s church (just outside the village) with the much older round tower church of St Margaret at Witton. Both are worth visiting and open to the public on a daily basis. The route is mostly flat and open, with the land rolling gently towards the sea. The views across fields and pleasant grazing meadows are particularly enjoyable on an autumn morning, with far off leaves on the turn and mist clinging to the gentle landscape. Returning to Bacton there are plenty of opportunities for refreshment, as well as the beach for picnics. To explore the area further you can easily pick up sections of Paston Way or the Norfolk Coast Path which both run nearby.

This 7.5 mile (12km) walk follow sea defence walls, roads and rights of way and visits the villages of Cley, Wiveton and Blakeney.

The River Glaven, which runs beside the route for part of the way, was once a navigable river for sea vessels and served the ports of Wiveton and Cley.  Blakeney village was also once a port, but ceased trading before 1914 as a result of the arrival of the railways and the New Cut channel silting up.

This walk is accessible by public transport via the Coast Hopper bus service. 

Download a map of the route here.

This 4.5 mile (7km) route follows some minor roads but runs mainly on soft lanes and coastal paths.  The inland sections offer superb views over the coast from the dizzying heights of up to 50 metres above sea level!  The remainder of the route follows the edge of the Brancaster Marsh on raised banks and boardwalks, with extensive views of this unique habitat and its wildlife.

This walk is accessible by public transport via the Coast Hopper bus service.

Download a map of both of the Brancaster circular walks here.

This 4.5 mile (7km) route follows minor roads, soft lanes and coastal paths and offers superb coastal views.

This walk is accessible by public transport via the Coast Hopper bus service.

Download the map for Brancaster Circular walks 1 and 2 here. 

Explore Burgh Castle on this easy 1 mile walk. Built in the late 3rd Century AD, Burgh Castle is one of the best preserved Roman sites in the country and the thick walls of the fort are still an impressive sight. Originally, the fort would have guarded an area that the Romans referred to as the ‘Saxon Shore’. Though the Roman Empire crumbled, the walls remained to house Saxons and later, Norman lords who redeveloped the fort into a motte and bailey castle.

Whilst the site is rich with history, it is also a beautiful place to wander, with panoramic views across Breydon Water to the mills and marshes beyond. The nutrient-rich mudflats of Breydon Water are teeming with life, which draws in a wide variety of wading birds to exploit the rich source of food. The surrounding grazing marshes also support a wide range of wildlife, including vast flocks of wildfowl such as pink footed geese and widgeon in the winter months.

This short walk is perfect for an afternoon out and offers good access for all. The stunning area can easily be explored further, with Angles Way passing Burgh Castle on its way out of Great Yarmouth, alongside Breydon Water and the River Waveney towards Somerleyton.

Starting from the marshes at Morston, which are owned by the National Trust, this 5.5 mile (8km) walk weaves its way away from the coast along the Norfolk Coast Path National Trail, through woodland adjacent to a babbling river to the village of Cockthorpe. Standing on a ridge of high land, Cockthorpe offers stunning views all around.

Heading back, the route passes through the old Langham Airfield indicatated now only by the concrete tracks and the poultry sheds which seem to dominate so many disused airfields. The airfield was built during the Second World War and was a base for planes including Beaufighters, Hurricanes, Mosquitoes and Wellingtons.

Looking down towards the coast Blakeney Point can be seen. This shingle ridge or 'spit' is 4.5 miles long and is built up by the action of the sea.

This walk is accessible by public transport via the Coast Hopper bus service. 

Please download the map here.

This 1.5 mile walk may be short but there’s plenty to see. The route follows the quickly ascending clifftop path out of Cromer, soon rewarding any walker’s efforts with stunning views across the town and undulating cliffs beyond. On a clear day, offshore wind farms can be seen, as well as the many ships that ply the North Sea routes off the Norfolk Coast.

After savouring the views, wander down through Warren Woods. The woods were once part of the pleasure grounds of The Warren, and many typical broadleaved tree species can be found here including beech, oak and lime. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting in spring, you’ll be welcomed by a carpet of bluebells and white ransoms.

The walk can easily be extended to take in the lighthouse up close. While not open to the public, the area around the octagonal tower and keeper’s cottage is accessible. After finishing this walk there’s plenty to do in Cromer - not least a stroll on the pier, visiting one of the fascinating museums or simply enjoying an ice-cream on the beach.

There is much to see on this 7 mile walk from the pretty little village of Happisburgh. Heading along the clifftop towards Walcott you are walking above the site where early human footprints were found in sediment on the beach in 2013, which contributed to the coining of this area as the Deep History Coast. The famous Happisburgh Handaxe, an early flint ‘multi-tool’ was also found on the beach nearby. Further along the cliff top, the remains of a World War II radar station are a stark contrast to the surrounding arable land. St Mary's Church at Happisburgh is also prominent in the landscape, standing proud on its hill, which makes it seem even taller. In the north east corner of the churchyard is the mass grave for the crew of HMS Invincible, which sadly foundered offshore in 1801 on its way to join Nelson's fleet. From one church to another, the walk meanders cross-country along paths and lanes to the more modest church of St Peter in Ridlington. The walk begins and ends close to Happisburgh’s famous red and white lighthouse, tours of which can be organised throughout the year – check the Happisburgh website for details. From the lantern room, the view is breath-taking and on clear days it is possible to see the superstructures of oil rigs, far off shore.

Starting from Bure Park, Great Yarmouth, this 7 mile walk follows the River Bure out of town and onto Mautby Marsh.

Though the walk takes you no further than three miles from the bustling town, there’s a delightful sense of solitude to be found on the high flood banks that cross the marsh. It’s a glimpse of a landscape that’s seen little change in hundreds of years. The drainage mills that once kept the marsh dry enough for grazing have long since been superseded by electric-powered pumping stations, but many still stand and can be seen in the distance along the banks of the Bure.

The route passes Mautby Marsh drainage mill, now a residential property, but well-restored, sails and all. Though it no longer pumps water, the owners still turn the sails every few months to keep water from settling and causing them to rot.

Back at the start, picturesque Bure Park is the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic.

This 6 mile walk takes a slightly elevated route between Mundesley and Gimingham, and typically of Norfolk, this slight rise in the land is all that’s needed to enjoy stunning views across the lush countryside. As you ramble along in the lee of the Cromer ridge, count the many church towers that stand proud of the patch-work arable and grazing land and watch smoke rise from the chimneys of Gimingham and Trunch. 

Two of the fine medieval churches can be enjoyed at close quarters on this walk - All Saints church in Gimingham lies just to the south of the route and in Trunch you'll pass directly by St Botolph's. 

Quiet lanes lead back to picturesque Mundesley where you can enjoy beautiful views overlooking the sea. The Norfolk Coast Path and Paston Way both pass through Mundesley, making it easy to explore the area further.

This 8.5 mile walk has lots to see, including Overstrand itself. The pretty seaside village was a very fashionable resort at the end of the 19th century and several impressive buildings date from this time. One example is The Pleasaunce, a house and gardens built in the late 19th century by Sir Edwin Lutyens for Lord and Lady Battersea. The walk skirts the grounds of this as you head south from the start.

Continuing along the walk, the disused railway that runs just south of Overstrand has returned to nature since its closure in 1953, and is now a County Wildlife Site. Heading south from here, the best views of the rolling farmland that characterises much of the route can be found.

The walk passes two fine medieval churches - St Mary’s in Northrepps and the church of St James in Southrepps with its ornate tower. Both are worth making a stop for.
Likewise, the two large 18th Century barns of Winspurs Farm (thought to have been a base for smugglers during the Napoleonic era) are striking examples of the diversity of architecture in the area.

Keep an eye out for the Shrieking Pit, a tree-shaded pond that you will pass to the east of Northrepps, which as local legend has it, is haunted by the spectre of a girl said to have been drowned there. From Hungry Hill the way descends to the disused railway line again, once a World War Two training area, before returning to Overstrand.

This 7 mile (11km) circular walk takes you round the pretty Norfolk village of Ringstead and its surrounding countryside. It starts at the Gin Trap pub, where you can see a set of stocks, as a reminder of the days when offenders were punished by fellow villagers.

The walk then takes you out of the village and along the Peddars Way National Trail and past the Sedgeford borehole where local drinking water is drawn from the rock below.

Continuing round the walk, it passes Courtyard Farm, which is the home of conservationist, Lord Melchett. Circular walks have been created on the farm, showing the work that they do and the specially created wildlife habitats.

This walk then continues up and onto some quiet grassy tracks, with magnificent views over the coastline, before continuing down onto quiet country lanes and back into the village. 

Download the map here.

The 9 mile route can be followed in either direction, and whichever you choose, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the North Norfolk coast, intimate woodland paths and sunken lanes as you climb toward the summit of Beacon Hill, also known locally as ‘Roman Camp’. Standing 103 metres above sea level, the hill is part of the Cromer ridge, a line of glacial moraines formed during the last Ice Age. A great challenge for any walker, the climb is worth it not only for the view, but also the unique feeling of reaching the highest point in the whole of East Anglia.

In spite of the name, it’s likely that there was never any Roman occupation on the site. The earthworks that you’ll see on your walk are probably the remains of a signal station built during the Napoleonic Wars. It’s thought that the term ‘Roman Camp’ was actually coined by the drivers of horse-drawn cabs in the late 19th Century as a way of making the area more appealing to tourists. 

Continuing on to Cromer, the walk undulates along hedged tracks between mixed woodland and open fields, before reaching the town and iconic pier. After enjoying the Victorian seaside resort, follow the Norfolk Coast Path back to West Runton beach. Heading along the cliff top with short detours inland, keep an eye out for surfers enjoying the waves and para-gliders launching themselves from the cliffs.

In the past, Salthouse has indeed lived up to its name.  Salt from seawater was produced here as long ago as the eleventh century and Sarbury Hill, over which the route passes, was called Salt Hill on a map of 1649.

This 5 mile (8km) walk starts in the village near to the shop and pub.  It meanders upwards out of the village to Salthouse Heath, from which there are extensive views over the coastline from Sheringham to Blakeney Point and beyond.

The footpath along the ridge coincides with the Norfolk Coast Path National Trail.

This walk is accessible by public transport via the Coast Hopper bus service. 

Please download the map of this walk here.

With its offshore reefs and the small bays these have created, Sea Palling is unique on the Norfolk Coast. These sheltered inlets are the perfect place to pause and take in the atmosphere. At certain times of the year, you might see the occasional seal, or the silver flash of a low-flying flock of terns. Sea Palling beach can be a magical place.

On the beach near North Gap, the walk passes the site of the medieval village of Eccles-Juxta-Mare, which was lost to coastal erosion in the late 16th century. In the past, shifting sands on the beach have revealed hidden archaeological treasures.

The inland portion of this 6 mile walk is just as beautiful, with far reaching views across the northern area of the Norfolk Broads. The church of St Andrew's at Hempstead stands alone on its lane, with the thatched roof glimpsed through the trees as you approach. In late summer, the hedgerows around the church and those that line the local bridleways are rich with blackberries.

You'll discover a beautiful range of landscapes on this 6 mile walk - whether it’s the undulating clifftops between Sheringham and Weybourne, the sweeping parkland, ancient oak woodland and famous rhododendrons of Sheringham Park, or the quiet marsh, fen and grassland of Beeston Common, this walk has a bit of everything.

Heading between the clifftop path and Sheringham Park you'll also cross the Poppy Line railway - if you're lucky you may even see a steam train chugging past.

The varied habitats that this walk passes through mean it is particularly rich in wildlife. Beeston Common boasts no less than nineteen species of dragonfly and Sheringham Park has three species of deer. Each of these sites has its own website where you can find out lots more information.

At the end of your walk, take some time to explore the characterful seaside town of Sheringham with its independent shops, museums and series of amazing murals along the seafront.

This 9.5 mile (15km) walk (or 7 miles - 11km - without extra loop) starts and finishes in the coastal town of Sheringham.  En route it passes through Beeston Common, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, crosses over the Cromer Ridge, a remnant of the Ice Age up to 15,000 years old and traverses the Roman Camp and Incleborough Hill, now both in the ownership of the National Trust.

Part of the walk follows the Norfolk Coast Path National Trail.

This walk is accessible by public transport via the Coast Hopper bus service and the Bittern Line rail service. 

Download the map of this walk here.

This is a 4.5 mile (7km) walk, which takes in salt marshes, St Mary's Friary and St Margaret's Church.

Until the end of the nineteenth century Burnham Overy Staithe was a thriving sea port serving the Burnhams and inland to the Creakes. Evidence of its sea trading past are still to be seen in the form of granaries and warehouses, many of which are now converted into houses.

The dunes along the coastline now form part of a National Nature Reserve and support a fragile community of plants.

This walk is accessible by public transport via the Coast Hopper bus service. 

Please download a map here.

2 mile walk

Open almost every day, the church of St John the Baptist’s head is one of only three churches to bear this name. While the saint’s head was never on display here, it’s thought that a shrine, complete with a life-sized alabaster carving of the head was kept here. Although the carving was likely destroyed in the reformation, the church's impressively restored rood screen and more recent stained glass windows can still be admired. The church itself is a slightly unusual shape, having a short but heavily buttressed tower, which is thought to be unfinished.

The rest of the walk is perfect for an easy stroll along quiet lanes, paths and tracks which offer rolling views inland.

This 5.8 mile walk takes a scenic circuit around the picturesque village of Trunch, through rolling farmland and wooded paths, punctuated by a number of old farmsteads and historic buildings. St Botolph’s church is close to the start of the walk, and well worth a look around. Built in the 15th Century, the hammerbeam roof and richly ornamented screen form the perfect backdrop for the incredible font canopy. The oak canopy is rich with carved detail including fruits, flowers, leopards and lions, and is one of only four such canopies surviving in England. Many historic barns and farmhouses line both Brewery Road and Mundesley Road. The oldest of these is the 16th Century flint and brick Hall Farm House, with its two barns of a similar age. This walk can be enjoyed at any time of year - from a breezy summer's day dappled in sunlight through to a crisp winter walk.

There are 2 options for this walk, a 7.6 mile circuit, or a an 8.3 mile walk. Both talk around 4 hours, and are on mostly flat terrain. 

The walks start in Walberswick, where there are public toilets, and takes you along the coast, through reedbeds and forest. 

This walk has been reproduced with the kind permission of Suffolk Coasts and Heaths AONB.  

5 mile walk

Weybourne beach is popular with anglers and is a launch site for several commercial fishing vessels. If your timing’s right as you start the walk, you might see one of these small, traditional boats launching. It’s an impressive feat on the steep shingle beach, the splash of the boat entering the water before its crew jumps aboard and calmly puts out to sea.

Challenging for some, the first section of the walk involves crunching along the shingle beach before heading inland through grazing land and past The Quag – a large pool that often has interesting birds on it.

From here the route ascends onto Kelling Heath, a site of great geological interest as one of the best examples of a glacial outwash plain in England. The heath’s dry conditions are perfect for birdwatching too, with nightjar, whitethroat and tree pipit all nesting on the site.

From the edge of the heath’s treeline, you’ll enjoy a great view of Weybourne village, and across to the sea in the distance. You might even see a steam train chugging past on the on the Poppy Line heritage railway that runs nearby.

Looping back through the pretty village, there’s ample opportunity to refuel, with a pub, cafe and tea rooms to choose from.

3.5 mile walk

Winterton Dunes is internationally significant as a site of special scientific interest, and interestingly, with its acidic plant communities, has more in common with the dune systems of the Baltic than those found elsewhere on the Norfolk coast.

The dunes are also home to the threatened natterjack toad. You’re far more likely to hear them than see them though – the mating call of the male is very loud!

Away from the scenic dunes and beach, the walk explores the area inland, heading to the magical ruins of St Mary’s church at East Somerton. Though the church survived the reformation, it fell into disuse once the church parish of East Somerton was subsumed into that of Winterton. Today, it is quite spectacular. Set in woodland and overgrown with ivy, a great oak tree grows straight up though the now-roofless chancel.

One of the most prominent landmarks on the walk is another church – the Holy Trinity and All Saints in Winterton village. It is one of several churches built in the 14th century with particularly large towers to act as status symbols. Many generations of sailors have looked to these towers as landmarks from the sea.