Norfolk Coast Path Guided Trail Holiday

Leaving Hunstanton, with its famous striped cliffs, we pass through Holme Dunes where The Wash meets the North Sea. Look out for the flowers of the early and southern marsh orchids and marsh helleborines in the dune slacks. The Dunes are renowned for rare birds, especially in spring and autumn when migrating birds are blown off course by strong easterly winds; there is a useful visitor centre. From Thornham we head inland through a lonely landscape, before approaching Brancaster, a popular sailing centre. It once had a regular sea trade in coal and grain and what is believed to have been one of the largest malthouses in the country.

10 miles (16km) with minimal ascent.

From Brancaster we head into Nelson country, a world of birds, creeks, wind and sky. England’s famous hero, Horatio Nelson was born at Burnham Thorpe in 1758 and the area oozes the maritime theme, with inns such as the Nelson, the Victory and the Trafalgar. We can imagine him as a young lad rowing his boat along the creeks and through the reed-beds that we pass. At Burnham Deepdale we follow the wide sweep of the sea bank stretching towards Scolt Head and Gun Hill before the marvellous vista of Holkham Bay opens up before us. It is the largest nature reserve in England and Wales, comprising grazing marsh, salt marsh, sand dunes, woodland and foreshore. We finish at Holkham Gap where there is a new eco-friendly café and Visitor Centre.

10 miles (16km) with minimal ascent.

An easy walk takes us to Wells-next-the-Sea, where there should be time for a coffee or a stroll around. On leaving Wells along paths of springy turf, salt marshes begin to dominate the landscape. The flint village of Stiffkey is only 1km off our footpath and famous for its cockles known as ‘Stewkey Blues’, which used to be gathered by the women of the village, until the fishery declined in the 1950’s. Traces can be seen here and there. Continuing along the coast is Morston village with its traditional pub, and as the footpath zig-zags alongside Agar Creek, the cobbled cottages of Blakeney come into view. This erstwhile trading port is a fine place to end the day.

10 miles (16km) with minimal ascent.

We set off along the top of the sea bank, curving out towards Blakeney Eye with stunning views and a sense of solitude. The trail turns inland alongside marshland which was once open sea, as the name of our next port of call, Cley-next-the-Sea suggests. With its distinctive windmill this was formally a port where wool from Norfolk sheep was shipped to the Low Countries in the 13th century. From Cley the sound of waves is our constant companion and exquisite vegetation such as sea holly and yellow horned poppy may be spotted. A stretch of shingle walking signals we are nearly at the end of our day. The water is extremely deep here and is the only place on the Norfolk coast thought to be deep enough for submarines to approach in World War II. A short walk brings us to Weybourne, an old-world village with flint houses.

9 miles (14.5km) with minimal ascent.

Our final walk commences with an energising cliff walk to Skelding Hill and the old coastguard lookout. The views are impressive, as we start our descent to Sheringham. Sheringham is renowned for its lobsters, crabs and whelks, and fishermen still set their crab pots as they have done for generations. With no natural harbour the boats are hauled up on to the beach with their catch. Beeston Hill marks the end of our coastal walking for a stretch, and a deviation from the official coast path to explore some of Norfolk's beautiful countryside. We head inland up to Beacon Hill with views back through woodland to the sea. Walking through the forest we reach the highest elevation in Norfolk at 105 metres (346ft). Dropping back to the sparkling sea of Cromer, a short walk along the front takes us to Cromer pier where we can celebrate our journey’s end.

9 miles (14.5km) with 700 feet (210m) of ascent.