North Norfolk is renowned for its spectacular coastline, abundant wildlife, glorious beaches, picturesque market towns and National Trust properties. Few counties offer such a diverse range of activities and Fakenham Fairways is the perfect base to start exploring.

Beaches

We all like to be beside the seaside

Seaside adventures are waiting for you along the North Norfolk coast.  

There is a simply enormous sandy beach at Brancaster which is great for walking, relaxing, building sand castles or a quick dip in the sea (it was certainly a quick dip in April!).  At Cley it is a wonderful to stand and listen to the crescendo of waves as they hit the pebble beach and Wells-next-the-sea, famous for its colourful backdrop of beach huts is just 15 minutes drive from Fakenham Fairways.

The beach at Holkham seems to be endless. In fact, it’s a whopping 20 million sq ft of flat sand with a narrow band of windswept dunes and bordered by a pine forest.  It is perfect for kite flying or beach cricket. There is a lovely 4 mile circular walk along the shore line to Wells-Next-Sea and back through the woods. 

The chalk reef off Cromer is the longest in the world created when the dinosaurs roamed.  We never tire of the truly magical feeling of its big sky meeting the majestic sea. 

Our campers certainly enjoy rock pooling at West Runton and last summer Holme became a favourite spending hours swimming in the Mediterranean-like sea (we can’t promise that every year!).

In its 50 best beaches, The Times described arriving in Sheringham like driving into the 1930s.  Our personal favourite is parking up a Burnham Overy Staithe and walking along the flood defence.  This takes you alongside the marshes which are teeming with bird life and then you climb the mountain like sand dunes to reach a normally  empty beach.  

Walking

Out and about on foot

The North Norfolk coastal path stretches from Hunstanton to Cromer. You can walk along the well-marked path for as long or as little as you like. Stopping off at towns and villages on the way (maybe for a bite to eat or a sneaky pint) and then if you don’t fancy walking back you can jump on the coast hopper bus to take you back to your car. We have walked most of the coastal path and are always taken aback by its vastness and beauty. We love the salt marshes, sand dunes and harbours. Our favourites definitely include the walk from Cley to Blakeney Point to watch the seals, and Holme to Brancaster for a little seafood at the White Horse. Parking at Lady Anne’s Drive you can either head west along the beach to Burnham Overay Staith or if you fancy a circular walk (with a coffee and pastry half way) turn right towards Wells and head back through the pinewoods (if you are lucky you might catch sight and sound of the pink footed geese).
Eating

Food, food, food and a little drink

North Norfolk is fast becoming a foodie’s paradise. There are local farm shops and delis, cosy pubs and some absolutely gorgeous fresh fish and chips. Our personal favourites are the White Horse at Brancaster, the Dun Cow at Salthouse and this year Mr Chips in Fakenham is where we pop to get fish and chips for my mum (just writing this makes me feel hungry!)

Cycling

Get on your bike

Our campsite is a stone’s throw away from the National Cycle Network Route 1.

There is a 12 mile (20km) ride to Wells-next-the-Sea. Just half a mile up the road you can pick up the NCN route 1. This is a pleasant, fairly flat route. The route follows a mixture of quiet country roads and off road cycle paths before finishing at the harbour of this quintessential Norfolk coastal town.

Highlights on the route include Walsingham Abbey and the coastal views as you approach Wells.

More info: GPS Cycle & Walking Routes Fakenham to Wells-next-the-Sea

For those feeling more energetic you can follow the National cycle road 1 in the opposite direction and cycle the 29 miles to Norwich. This follows quiet roads and the beautiful Marriott way.

Watersports

On and in the water

North Norfolk has great opportunities to get out in and on the water.  Windsurfing and kite surfing have become very popular at Hunstanton and Brancaster, and there are numerous sailing clubs offering courses and taster sessions.  You can try your hand at paddle boarding from Brancaster Staith or hire a kayak.

Wildlife

Back to nature

North Norfolk is a birdwatcher’s paradise with and they are seldom disappointed.  It all starts within a mile of the campsite at Sculthorpe Moor with its diverse range of habitats that attracts all sorts of bird life.  Created by the Hawk and Owl Trust to protect and enhance the very special habitat in the Wensum Valley of Norfolk, it includes the valley’s only example of saw sedge wetland, and has breeding marsh harriers, water rails and kingfishers as well as barn owls. Otters use its waterways and the fen is home to many species of dragonfly, butterfly and flowering plants.

More info: Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve

The National Wildlife trust at Cley and Salthouse marshes is one of the country’s most popular birdwatching hotspots.  Numerous hides give fantastic views across landscapes specifically managed to attract breeding and migrating birds.  Snettisham is the place to witness a great wildlife spectacular as big tides cover the mudflats and result in 10s of thousands of wading birds being pushed off their feeding grounds.

RSPB at Titchwell is another camper’s favourite. Big skies, a fabulous sandy beach and bird filled reed beds gets them going back time after time.

Pensthorpe Natural Park combines a host of different habitats providing home for a large variety of species and giving visitors the opportunity to get really close to some of Britain’s most endangered species. Children can use up some energy on the fantastic Wild Rootz adventure play area, build dens or become detectives on the Bug Walk & Stamp Trail. Visit the wonderful gift shop or refuel in their lovely Cafe.

More info: Pensthorpe Natural Park

Boat trips

Seeing the seals

Blakeney Point is world famous for its seals with about 2500 seal pups born annually. You can head out on a boat trip to spot seals from Morston, Blakeney or Hunstanton.
Norfolk

Wander around

If you fancy a wander, a shop or a bit of entertainment there are plenty of towns and villages to keep you entertained.

Burnham Market and Holt have many boutiques.  Cromer is a traditional sea side town with its landmark pier housing the lifeboat and pavilion theatre.  Hunstanton has something for everyone. The magnificent red and white cliffs, candy floss, fish and chips and even a donkey ride!  Sheringham is a seaside town with a fishing industry based on crabs and lobsters. There’s a promenade which runs along the top of the seawall defences providing the perfect place to walk and Cafes and restaurants overlook the beach, providing perfect sea views.

Homes

Visit big houses and gardens

We have many stately homes in the area for you to explore. You can visit the Sandringham Estate, a house and gardens set in 8,000 acres where the Royal Family regularly spend Christmas, or Holkham Hall situated in a deer park, is just down the road and considered one of Britain’s most majestic stately homes. Binham Priory is among the most complete and impressive monastic ruins in Norfolk.     Blickling Estate is a fifteenth century moated house with a rose garden, classical temple, follies and a woodland garden.  Felbrigg Hall has a mixture of woods and parkland with well-marked paths.
For kids

Fun stuff for all ages

For a day away from the beach you could always have a go at the ropes course at Holkham, wander around Pensthorpe nature reserve which focuses on inspiring the next generation to enjoy wildlife (and has a brilliant adventure playground) or a camper’s favourite; crabbing off the harbour at Wells.

BeWILDerwood is a huge award winning forest of family fun and Roarr and Dinosaur Adventure is the UK’s largest dinosaur themed adventure park where you can meet the giants from the past, take part in a Scavenger Hunt, Track T-Rex, ride on our Raptor Racers, dig for fossils and follow the Dinosaur Trail.