North Norfolk coast: seals, saltmarsh and sand
Striped cliffs, the huge beach at Holkham, boat trips to the seals of Blakeney Point and dunes where grey seals pup in winter.
- Distance
- 142 km (88 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 58 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 8
- Countries
- United Kingdom
- Updated
- August 14, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 142 km (88 mi) with 8 stops, from Hunstanton to Norwich. About 1 h 58 min of driving in total.
More road trips in United Kingdom
Route description
Hunstanton is the only resort on England’s east coast that faces west, so sunsets over the Wash are a highlight. Walk under the red and white striped cliffs at low tide, then follow the A149 coast road east past saltmarshes and flint villages.
At Holkham, park on Lady Anne’s Drive and cross the pine woods to one of the widest beaches in Britain. Wells-next-the-Sea, just beyond, has a quay, a narrow-gauge railway to the beach and colourful beach huts.
From Morston Quay, boats run at high tide out to Blakeney Point to watch seals hauled out on the sand. The windmill at Cley and the bird reserves along the marsh are worth a pause before Cromer, a Victorian resort with a pier and famous crabs.
South-east of Cromer the coast becomes wilder. At Horsey Gap, from November to February, grey seals give birth on the beach; watch from the dunes and follow the wardens’ advice. End in Norwich, with its Norman cathedral and castle. The A149 is narrow through the villages, so allow more time than the distance suggests.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Hunstanton
United Kingdom - 22 km
Hunstanton Cliffs
NatureHunstanton, United KingdomStriped cliffs of red carrstone and white chalk, best seen from the beach at low tide. The coast here faces west, so the sun sets over the Wash.
- 327 km
Holkham Beach
NatureHolkham, United KingdomA vast sweep of sand behind a belt of pine woods, reached on boardwalks from the car park on Lady Anne’s Drive. At low tide the sea is a long walk away.
- 44 km
Wells-next-the-Sea
United Kingdom - 511 km
Blakeney Point seals
NatureMorston, United KingdomBoat trips leave Morston Quay at high tide to see the common and grey seals on the sandbanks of Blakeney Point. Book ahead in summer.
- 627 km
Cromer
United Kingdom - 738 km
Horsey Gap
NatureHorsey, United KingdomA gap in the dunes on a wild stretch of the east coast where grey seals come ashore to have their pups in winter. Watch from the dune top and keep your distance.
- 834 km
Norwich
United Kingdom
FAQs
How long is North Norfolk coast: seals, saltmarsh and sand?
3-day road trip of about 142 km (88 mi) with 8 stops, from Hunstanton to Norwich. About 1 h 58 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for North Norfolk coast: seals, saltmarsh and sand?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 58 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does North Norfolk coast: seals, saltmarsh and sand start and end?
It starts in Hunstanton and ends in Norwich.
Which countries does North Norfolk coast: seals, saltmarsh and sand pass through?
United Kingdom.
