Norfolk and Suffolk beaches
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Our guide to the best beaches in Norfolk and Suffolk, including Hunstanton, Brancaster, Southwold pier and Walberswick beaches, written by our local expert Sophie Butler.
An almost continuous band of beach ribbons along the coast of north Norfolk. This is the best destination for soft, golden sand and remote stretches where you can be picnicking alone, even in August. Pick your swimming spots carefully – this shallow part of the North Sea has deceptively strong currents.
Suffolk’s beaches are atmospheric and inviting, too – within a stretch of around 40 miles, there are several well-managed, award-winning beaches where the water quality is high. Here are my favourites:
Norfolk
Hunstanton
Known locally as “sunny Hunny”, this is a two-mile blue-flag beach of gently sloping sand which becomes packed on hot days. There’s lots to do in this resort including walks along the cliffs, boat trips, pitch and putt and a Sea Life centre. Donkey rides are available during peak months.
Scolt Head
One of the most inaccessible and beautiful stretches of sand in the district. Catch a ferry from Burnham Overy Staithe, which operates a couple of hours either side of high tide. Alternatively, stay on the east side of the creek and walk a mile or so along the raised sea-wall from the quayside to reach high dunes, marram grass and vast sands.
Brancaster
Has strong tides but the sand is perfect for picnics and sandcastle-building - and the water recedes to leave shallow lagoons where young children can safely paddle and play. At low tide you can also see the 1940s shipwreck of the SS Vina half submerged in the sand. Rich in wildlife, you can spot avocets, oyster catchers, terns and seals which often loll on the shore and a links golf course lies in the dunes, backing the sand.
Holkham
A horseshoe-shaped, pale sand beach sheltered by pine forest, popular with horse-riders and perfect for kite-flying. When the tide is out, it’s a long walk to the sea, so not the best choice if you have small children and lots of gear to carry. But even when the approach road, Lady Anne’s Drive, is packed with cars you can always find a quiet stretch of sand that’s peaceful and away from the crowds.
Wells-next-the-Sea
A jolly, bucket-and-spade beach, a mile from the lively town, with a lifeboat house at its eastern edge and sand which merges into the beach at Holkham. Characterised by its collection of brightly coloured beach-huts, backed by pine woods, it has low dunes and a beach café. At high tide it’s perfect for paddling, and when the water is at its lowest you can swim in the creek – but beware of strong currents and large boats serving the offshore wind farm. Lifeguards are on patrol during peak months.
Cley
Not a place for spades or picnics. Instead, it’s a long stretch of smooth stones and shingle, backed by a marshland that's rich in birdlife, accessed by a short walk or drive from the village with its distinctive windmill. The relatively steep slope of the shore line makes it a good option for careful swimming (most beaches along this coast have a shallow gradient which means wading out some way before you find deep water). There are few facilities so most visit for the peace and quiet.
Cromer
Like its neighbour Sheringham, Cromer is a blue-flag beach. Well-managed, long and sandy, this large resort has a traditional pier, zoning for watersports, and lifeguards on patrol during summer. Crab boats unload their catches onto the sand and there are plenty of cafés and ice-cream places within easy reach. Dogs are not allowed on the beach from May to September.
Sea Palling
A blue-flag stretch of yellow sand backed by dunes and with occasional outcrops of large grey boulders and fine shingle. There is a series of manmade reefs lying just off shore. This sea defence scheme, built in the mid-1990s by the Environment Agency, was designed to protect the area from flooding and helps calm the water making it good for swimming (the area is zoned in summer) but also attracting jet skiers, canoeists and windsurfers.
Waxham
Located just south of Sea Palling, Waxham is a continuation of beautiful yellow sand but quieter than its neighbour, with seals often seen basking on the shore. Behind the marram grass-topped dunes is a small village with historic 16th-century barn (now restored and open to the public with a café serving light lunches). There are few facilities - it’s a place to bring a picnic for a day on the beach or for a bracing walk.
Suffolk
Southwold Pier
This beach has also been awarded a European blue flag, so you can be confident of clean bathing-water and sand. A mix of sand and shingle, it’s backed by wooden chalets and a promenade. Lifeguards, an amusement pier, putting greens and boating ponds make it a good option for families.
Denes Beach
Located at Southwold, this is a quieter, more secluded, shingle beach next to the River Blyth – good for walking, dunes and views across the estuary.
Walberswick
The best beach in the area for sandcastles, with orange-tinted, fairly coarse sand, backed by lovely dunes.
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Expert guide to Norfolk and Suffolk
Overview Overview
Hotels Hotels
Attractions Attractions
Restaurants Restaurants
Nightlife Nightlife
36 hours in 36 hours in
