North Norfolk's Hidden Gems

With 45 miles of beautiful coastline and breath-taking countryside, north Norfolk is the perfect place to get away from it all. There are lots of hidden gems to discover; peaceful places, secret beaches, museums and historical sites as well as thrilling and tranquil experiences. We’ve uncovered north Norfolk’s best kept secrets so you can find your own piece of north Norfolk to enjoy. (Remember to check for opening dates and times ahead of your visit and whether pre-booking is required).

Historical Hidden Gems

There is a wealth of history to discover in north Norfolk. Have a wander around Walsingham with its long history of religious pilgrimage and is home to the ruins of two medieval monastic houses. In the village, you can see many 14th and 15th century buildings. One of these is now The Shirehall Museum, Walsingham's Georgian Courtroom where you can discover more of Walsingham’s amazing history since 1061. Through the museum is the entrance to the Priory Gardens where you'll find the impressive twin turreted 13th century arch, the remains of the medieval priory surrounded by stunning gardens with seasonal flowers. Visit the abbey grounds in February and be treated to its shower of snowdrops.

You can find plenty of shops in the pretty village including tea rooms and cafes. Walsingham is also home to the Wells & Walsingham Light Railway, said to be the longest 10-and-a-quarter inch narrow-gauge steam railway in the world. The journey will take you through beautiful scenery between Wells and Walsingham.

There are many marvelous museums in north Norfolk with some real hidden gems. The RAF Air Defence Radar Museum, Neatishead is the country's only original Cold War Operations Room. Housed entirely in RAF buildings, including the hardened Grade 2 listed 1942 radar operations building, the museum provides a unique window into the history of radar covering the period of WW2 to the Cold War. There are 24 exhibition rooms and over 10,000 display items offering an interesting visit for all the family.

Langham Dome was built in the early 1940s on the edge of RAF Langham, the Dome was where anti-aircraft gunners were trained with innovative technology of the time. Moving images were projected onto the inside of the building, teaching trainees how to attack enemy aircraft. Today, the Dome offers a unique opportunity to journey back in time and experience what life was like for those who served at RAF Langham.

The Museum of the Broads in its unique and tranquil riverside setting is well worth a visit. Follow the story from Roman times through medieval peat digging, to the holiday makers, sailors and environmentalists of today. Discover the boats of the Broads and see how people’s working lives shaped the landscape. There are nearly 6,000 items in the museum’s collection including a water bicycle, tools and souvenirs from holidays throughout the decades. You can also take a boat trip along the broads from the museum.

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Experiences: Thrills and Tranquility
 

For a thrilling day out, take a trip to Fakenham Racecourse, one of the finest rural national hunt horse racecourses in the country. There are several race meetings during the year including the popular ladies' day in June.

There's nothing like taking to the water on a stand up paddleboard in Sheringham or Cromer and enjoy the excitement of riding the waters. You could also try your hand at kite surfing. There are plenty of places to rent equipment you need. You can find out more here. Or for a more tranquil pace, take day boat or canoe out along the calm waterways of the Broads National Park.

There are many gorgeous gardens to explore around north Norfolk. Mannington Hall and Fairhaven Woodland and Water Gardens offer peaceful settings to take in nature and explore the grounds. Gooderstone Water Gardens has pretty gardens and flowing waterways spanned by thirteen bridges. Hoveton Hall's 15-acre gardens offer a variety of vistas including the walled Spider Garden, lakes, water gardens and the incredible seasonal delights of the rhododendrons, azaleas and hydrangeas.

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Peaceful Places

There are lots of charming towns and villages dotted around the coast and countryside. Stiffkey sits within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and is renowned for its saltmarsh (part of the National Trust Blakeney National Nature Reserve), one of the country’s richest in wildlife. The village is pretty and peaceful and is made up of Norfolk Red Brick and flint cottages. It can get busy in the summer so it's well worth visiting out of season to experience the true charm. You can walk to the village from the Norfolk Coast Path. Stop off at the Red Lion Pub for a hearty meal and local ale.

The pretty market town of Reepham is lined with 18th century houses with a market place at the centre, and is surrounded by stunning countryside between the Wensum and Bure Valleys. There are shops and places to eat as well as three churches to explore.

Salthouse is a charming coastal village nestled between a high ridge and a salt marsh in North Norfolk, with beautiful countryside scenery, set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and close to lovely beaches. The village is nestled between a high ridge and a salt marsh in North Norfolk, with beautiful countryside scenery, set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and close to lovely beaches.

Secret Beaches
 

North Norfolk is well known for its stunning coastline. Home to Blue Flag beaches, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Deep History Coast, the north Norfolk coastline is a popular place to visit. There are also plenty of quieter sandy stretches to enjoy.

Trimingham is a secluded beach, which you can find at the end of a narrow lane. The high cliffs lining the beach are composed some of the youngest chalk in the UK and have been subject to coastal erosion and cliff falls over the years. Sea defences have been set up to help reduce erosion but it's advisable to not set up your beach day spot too close to the cliffs. Set on the Deep History Coast, the beach is a well known for fossil hunting and shell collecting.

Waxham is a rural beach close to Sea Palling. It is a wonderful location to spot seals close in-shore. The beach is hidden away amongst trees and sand dunes, it feels like a real hidden gem, offering a peaceful day out or walk.

East Runton and neighbouring West Runton, is a great spot for kite surfing. Part of the Deep History Coast, East Runton has rock pools to explore and there are plenty of fossils to discover from amber to belemnite fossils. 

Old Hunstanton is adjacent to the larger, busier resort of Hunstanton or New Hunstanton. Enjoy clifftop walks along the famous stripped cliffs past the Old Hunstanton Lighthouse and Old Hunstanton is also near the start of the Norfolk Coast path which extends over 40 miles along the stunning coast. The vast sandy beach, sand dunes and pretty beach huts offer a great day out away from the crowds. This stretch of coast is popular for bird watching and nearby you will find RSPB Titchwell reserve, Holme Nature Reserve, and Scolt Head Island.