About

The name 'Sidestrand' is believed to relate to the old English word "sid", meaning broad or spacious, and the Danish "strond" meaning shore. The area was immortalised as "Poppyland" in the writings of Victorian journalist Clement Scott. The section of cliffs at Sidestrand is one of the wildest parts of the Norfolk coast due to its rapid erosion, meaning its beaches and cliffs are less accessible. The 50m high cliffs contain glacial sediments and structures and its beach is popular with fossil hunters.

Sidestrand parish church (dedicated to Saint Michael), is one of Norfolk's 124 round tower churches. It was built in 1881, replacing an earlier church, that was close to the cliff and at risk from coastal erosion. The earlier church was demolished, apart from the tower, which was left as a landmark and finally fell into the sea in 1916.The tower and graveyard had become known as the "Garden of Sleep", after Clement Scott's poem.