About

Horsey Windpump and Beach Walk is a 3 mile (4.8 kilometre) circular walk starting at Horsey Windpump near Great Yarmouth. Parking is available at the National Trust Horsey Mill car park.

1. Start at the National Trust Car Park, Horsey Windpump.

2. From the car park, head towards the Visitor Welcome and Information centre or Horsey's café (please check opening times) for information on the area and a quick cup of tea or coffee. Cross the road (please take care) and go through the gates immediately opposite. 

Look out for: Horsey Windpump. Standing sentinel over the moorings at the Staithe, the last tower mill built in the Broads in 1912 offers superb views over Horsey Mere and the surrounding countryside and coast. Set within the Broads National Park, the Horsey Estate is an internationally important site for wildlife. It offers a great spot for birdwatching and wintering wildfowl.

3. Head straight across the field for 0.3 miles (480 metres) keeping the ditch on your left. Be aware that there may be livestock in the fields, which help to keep the grass short suitable for breeding and overwintering birds such as waders and geese.

4. At the end of the field turn left and go through a gate and walk for 183 yards (167 metres). Continue along the path for 328 yards (300 metres).

5. At the end of the track turn right onto a narrow lane and at the junction of two red brick cottages, turn left and continue past a barrier to follow a grassy track.

6. Follow the track for 0.4 miles (650 metres). The small fields either side are much wetter. In the summer months, look out for butterflies and dragonflies. These marshes have a much more closed-in structure hiding wildlife such as lapwings, redshanks and small mammals. You can see the old network of drainage channels that dissect the area.

Look out for: A typical Broadland landscape. The Horsey Estate, a mysterious Broadland landscape, is internationally important for its habitats and wealth of wildlife. Some habitats are unique to the area such as Britain’s largest butterfly – the Swallowtail. The estate was acquired by the National Trust in 1948 from the Buxton family who continue to manage it to this day. This walk has been made possible by kind permission of the Horsey Estate Trust and the Buxton Family.

7. You have now reached the sand dunes that run along this stretch of the coast. Follow designated access tracks that lead up and over them. Grey and common seals can often be seen here. Please give them a wide berth and keep any dogs under control. In the winter the Friends of Horsey Seals are on hand to talk about the seal pups and to give information on how to see them. Please note that the beach is closed October to January to provide a wildlife sanctuary.

8. After walking the beach, return to Horsey Windpump via the same route. The Nelson Head Pub is located just a little inland along the lane at Point 5. When you reach the road next to the Horsey Windpump Café take care crossing it.