On England's North Sea Coast Is A National Landscape With Beaches, Ocean Views, And Quaint Villages

Running between The Wash and Winterton-On-Sea, the Norfolk Coast National Landscape comprises nature reserves, salt marshes, and vast swaths of golden sand. The ocean is never far away, with sea views providing a scenic backdrop everywhere you look. Inland, the Sandringham Estate offers a glimpse into royal countryside life. Characterized by quaint villages and wild natural environments, this picturesque destination on England's North Sea coast is a popular vacation spot, with nearly 3 million people visiting each year.

The Norfolk Coast National Landscape is known for its charming villages, which make great bases for exploring the local area. Sitting on the edge of a marshland nature reserve, Cley next the Sea is a charming and peaceful North Norfolk settlement. Towering over the traditional flint houses in this former medieval port, the 18th-century Cley Windmill is both a village icon and a quirky guesthouse. Less than 2 miles west of Cley, Blakeney is another quintessential Norfolk village, with quaint streets, heritage properties, and uninterrupted views of the coast. The wetlands and mudflats in this area are home to a variety of wildlife, from migratory sea birds to England's largest colony of gray seals.

For something a little livelier, the coastal town of Wells-next-the-Sea is known for its historic fishing harbor and quayside fish and chip suppers. The fishing industry remains strong, with locally caught lobster, crab, and mussels on the menus of local restaurants. Wells was also once renowned for its malt production, and you can still see the old granary building beside the harbor today. 

The beaches of North Norfolk are some of the most spectacular in England, with golden sand and rolling dunes providing the perfect coastal playground for visitors. Stretching for over a mile, Brancaster Beach is vast and wild. The waves make it a great place for kite surfing, and horseback riders are regularly seen galloping along the sand. If you visit at low tide, keep an eye out for the SS Vina shipwreck, which can be seen from Brancaster Beach.

Just 10 miles east of Brancaster is another long, sandy beach, so scenic that it's been featured on the big screen. Holkham Beach was used as a filming location for "Deadpool" and "Wolverine," and with endless ocean views and undulating sand dunes, it's easy to see why. Known for its unspoiled natural surroundings, the beach is part of Holkham National Nature Reserve and is popular with birdwatchers. There's a lot of space here so it never feels crowded, and with a café and parking, it's one of the most accessible beaches in the area. Around 25 miles farther east, the vibe gets more energetic in the coastal town of Cromer. The town's wide, sandy beach is known for its traditional pier, which has its own theater and lifeboat station. It's a fun location for swimming and surfing, while families can enjoy sandcastle building, picnics, and rock pooling at low tide. 

It's not all about sand here, though — some of North Norfolk's pebble beaches have a different sort of appeal. Quieter than its golden counterparts, Salthouse Beach is the place to go for an invigorating stroll surrounded by marshland. Just down the coast from Blakeney village's beaches and wildlife areas, it's a good spot for birdwatching during migration season, and offers unbroken views of the North Sea.