County · England
Where to stay in Norfolk
Huge skies, empty beaches and salt-marsh quiet on the north coast.
Norfolk trades on space. The north coast is a run of big-sky beaches, salt marshes and flint villages, with some of the emptiest sands in England at Holkham and Brancaster.
It is a place for walks, birds, oysters and doing very little. The best stays are shepherd's huts, coastal inns and restored farmhouses rather than grand hotels, which suits the mood entirely.
Best areas to stay in Norfolk
Holkham & Wells-next-the-Sea. The great beach, the estate and a proper little harbour town.
Burnham Market & Brancaster. Smart villages, oysters and golf, the heart of north Norfolk.
The Broads. Inland waterways for boating and birdlife, a different Norfolk entirely.
Getting there & around
Train. Trains to King's Lynn or Sheringham, then the Coasthopper bus along the coast.
Car & transport. A car is useful along the coast road; the Coasthopper bus links the main villages.
Car-free. The Coasthopper bus runs the length of the north coast, making a car-free beach holiday genuinely possible.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best stretch of the Norfolk coast?
The north coast between Holkham and Brancaster is the classic: huge beaches, salt marshes and smart villages.
Can you get around Norfolk without a car?
Along the north coast, yes. The Coasthopper bus links the villages and beaches from the rail stations at King's Lynn and Sheringham.
When should you go?
Autumn for empty golden beaches, spring for the birdlife. Summer is busier but the skies are at their best.