Saturday morning and the weather is better than it's been all week, so what's the best thing to do? A hoof along the Norfolk coastal path!
I've been keen to do some of this path for a while now. I'd heard of Peddar's way and how it linked to the coastal path, so thought this was the perfect opportunity to dip my toe into it.
Which section to walk?
The Norfolk coastal path is ~80 miles and runs from Hunstanton to Hopton-On-Sea. I had an afternoon available to me so had to pick wisely about which section I'd do. I'd previously spent a lot of time walking on Holkham beach and around Wells. I genuinely love Holkham beach, it's huge, expansive and deep. The pine woods that hug the edge of the beach are full and have that beautiful pine needle carpet that makes it nearly like walking on a thick new rug. The huts on Holkham are just dreamy too (if you're looking for day rentals off the cute huts, check out The Happy Huts on Google and socials!) but I'd spent so much time there, it was time to explore a new part! And that's the thing I love the most about walking!
Criteria for this walk? Cliff edges, close to the sea, the potential for a circular walk. Quick peek on Norfolk's council coastal path page and I spot Sheringham as fitting the bill perfectly. It's a 6 mile circular and involves a walking along the edge of the beach, through forest and with some ups and downs. Perfect.
Sheringham Circular
On arrival in Sheringham I find (what seems to be) free parking so I park up on The Esplanade. I have no clue whether it's actually free parking but I couldn't find a single machine to pay and another woman who had also just parked, asked me the same question. Essentially we looked awkwardly at each other and without any words, agreed to some kind of "well if you do it, I'll do it too" pact.
Quick visit to the public loos (handy location) and then a very quick walk to see if I could grab some lunch after a much longer drive than I'd expected. I stumbled across Trendie's cafe which was a total godsend! Cute little cafe, great selection of cakes and grabbed a little sandwich to start the walk with,
And then the walk began! Gorgeous views immediately and I totally fell for the fact I could see the cliff edge. I some times become fixed on type of landscape I'd like to see. It's normally lush forest with tall mountains, all nestled next to a lake or waterfall. But cliffs and water have been on the list for a while and here was the chance to scratch my cliff shaped itch.
Sir Pause-A-Lot
Within twenty feet of starting the walk, I'd paused to soak up the views already. And then take some pictures. And then a little more walking. And then a little stop when I reached the first edge of a cliff that felt suitably peaceful, whilst not so peaceful that people would be concerned if I was of sound mind.. and sat there for a while.
I realised the thing I love about walking is the decision you have to stop and look at what ever you want, when you want. At your pace. It's lovely walking with people, but walking solo allows you to be intrigued by the rock you just saw, or interested by the path that caught your attention. You can detour and you don't have to explain or say "just a second". It's a different beast solo walking.
I got the rush of exploration and adventure even whilst on the first 100 metres of the walk, and I decided that that was what my mind and body craved on this day. I had been out for 40 minutes, yet only been moving for 20, so instead of thinking I was going to get round 6 miles at that pace, I changed the plan. The walk become an out and back. I'd walk as long as I wanted within the time I had and then turn around, and walk back. It also meant I'd get the benefit I'd seeing the coastal path from the other direction. I'd been craving my neck every two seconds trying to see the whole landscape.
Return of the Pack
That's right, another 20th century music title / artist pun for you. The weather was bliss to be honest. But I quickly realised I'd been sloppy on my gear today. I'd actively chosen to wear jeans for ease, I hadn't tied my hair back before I left the house and I'd shoved favourite hoody over a Nike dry fit sports top. I brought my Mountain Warehouse rain jacket and had a North Face gilet in my pack. Jeans were fine, but my hoody / rain jacket combo were awful. I was hot cold hot cold every five minutes.
I'd pulled my hair back into a quick tie up as I arrived but it wasn't all in place so the coastal wind was whipping it all across my face every few seconds. I spent a load of the walk scraping hair back and trying to get it out my eyes. Fail. It wasn't horrific but it was enough of a low level subconscious niggle that I wasn't fully present on appreciating the environment. Lesson; prepare and don't be slack.
Things I loved; the colours, the views that stretched for miles. The up down and undulation. The clear sky. The gorse which was both inviting and off putting.
I'll be back to walk this stretch again and all last looking forward to walking continuously the next time.
Have you walked this stretch of path before? What did you think? And are you a Sir Pause-A-Lot or a Don't Stop Me Now kinda walker? Let me know in the comments!
(All photos property of Explore and Outdoor website owner)
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