Peddars Way & Norfolk Coast Path

The Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path National Trail is a 130 miles (208kms) route which starts at Kenttishall Country Park in the Brecklands, and finishes in Hopton-on-Sea on Norfolk's North Sea coast. The route splits naturally into two diverse sections one inland and one coastal - which together make up an scenically varied walk through terrain and scenery which is easy and relaxing throughout.

 

 

The first part of the walk - The Peddars Way - commences on Knettishall Heath and follows, as far as possible, the line of a Roman road which was, in turn, based upon an even older trading route. The Peddars Way follows an arrow-straight route along field paths and well-drained tracks, often lined with wild flower-rich hedgerows, through a landscape of sandy Breckland, woodland, fertile arable farmland, and peaceful brick and flint villages, to reach the North Sea coast at Holme-next-the-Sea.

 

 

From Holme-next-the-Sea a short diversion to the west visits Hunstanton, before the route turns east along the North Norfolk Heritage Coast and into the Norfolk Coast AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). The route passes through a wonderful coastal landscape of colourful sea cliffs, sandy beaches, tidal salt marshes, extensive dune systems, and picturesque villages to reach Cromer, one of Norfolk's best known seaside resorts.

 

 

Beyond Cromer there are some of the wildest and most remote sections of coast, with wildlife spotting opportunities galore, before the urban intrudes as one reaches Great Yarmouth and 'all the fun of the fair'. 

Birdwatchers, botanists and nature lovers will find something of interest at every turn, and 'collectors' of Norfolk's elaborate, unique, and much-photographed village signs will be able to 'bag' a whole host of names.

 

 

The National Trail can be walked in its entirety or, if you would prefer, we can offer the Peddars Way (Knettishall Heath to Hunstanton) or the Norfolk Coast Path (Hunstanton to Hopton-on-Sea) in isolation. All three options are described below.

The stages detailed below are those which we recommend, however if you would like to walk longer or shorter stages we will be happy to tailor the itinerary to suit your requirements, so far as the distribution of accommodation allows.

 

Peddars Way & Norfolk Coast Path (PDW/NCP)

Knettishall Heath Country Park to Hopton-on-Sea
13 nights; 12 days walking

A walk along the full 130 miles (208kms) of the National Trail described above, taking in both the inland Norfolk countryside traversed by the Peddar's Way, and the contrasting coastal scenery of the Norfolk Coast Path.

 

 

Highlights of the walk include the open heathland and scattered Scots Pine of Knettishall Heath and Brettenham Heath, the Pingo Ponds (geological phenomena left behind by a retreating Ice Age) around Thompson Water with their wealth of associated flora and fauna, St Andrew's church in Little Cressingham with its collapsed tower, the ruins of Castle Acre Priory, the extensive views across the creeks and inlets of the salt marshes at Brancaster, Overy, Morston and Warham, the dunes and pinewoods at Holkham Gap, the windmill at Cley-next-the-Sea, the colourful rows of traditional beach huts at Wells-next-the-Sea, the Victorian pier at Cromer and the seal colonies around Horsey Gap.

Approximate daily distances:

• Knettishall Heath to Little Cressingham - 15 miles (24 kms)
• Little Cressingham to Castle Acre - 12.5 miles (20 kms)
• Castle Acre to Sedgeford - 15 miles (24 kms)
• Sedgeford to Hunstanton - 8 miles (13 kms)
• Hunstanton to Brancaster Staithe - 12 miles (19 kms) 
• Brancaster Staithe to Wells-next-the-Sea - 12 miles (19 kms) 
• Wells-next-the-Sea to Blakeney - 8 miles (13 kms)
• Blakeney to Sheringham - 11.5 miles (18 kms)
• Sheringham to Mundesley - 12 miles (19 kms) 
• Mundesley to Horsey Gap - 14 miles (22 kms) 
• Horsey Gap to Great Yarmouth - 13 miles (21 kms) 
• Great Yarmouth to Hopton-on-Sea - 6 miles (10 kms) 

 

Peddars Way (PDWSGP)

Knettishall Heath Country Park to Hunstanton
5 nights; 4 days walking

A walk along the 50 miles (80kms) of the Peddars Way, from the start of the National Trail to the point where the ancient trade route reaches the coast at Holme-next-the-Sea, before turning north for a short stretch to finish in the seaside resort of Hunstanton.

 

 

Highlights of the walk include the open heathland and scattered Scots Pine of Knettishall Heath and Brettenham Heath, the Pingo Ponds (geological phenomena left behind by a retreating Ice Age) around Thompson Water with their wealth of associated flora and fauna, St Andrew's church in Little Cressingham with its collapsed tower, the ruins of Castle Acre Priory and arrival on the coast at the end of the walk.

Approximate daily distances:

• Knettishall Heath to Little Cressingham - 15 miles (24 kms)
• Little Cressingham to Castle Acre - 12.5 miles (20 kms)
• Castle Acre to Sedgeford - 15 miles (24 kms)
• Sedgeford to Hunstanton - 8 miles (13 kms)

 

Norfolk Coast Path (NCPSGP)

Hunstanton to Hopton-on-Sea
9 nights; 8 days walking

A walk along the 80 miles (128kms) of the Norfolk Coast Path, from the seaside resort of Hunstanton to the Norfolk/Suffolk border at Hopton-on-Sea.

 

 

Highlights of the walk include the extensive views across the creeks and inlets of the salt marshes at Brancaster, Overy, Morston and Warham, the dunes and pinewoods at Holkham Gap, the windmill at Cley-next-the-Sea, the colourful rows of traditional beach huts at Wells-next-the-Sea, the Victorian pier at Cromer and the seal colonies around Horsey Gap.

Approximate daily distances:

• Hunstanton to Brancaster Staithe - 12 miles (19 kms) 
• Brancaster Staithe to Wells-next-the-Sea - 12 miles (19 kms) 
• Wells-next-the-Sea to Blakeney - 8 miles (13 kms)
• Blakeney to Sheringham - 11.5 miles (18 kms)
• Sheringham to Mundesley - 12 miles (19 kms) 
• Mundesley to Horsey Gap - 14 miles (22 kms) 
• Horsey Gap to Great Yarmouth - 13 miles (21 kms) 
• Great Yarmouth to Hopton-on-Sea - 6 miles (10 kms)  

 

Until relatively recently the National Trail finished in Cromer, however with the completion of this section of the ambitious England Coast Path it has been extended all the way to Hopton-on-Sea and the Norfolk/Suffolk county boundary. If you prefer to curtail your walk at Cromer the final stage will be Sheringham to Cromer (5 miles/8kms) and we will be happy to customise/price your holiday accordingly.  

 

 

What's included in the price of this holiday?

 

 

 

• All of the above prices are per person, and based upon two guests sharing a double or twin-bedded room.
• Single traveller supplement; £65 per night (more about solo traveller supplements and single room supplements).
• Discounts available for parties of three or more guests.

Travel information - start
Rail: Thetford
Onward travel: On foot or taxi

Travel information - finish
Rail: Great Yarmouth
Onward travel: On foot or taxi

More travel information

 

• All of the above prices are per person, and based upon two guests sharing a double or twin-bedded room.
• Single traveller supplement; £65 per night (more about solo traveller supplements and single room supplements).
• Discounts available for parties of three or more guests.

Travel information - start
Rail: Thetford
Onward travel: On foot or taxi

Travel information - finish
Rail: King's Lynn 
Onward travel: Public bus or taxi

More travel information

 

• All of the above prices are per person, and based upon two guests sharing a double or twin-bedded room.
• Single traveller supplement; £65 per night (more about solo traveller supplements and single room supplements).
• Discounts available for parties of three or more guests.

Travel information - start
Rail: King's Lynn
Onward travel: Public bus or taxi

Travel information - finish
Rail: Great Yarmouth
Onward travel: On foot or taxi

More travel information

 

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