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North Norfolk Coastal Walking - Short Break

High dunes & Holkham
 
Coastal scenery | Walk along Norfolk’s broad golden beaches, salt marshes, and dunes.
Sandringham Estate | Discover the superb royal Sandringham Estate and surroundings.
Historic villages | Stay in quaint, historic villages at charming accommodation.
Nature reserves | Explore top-class nature reserves rich in birdlife.
Flexible routes | Enjoy leisurely routes with options to adapt and linger at highlights.
What is included
  • 4 nights
  • 3 dinners
    4 breakfasts
  • luggage transported
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
  • taxi to collect car (if driving)
  • North Norfolk Coastal Walking - Short Break
    High dunes & Holkham
  • Beautiful coastal and inland routes
  • Visit Sandringham
  • Enjoy watching an abundance of birdlife
  • Walking through Snettisham Woods
  • On the Norfolk Coastal Path
  • Old Hunstanton's dramatic red limestone and chalk cliffs
  • En route from Old Hunstanton
  • A former boathouse close to Thornham
  • Holkham village
  • Explore the hall and parkland
  • Holkham's pine-backed beach and marram-topped dunes
  • Ride on the Wells and Walsingham Light Railway to Walsingham
What is included
  • 4 nights
  • 3 dinners
    4 breakfasts
  • luggage transported
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
  • taxi to collect car (if driving)
 

Holiday information

 

A walking holiday in North Norfolk

A paradise for walkers and birdlife alike, the North Norfolk coast is a place of big skies and broad golden beaches, of salt marshes, sand dunes and twisty tidal creeks, and of historic harbour villages that are home to accommodation of both quality and character.
 
You have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the region’s showstopping coastline on this short walking holiday, which also explores the county’s rural interior: its peaceful woodland, gorgeous flint-and-brick cottages and vast landed estates – among them sprawling Holkham Hall and the royal favourite, Sandringham.
Our routes are leisurely and flexible, in places following the Norfolk Coast Path and aided by an efficient local bus network which allows you to adapt the walks and decide where to linger longest – will it be on the sands at Holkham, beside the magical creeks of Burnham Overy Staithe, or amid the charming Georgian architecture of Norfolk’s prettiest town, Burnham Market?

 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.

Many of the walks we suggest can be tailored using the excellent local bus service; pay locally for this, and for any other journeys, visits or excursions you undertake.

We have not provided elevation profiles for any of the routes on this holiday because it is largely on the flat.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.

    East England is less prone to rain than the west, but you should always be prepared for wet weather.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 6 6 9 11 15 19 21 21 18 15 10 7
    mm 54 40 46 48 46 50 53 54 50 57 65 59
  • Arrival in Snettisham
    Night 1: at The Rose & Crown (the first of two nights here).
    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of walking.
  • Circular route from Snettisham: 10.5km (6 miles), 3.5hrs; ascent/descent 65m
    Your first walk provides an ideal introduction to the great diversity of the North Norfolk coast. Departing on foot from Snettisham, you follow a route which leads through mixed woodland, marshes and meadows, enjoying views across the vast Wash estuary as you go. Highlights include visits to the expansive sands of Snettisham and to the RSPB Nature Reserve, which attracts an extraordinary concentration of wading birds, particularly between August and January.

    Today, you also have the option to travel by bus* to Sandringham Estate, the Queen’s much-loved Christmas home. It is possible to visit the house itself, as well as the landscaped gardens and surrounding parkland.
    *Or by car, if you have driven to the holiday.
    Snettisham woods
  • Snettisham to Holkham: 8.5km (5.5 miles), 3-4hrs; ascent 15m/descent 30m
    Today begins with a short bus journey to Old Hunstanton, a coastal village known for its striking cliffs of red limestone and creamy chalk. Your onward route offers a similar feast for the eyes: following the Norfolk Coastal Path, it traverses sand dunes and nature reserves – including wildlife-rich Holme Dunes – and also passes the site of Seahenge, a 4000-year-old Bronze Age timber circle that was discovered in 1998 and is now on display in nearby King's Lynn. Your target is the attractive village of Thornham – we recommend lunching in one of the well-regarded pubs before completing the remainder of the journey to Holkham and The Victoria by bus.

    It is possible to continue on foot (add 4km/2.5miles): following a meandering boardwalk through high reed beds, you pass the Roman fort at Branodunum and arrive in Brancaster Staithe – a once busy harbour which still has an excellent reputation for seafood – before walking on to Burnham Deepdale, from where a bus will convey you to Holkham.
    Walking the coastal path
  • Choice of routes from Holkham: 9.5 or 14km (6 or 8.5 miles)
    We provide notes for two superb walks from Holkham, either of which can be combined with a visit to Holkham Hall, ancestral seat of the Earls of Leicester. Built in the Palladian style between 1735 and 1764, the house is beautifully kept, its treasures including artwork by Gainsborough, Rubens and Van Dyck, while the extensive grounds contain a six-acre walled garden, boating lake and deer park.

    Linear route to Burnham Market: 9.5km (6 miles), 3-4hrs; ascent 30m/descent 25m
    On an already unique coastline, Holkham’s panoramic beach is exceptional, ranking as one of the most beautiful and unspoiled in the country. It is also a National Nature Reserve, its sand dunes, pine woods and grazing marshes providing the perfect habitat for a wide variety of migratory and nesting birds. Starting here, your route continues along the coast to Burnham Overy Staithe – a small harbour of bobbing boats – before heading inland to Burnham Market via windmills and wildflowers, historic churches and a ruined abbey. There’s plenty to interest in Norfolk’s prettiest town, from charming Georgian architecture to independent eateries and specialist shops; enjoy a leisurely exploration before making your way back to Holkham by bus.

    Circular route via Wells and Warham: 14km (8.5 miles), 5hrs; ascent 80m/descent 90m
    Another option is to follow the sands to Wells-next-the-Sea, passing high dunes and brightly painted beach huts en route. Pretty Wells is a historic harbour town with a traditional seaside feel – you’ll spot visitors fishing for crabs, sampling the local rock or snacking on ice-cream – and it is also where you will find the Wells and Walsingham Light Railway, a heritage steam railway that is the smallest in public operation. A short journey aboard will bring you to the pilgrimage town of Walsingham, whose celebrated shrine, ruined abbey and impressive timber-framed buildings are well worth a visit. Return by train to Wells, or disembark instead at Warham to walk back via Holkham Park.
    Linear route to Burnham Market - approaching Burnham Overy Staithe
    Circular route via Wells - Wells-next-the-Sea harbour
 

Accommodation

This holiday features two particularly enticing places to stay – a quintessential country pub and an impressive Victorian hotel.
 

Extend your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
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  • 4 nights: 01 March 2025 - 31 October 2025 & 01 March 2026 - 31 October 2026

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 31 Mar 2025 £920 £370
    1 Apr - 30 Sep 2025 £1005 £390
    1 - 27 Oct 2025 £960 £390
    1 - 31 Mar 2026 £970 £390
    1 Apr - 30 Sep 2026 £1060 £410
    1 - 27 Oct 2026 £1015 £410
    3rd & 4th person discount -£23 to -£24
    Single traveller supplement £23 to £24
    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, and any connecting travel detailed below.

    Included travel: transfer Holkham-Snettisham (if driving)

    Please note: dogs are not permitted on Inntravel holidays

  • Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    The Rose & Crown, Snettisham (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 Mar - 31 Oct 2025 £135 £249
    01 Mar - 31 Oct 2026 £143 £143
    01 Apr - 31 Oct 2026 £0 £120
    The Victoria, Holkham (with dinner) Double room Single room
    01 Mar - 31 Oct 2025 £195 £296
    01 Mar - 31 Oct 2026 £206 £206
    01 Apr - 31 Oct 2026 £0 £107
  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.

    Connecting travel options - via King's Lynn Station

    Outward route Price per person Latest
    arrival time
    taxi King's Lynn station to hotel (0h30) £9-£10 flexible
    Homeward route
    not recommended in this direction

    Connecting travel options - via Norwich station

    Outward route
    not recommended in this direction
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Norwich station (1h15) £48-£51 flexible

    Connecting travel options - via Norwich

    Outward route Price per person Latest
    arrival time
    taxi Norwich airport to hotel (1h) £38-£40 flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Norwich airport (1h) £42-£44 flexible

    Connecting travel options - via Sheringham station

    Outward route
    not recommended in this direction
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Sheringham station (0h45) £23-£24 flexible
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

All 7 reviews
  • Anon
    14 October 2024

    Excellent trip - nothing could be improved upon!

  • Bestemor
    21 August 2023

    My 16 year old Grandson and I have had a very good and problem free holiday. Inntravel's organisation and supporting documentation to aid independent walking cannot be praised enough. I might even be tempted to repeat the experience!

  • Mr S Hardy
    London
    31 July 2023

    Pre travel service was fantastic. I had to make late changes that were all accommodated with no fuss. Staff were very friendly and accommodating. The walk guides were ideal. Without them we would not have been able to see as much as we did. The car transfers were great, always on time & with good communication. We are starting to think about our next Inntravel holiday already

  • Mrs U Hain
    Germany
    26 July 2023

    This holiday exceeded our expectations, and we really feel we would like to return to the area. 

  • Mr D Collins
    New Zealand
    26 June 2023

    HIGHLIGHT: Given the blandness of the outside of Holkham Hall the interior was surprisingly dazzling.

  • Anon
    24 September 2022

    Very good bird watching. Bus service was very good and we used it quite a bit to enhance walks. Particularly liked spacious room at The Victoria, Holkham and the fact that it had a fridge in the room with complementary wine. All staff were very friendly and helpful at both hotels.

  • clement North Devon
    23 September 2022

    The accommodation in both places was lovely. In the Victoria Inn the dinner included needed to say that no drinks were included, which we had already thought would be the case, so it wasnt a worry for us. And we thought that Holkham Hall could have been mentioned for walking, as there was lovely walks around the grounds for free and it is right next to the property.
 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • Yes, prior to going on holiday you will be able to download GPX tracks so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. It’s entirely up to you whether or not you use them – our detailed, step-by-step route notes remain the principal means of guiding you from A to B – but we provide them as a secondary means of navigation for additional reassurance when walking.
  • Yes, absolutely. Over the years, we have arranged a great many holidays in the UK for customers living in the USA, Canada, Australia and beyond.

    If you've never travelled with us before, it's worth reading the web pages which explain how we can cater for customers who live outside the UK. The main thing to bear in mind is that our tour operator's licence doesn't allow us to book flights that originate outside the UK, and nor are we able to book rail travel in the UK, so we can't make travel arrangements for you, other than pre-arranging taxis between the local railway station and the accommodation – see the ‘prices & travel’ section for the options available.

    For practical information about travelling to the UK, see the 'what do I need to know about travelling to England, Scotland and Wales?' question.
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • You are the best judge of your child’s/children’s capabilities. We are happy to take bookings for families of older children/teenagers if they walk regularly, love the outdoors and are comfortable with the distances and ascent/descent involved. Please note that the bedrooms at most of the accommodation we use will normally only sleep a maximum of 3 people, and sometimes only 2.
  • Unfortunately not. The Inntravel team includes many dog owners, but the extra considerations – such as whether taxi firms accept dogs for transfers to the start of walks, whether routes cross private land on which dogs are not allowed, and proximity to a vet’s – would add another layer of complexity to what are already quite complex holidays.
  • As a minimum, you will need a passport to enter the UK; requirements vary according to your nationality. It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. You’ll need to check requirements on the website of your own country’s government or that of the British government. Our essential travel information page provides links to websites where you can find out about the applicable requirements, along with general official travel advice.
     
    English is the most widely spoken of several official languages; in Wales, for example, Welsh has equal status. The currency is the British pound (Scotland issues its own bank notes, but Bank of England notes can be used in Scotland and vice versa). The UK follows Greenwich Mean Time during autumn and winter, but switches to British Summer Time (GMT + 1) from late March until late October.
Price from
£960pp | 4 nights
North Norfolk Coastal Walking - Short Break. 4 nights
Price from
£960pp
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