Explore the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path, a 130-mile National Trail weaving together the very best of Norfolk’s inland and coastal scenery. Beginning at Knettishall Heath and ending at Hopton-on-Sea, this inspiring long-distance walk follows ancient Roman roads, wild marshlands, dramatic clifftops, and sweeping sandy beaches beneath famously big East Anglian skies.

Whether you plan to complete the entire trail in one journey or break it into shorter sections over several weekends, excellent public transport links connect many towns and villages along the route, offering flexibility for day walks or longer trips. This comprehensive Cicerone guidebook describes the route in 11 easy-to-follow daily stages, and the trail's gentle terrain makes it ideal for both novice long-distance walkers and seasoned explorers seeking a relaxed walking holiday.

• Walk in the footsteps of ancient Britons and Romans along the historic Peddars Way, before joining the Norfolk Coast Path to experience vast salt marshes, bustling seaside towns, and the wild beauty of Blakeney Point and Holkham’s dunes.
• Encounter a landscape as varied as it is atmospheric, one moment treading through tranquil Breckland woods, the next bracing against the wind atop remote cliffs or strolling bustling resort promenades in Hunstanton and Sheringham.
• The route is alive with history and wildlife: look out for the Norfolk Songlines sculptures, ancient tumuli, migrating birds, and the enduring traces of Bronze Age and Roman settlement.
• Enjoy thoughtful stage planning, with daily distances ranging from 6 to 18 miles (12–29km), and comprehensive information on local facilities, public transport, and recommended overnight stops in welcoming towns and villages like Castle Acre, Wells-next-the-Sea, Cley, Cromer, and Great Yarmouth.
• The guidebook features step-by-step descriptions of the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path route, 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey map extracts, inspiring photography, and a handy route summary table for easy planning.
• The walk can be enjoyed year-round, revealing new facets in every season, from wild winter seascapes frosted with snow to the tranquil stillness of Breckland woods in summer.

Plan your Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path adventure with the definitive Cicerone guidebook to the route, providing everything needed to immerse yourself in the wild, ever-changing beauty, history, and wildlife of Norfolk’s iconic National Trail.

The Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path – Quick Facts

Trail name: The Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path 
Location: Norfolk (and part of Suffolk), Eastern England, UK  
Total distance: ~216 km / ~133 miles National Trail combined  
Typical duration: ~11 days end-to-end  
Start: Knettishall Heath (Suffolk)  
Finish: Hopton-on-Sea (Norfolk-Suffolk border)  
Route type: Long-distance National Trail in 11 stages (inland → coastal)  
Difficulty: Easy–moderate; generally flat and waymarked with no major climbs  
Terrain: Roman road, forest tracks, country lanes, coastal paths, salt marshes and beaches  
Navigation: 1:50,000 OS mapping and step-by-step descriptions; GPX files available  
Highlights: Roman road history, lowland Brecks heathland, Norfolk Coast AONB scenery, seaside towns and extensive wildlife

Author Highlight

“The landscape through which the old Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path cleaves its very determined way is very special. Stand on Blakeney Point or on the edge of the beach at Holkham, or even the dunes of Holme next the Sea in the bracing wind, and you will feel how wild this stretch of coastline can truly be. And it’s not just the landscape that can evoke the feeling of unbridled wilderness. Despite an ever-growing population, this region is still one of the most unpopulated in the country. Take a break in the Breckland woods just minutes from the start of the route and you’ll experience just how quiet, and how still, this eastern corner of Britain can be. Better yet, visit in the winter when the wind carries a frosting of snow that cakes the golden sand dunes in crisp white powder and ices the hedgerows with a dazzling coat of rime."

- Phoebe Smith, author of Walking the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path

Map key

Overview map

Introduction

Geology

History of Norfolk

History of the trail

Wildlife

Plants and flowers

Art

What to take

Waymarking, access and maps

Emergencies

Using this guide

Getting there

Getting around

When to go

In which direction?

Accommodation

Health and safety

Practicalities

Stage 1 Knettishall Heath to Little Cressingham

Stage 2 Little Cressingham to Castle Acre

Stage 3 Castle Acre to Sedgeford

Stage 4 Sedgeford to Hunstanton

Stage 5 Hunstanton to Burnham Deepdale

Stage 6 Burnham Deepdale to Stiffkey

Stage 7 Stiffkey to Cley next the Sea

Stage 8 Cley next the Sea to Cromer

Stage 9 Cromer to Sea Palling

Stage 10 Sea Palling to Caister-on-Sea

Stage 11 Caister-on-Sea to Hopton-on-Sea

Appendix A Route summary table

Appendix B Useful contacts

Seasons

thanks to a reputation for the least rainfall in the UK and a normally sunny outlook, this long-distance path can be enjoyed year round

Centres

Knettishall, Little Cressingham, Castle Acre, Snettisham, Hunstanton, Brancaster, Wells next to the Sea, Blakeney, Sheringham, Cromer, Mundesley, Sea Palling and Great Yarmouth

Difficulty

the path is a waymarked National Trail so easy to follow. There are no huge sections of ascent or difficult terrain. Most of the walk is on forest tracks, country lanes, sand, waterside paths and cliff tops. Overall, it's easy-moderate with the length being the only thing some may find a challenge - especially since it has been extended to reach the border of Suffolk!

Must See

a proper walk of two halves, walkers will see/experience: an old Roman Road, an array of birds (observatories, too), windmills, churches, picturesque villages, castle ruins, earthworks, Bronze Age tumuli, carved stone sculptures, sand dunes, striped cliffs, extensive sea views, salt marshes and traditional British seaside resorts

October 2024

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