Explore Norfolk's Coast and the Broads with five of the best short walks

As a county, Norfolk has some very distinctive landscapes to its name. Nowhere is this more apparent than along its coastline, which stretches from King’s Lynn in the west to just south of Great Yarmouth in the east. Norfolk is also home to a unique patchwork of lakes and rivers known as the Broads, which lie a little way inland from the county’s northeast coast. While many come here for boating holidays in summer, the area also offers some excellent walking. With few serious hills to contend with, walking in Norfolk is, on the whole, undemanding. That is not to say it is uninteresting, as it is surprisingly variable, especially along the county’s coastline. Here are five of the best short walks in the region:

15 Short Walks in Norfolk - Broads and Coast

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Discover 15 of the best short walks around Norfolk - Broads and Coast. Each walk comes with easy-to-read Ordnance Survey maps, clear route description and lots of images, plus information on local beauty spots and tasty refreshment stops. No challenging terrain or complicated navigation means walks can be enjoyed by everyone.

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The best walk to visit a picturesque flint village...

What: Blakeney & Blakeney Downs
Summary: A short but varied walk centred on an attractive coastal village that was once an important fishing port
Start/finish: Blakeney village sign on The Quay
Time: 1hr 30min
Distance: 5.3km (3.3 miles)
Climb: 55m

This short walk, which starts and finishes in the picturesque flint-built village of Blakeney, offers plenty of variety along the way. After taking in a short stretch of saltmarsh, so typical of this part of the north Norfolk coast, it climbs gently inland through the farmland of Blakeney Downs before returning to the village by way of St Nicholas’s Church, whose two towers serve as a local landmark.

Boardwalk — A boardwalk leads to Holme Bird Observatory

The best walk for sand dunes and a nature reserve...

What: Thornham and Holme-next-the-Sea
Summary: A longer route that takes in some of the best of northwest Norfolk: attractive villages, saltmarsh, dunes and beach
Start/finish: All Saints Church, Thornham
Time: 3hrs 30mins
Distance: 10.7km (6.6 miles)
Climb: 50m

This is a longer walk than most, but one that is full of interest. Starting at the picturesque village of Thornham, the route skirts reedbeds before joining a section of the Norfolk Coast Path that leads to the beach at Holme Dunes nature reserve. From here, it veers inland through the village of Holme-next-the-Sea before taking a higher route along little-used country lanes to return to the start.

The best walk for a woodland ramble..

What: Sandringham Royal Parkland
Summary: An easy, shady woodland walk through Sandringham Royal Parkland
Start/finish: The Courtyard, Sandringham
Time: 2¾hr
Distance: 6.5km (4 miles)
Climb: 450m

Starting at the Sandringham Courtyard, this enjoyable woodland stroll offers an easy route through an attractive country park in northwest Norfolk. There is also the optional bonus of a fleeting glimpse of the Wash that lies at some distance to the west. This walk could be done as either as an outing in its own right or as an addition to a visit to the famous royal residence.

The best walk to experience Norfolk's iconic fenland...

What: Womack Water and Horse Fen
Summary: An atmospheric river and fen walk through classic Norfolk Broads scenery close to the village of Ludham
Start/finish: Womack Staithe, Ludham
Time: 1hr 15mins
Distance: 5.3km (3.3 miles)
Climb: 10m

This walk takes in a range of the scenery that is so typical of the Norfolk Broads – water, fen and windmills. Starting and ending at a staithe close to the village of Ludham, it traces the course of a minor boating channel before following the River Thurne, one of the principal waterways of the Broads, for a while. Leaving the river, it loops through fen and woodland on its return to the staithe.

The best walk along Norfolk's Coast Path...

What: Sheringham and West Runton
Summary: This coastal walk between two neighbouring seaside resorts offers coastal views and the option of a popular beach along the way
Start/finish: Sheringham Clock Tower
Time: 2hr
Distance: 6.2km (3.9 miles)
Climb: 120m

This walk connecting two popular coastal resorts begins in the centre of Sheringham, from where it visits the seafront before climbing gently to one of the county’s rare high points further along the coast. From here, it descends to West Runton Beach with its excellent bathing and acclaimed prehistoric heritage. The return leg takes in a little of West Runton village before following a slightly more inland route back to Sheringham.

All these walks (plus 10 more!) are included in our guidebook to Short Walks in Norfolk - Broads and Coast. Other highlights include Horsey Gap, Cromer, Happisburgh to Ostend and a walk around Historic Norwich. Easy-to-read maps and clear route descriptions make these walks perfect for beginners and families. No specialist gear is needed, and each route includes information on facilities, parking, and highlights.