Old Hunstanton to Thornham by the Coast Path

The Norfolk Coast Path provides excellent walking and this linear route is easy to follow. Return to the start uses the excellent "Coast Hopper" bus service along the main road. The landscape is varied and in season you will have the opportunity to see a variety of sea birds.

Technical sheet

293266
A Old Hunstanton walk posted on 04/07/16 by Walking Britain. Last update : 23/12/16
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.33 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 2h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 9 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 8 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 10 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1 m
  • ⚐
    District: Old Hunstanton 
  • ⚑
    Start: N 52.953919° / E 0.502254°
  • ⚑
    End: N 52.959824° / E 0.579311°

  • Today’s forecast: … Loading…

Description

(S) Before starting it is worth exploring the beach area at Old Hunstanton with its cliffs comprising of layers of chalk and sandstone. To start the walk, follow the clear marked Norfolk Coast Path (an interesting walk in Norfolk) in an easterly direction with the sea to your left. Initially the path passes through sand suns dotted with beach huts so typical of this coast. On you right is a links golf course. Reaching Flaxley, the path briefly turns inland to reach a junction of paths (grid ref. TF696439. Turn left here and continue along the coast passing an area of saltmarsh to your left.

(1) The onward route passes a small plantation on your right (grid ref. TF715450) and then enters the Holme Dunes National Nature Reserve. Turning south, the path passes more saltmarsh on your right. The path bears left and then right again to join Staithe Lane. Walk south along the lane to reach a waymarked path on your left (grid ref. TF728438). Follow this path (signed Norfolk Coast Path) and continue to reach a road on the edge of Thornham village (grid ref TF733437). Bear right down this road to the main road and the end of the walk. There is a "Coast Hopper" bus stop close by for an easy return to Old Hunstanton and the start of the walk(E).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 9 m
  2. 1 : km 3.1 - alt. 3 m - Pass a small plantation on your right
  3. E : km 7.33 - alt. 10 m

Useful Information

The North Norfolk Coast offers a variety of scenic and wildlife interest and this walk is no exception. The start is the large pay and display car park in Old Hunstanton (grid ref. TF681425) which lies a short distance off the main A149 Coast Road just east of Hunstanton. The route is easy to follow and is well-waymarked with the path along the coast being part of the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path National Trail.

There is an excellent bus service operating along the A149 coast road between Sheringham and Kings Lynn. Operated by Norfolk County Council, this "Coast Hopper" service is useful for many walks as the bus route shadows the Norfolk Coast Path. This enables one way walks to be undertaken with relative ease but also means that other walks can be altered to suit your needs. The drivers are usually very helpful and will advise where you should alight.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Clarity of route description
4.3 / 5
Clarity of route map
4 / 5
Walk interest
4.5 / 5
keithg
keithg
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : 04/05/22
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A fabulous easy walk along the coastal route. Althought the start of the walk was not signposted, it was easy to find, ie the footpath next to cliffs! Rest of the walk was clearly marked, with some lovely views.
A very slight deviation at the very end of the walk leads to The Lifeboat for a well deserved pint and is thoroughly recommended.
Getting back to the start is easy via the No. 36 bus, which stops outside the Thornham Deli.

John Rambler
John Rambler

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of walk : 17/09/21
Clarity of route description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The start point was very unclear and some of the signing close to Thornham also unclear.

Lorna Ball
Lorna Ball

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : 15/08/21
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Really beautiful and interesting walk. Fantastic scenery and wildlife.

mkaye
mkaye

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : 11/09/20
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Very good

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine.

The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

Loading…