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Day
Eight: Fringe benefits -
Explore the Norfolk Broads coastal fringe on foot
While predominantly an area of freshwater, the Broads National
Park extends to the coast
at Horsey, providing an opportunity for an undemanding walk around
this intriguing area,
viewing the only community of seals living in the Broads! Our
suggestions will take you to
Horsey, the site of several extensive flooding episodes in the
twentieth century, for a circular
walk around the varied landscape of the area; the opportunity to
view the large community
of seals living along this part of the coast; a climb up Horsey
Mill providing striking views
over Horsey Mere; lunch at a traditional Norfolk pub; followed by
an afternoon visit to
Waxham Barn, a restored barn now housing a museum of local life.
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Drive to Horsey, signposted off the A149 from either Martham or
Stalham and park near to the Nelson
Head public house |
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Keeping the pub on your left, walk east
towards the sea, following the track until you reach the
dunes, before turning left. |
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Optional detour : if you have plenty of
time, you could walk onto the beach, turn right and walk
for around half a mile, where you might be lucky enough to
spot some of the seals that live along this part of the
coast |
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Having turned left, continue for three
quarters of a mile behind the dunes, keeping an eye out
for marsh harriers and other smaller birds of prey, until
you reach a National Trust car park |
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Turn left here, following the rough track
back to the road, turn right onto the road for a short
distance, before turning left onto a footpath between two
fields. At the field break, turn right across another
field, and at the unmade road turn right and then
immediately left between the houses. |
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Follow the path around the field edge and
along the dyke to a ruined mill. Turn left along the
stream and follow this path around the edge of Horsey Mere, one of the very
few expanses of water owned by the
National Trust in the Broads. |
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The path will lead you to
Horsey Windpump, which is well worth a
visit for the view from the top and
the display of historic photographs of the local area. There is
also a small friendly café here, selling teas
and snacks, including toasted teacakes and bacon rolls. |
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Opposite the entrance to the car park is
a permissive footpath which will lead you back to the
Nelson Head, a traditional Norfolk pub (one of our
favourites). There is no music, no fruit machines, a
roaring real fire in the colder months, and children are
welcome in the attractive family room. It serves local Woodforde’s ales and homemade food. Beware, the chilli is hot
stuff! |
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After lunch, why not continue a little
way up the road to visit Waxham Barn, a recently renovated barn
converted to a museum of rural Norfolk life. It also houses a café
if you are still in need of refreshment. |
Useful Norfolk Broads Contacts
Below you will find suggestions for accommodation, activities, attractions,
food & drink and shopping. All useful
contacts while visiting the Norfolk Broads.
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Broad House Hotel
Broad House is a 9 bedroom, Grade II listed English country estate. This boutique hotel located on the Norfolk Broads set in 25 acres.parkland is a world away from day to day living, where you can relax and enjoy an informal country house
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Linda H. Matthews Artist
Working artists studio & gallery, in the beautiful northern broads. Paintings & gifts from Lindas work. Also offering structured painting courses and private tuition, for individuals & groups, with an experienced tutor & art materials for sale
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Horsey Windpump
Fully restored historic drainage windpump. Only National Trust property in the Norfolk Broads that is open regularly. Striking views across the Norfolk Broads and to the coast. Internationally important estate for wildlife. Premier birdwatching area.
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Broad House Hotel
Broad House is a 9 bedroom, Grade II listed English country estate. This boutique hotel located on the Norfolk Broads set in 25 acres.parkland is a world away from day to day living, where you can relax and enjoy an informal country house
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Sutton Pottery
Small studio workshop in rural East Norfolk, established by Malcolm Flatman in 1977 in the Broadland village of Sutton, near Stalham. He uses the Potters Wheel and the fire of a gas kiln to create a large range of reduction stoneware entirely by hand.
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"The numerous windmills visible in
the Broads were
actually mainly
wind
pumps, helping to
drain the low-lying
land"
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TOP TIPS |
| 1. |
Wear walking boots or shoes,
as parts of the
walk can be muddy |
| 2. |
A good map is useful, ideally
the Ordnance
Survey Landranger 134 |
| 3. |
If you take your dog, please
keep him/her on a
lead as you approach the seals on the beach
and try not to get too close as the seals are
easily disturbed |
| 4. |
The windpump and tearoom is open from
March to October, although times vary
throughout the season. There is a small charge
for entry to the windpump |
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There are toilet facilities at Horsey Windpump
and customer toilets at the Nelson Head pub |
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The Nelson Head is a mobile
phone free zone,
and don’t talk about spiders, needles or
Christmas (among other taboo subjects listed
on the landlord’s blackboard)! |
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Each of the days suggested on this website are covered by the OS Map, Landranger 134
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grid reference TG462228
