Walking Britain Norfolk Walk
Holkham Gap and West Beach from Wells-next-the-Sea
Maps | |||
| Ordnance Survey Explorer 251 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer 251 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Ordnance Survey Landranger 132 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Landranger 132 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
It is recommended you take a map. The preferred scale is 1:25k. | |||
Walk Route Description
Click thumbnails for larger images.
The beach at Wells-next-the-Sea is immense and this walk combines a section of the Norfolk Coast Path with a pleasant walk across West Sands. The size of the beach depends on tides but even at high water the extent of the sands is impressive.
The start is the beach car park (Grid ref. TF914454) with toilets and refreshments in season. This is reached by taking Beach Road from the centre of Wells-next-the-Sea. Alternatively the walk could be started from the centre of the village, which is served by the Hopper bus service. Leave the car park at the western end and follow the signed Norfolk Coast Path. You soon pass the boating lake on your left and then follow the boundary of a conifer plantation on your right. The path leads with any navigational difficulties to Holkham Gap.
Turn right here onto the beach. At low tide you are faced with a vast expanse of sand although even at high tide the sands are still impressive. Bear right and stay on the seaward side of the line of dunes. Walk along the beach to the Coastguard Station and Lifeboat Station at Wells-next-the-Sea. The final section of the walk along the beach is notable for the variety of well-kept beach huts at the back of the beach. Turn right up the steps by the Coastguard Station and then right again into the car park and the end of the walk.
Note - It is worth noting that 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.
Other walks nearby
Walk 3254 Holkham & Holkham Park Circular - moderate - 10.2 miles/16.6 km
Walk 1908 Wells-next-the-Sea & Holkham Park - easy/mod - 8.0 miles/13 km
Walk 2101 Holkham Park from Holkham - easy - 4.5 miles/7.3 km
Walk 1035 Around Burnham Market - easy - 5.5 miles/8.9 km
Walk 1600 Morston Salt Marshes from Morston Quay - easy - 2.5 miles/4.1 km
Walk 2307 Blakeney from Morston Quay - easy - 2.0 miles/3.3 km
Walk 3732 Morston, Blakeney & Cley next the Sea - easy - 4.0 miles/6.5 km
Walk 1804 Cley next the Sea from Blakeney - easy - 5.0 miles/8.1 km
Walk 1730 Blakeney Point from Cley-next-the-Sea - moderate - 9.0 miles/14.6 km
Walk 2401 Salthouse from Cley-next-the-Sea - easy - 4.0 miles/6.5 km
Recommended Books & eBooks
Walking in Norfolk
Guidebook to 40 easy to moderate walks in the English county of Norfolk. Circular routes of 4-12 miles show off the area's surprisingly varied landscape: the Broads, Brecks and Fens and coastal dunes, salt marsh and tidal creeks. Also includes information on Norfolk's rich history and unique plants and wildlife.
More information
Map and Compass
An instructive guidebook explaining map and compass techniques, to help readers enhance their outdoor experiences. Whether you are experienced in map-reading, or have never used a compass before, this guidebook will sharpen your skills and have you exploring new areas in no time. There are also tips for GPS and digital mapping technologies.
More information
