A two-day visit to the North Norfolk Coast of England is the perfect side trip for those craving a quiet English countryside getaway. This part of Norfolk is known for its charming villages, wide open coastline, and its commitment to promote local arts, crafts and produce from the region. From the Sandringham Estate up to the coast of the North Sea and it’s coastal villages, two days here on the North Norfolk Coast will leave you longing for more. After two days in this corner of England, I can’t wait to get back!
In this article, I’ll share a few of the special destinations in this beautiful region and provide a roadmap for making the most of your two-day adventure. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to experience the magic of the North Norfolk Coast in just 48 hours.
My Two-Day Itinerary for North Norfolk UK
- Day 1: Arrive in Dersingham via bus from Kings Lynn. Explore town of Snettisham
- Day 2: Bus up the coast, stopping at Norfolk Lavender in Heacham, Hunstanton, and then off to Luminate at the Sandringham Estate
- Day 3: Leave (always reluctantly) and head to Norwich, England via bus and train
Where to Stay in North Norfolk
To explore the North Norfolk Coast, I chose to stay in Dersingham, a beautiful and quiet village on the edge of the Sandringham Estate— you know, Sandringham– the place where the British Royal Family spends each Christmas. But there’s loads more to the North Norfolk area than Sandringham, and I was eager to see many of the small towns and villages nearby Sandringham and head up to the North Norfolk Coast where some of England’s most magnificent beaches are found. I assumed that the Norfolk area would be similar to the Thames Valley, where I hiked the Thames Path National Trail. But just like New England is nothing like the American Southwest, Norfolk has its own character and rhythm.#sandringham-bnb
Stay on Property Owned by King Charles III??
In my research to find a place to stay in Dersingham, I stumbled across a unique property– St. Jude’s Bed and Breakfast, located a generous half mile from the Sandringham Estate, and is actually on property owned by HM the King! I couldn’t imagine King Charles running a bed and breakfast– and he doesn’t– but he owns the property on which the house sits. The B&B is owned and run by Gwen, a truly wonderful B&B host and if you haven’t stayed in a B&B yet, and want the experience, this is a great place.
How could I say no to staying on property owned by the King? Seemed like a unique opportunity to me, and keeping with my mantra of always saying “yes” unless there’s a compelling reason to say “no,” I booked St. Jude’s for two nights.
I was so glad to have chosen this property for exploring this part of Norfolk. Not only was Gwen a lovely hostess (and we had terrific conversations about a lot of topics), but the B&B is located less than a quarter mile from a bus stop, a lovely tea room called Petals (the quiche was excellent for lunch), and The Feathers where I had a tasty dinner. Breakfast is cooked to order by Gwen each morning and her table features all locally made products like a fresh apple juice, jams, etc. As the property sits just on the edge of the estate, it is an easy twenty minute walk up the road to Sandringham.
Visiting Snettisham, UK
St. Mary’s Church
It’s a quick bus ride from Dersingham to the village of Snettisham, a super cute village nearby. If you are a history or architecture lover, or you just enjoy looking at stained glass windows and church spires, St. Mary’s Church is a must-visit destination.
Truthfully, I am a bit confused about this church. I visited it specifically because I read that the stained glass windows in one part of the church are some of the oldest in England. However, when I tried to verify this with another source, I can’t find support for it.
To me, there is a clear difference between the windows in question and the rest of the church windows. So maybe you need to see it for yourself and decide??? And then, let me know.
Sandringham/Dersingham: The Estate, Light Shows and Dark Skies
If you’re traveling in the off-season, you should note that Sandringham House (the actual building) was closed in November. But because this area is growing in popularity, it might not be that way in the future. I am told by Gwen at my B&B that Sandringham House will be open to the public during at least a few select weekends in the off season going forward. So if you absolutely want to see the Sandringham House itself, make sure to time your visit accordingly.
But what is going on in Sandringham starting in late November is the Luminate holiday light show, held on the grounds of the estate.
If you are here off season and the Luminate light show is on, consider seeing it. The light show is quite large with several different light displays running and is set up just by the Sandringham Gift Shop. Tickets sell out so purchase in advance if you would like to attend. Note that you do not see the Sandringham Estate from where the light show is located.
If you want to see an abundance of locally sourced items from local crafters and products from the estate itself, definitely stop by the Sandringham gift shop, dedicated to promoting the abundance and the artisans of the Norfolk area.
And for those into dark skies, this part of Norfolk has some very dark skies. My nighttime walk from St. Jude’s B&B up to Sandringham was an adventure in itself– Make the time to take this walk, but be careful as there is little sidewalk on Sandringham Road up to the Estate. I don’t normally get to see so many stars in my hometown due to light pollution. Remember, look up!
Journey to the North Norfolk Coast
I spent my second full day in North Norfolk making my way up to the coast by bus. I wanted to see the famous beaches in this area, as well as explore the town of Hunstanton. I even had intentions to make it to Wells-next-the-Sea, known for its brightly colored beach huts along the shore, but I (as usual) got sidetracked.
On my way to the coast, I stopped at the Norfolk Lavender Farm in Heacham (off season off course, but the shop was still open). There were plenty of people who were interested in this destination too, even though the lavender fields were not in bloom. The store is incredible and if you’re into lavender, be sure to stop by.
Hunstanton
Hunstanton sits on the coast. In season, it’s a busy and bustling place for people on holiday. Off-season, the crowds are gone, but there is still a lot to experience in the town. For animal lovers, Hunstanton has a seal life rescue center and a small aquarium. On the off season, the place is yours, and I was closer to penguins being fed than I’d ever imagined. I also had my own private lesson learning how some of the fish are fed. This is a benefit I encounter time and time again in the off season– way more personal attention and behind-the-scenes interaction at places I visit.
*Note that the outdoor penguin platform is currently closed for avian flu precautions. I’ll update this site when it reopens.
Pride of Norfolk
One thing that struck me traveling through Norfolk is how much they value locally created arts and crafts and place these front and center for all visitors. Old Hunstanton Barns is a collection of arts and crafters gathered under one roof. The building, some of which dates back to the 16th Century is a treasure trove of individual shops that fit together like a perfect puzzle. It is well worth a visit, especially if you’re into handmade items and/or need to bring back gifts for people back home.
By the time I finished walking through the shops, along the beach, and having a blast at Sea Life Hunstanton, it was getting a bit late in the day. I had every intention of getting to Wells-Next-the-Sea or Cromer, a bit further along the coast, but I was having so much fun exploring that I ran out of day.
I have already resolved to return to the North Norfolk Coast as soon as I can.
Some scenes from Hunstanton– notice that there are also colorful beach huts here in addition to the ones you always see in photos of Wells next the Sea. So I don’t feel as bad about not getting to Wells.
Next time for sure…
And now, it’s time to move on to the medieval city of Norwich, England…
Resources
My list of resources for planning this trip can be found on my cornerstone blog post about my ten day visit to Norfolk and Suffolk.
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