Just 80 minutes from Cambridge is a beautiful stretch of Norfolk coastline that is a lesser-known gem that goes wonderfully uncrowded every day of the year
There’s one beach along the Norfolk coastline that seems to go under the radar, but it’s well worth exploring, as I found out.
When it comes to a beach day out, Norfolk is our best option, with stretches of golden coastline and charming seaside towns all within easy reach of Cambridgeshire. Holkham beach, backed by rolling sand dunes and pine forests, is among the most popular and is frequently visited by the Royal Family, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their three children, George, Charlotte and Louis.
Wells-next-the-Sea has consistently proved to be a beloved seaside spot, with its sweeping sand beach lined with colourful beach huts and a town packed with independent shops, cosy cafés and traditional pubs. Meanwhile, there’s the classic Victorian seaside resort of Cromer, the stretches of coast at Great Yarmouth Beach, and Horsey Beach, known as a prime location for seal spotting, with hundreds descending on the shore.
I’ve visited various stretches of the Norfolk coastline on day trips from Cambridgeshire, packing the car with my walking boots and a picnic, come summer or winter – there’s nothing like that fresh sea air! And while I love Holkham beach, I took the time to visit the lesser-known beach of Snettisham, and found that it’s equally worth a visit.
Nestled near the west coast of Norfolk, just 80 minutes drive from Cambridge, Snettisham offers stretches of an unspoilt sand and pebble beach. It’s backed by salt marshes and wetlands, remaining untouched by loud and tacky seaside attractions, for a blissfully quiet retreat by the sea.
In fact, there really isn’t much at Snettisham, aside from a few holiday and caravan parks that I passed on my way to the beach car park, but that’s what makes it all the more appealing. It’s a haven for beach walks and uninterrupted sea views, offering the chance to simply take a moment and step back from the everyday bustle, against the soothing sound of gentle waves and the sea breeze.
During my visit, it remained beautifully serene, aside from a few niceties from fellow walkers, and it’s a part of the coast that goes wonderfully untouched by crowds. There’s ample space for dog walkers, who are welcome all year round, or for kids to kick a ball around, and plenty of spots against the salt marshes to pitch up for a picnic on those warmer days.
While I wandered along miles of the flat sand and shingle shore, I also found a promenade lined with cabins and shacks. It also provided the perfect opportunity for wildlife spotting as birds swooped over the open stretches of shore, with the tide stretched out.
There are also walking routes from the beach that will take you to the RSPB Snettisham Nature Reserve, affectionately known as the ‘Snettisham Spectacular’, thanks to its flocks of wading birds and pink-footed geese that fly overhead during high tide. It also offers picturesque views across The Wash, with parts of the Norfolk Coast Path connected to Snettisham beach if you’re keen to wander further afield.
It’s such a popular spot for birdwatching and wildlife that, during my visit, I saw a film production arrive in the car park, planning what they would capture in this rare, untouched part of the Norfolk coast. And after time spent exploring the beach and nature reserve, there’s the Snettisham Beach Chip Shop to pick up that quintessential seaside treat, or to grab a coffee at The Old Store in the town, or a classic pub meal at the 14th-century, The Rose & Crown, before heading home, feeling fully recharged.
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