Day One – Arrive & explore

If you can arrive in Thornham in time for lunch, why not spend the afternoon exploring the ancient creeks from the coast path around Thornham itself or take head off with your binoculars to the nearby famous RSPB Bird Reserve at Titchwell? There is also a circular ‘coast and countryside’ walk to get you in the mood for the days ahead.

Mileage: Min 0 Max 7.5 Overnight: Thornham

Day Two – Horatio’s homelands

You may either start the walk from Thornham or (if taxi transfer agreed in advance) from Brancaster depending on your levels of energy. From Thornham the path heads inland through rich Norfolk farmland popular with birdwatchers, before returning to the coast at Brancaster. Allow the salt air to fire your imagination as you walk alongside the creeks that inspired the young Horatio Nelson, as you approach the villages, known collectively as ‘The Burnhams’, where he grew up. Your overnight stop is at Burnham Market where you can enjoy some fine food in the quality restaurants in this small picturesque village.

Mileage: Min 6.9 (with taxi transfer at no extra cost) Max 11.3 Overnight: Burnham Market

Day Three – Creeks, pines & Palladian creations

Rejoin the coastal path today at Burnham Overy Staithe and walk through the wonderful Holkham National Nature Reserve and the awe-inspiring, wild, sandy expanse that is Holkham Bay. From Holkham Gap the more energetic may wish to take a detour to visit the Palladian style mansion of Holkham Hall (additional 2.8 miles). The path now takes a sheltered route along the back of the pine wood strip to the beach at Wells-next-the-Sea with its lifeboat station and beach huts on stilts. For a unique and relaxing end to the day take the miniature railway which follows the beach road for the last 3/4 mile, almost to your overnight accommodation in this historic fishing and seaside town.

Mileage: Min 9.5 Max 12.3 Overnight: Wells-next-the-Sea

Day Four - Historic harbours &flint fishing villages

Heading along sea wall path on the edge of the wild salt marshes, you’ll reach the creek at Morston. This is a great place to join a boat trip to view the seal colony at the National Nature Reserve on Blakeney Point. Boat trips are also available a mile or so further down the coast at Blakeney, where you spend the night.

Mileage: Min 7.9 Max 7.9 Overnight: Blakeney

Day Five – From windmills to wild azaleas

Today you can start the walk either from Blakeney or, with a pre-arranged taxi transfer, from Cley-next-the-Sea. Beyond Cley, the path hugs the shoreline whilst on the landward side, you pass another of the nature reserves that attracts millions of wild birds to this area. Later the walk takes you inland, where you may catch a glimpse of the bygone age of steam as you cross the North Norfolk Poppy Line before entering the beautifully maintained National Trust (NT) property of Sheringham Park. If you have the energy to climb to the towering gazebo which emerges from the tree canopy, you are rewarded with stunning views back over your tracks across the coast and countryside. Only a short distance then to your final night’s accommodation at Upper Sheringham, adjacent to the park.

Mileage: Min 9.4 (with taxi transfer at no extra cost) Max 10.6 Overnight: Upper Sheringham

Day Six – Depart after breakfast

Depart after breakfast. If you wish to linger a while there’s always a gentle stroll through the rhododendrons in Sheringham Park, or maybe take a longer walk to Sheringham town. You may even choose to put your feet up and celebrate your achievements with a steam train ride back through the Norfolk countryside on North Norfolk Railway.

Mileage: Min 0 Max 6