Coastline

Norfolk

Start at The Wash - England's largest tidal
estuary. This outstanding coastal wetland is one
of the country's most important winter feeding areas
for waders and wildfowl. Explore on the 10 mile
(17 kilometre) 'Peter Scott Walk', which follows the
top of the outer sea defence bank. Travelling north,
the high tide at RSPB Snettisham creates a great
wildlife spectacle, as thousands of birds are forced
off the mudflats onto the reserve's lagoons. At
Heacham, there are connections to Pocahontas,
the Native American princess - plus the perfumed
gardens of Norfolk Lavender to explore.

Hunstanton is the only west facing resort on the east
coast of England - mixing an elegant old Victorian
town with a lively buzzing family centre. Take a trip out
to a local sandbank aboard the Wash Monster, then
head to adjoining Old Hunstanton to view England's
only red and white striped cliffs - made up of chalk
and carrstone. Follow the coast to Holme-next-
the-Sea, where the famous Bronze Age timber circle
of Seahenge was exposed by the receding tide in
1998. It can now been seen in the Lynn Museum at
King's Lynn. The Holme Bird Observatory has recorded over 300 species of our
feathered friends since 1962. In the 18th/19th C. smugglers used to hide their
goods in the creeks at charming Thornham - where oysters are grown today. 

Further east, the reedbeds and shallow lagoons at RSPB Titchwell Marsh are
home to wetland birds and marsh harriers. Both Brancaster and Brancaster
Staithe were important centres in Roman times - with the latter a pretty little
fishing village with sailing boats and seafood for sale. Follow the coast to The
Burnhams - a group of seven villages, where Britain's most famous seafaring
hero, Lord Nelson was born, grew up and later lived. Burnham Market has
become known as ‘Chelsea-on-Sea', with its attractive green, independent and
specialist shops. A ferry runs from neighbouring Burnham Overy Staithe to
Scolt Head Island, a prime example of an offshore barrier island in the UK.

Holkham has several attractions to enjoy. From the Palladian-style hall, which
forms part of a great agricultural estate, to one of Britain's best sandy
beaches - huge, private, with dunes backed by pine trees. This is also one of 
the most diverse and dramatic nature reserves on the Norfolk coast. Look out
for hoardes of wintering wildfowl. Continue east to Wells-next-the-Sea, a
picturesque small town, its harbour home to a fleet of little fishing boats. At
Stiffkey, the old fishermen's cottages cluster along the winding street. It is
noted for its cockles or 'Stewky Blues'. In summer, the saltmarshes here are
turned a vivid purple by the sea lavender.

Blakeney is a small port at the mouth of the River Glaven, with flint cottages and a
medieval Guildhall. Take a boat trip to see around 500 common and grey seals on
the 3½ mile (6 kilometre) long sand and shingle spit of Blakeney Point - also
internationally important for seabirds and overwintering wildfowl. Neighbouring
Cley-next-the-Sea is overlooked by its fine 18th C. windmill. Wander the narrow
lanes with their flint houses, galleries (arts/crafts) and specialist food shops.
Alternatively, enjoy the views over the pools, reedbeds and wet grassland at
NWT Cley Marshes - with its bitterns and avocets.

More seafood treats at Salthouse - where you can tuck into a crab salad at
Cookie's whilst overlooking the coastal marshes. Cliffs rich in fossils rise from
the marshlands at Weybourne - jump aboard the North Norfolk Railway for a
steam train ride along the coast to Sheringham. This traditional seaside town
grew up around its old fishing village, and a band of little boats still bring in the
daily catch. Continue east to the West and East Runton area, where the low
crumbling cliffs form part of the ‘Cromer Ridge'. This has some of the world's
best cross sections of terminal moraines (where the glaciers ended) - and a
600,000 year old mammoth was uncovered here in 1995.

Norfolk (continued)

The sedate seaside town of Cromer stands on a cliff
top. It is famous for its pier, lifeboat and common
crabs - the latter caught by its little fishing boats
which still work from the beach. Between here and
Great Yarmouth are a series of small coastal
villages. 'Poppyland' was the name given to the area
around Overstrand in the 19th C. - when travel writer
Clement Scott described the fields here ablaze with
poppies at harvest time. Mundlesey harks back to
a bygone age with its colourful wooden beach huts,
whilst Happisburgh is in a constant battle with the
sea - where large chunks of the land are regularly
falling into the water. The red and white striped 
lighthouse is a local landmark. Sea Palling offers
a dune-backed stretch of white sand protected
by man-made reefs.

One of the UK's most popular seaside
resorts - Great Yarmouth's wealth comes from its
port and the former herring industry. The seafront is
packed with countless family attractions and
entertainment. To the north and south of the town
are a series of little seaside villages, such as
Winterton-on-Sea (once an ancient fishing centre); Caister-on-Sea (with its
famous volunteer rescue service); and Gorleston-on-Sea (noted for its 
theatre, pretty gardens and sandy beach).

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Suffolk

Start your journey at Britain's most easterly point - Lowestoft Ness. It is marked with
‘Euroscope', which shows the direction and distances of major European towns,
alongside Great Britain's other cardinal points. Once a flourishing fishing
port - Lowestoft offers a vibrant mix of award-winning sandy beaches, seafront
gardens, family attractions and a rich maritime history. 

Head south to the charming village of Kessingland, where you can go on a
fantastic 'wild' adventure at Africa Alive! The vulnerability of Suffolk's
crumbling cliffs is most evident at the tiny hamlet of Covehithe, where the
severed ends of roads hang above the cliff face. Look out for the 'church within
a church' - a little thatched building sitting within the ruins of the much
bigger (dismantled) 15th C. version. Southwold is noted for its colourful
beach huts, period houses and a lighthouse towering over the town. Walk
along the newly restored pier, then brave the 'Sea Blast' trip aboard the
Coastal Voyager From the harbour (with its fleet of little boats) you can
take the foot ferry to Walberswick - a small seaside village with a pretty
green and annual crabbing championships.

Between Brightlingsea and Burnham-on-Crouch is a series of
pretty river estuaries and creeks, once the haunt of
smugglers and today a haven for sailing