Much as I love the city, sometimes I just need to escape it. I need to feel vast oceans of space and around me and see the sky above me. Not skies polluted by artificial light and the glow of street lights, but inky black skies illuminated by stars.
When the need to escape is at its greatest, the place I will most often turn is Norfolk. Primarily because its familiar. This is where I grew up, my family are there. But, also because it is beautiful and largely unspoilt and the space is large and natural. It is the sometimes much needed balm to the squashed in spaces that are the norm in the city.
As I write this I ebb and flow. I want to share Norfolk with you, to shout from the rooftops about its beauty and encourage everyone to go. And yet, I want to keep it a secret. Keep it unspoilt and rugged and not London. I fear however, it is a little too late for that. Norfolk has been having a moment for a while now. Those in the know, realise the North Norfolk coastline is rather special with acres of sandy beaches. Towns and villages remain uncluttered with large high street chains and instead have those local, independent stores which city dwellers so crave, and the number of very good places to eat is plentiful.
Despite my reservations, some things are just too good not to share, and Burnham Overy Staithe is one of them. If you know Norfolk at all, chances are you will have heard of the much larger and more popular Burnham Market. Or if you are local to Norfolk, ‘Burnham Markup’ or ‘Chelsea on Sea’ as it is perhaps less affectionately known! But you may not be so familiar with one of the other six Burnhams, Burnham Overy Staithe.
This small waterside village is a collection of pretty cottages built along side a harbour creek. When the tide is out, and if you know Norfolk, you will know the tide goes out for miles; small dinghys and sailing boats languish on their sides in the muddy flats awaiting. When the tide does rise, they bob about waiting their turn to make their way through the creek towards the sea. At low tide, don wellies and wander along the edge of the water watching the bird life hover and swoop.
If sailing is your thing then the harbour it self is a significant sailing centre. It is also the departure point for ferries to Scolt Head Island. Yes Norfolk has its own island too, and its a national nature reserve, with so i’m told excellent wildlife watching. From the harbour, the beach is a 2.4km walk along an embankment and raised footpaths, fringed by freshwater meadows. Because of its distance, and you can only get there on foot, this is not likely to be a place you would come to spend a day on the beach, nearby Wells or Holkham is where you would go for that.
Burnham Overy Staithe is the place to come for bracing sea air, dog walking, and those classic uninterrupted Norfolk views of big skies, and small boats and endless flat lands. Walking is the perfect reason to come to Burnham Overy Staithe. Walks take in the creek and the meadows, but if you can resist the pull of the sea, then head in land through fields and villages and you will be rewarded with uninterrupted views of windmills and churches and rows of flint cottages.
Horatio Nelson is a hero of these parts, having been born very locally. He reportedly learnt to sail in Burnham Overy Staithe aged just 10 years old. The local pub is in fact called The Hero and is a fair example of Norfolks fine eating and drinking establishments. Its Gin menu including one brewed locally is impressive.
The wind blows fair off the North Norfolk coast and consequently air is fresh and clean. Stuffy heads and noses are cleared and cobwebs are blown away. If you are prepared to get little bit muddy and march through this endless countryside, might I suggest you take a trip to Burnham Overy Staithe. Just remember to keep it a secret, we don’t want everyone to go!
From London, Burnham Overy Staithe is about a 3 hour drive.
The nearest ‘largish’ town is Kings Lynn (20 miles away). There is a frequent train service from London Kings Cross to Kings Lynn.
That’s a great recommendation for Burnham Overy Staithe. One of the lesser known gems of the wonderful Norfolk coast. xx
Author
Thank you. I agree the Norfolk coast is wonderful x
I do love Norfolk, like you say, you want to share it and then you want to keep it to yourself. We did a little tour around the county in 2017 and there are some beautiful villages and the coastline is incredible.
Great post thanks for sharing. I’ll try not to tell too many people. #farawayfiles
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Yes absolutely. You are right the coast line is incredible, and there are do many gorgeous villages and village pubs to visit!
what a beautiful place #farawayfiles
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Yes it is very pretty.
Can’t wait to go there now! Truly inspiring xxx
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Yes its a lovely place to go. Very quiet but very pretty too.
Homesick now! Norfolk is the best county.
Author
Yes seeing pictures of Norfolk has that effect. I felt the same reading your Norwich post!
I was lucky enough to visit Burnham Market regularly when I was younger, and I’m hoping this is the year that I’ll be able to take my kids to discover the glorious North Norfolk coast. I’m guessing we’ll won’t be staying in ‘Burnham Markup’ (love that!) though, so it’s great to see a recommendation for one of the other Burnhams. #farawayfiles
Author
I hope you get to return this year. The North Norfolk coast is such a brilliant place for children. Huge safe, sandy beaches, wide open space and so much more. Yes Burnham Markup is a little pricey these days!!
Oh I love this, Angie! I’ve been to Burnham Market and this Burnham looks to be so much more my cup of tea. There’s something so utterly wonderful about fresh sea air and wide open spaces. You’re actually making me wonder whether I should head up to Norfolk in the next month or so. Thanks for inspiring me on #FarawayFiles
Author
Oh, do go if you can Clare. There are so many gorgeous places to go, especially if you are seeking fresh sea air and wide open spaces. Holkham, Brancaster, Wells next sea….I could go on!
I’ve only ever visited Norfolk once, but I glimpsed such a beautiful county. I must go back! #FarawayFiles
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I really recommend it, it really has something for everyone.
Norfolk is one of my favourite places! We just came back from a short break there. Have you ever been to deadman’s hole to swim? It’s a must-do in summer when tide it out! #farawayfiles
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Lovely to read it is one of your favourites. I have never swum at Deadmans hole, I confess I don’t even know where it is. It sounds intriguing….
Norfolk is so beautiful, it was such a soothing place to explore when we first moved back to the UK and found ourselves in a part of the country we didn’t really know! My inlaws are about to move there too from France so I imagine we will see a bit more of it! 🙂 Love your Photos! #farawayfiles
Author
You are so right it is soothing. Your inlays have made a great choice. I am sure you will have lots of fun exploring more of Norfolk.
Beautiful post, Angie! You’ve made me want to discover Norfolk now, I really don’t know much about it. Sounds so serene and peaceful, and the perfect place to escape big city life, like you say. I hope to visit some day. #farawayfiles
Author
Thank you Corey. It is a peaceful place, an lovely place to escape from the city for a while. I hope you get to visit one day.
Gorgeous photos of an obviously special place! I’ve loved our visits to the UK, but even after a number of driving trips, we still have so much to see. I’ll be adding this to our ever growing list. Thank you for sharing this “secret” with us on #farawayfiles
Author
Hi Hilary, you are right, it is a special place. I hope you get to visit one day. Sharing with #farawayfiles is always a pleasure.