10 charming seaside towns in Norfolk to visit

Not much gets me more excited than heading to the beach, no matter the weather. And for a taste of life by the sea, Norfolk has 90 miles of stunning coastlines just begging to be explored.

Let me take you to my favourite Norfolk seaside towns for quick breaks and long holidays. We’ll explore sandy beaches, historic sites, and the best spots to enjoy the freshest seafood.

1. Cromer

Best for: Fresh seafood and pier attractions

Cromer is a quintessential British seaside town with a quirky edge. The centrepiece has to be its 151-metre-long Victorian pier, home to the world’s only end-of-pier theatre.

A boathouse for the Cromer Lifeboat Station juts out at the pier’s end, and if you’re lucky, you might catch the bright-orange lifeboats getting launched into choppy seas during one of the training exercises.

There’s also the famous Cromer crab, which is every bit as delicious as people say.

After indulging, I’d recommend walking it off along the cliff-top trails, where the views are spectacular.

2. Wells-next-the-Sea

Best for: Scenic beaches and beautiful architecture

When you get your first glimpse of Wells-next-the-Sea, you’ll understand why I’ve included it on this list.

The vast expanse of golden sand, fringed by the most colourful beach huts, is as pretty as a postcard.

Lush pine trees back onto the beach, so there’s tons of sun and shade. I’d advise timing your visit with the tide because when it’s out, the beach seems to stretch for miles. 

The town itself is a wonderful mishmash of Georgian and Victorian architecture. I love pottering around the quayside, watching fisherfolks haul in their catches.

3. Great Yarmouth

Best for: Fun and games

Great Yarmouth buzzes with infectious energy. Right here is the Hippodrome Circus, Britain’s only surviving total circus building. If you’re in town, do yourself a favour and get a ticket for the circus and water spectacular. 

Along the famed Golden Mile are arcades, funfair rides, and food stalls that beckon with the irresistible aroma of freshly cooked fish and chips.

For something more indulgent, this little place called Pamela’s Restaurant does the most divine seafood platters.

And there’s one more surprise: The Waterways. It’s a beautifully restored park and garden, with canals snaking through Venetian bridges.

4. Hunstanton

Best for: Spectacular sunsets

Hunstanton, or ‘Sunny Hunny’ as the locals affectionately call it, is the only west-facing resort town in East Anglia.

And that means a front-row seat to pink-and-gold sunsets well into the evening!

Up north are the famous striped cliffs, combining layers of white chalk and reddish brown carrstone to create a geological wonder. Photography enthusiasts will be in for a treat!

5. Sheringham

Best for: Cultural shows and nightlife

A key attraction of Sheringham is the Sheringham Little Theatre. The tiny 180-seat venue hosts show-stopping performances, including plays, pantomimes, musicals, and film screenings.

As the night falls, head to the pubs for a night of music and a pint.

Another must-visit is Sheringham Park, originally designed by the legendary Humphry Repton. 

The landscape features seasonal blooms that make rainbows blush, winding waymarked paths, and thick plantations.

From the gazebo viewer, miles of coastal beauty spread out to a glinting sea.

6. Blakeney

Best for: Seal-spotting

Blakeney isn’t as flashy as its coastal neighbours, but that’s exactly why I love it. It’s a patchwork of salt marshes, mudflats, and creeks.

The village is picture-perfect, featuring rows of flint cottages down the high street with bursts of hollyhock plants growing out of crevices.

Tucked away in surprising corners are little pubs and art galleries.

Be sure to swing by Blakeney Point, a four-mile-long sand and shingle spit, and watch hundreds of common and grey seals lolling about the beach.

7. Mundesley

Best for: Family-friendly activities

One of the first things that strikes me about Mundesley is the Blue Flag Beach, with brightly painted cottages lining the shores.

Its shallow rock pools are perfect for crabbing and spotting all sorts of weird and wonderful creatures. Plus, sea fishing is great all year.

If you like walking as much as I do, there are plenty of footpaths and circular trails to navigate here.

8. Happisburgh

Best for: Quiet retreats

Happisburgh always brings to mind friendly faces and windswept cliffs. Its red-and-white striped lighthouse towers above the coastline, keeping watch over a serene, almost deserted beach.

A short walk along a well-trodden path from the car park brings you up close to this historic beacon. 

Sadly, Happisburgh is also one of the fastest-eroding areas on the British Coast.

While that’s an unhappy reality, it has also led to extraordinary archaeological finds, including ancient flint tools and footprints of a long-extinct human species.

9. Caister-on-Sea

Best for: Historical adventures

Between a north and south beach, both carpeted with grassy dunes, lies the pristine stretch of coastline of Caister-on-Sea.

This resort town has enough natural beauty to fill up your camera roll and stories to satisfy history buffs.

The name Caister means fortress in Anglo-Saxon. It refers to the Roman forts found here, the earliest in Britain, of which only the ruins remain. 

At the western edge of town, Caister Castle (built in 1432) stands proudly and now houses a massive antique car collection. 

10. Sea Palling

Best for: Nature watching

Sea Palling is a place that makes you want to don a straw boater and promenade along the seafront!

Nine man-made offshore reefs have tamed the rough North Sea, creating calm, lagoon-like waters that feel more Mediterranean than British.

The reefs have become a favourite hangout for seals. On a good day, you might chance upon these curious sea puppies basking in the sun, but please do keep a safe distance.

The sand here is surprisingly fine and golden, more reminiscent of southern beaches than what you’d expect in Norfolk.

At low tide, the waves lap at the shores, revealing brown shrimps and sun-baked shells.

All said, Sea Palling is a small English seaside village at heart. You’ll always find an English garden, a pub, and a few shops to browse.

Have you visited any of these charming seaside towns in Norfolk? Let me know your favourites in the comments!

You may also like: 

• 12 must-visit hidden gems in the UK
• 10 charming coastal towns in Kent
• 10 pretty fairytale towns in the UK