James' favourite place - Brancaster

One of my favourite things to do of late has been to visit the wide sweeping beach at Brancaster in North West Norfolk. Brancaster bay has 2000 acres of beach over 4 ½ miles of coastline, all owned by the National Trust. The area is a major breeding ground for birds, and is the site of a Roman Fort.

A bracing wind is usually coning off the sea to blow those cobwebs away and when the sun is shining, this truly is a glorious part of the world. With sand dunes and saltmarsh, it can be cold. But it is always worth it!

I like to fly big kites and this is the perfect spot to come and take advantage of the wind and the wide-open spaces, often lifting me off my feet, it is quite an experience!

When the tide is out I also like to take a walk and explore the shipwreck a mile or so out on a sandbank - but I am always careful because the tide is strong and comes in very quickly! Also swimming can be risky due to tidal conditions. If you are thinking of going in the water it is always advisable to check with somebody who knows the beach and to follow all the guidelines on the beach.

After being out on the beach I always stop off for a nice pint of real Norfolk Ale at the Jolly Sailor pub. That, coupled with some of the best fresh fish and chips (I would highly recommend the beer battered cod) I have ever tasted, usually finishes me off before I make my way home.

Nowadays, people come to Brancaster from miles away to enjoy the sun, warm sand, fresh air and the extraordinary light of the Norfolk sky, which reflects the unbroken sea between us and the North Pole. Why not join them? It is a lovely spot and I would urge you to visit soon.