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For me, hearing the first cuckoo
in Spring can never compare to the thrill of seeing – and hearing - the
first skein of wild geese crossing the North Norfolk coast in September.
Straight from their breeding grounds in the far north, they fly in line
astern, or in a “V” formation, calling to one another as they arrive at
their winter feeding grounds to be joined soon by many thousands of others.
Magical? Unbelievably so. And very special.
Yet everything about this strip
of coastline is special. Easily accessible from wherever you may be in
Norfolk, there is so much to captivate in this incredibly beautiful strip
of unwrecked England.
The first thing to remember is
not to hurry. You need space and time, and you'll find that Norfolk has
plenty of both. In fact, hurrying is difficult on the A149 road which
follows the coast, and links together so many places of interest.
Norfolk's great skies are to be
seen at their best here. They have inspired artists for many decades and
the region is rich in galleries. You can pick up a painting for a trifle,
or, if you are so inclined, and your purse is deep enough, for a tidysum.
Children who visit cherish long
happy memories of golden days spent on famous beaches with their acres
of sand. There's so much space here that there's always plenty of room.
The sands at Brancaster, Holme and Holkham - beaches at Sheringham and
Cromer. All have been loved by many generations.
Most of the houses you see are
constructed of local materials. Here, pebbles long ago carted off the
beaches. There, the local chalk Carrstone on the western corner, and of
course, Norfolk flint. Sometimes a mixture of all four. This alone gives
the coast a special character as you follow the road through Brancaster,
Wells, Blakeney, Stiffkey, and Cley on to Sheringham and Cromer.
Those of us who live here are truly
spoilt for choice when it comes to good restaurants and character pubs.
They abound. And you'll enjoy searching out the local food specialities
– Cromer crabs, trout from the Glaven, oysters from Brancaster, local
mussels and sea trout in season. And naturally, samphire fresh gathered
from the midsummer saltmarsh..
Take a trip on one of the boats
from Blakeney or Morston to be visit the seals. They'll give you a friendly
welcome with their great round eyes. Those, like me, who like to watch
birds will love this coast during the spring and autumn migrations. There
are reserves to visit at Holme, Titchwell and Cley.
What else to do? There are famous
golf courses, and attractions to please all ages. Cromer's “End of Pier
Show” is always popular. Then there's the Muckleburgh collection, near
Weybourne, offering a massive selection of military vehicles and tanks
– even a WW2 V1 Doodle Bug, which brings back certain memories for me,
a boy of Kent. Other, happier memories were rekindled at the Shire Horse
Centre at East Runton. Seeing these noble giants working, always reminds
me of being lifted high to straddle one of their broad backs before the
team was led to welcoming water at the end of a busy day in the harvest
field a long time ago.
Much of this coast is rightly designated
as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. See it at any time of year –
there's always something new and magical to discover.
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