Julie Smith
25 May 2023
If you’re looking for a relaxing British seaside holiday in a picture-perfect location, you can’t go far wrong with the traditional Norfolk coast town of Sheringham.
It’s part of North Norfolk’s Deep History Coast and is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so you can enjoy fossil hunting on the beach, wonderful views from towering cliffs and spend time wandering around the National Trust-owned Sheringham Park.
We've rounded up the best things to do in Sheringham in our guide to the town. If you've already got your heart set on a getaway to the Norfolk coast, find your perfect cottage by clicking the button below.
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Where is Sheringham?
Located on the glorious North Norfolk coastline, Sheringham lies around 5 miles from the popular seaside resort of Cromer and is a scenic 6-mile trip on the Poppy Line steam railway from the historic market town of Holt, which is surrounded by rural parks.
Sheringham has developed over the years from a small fishing village to a popular seaside town with colourful beach huts and an array of shops to browse. Nearby nature reserves to Sheringham include Beeston Cliffs, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and the Cromer Shoal Chalk Beds, which is thought to be the largest chalk reef of its kind in Europe.
Sheringham Beach
The fine stretch of sand and shingle beach at Sheringham is one of six Norfolk beaches to hold Blue Flag status. At low tide, you’ll find rock pools to explore that are filled with marine life and, if you fancy a bracing swim in the sea there is a lifeguard service, with showers also available.
Sheringham Beach highlights
- There’s a dog-friendly zone at Sheringham beach where four-legged friends are welcome all year round. They are also welcome to join you at the main stretch of beach in front of the town from October to April.
- Colourful beach huts line the promenade at Sheringham and are available to hire throughout the year. The beach huts come with deckchairs and a kettle for hot drinks and they make a perfect base for storing your stuff and making your visit to the beach more comfortable.
- Sheringham is one of a selection of places in Norfolk where BBQs can be held on the beach. There are also several cafes along the beachfront promenade where you can stop for refreshments.
- The sea at Sheringham is a great spot for trying paddleboarding and you can hire equipment from the SUP Shack on the seafront promenade.
Sheringham Park
There are more than 1,000 acres of landscaped parkland and nature-rich woodland to explore at Sheringham Park, which is a dog-friendly National Trust site that’s just outside the town. The park dates back to 1812, when it was designed by Humphry Repton, and features a network of waymarked walks including tree trails and a route through Sheringham Park’s beautiful collection of rhododendrons and azaleas.
Sheringham Park highlights
- The best starting point for your visit to Sheringham Park is the visitor centre, which features an exhibition telling the story of the site, a selection of trail guides and a dog-friendly cafe.
- The wonderful array of wildlife that can be spotted at Sheringham Park includes butterflies, birds and three types of deer.
- Nestled in the middle of the woods is the Sheringham Park Gazebo, where you can climb up to a viewing platform in the trees for one of the finest views around.
- It’s worth visiting the Bower Garden at Sheringham Park which features an array of colours, shapes and scents to awaken the senses, along with a pond and wildflower meadow.
Sheringham things to do
As well as spending days at the beach, you’ll find lots of Sheringham attractions and things to do during a visit to this lovely seaside town.
North Norfolk Railway
The historic North Norfolk Railway, which is also known as the Poppy Line, was first built in 1887 and heritage steam trains run on its tracks between Sheringham and Holt. Hop aboard one of the period railway carriages and you can enjoy the beautiful North Norfolk countryside during a relaxing train journey. The Poppy Line is a dog-friendly Norfolk attraction, and there are also several special events during the year including Halloween Ghost Trains and Santa Specials for Christmas.
Sheringham Little Theatre
This small seaside theatre runs a summer season of classic entertainment shows along with live music, dramatic plays and comedy performances throughout the year. There are also workshops for kids hosted at Sheringham Little Theatre and a festive pantomime for Christmas.
Sheringham Golf Club
With a spectacular clifftop location and steam trains whistling past you as you play, Sheringham Golf Club is one of the most unique places in the country to tee off for a round of 18. Daily green fees are available for non-members, and the elegant clubhouse is the perfect place to enjoy some refreshments after your round of golf.
Sheringham Museum
This seafront museum features a spectacular 360-degree viewing platform where you can look out over the town and a range of fascinating exhibits that tell the story of Sheringham over 200 years. Highlights of Sheringham Museum include a cobbled Victorian street full of shops and a collection of full-size fishing boats.
Sheringham Boating Lake
A real reminder of Sheringham’s Victorian heritage is a handsome boating lake and shelter that’s located high above the beachfront promenade, with pretty public gardens for picnics and a children’s play area close by. Watching an array of model boats take to the water is a wonderfully peaceful way to spend a summer afternoon.
Priory Maze Gardens
The gorgeous 10-acre Priory Maze Gardens and hedgerow maze are located just a mile from Sheringham in the peaceful village of Beeston Regis. The design of the 7-foot maze is based on the nearby remains of Beeston Priory and features a viewing platform in the middle to help you find your way out.
Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival
The Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival celebrates the wonderful range of seafood that is sourced on this part of the Norfolk coast, including the area’s famous Cromer crabs. A seafood trail takes in some of the region’s best restaurants and there are also cookery demonstrations and live music performances to enjoy at this annual food festival.
Sheringham pubs, cafes and restaurants
Whether you’re looking for a sociable drink or a quick bite to eat, you’ll find an assortment of Sheringham pubs and eateries to choose from.
- The Crown Sheringham - a real ale pub with clifftop views from its elevated spot on the seafront.
- Marmalade’s Bistro - this elegant restaurant serves classic British food including fresh local crab and is a top choice for a romantic dinner.
- The Two Lifeboats - this cosy Sheringham pub is known for its rum shack and gin palace and dates back to 1720 when it was the town’s Fishermen’s Mission.
- The Sitting Room - this small independent cafe is right in the middle of town and serves daily afternoon teas.
Sheringham walks
There’s no better way to get some exercise than with a scenic seaside walk or a ramble through picturesque Norfolk countryside, and there are some lovely routes to try from Sheringham. Here are a few of our favourites:
Sheringham circular
This 6-mile circular walk takes in the best bits of Sheringham by following a clifftop path from The Esplanade before heading through ancient woodland to the famous rhododendrons of Sheringham Park. It also crosses the Poppy Line railway and takes in beautiful Beeston Common before passing back through the seaside shops of Sheringham and back to The Esplanade.
Norfolk Coast Path
The Norfolk Coast Path is a long-distance path that covers 84 miles of coastline from Hunstanton to Hopton-on-Sea, with Sheringham roughly halfway along the route. If you head north along the path you can walk to the fishing village of Weybourne which is 3 miles away with a peaceful shingle beach that’s surrounded by woodland. Head south along the path and you can enjoy a scenic 5-mile walk to Cromer with excellent sea views at both Beeston Bump and West Runton Cliffs which you’ll pass along the way.
Sheringham to Holt
If you fancy heading further inland and taking in some peaceful Norfolk country, this 8-mile walk to the charming Georgian market town of Holt is a good option as it’s mainly along rural paths. The route also passes through pine woods, grazing marshes and Kelling Heath, which is known for its heather-clad heathlands. After spending time exploring Holt, you can then catch the North Norfolk Railway back to Sheringham.
Plan your Sheringham getaway
There are lots of lovely Sheringham holiday cottages where you can rest your head after days of exploring this seaside town along with nearby towns and villages, such as West Runton, Holt and Cromer.
Whether you are looking for a dog-friendly getaway to the coast, a fun-filled family holiday or a romantic weekend at the beach, you'll find something to suit your needs in our full range of Norfolk coast cottages.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.