Things to do in Winterton-on-Sea

Nestled on the unspoiled Norfolk coast, Winterton-on-Sea is a charming traditional fishing village, just a 45-minute drive from Norwich. This hidden gem is known as being the perfect picture-postcard village with its tidy houses and expansive, dog-friendly sandy beach, Winterton-on-Sea is a haven for nature lovers and beachgoers alike. While Winterton-on-Sea retains its peaceful village atmosphere, it also offers a selection of local eateries and a cosy pub where you can sample fresh seafood and other local delights.

The beach is framed by rolling dunes and wild grass, providing a serene backdrop for long coastal walks and wildlife spotting. Here, seals can often be seen basking on the shore, and the surrounding dunes are home to a variety of rare birds, wildlife, and plants, making it a must-visit for nature enthusiasts.

We’ve gathered some of our top reasons to visit Winterton-on-Sea and the best activities to enjoy during your stay. Whether you're looking to explore the natural beauty of the coast, unwind on the beach, or simply savour the peaceful village life, Winterton-on-Sea has something special to offer every visitor.

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Winterton-on-Sea history

Winterton-on-Sea has a rich and fascinating history stretching over 1,000 years. The village's origins date to at least the Domesday Book in 1086, where it was recorded as 'Wintretuna', a name derived from the Old English for 'enclosure of the people of Wintera'.

During World War II, the village played a part in coastal defence, with the beaches and dunes fortified against the threat of invasion. The remnants of these defences can still be seen in the form of concrete pillboxes scattered along the Winterton-on-Sea Dunes National Nature Reserve.

Throughout its history, Winterton-on-Sea has been closely tied to the sea, with fishing being a central part of village life for centuries. The village's location on the North Sea made it an important site for the herring trade during the medieval period, and the remnants of this fishing heritage are still evident today.

One of the most striking historical landmarks in Winterton-on-Sea is the Winterton Lighthouse, which dates back to the early 17th century. Originally built in 1618, the lighthouse was constructed to guide ships safely along the treacherous Norfolk coast which was notorious for shipwrecks.

Winterton-on-Sea Beach

Winterton Beach is known as one of Norfolk’s most popular unspoiled beaches. It’s loved for its stunning stretch of sandy shoreline and natural beauty, without the distraction of amusements and arcades. It doesn’t matter whether the tide is in or out here, as there is lots of soft sand and space to walk all year round.

The beach itself has even been used in various films and TV programmes such as a WW2 film and a recent short film with the beach posing as Sydney’s Bondi Beach. The film is set to break two world records with the most writers and directors working on one feature film.

The beach is dog-friendly with no restrictions all year round, which makes it popular with dog walkers. Your furry friends can run on the beach and in the sand dunes with lots of space to explore and even grab a pup-friendly ice cream from Seal View Cafe on the dunes.

The sand dunes are part of the Winterton Dunes National Nature Reserve, perfect for exploring the wide variety of rare plants and wildlife. It is one of the few UK sites where you can spot the natterjack toad and a variety of bird species which attracts avid birdwatchers from across the world.

Grey seal watching

One of the most magical times to visit Winterton-on-Sea is during the winter months, as grey seals gather at Horsey Gap and along Winterton Beach to give birth to their pups. It is one of the most remarkable wildlife experiences in the UK, with well over 100,000 visitors heading to Winterton and Horsey in recent years to see this spectacle.

While walking along the dunes, you will be able to see adult seals lounging in the sand or swimming in the sea, and once the seal pups are born, you will see fluffy, white-coated babies staying close to their mothers. Last year, over 3,500 grey seal pups were born at Horsey Gap and Winterton-on-Sea.

The best time to see the seals is from November to January, with the best walking route starting at the Dunes National Nature Reserve along towards Horsey Gap. When visiting, it is important to listen to guidance from the seal warrens operating in the area – they will answer any questions you may have about the seals and give helpful information to visitors. You will also need to respect the seal’s space and keep a safe distance, there are barriers and rope markings so that you do not get too close.

Bird watching

Winterton Dunes Nature Reserve has been named the premier site on the east coast of Norfolk for finding migrant species of birds. It is a coastal acidic heathland with various scrubs and trees that attract many rare bird breeds such as the European stonechats, yellowhammers, raptors, western marsh harriers, and Eurasian kestrels.

The best time of the year to spot migrant bird breeds is between spring and autumn. In winter, you may see large numbers of red-throated divers, common scoters, and flocks of Brent geese while sea-watching. The large seal colony attracts herring hull and great-backed gull groups, and you may even be lucky enough to see a Caspian gull or even an Iceland gull.

In the spring and summer, you can still expect to see black redstarts, northern wheatears, willow warblers, common chiffchaffs, and other exciting breeds of birds. However, spring can be hit and miss to see different breeds of birds and the number of them on the Dunes depends on a good spell of easterly winds.

Summer offers bird-watchers the chance to see some migrant breeds such as little terns, which can be seen on the beach occasionally, and there are even chances of spotting a black tern or even a roseate tern in the colony.

Nature spotting in Winterton-on-Sea

Winterton Dunes Nature Reserve is not only a great place to spot grey seals and birds, but it is also home to the natterjack toad, a very rare breed of amphibian that is much smaller than the common toad and can only be found in a small number of places in the UK. The best time to spot these amazing creatures is during March and April, and they can be found sitting along the edge of small ponds making loud rasping noises. The natterjack toad is a symbol of Winterton-on-Sea, with the local village primary school using it as its emblem.

Many different rare dragonflies and damselflies can be spotted in Winterton-on-Sea, with one being the southern emerald damselfly. This migrant species was first recorded in Britain at Winterton Dunes in 2002 – they are extremely rare and have only been spotted a few times since they were discovered here. Some breeds of dragonfly to look out for include the southern migrant hawker and red-veined darter.

Explore The Witch’s Leg near Winterton-on-Sea

Even though Winterton is a small village, it’s known to have some interesting folklore attached to it. One of these interesting stories is one of Norfolk’s best-kept legends; The Witch’s Leg at St Mary’s Church, which is an ivy-clad church ruin that was abandoned in the 17th century with a huge oak tree towering through the middle.

Some believe that the tree derived from a squirrel burying an acorn in the middle of the ruined church leading to the tree towering through, but many believe the local legend which is that the tree sprouted from the wooden leg of a witch that was buried here. It is said that the church was then built around the woman to contain her wickedness and that her ghost still haunts its walls. The legend goes on to say that if anybody walks around the tree three times, then the witch's spirit would be released.

This spot has attracted press coverage over the years and is especially popular with filmmakers, photographers, and ghost hunters, enticing many people to explore the church. Find out if the legend is true yourself... if you dare!

Winterton-on-Sea walks

Winterton-on-Sea is known for its expansive sandy beaches and rolling dunes, making it a peaceful destination for coastal walks. Whether you’re visiting in spring, summer, autumn or winter, the village provides the chance to enjoy the quiet beauty of its natural surroundings, with opportunities to spot local wildlife, such as seals, and take in the striking views of the North Sea. Whether walking along the beach or exploring the dunes, Winterton-on-Sea is a great spot for a relaxing walk.

Winterton-on-Sea to Horsey circular

Winterton-on-Sea to Horsey is one of Norfolk's finest coastal walks, offering a rich variety of scenery such as stunning ocean views and rolling sand dunes. Along the way, you might catch glimpses of seals or even spot rare species like the natterjack toad. The best time to visit this route is from July through to November, where you will see the large grey seal colony along the coastal line throughout the duration of the walk.

This circular route is 7.9 miles in total and is generally considered an easy route. It offers breathtaking views of the sea and the route is relatively flat, making it great for hiking, running and walking.

Winterton-on-Sea village and dunes walk

Another great walking route in Winterton-on-Sea is a circular walk that is split into two halves, with the first half taking you through the village of Winterton past many iconic spots and houses, and the second half leading through the Winterton Dunes Nature Reserve where you can either stick to the path away from the dunes, or follow one of the various routes along the dunes to enjoy the scenery and wildlife.

Starting at the Winterton Car Park, be sure to take a look at the Blood Hill wind turbines in the sea which were among the first to be installed in this country and have been operating for over 20 years. This route is considered a moderately challenging route. It is a popular trail for backpacking, birdwatching and hiking, and the best time to visit is between December and April.

Places to eat in Winterton-on-Sea

When visiting Winterton-on-Sea, you'll find that this quaint coastal village offers more than just beautiful beaches and nature walks. It also boasts a handful of charming dining spots, perfect for sampling local flavours. Whether you're after fresh fish and chips, traditional pub food, or a cosy café, Winterton has something to satisfy everyone.

The Fisherman’s Return

Image credit: The Fisherman’s Return

The Fisherman’s Return is a 300-year-old brick-and-flint pub and restaurant situated in the heart of Winterton-on-Sea. The pub serves up to five real ales as well as Weston's Old Rosie Cider, and their food is freshly prepared using locally sourced ingredients where possible. Their menu has many different British pub food options, and with the pub being so close to the sea, it serves lots of delicious seafood dishes such as breaded wholetail scampi served with chips and mushy peas.

The pub itself has a long history of serving publicans, with just four changes of ownership in the last 100 years. It started out as a beerhouse and was once known as Juby’s before becoming The Fisherman’s Return. It is situated just a short walk from the beach and is the perfect place to enjoy a freshly cooked meal after a day of walking your four-legged friend on Winterton Beach.

Seal View Cafe

Image credit: Seal View Cafe

Seal View Cafe is a friendly local seaside cafe situated on the Winterton Dunes that serves fresh, delicious food all year round. They offer unrivalled views of the grey seal colony which attracts many visitors every year. The cafe itself is a popular spot for nature enthusiasts who want to recharge with a hot cup of coffee and a delicious bite to eat after exploring Winterton Beach and Dunes.

The cafe itself opened in October 2022 and has since been a huge success among locals and visitors. The grey seals can easily be seen from the car park where the cafe is situated, which makes viewing the seal colony and visiting the cafe accessible for everyone. They serve a range of hot and cold food, from breakfast baps and gourmet burgers to fresh seafood salads in their deli (available depending on stock), and they even serve a range of delicious desserts.

Poppy’s Tea Rooms

Poppy’s Tea Rooms is a cosy tearoom that is also the village’s post office, set in the heart of Winterton-on-Sea. The building was revamped in 2016 to provide the community with a place to send letters and parcels, shop for essentials, and sit down to have a chat and a nice hot cup of coffee.

They serve delicious homemade cakes such as lemon drizzle and Victoria sponge, and offer a good selection of authentic coffees. Poppy’s Tea Rooms also serves hot food such as bacon rolls and full English breakfasts. Perfect for relaxing with a hot drink after a walk on the beach, Poppy’s Tea Rooms has an inviting, friendly atmosphere and has been described as the heart of the community.

Hermanus

Image credit: Hermanus

Hermanus is a relaxing dining spot with beautiful views of the Winterton Dunes Nature Reserve. It's the perfect establishment for visitors wanting a warm welcome and delicious home cooking on the Norfolk coast. The Hermanus itself is a unique leisure park with traditional Norfolk thatched roundhouses in a range of beautiful pastel colours, which have become well-known landmarks not only in Winterton-on-Sea but along the whole of the East Norfolk coast.

The Highwayman’s menu has something for everyone such as a range of tasty starters, juicy steaks, flame-grilled burgers, classic English dishes, fish, pasta, and vegan and vegetarian options. They host a delicious Seaview Sunday Carvery which is popular amongst both locals and visitors, and also offer many entertainment and quiz nights throughout the summer season. Ingredients for their menu are sourced as much as they can from the area around Hermanus, using fresh ingredients from local farms and fisheries.

Winterton Fish Bar

Winterton Fish Bar is one of the most popular takeaway fish and chip shops in Norfolk. This family-run fish bar serves delicious fresh fish and chips just a stone's throw away from Winterton-on-Sea’s beautiful sandy beaches. The owners have built a high reputation, having owned the bar for over 30 years.

Located in the centre of the village, Winterton Fish Bar is known to be a convenient stop for both locals and visitors. Their menu features quintessential British favourites such as crispy-battered fish, golden chips, scampi, battered sausage, homemade pies, and delicious mushy peas.

Map of things to do in Winterton-on-Sea

Find all the things to do mentioned in this guide on this handy map.

Self-catering cottages in Winterton-on-Sea

If you’ve been inspired to visit the Norfolk coast for a short break or holiday, you’ll find a selection of delightful cottages in and around Winterton-on-Sea. With its beautiful beaches and peaceful charm, it's the perfect spot for a relaxing escape. For more holiday ideas, explore our guide to the best things to do in Norfolk.