The beauty of East Norfolk’s coastline with our guide to the Top 6 Best Beaches in East Norfolk.
Have you been to visit the beautiful sandy beaches on Norfolk’s East Coast yet? Wells-next-the-Sea and Holkham Beach on the North Coast are no match for the East Coast’s quiet, sandy, dog-friendly beaches.
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Best Beaches in East Norfolk: Your Ultimate Guide
Dotted along the coastline from Mundesley to Great Yarmouth are 11 beautiful sandy beaches to explore, covering over 30 miles in total. They provide the perfect place to build sandcastles with the kids or walk the dog; and at certain times of the year, the North Sea offers fantastic opportunities for surfers and kite surfers.
Discover our top 5 best beaches in East Norfolk coast below….
1) Winterton-on-Sea Beach
Winterton-on-Sea’s very own beach is truly deserving of the top spot. This long, beautiful stretch of sandy beach is backed by the rolling dunes of the National Nature Reserve and is popular with locals and visitors alike, though due to its sheer size, it never seems to be busy or crowded. Kids can paddle safely in the low-lying pool of water. You can also go and visit the little tern colony – these ground-nesting birds lay their eggs in large numbers on the beach north of the village, but you’ll need to keep dogs on leads on that part of the beach. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a seal swimming in the sea! There is a beach cafe, car park and toilets. You can easily spend the day on Winterton Beach and then head inland to visit the fish and chip shop or pub for tea.
Sea swimmers should be aware of strong rip tides at Winterton so only swim at low tide and talk to some of the locals on the beach to make sure it’s safe. I swim at Winterton regularly.
Dog friendly all year.
2) Horsey Beach
For a wilder, untamed beach experience, head to the almost-deserted sandy beach at Horsey. This wonderfully quiet beach is ideal for getting away from the crowds and relaxing on the smooth, soft sand. It does get busier during the winter months when seal pups and their mums can be spotted lounging on the sand from the viewing platform. Horsey is also a very dog-friendly beach, so long as you keep them away from the seals! Stop for a pint on the way home at the Horsey Nelson. Or visit the beach as part of the ‘Beach to Broads’ walk for a brilliant walk starting at the National Trust’s wind pump. It’s the walk listed below the walking guide.
Dog friendly in the summer. Restrictions on the beach from November to January due to seal pups.
3) Sea Palling
Lifeguarded and home to the sauna box, yes that’s right a sauna on the beach, this beach has become a real favourite for my family. We love to do the circular walk from Waxham Beach to Sea Palling and have lunch at the Dunes Cafe in Waxham. Opens 7 days a week from 10 am to 4 pm. Park at Waxham and follow the trail to Sea Palling and then walk back along the coast.
Sea Palling is a safe swimming spot and is often ideal for paddle boarders. There are some cafes and arcades too and a nice kids’ play area opposite the main car park. It can get pretty busy in the summer (with the queue for the parking meter causing the most problems).
You can also take sea fishing and boat trips to see the seals. Call Richard on 07759 331 641.
You can hire the wood heated priva sauna as a private group £75 an hour or join a community session for £16 an hour. Check them out here.
Sea Palling has a small area in the summer where dogs are not allowed in the summer. It’s the area immediately below the ramp at covers no more than 500m.
4) Happisburgh Beach
This secluded, sandy beach is dog-friendly and great for family days out. Kids can run wild in the fantastic play area at the beach car park before heading down to the beach and walking along the golden sand. You can walk as far as Sea Palling, taking in the spectacular views of the East Norfolk coast and stopping in a cute café (or two) along the way. During your visit to Happisburgh Beach, be sure to check out the famous red and white striped lighthouse, the oldest working lighthouse on the Norfolk Coast – it really is a sight to behold! It is open to visitors during some weekends in the summer. There is a lovely play area in Happisburgh car park. You can also do a circular walk from the beach car park, south along the coast and then round the fields to the lighthouse.
Dog friendly all year around.
5) Overstrand
Nestled in a picturesque bay with fantastic views of Cromer and beyond, the lovely beach at Overstrand is ideal for families and couples alike. Quieter than the nearby Cromer Beach, Overstrand is wide and welcoming during low tide, perfect for building sandcastles or sunbathing; but is almost inaccessible during low tide. We recommend that you check the tide times before you visit. Children can safely paddle in the sandy pools, whilst the adults enjoy a spot of swimming or surfing. On the way home, we suggest stopping for dinner at the amazing Gunton Arms – not a pub you should ever drive past!
Small area of dog restrictions May to 1 September.
6) Gorleston
This delightful 2-mile stretch of golden sand curves around the bay, making for a fantastic day out with the kids. When the tide is out, the vast expanse of sand is ideal for building sandcastles and relaxing with a picnic; whilst surfers, body boarders and kite flyers flock to Gorleston Beach on windy days. This quieter, less crowded alternative to the beaches at Great Yarmouth is backed by restaurants, cafés, and crazy golf; perfect for some good old-fashioned family fun.
The beach is dog friendly all year. However, dogs must be on leads on the promenade May to September.
So, there you have it. Our choice of the 5 Best Beaches in East Norfolk.
Explore the East Norfolk Coast with Mill Farm Eco Barns
- Our three luxury eco retreats are situated in the heart of Winterton-on-Sea on the East Norfolk coast, just 10-minute walk from the sandy beach.
Click here to book your break on the East Norfolk coast today!
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