Brancaster Staithe beaches, Norfolk Travel Guide

About Brancaster Staithe beaches, Norfolk

Brancaster Staithe is a small fishing and sailing village on the dramatic North Norfolk coast, set close to beautiful beaches and salt marshes that teem with bird life. It's a great place for outdoor adventures such as watersports and walking. You can also access the Norfolk Coastal Footpath from here; it runs for 75km (47 miles) along the North Norfolk coast.

Beach:

The beach at Brancaster Staithe is one of North Norfolk's better kept secrets. It's dazzlingly wide and flat, with golden sands that merge with salt flats, lagoons, creeks and the sky. It's famous for its walking and wildlife.

Beyond the beach:

A short hop inland is the Queen's splendid country estate, Sandringham (www.sandringhamestate.co.uk), set in 24 hectares (60 acres) of garden. It is open to the public daily - you can visit the ground-floor rooms, regularly used by the Windsors, as well as snoop around the stables, which house a monarchist museum, including a right royal car collection.

Family fun:

Brancaster Staithe is a great base for watersports, from kitesurfing to sailing, and attracts holidaying thrillseekers. The Norfolk Coastal Path winds past here, and marshes are busy with wildfowl. There are also miles of crisscrossing cycle routes, winding through beautiful coastal scenery.

Just along the coast is Titchwell Marsh Nature Reserve (www.rspb.org.uk), where you can spot ducks, geese, sandmartins and curlew sandpipers. To add to the fun, you could stay in a tipi at Deepdale Farm (www.deepdalefarm.co.uk), complete with fake fur mattresses, iron chiminea and lantern.

Exploring further:

Head out on a boat trip to catch a sight of the seals and birds at Blakeney Point with Beans Boat Trips (www.beansboattrips.co.uk). From April to October visitors can head out with the knowledgeable crew to sea the cute creatures basking pn the sandbanks and swimming inquisitively around the boat - perfect for photo opportunities.