Seaside

Despite the warm weather I hadn't intended this to be a beach holiday but even so I wasn't going to go to Norfolk and not visit the seaside. Walking round Felbrigg had left me too exhausted to think of going that evening, but Blickling hadn't proved so strenuous and after our visit there we headed to Cromer for fish and chips from No 1 restaurant.

My intention had been to grab a tale-away and sit by the sea, but the earlier pleasant breeze had turned into a gale! Walking along the seafront was definitely bracing, the pier was too windy to sit there for long, and the wind whistled down Cromer's narrow streets.

Fortunately No 1 has an indoor restaurant, with wonderful views out to sea, so we ate in comfort without losing our food to the wind.

Nest day we were heading home, but not without another visit to the coast - this time at Cley-next-the-Sea.

We started with a  second breakfast at the Norfolk Wildlife Trust's visitor centre, followed by a walk through the marshes into Cley itself. This isn't really seaside but the marshes are strange and otherworldly with a beauty all of their own. The serious birdwatchers were impressed by activity within the nature reserve, but I'm not very clued-up on birds and was excited to spot a swan 

From the windmill we walked along the boardwalk which leads behind houses by the creek, then back through the village stopping in at galleries along the way.

Then back to the visitor centre for cake before heading on our way.
 

Exploring Cley next the Sea

The small village of Cley next the Sea is famous for its frequently photographed windmill, sitting at the side of a creek leading through the marshes to the sea. 

As you drive along the coast road though its's just as noticeable for the bottleneck of narrow streets which were never intended for cars and motorhomes.

 It's a place we've passed through several times forming part of that traffic jam.. We even walked there once from Blakeney. But never really explored the village itself. 

This time though I stumbled across a leaflet for a heritage walk around the village, and decided to explore further.

 

The route took us along backstreets and narrow footpaths, then crossing the road to the edge of the marsh. 

The leaflet had lots of interesting information about Cley when it was a bustling port (hard to believe today) and the old buildings which line the street.

From this point you could follow the path out towards the sea, but we headed back past past the famous windmill and the old quay on to lunch overlooking the reed beds.

The path along this section wasn't totally flat but handrails made the steps safe even for a dodgy-footed person like me.

The creek has been comparatively recently cleared of reeds and a waterway now links Cley and the sea once again.

A boardwalk carries the path through the reed beds at the back of gardens and leads conveniently to a cafe (at Artemis Cley) with outdoor seating in a lovely spot with views back over the marsh to the windmill and over towards Blakeney.

After lunch, we doubled back along the high street which miraculously cleared of traffic long enough for me to take photos. 

St George and the Dragon at the pub named after them.

 The walk continues further inland to the church and a marker showing the extent of the 1953 flood but this section we left till another visit

Off on holiday again!

 It seems like ages since I went on holiday. On my last short break in June I walked too far and caused problems with my hips/legs so I though it best to take things easy for a while. Then it's either been too hot or too wet, or we've been too busy, or couldn't decide where to go.

But here we are at last, crossing the river Nene at Sutton Bridge, heading off to Norfolk for a few days.  Technically Sutton is in Lincolnshire (the country line is a few more miles east) but there's something symbolic about crossing a river, and to me this is the gateway to Norfolk. 

As we were heading east, we'd already stopped off at Belton  House for lunch, and were hoping to reach Castle Rising before it shut - unfortunately a closing time of 6 actually meant no admissions after 5, and at 5.05 we weren't allowed in. As we weren't staying in the area we couldn't visit another day, but maybe some other time ...

Our base for the next couple of nights was a lovely AirBnB on the outskirts of Aylsham, with a small patio overlooking the owners' garden and the Weavers Way running past the door. 

With only two nights there, we chose to spend the morning following a short circular walk along quiet lanes leading past the river Bure and into the nearby countryside, then have lunch in the garden before heading further afield..

That afternoon took us to Felbrigg Hall walled garden, then on to Overstrand with its cheerful beach huts.

 

The next day we wandered home along the north Norfolk coast under glorious blue skies stopping at Cley next the Sea, Blakeney, and Wells next the Sea.

Norfolk is always lovely but a clear day makes it something special.

More photos etc to follow ... 

Belton 

Short walk near Aylsham 

Felbrigg Walled Garden

Overstrand

Cley-next-the-Sea

Blakeney

Wells-next-the-Sea