Norfolk North Coast

Introduction

This area extends from West of Brancaster at the west end to the small village of Waxham in the east.

Much of the coastline consists of long sandy beaches. However, islands and inlets provide both interest for sea kayakers and havens for birds.

Times of high water

Wells Bar: High water is 20 minutes after high water at Immingham High water at Wells Quay is 1 hour after high water at Immingham.

Cromer: High water is 1 hours after high water at Immingham

Tidal streams

South Side of Scolt Head Island: The tide flows into both sides of the channel behind Scolt Head Island at a rate of around 1 knot. Slack water is encountered around the area of the narrows at the west end of Norton Creek. The Creek dries, passage is possible around 3 hours either side of high water.

Scott Head: The east going stream begins at 2 hours and 45 minutes before high water at Immingham. The west going stream begins at 3 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Immingham. The streams are weak.

Entrance to Wells Harbour: The north going stream begins at 20 minutes after high water at Immingham. The south going stream begins at 5 hours and 45 minutes before high water at Immingham.

Entrance to Blakeney: The north going stream begins at 30 minutes after high water at Immingham. The south going stream begins at 5 hours and 35 minutes before high water at Immingham.

Off Blakeney Point: The east going stream begins at 1 hours and 45 minutes before high water at Immingham. The west going stream begins at 4 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Immingham. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs.

Off Cromer: The east south-east going stream begins at 2 hours and 25 minutes before high water at Immingham. The west north-west going stream begins at 4 hours and 15 minutes after high water at Immingham. The flow reaches a speed of 2.5 knots at springs.

Between Cromer and Mundesley: The south-east going stream begins at 6 hours after high water at Dover. The north-west going stream begins at 30 minutes before high water at Dover. The flow reaches a speed of 2.5 knots at springs.

Notes

Blakeney Point: High water is Blakeney Point 3 hours after high water at Immingham

Blakeney Quay: High water is Blakeney Quay 50 minutes after high water at Immingham

Access/Egress

Brancaster Golf Club: (TF 771 451) g The road down to the beach floods on spring tides. Large car park at the end of the road. The walk to the beach is short, but the walk to the water can be long at low tide.

Brancaster Staithe: (TF 792 445) g Accessible within two hours of HW.

Burnham Overy Staithe : (TF 845 444) g Car park may flood at HW. Useable at most states of tide but may be a long walk/drag.

Wells Next to the Sea (lifeboat station): (TF 915 455) g Large expensive pay and display car park, short carry to the shore by the lifeboat station.

Morston: (TG 006 442) g NT carpark. Launch/land two hours either side of HW.

Blakeney Quay: (TG 028 443) g NT car park. Launch/land two hours either side of HW.

Cley Beach: (TG 048 453) g Norfolk Wildlife Trust beach car park

Salthouse beach: (TG 081 442) g Roadside parking along the road leading to the beach. The car park at the end of the road was washed away in 2013.

Weybourne: (TG 111 437) g Large car park by the beach.

Sherringham: (TG 160 435) g Slipway onto beach at the end of the road - space to drop boats. Car park just to the east - drive back away from the beach, take first left, then left down a narrow road to the car park.

West Runton: (TG 186 432) g Large pay car park 150 m carry from the beach.

East Runton: (TG 201 428) g Car park 100m from the beach. It may be possible to drive down the narrow lane to drop boats next to the lifeguard post, staying out of the way of local fishermen.

Overstrand: (TG 248 410) g Large long stay pay and display car park above the beach. It is possible to drop boats a little closer to the beach, but there is still a 200 m steep carry down to the beach.

Mundesley: (TG 314 367) g Car park across road from ramp down to beach.

Walcot: (TG 359 329) g Limited parking spaces and parking along the road. Ramp to the beach.

Happisburgh: (TG 384 310) g Car park with earth ramp down to beach. Happisburgh is subject to severe coastal erosion, so arrangements here may change in future years. See the village website.

Cart Gap: (TG 398 300) g Good sized long stay pay and display car park 50m from the beach.

Sea Palling: (TG 430 274) g Huge long stay car park (pay and display) 300m from the beach. May be possible to drop boats closer, but the road down to the beach can be busy with tourists. A track over the dunes at the north west end of the car park is another option.

Suggested trips

Scolt Head Island: The trip around Scolt Head provides a varied circular route. The best launch point is probably Burnham Overy Staithe. Tidal planning will be required to ensure there is sufficient water in Norton Creek. Burnham Harbour provides a sheltered area to paddle in before heading out to the open sea. The coastline of Scolt Head feels remote. At the west end of the Island is the wreck of the SS Vina, an 1894 cargo steamer. This area changes markedly depending on the height of tide, and many have been caught out by a rising tide attempting to walk out to the wreck from Brancaster. From here the route heads through Brancaster Harbour into the salt marshes and Norton Creek. Navigation here requires a little thought to avoid ending up in the wrong channel.

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