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Brancaster to Burnham Overy Staithe

Norfolk Walk

County/Area - Norfolk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 6.0 miles / 9.8 km    Ascent - 20 feet / 6 metres

Time - 3 hours 0 minutes    Grade - easy

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Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Brancaster to Burnham Overy Staithe
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This linear walk follows the North Norfolk Coast Path east from Brancaster to Burnham Overy Staithe. The route parallels the main A149 road along which operates the Coasthopper bus service which links Kings Lynn with Cromer and this offers convenient transport for this type of linear walk. Personally I prefer to use the bus at the start of the day and for this walk this involves parking at Burnham Overy Staithe in good time to catch a bus along the coast to Brancaster where you can alight at the church. Doing things this way avoids the mad dash to catch a bus back to the start. Alternatively the use of two cars is also possible.

The start of walk is the parish church in Brancaster (grid ref. TF771438). From here walk north down Broad Lane towards the sea. You pass houses on either side of the road before reaching open land. Turn right here following the way-marked North Norfolk Coast Path. This initially takes you past reed beds used for thatching with some sections of board walk. I suspect that with Spring tides there is a chance the path is covered.

Away to the left are the extensive salt marshes with their abundant bird life. You can also see the sand dunes that surround Brancaster harbour. A little further along you pass the Roman Fort of Branodunum after which you reach the small harbour of Brancaster Staithe. Here you may see the mussel-men sorting their catch as this are is famous for its wonderful mussels collected from the harbour mud.

Be careful here as the onward path is not well signed as it disappears through some semi-derelict buildings. The path then continues towards Burnham Deepdale where a short diversion towards the main road will allow you to see the rather pretty round towered church, which is sadly in need of repair. Returning to follow the Coast Path you will see the route ahead as the path follows an embankment that defends the drained land to your right from the sea.

The route takes a large loop to reach a path junction just east of Burnham Norton (grid ref. TF833439). Turn left here and walk towards the village of Burnham Overy Staithe, which is now in view. To your right there is a fine windmill. After a short way from this junction there is another junction. Continue straight ahead and walk up to the main road and follow it into the village of Burnham Overy Staithe.

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