Norfolk and Suffolk's Beaches East Anglia UK.

Norfolk and Suffolks pristine and spacious beaches are at the heart of their attractiveness as a holiday destination, and as a place to live.

Quick Link to Beaches:   ------------ Select Beach / Information ------------ Good Beach Guide Lowestoft, Southwold and Kessingland Basic, Resort & Rural Beaches Cleanliness Lifeguards & Safety Chalets & Beach Huts Dogs on Beaches - North Norfolk Dogs on Beaches - Great Yarmouth Horse Riding Beach Barbeques Beach Safety & Telephone Numbers

And the District Councils takes great care in making sure they are safe and clean for everyone. This year, four of the district's most popular beaches boast Seaside Awards (the Tidy Britain Group's award for cleanliness and facilities). These are Cromer, Sheringham, Mundesley and Sea Palling, and all achieved this standard with the highest possible grade.

In addition, Cromer, Sheringham and Mundesley also fly Blue Flags - taking pride in having achieved and maintained the strict European Union standard for water quality. That is not to say that North Norfolk's other beaches are not equally clean, but only "resort" beaches can qualify for Blue Flags, and few of North Norfolk's quiet beaches fall into that category.

From the lively foreshores of Cromer and Sheringham, to the uncluttered expanse of Holkham Beach (the real-life location for Gwyneth Paltrow's memorable coming ashore after the shipwreck at the close of the hit movie Shakespeare in Love), the beauty of Norfolk and Suffolk's beaches are unquestionable.

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On the north Norfolk coast there are wonderfully wide beaches where the sea goes out for miles and where it is possible to get away from everything. The East Coast beaches tend to be narrower and steeper. Beware under currents, particularly where beaches shelve steeply. Remember too, that the current flows south on the flood and north on the ebb and can run quite strongly, especially when the wind is in the same direction.

Although Norfolk has more sunshine than most parts of the country there can be onshore easterly winds so a windbreak can be useful. Groynes constructed to stop erosion also make useful shade and shelter for picnics. Beware of strong offshore winds, these take effect 50 to 100 metres from the beach, thus are beds and small inflatables are very vulnerable.

	Brightlingsea	Tendring District Council
Close Brightlingsea
	Caister-on-Sea	Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Close Caister-on-Sea Wide sandy beach which shelves steeply in some places. At the north end, towards California, there are low sandy cliffs. Low sea wall with dunes behind. Boat trips, deck chairs, car parking on the Beach Road (central beach) and toilets.
	Corton	Waveney District Council
Close Corton Sand and shingle beach, with southern area available to naturists. Car parking in official car park.
	Cromer	North Norfolk District Council
Close Cromer
	Dovercourt	Tendring District Council
Close Dovercourt
	Felixstowe, South	Suffolk Coastal District Council
Close Felixstowe, South
	Great Yarmouth	Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Close Great Yarmouth A very long sandy beach lined by the Marine Parade with its colourful gardens and countless attractions and amenities. Two piers with entertainment. Dunes at North Beach, boat trips, trampolines and numerous refreshment stalls, Marine Centre, deck chairs, car parking and toilets.
	Gorleston	Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Close Gorleston Quieter than nearby Great Yarmouth. Flat sandy beach with some pebbles. Pier forming part of harbour entrance. Amusement, beach chalets, deck chairs, cart parking, toilets. Low cliffs between sea wall and promenade.
	Hemsby	Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Close Hemsby A wide sandy beach scattered with stones and backed by grassy dunes. Amusements, boat trips, deck chairs, toilets and car parking.
	Holkham	Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Close Holkham Made famous worldwide by Gwyneth paltrow in the Oscar-winning Shakespeare in love, Holkham is something special. For a start you get a marvellous pine forest (managed by English Nature) and an enormous beach. Sure you have to walk almost a mile at times to actually get to the sea, but it's so vast, it never feels crowded. There are no facilities whatsoever - that's the charm, you see - so make sure you take a few provisions. There are dunes and creeks to explore and the victoria, revamped a year or so ago along a colonial thme, is the perfect spot for lunch or afternoon. Area available to naturists. You can park on the nearby St Anne's Drive - for a small fee.
	Hunstanton	North Norfolk District Council
Close Hunstanton The only resort in norfolk which faces west. Very confusing but think of its position. This charming town, which became a fashionable spot in Victorian times, is known as Sunny Hunny to locals and holiday-makers alike. Search for fossils at the nearby chequed cliffs, hire a deck chair, walk along the prom or check out the rides and high jinx at the amusement park - don't worry it's all very low key. The swimming opportunities are some of the best in the country and there's a lifeguard on duty, too.
	Jubilee	Southend on Sea Borough Council
Close Jubilee
	Kessingland
Close Kessingland Easy access to pebble, shingle and sand beach, one of Britain's best rural beaches.
	Lowestoft - North & South of Claremont Pier	Waveney District Council
Close Lowestoft - North & South of Claremont Pier
	Mundesley	North Norfolk District Council
Close Mundesley A quiet holiday resort built in a dip in the cliffs. The village is stuck in a 50s timewarp but it's got a certain charm with several decent shops and pubs, including the Jonet cafe on the High Street which is named after a shipwreck and contains various memorabilia and the like about it. You can park just across the road from the beach and a decent path takes you right to the seafront (excellent for prams). A lifeguard is in attendance and there are plenty of opportunities for ice cream and the beach cafe is great - chips with everything! Remember your bucket and spade and be ready for some serious sand castle building contests between competitive parents. The beach huts are in good condition and there's a lovely, friendly feel to this little town.
	Pakefield
Close Pakefield Sandy beach scattered with shingle below low grassy cliffs, car parking and toilets.
	Scratby / California	Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Close Scratby / California Low cliffs and long track down to the wide sandy beach. Shallow pools at low tide. Amusements on cliff top at California, car park at Scratby.
	Sea Palling	North Norfolk District Council
Close Sea Palling
	Sheringham	North Norfolk District Council
Close Sheringham
	Southend, Shoebury Common	Southend on Sea Borough Council
Close Southend, Shoebury Common
	Southwold Pier	Waveney District Council
Close Southwold Pier
	Wells	North Norfolk District Council
Close Wells Another north Norfolk gem, this beach is a little way from the town but you can either catch a little train the half mile or so or simply drive your car to the large-ish beach car park. Be sure to get your ingredients for a slap-up picnic at wells Deli although there is a cafe (and loos). It's a fairly dramatic setting, especially when the tide is out and you look back the harbour to the town. The beach has the benefits of a lifeguard station although you should be careful as the tides are savage here. Enjoy the lovely sand, explore the many little creeks and admire the beach huts which are among the best kept in the region. And if it all becomes too much for you, head to rococo's at the crown, a very upmarket restaurant in the town centre.
	Winterton	Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Close Winterton A very wide sandy beach backed by extensive dune, pools at low tide, nature reserve and car park.Reached by several winding country roads, the pretty village of Winterton (with the rather good Fisherman's Return) has a rather rugged beach where you can lose yourself in the dunes. You can park practically on the beach and the little cafe is a gem. keep your eye out for seals as they're often spotted just off shore. Certainly a beach for those who like the beach and sea a bit wild and rugged and horsey - just up the road - is another treasure.

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If you love the sand and sea, you'll love the Sunrise Coast. Stretching from Corton in the north to Southwold in the south, we have some of the best beaches in the country - and have got the awards to prove it!
In 1996 all three of the Sunrise Coast's resorts: Lowestoft, Southwold and Kessingland, won the Tidy Britain Group Seaside Awards - proving we have attained the highest levels of cleanliness and safety. With miles of gently shelving sands, you can rest assured while your children play safely on the clean, golden beaches.

Forget Baywatch - all of our fully trained lifeguards are on full alert - and from sea to shore and back again, they keep a watchful eye over paddlers and swimmers at all times.

And when they need a break after hours of building sandcastles, there's plenty of ice-creams and lollies to choose from, to help recharge their batteries! Kid's Fun is the order of the day, whether its joining in the sandcastles competitions, riding the train up and down the seafront or chanting "he's behind you!" at the Lowestoft's Punch and Judy show. There's also thrills to be had at the all-weather Discovering Adventure play platform situated at Lowestoft's East Point Pavilion.

Why not hire one of the colourful beach chalets that can be found all along the seafront. These can be hired on a weekly or seasonal basis at both Lowestoft and Southwold. If you prefer to bare all on the beach, we have a naturist beach at Corton.

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Basic Beaches:
As with Resort Beaches there are dog free zones and water quality is monitored. The remainder of our beaches are referred to as "Basic Beaches". These beaches are popular with walkers, fishermen and for other kinds of casual enjoyment. These beaches are cleaned on an as needed basis but at least four times a year.

Resort Beaches:
The key areas for the management of Resort Beaches are cleanliness, lifeguards, first aid safety and chalet/beach hut letting;

What we ask of you Enjoy your visit to the beach help us to keep the beaches clean and tidy by taking your rubbish home. If young children are with you, always keep them in your sight and do not let them swim in the sea unsupervised.

Do not swim in the sea when it is unsafe to do so and always obey the information flags Report any bad cases of pollution or dumping so that we can arrange to have it cleared. If you hire a chalet please leave it as you would wish to find it. Observe beach bylaws such as dog free areas and no cycling.

If you see anything suspicious or concerning please contact the Beach Officer or a lifeguard. If you have any suggestions on how the service may be improved these would be most welcome.

Resort Beaches are found at Victoria Beach, Lowestoft (between the South Pier and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries) South Beach, Lowestoft, between South Pier and Claremont Pier and at Southwold. These are the beaches most popular with families and offer a wide range of facilities.

They have received many internationally recognised awards for their safety and good management. In 1991 the English Tourist Board awarded the prestigious title of England's Beach of the Year to the Lowestoft South Beach.

Rural Beaches:
Kessingland is a Rural Beach and has won Seaside Awards for a number of years. Other award winning Rural Beaches include Gunton, Lowestoft, and Southwold Denes. Rural Beaches are maintained to Tidy Britain Group Seaside Award standards. However because of their quieter nature they do not have the same level of facilities and services as Resort Beaches.

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Cleaning to a very high standard is carried out daily on these beaches and adjacent areas before 9am. A cleaner remains on each beach through to 4.30pm to keep it clean. At extra busy times a second cleaner is kept on.

Some areas of Resort Beaches are declared as dog free.

Water quality is an important factor in well managed beaches and is regularly monitored.

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Lifeguards:
The lifeguards are on duty daily, throughout the summer season, from 10am to 6pm. At Lowestoft there are two zoned areas which are supervised by the lifeguards, each being two hundred metres wide. One zone is situated mid-way between the Claremont and South Piers and the other mid-way between the Claremont Pier and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. At Southwold the Resort Beach is lifeguard supervised as a single zone.

The role of the lifeguard is to advise on beach and water safety, carry out emergency rescues, offer first aid, assist the coastguard and emergency services and help make your visit safe and enjoyable.

Safety:
For the safety of beach users lifebelts, throw bags, emergency phones, information notices and flag systems are provided. They are all inspected weekly in the summer and monthly in the winter. Any safety equipment found to be damaged, missing or not in a fully useable condition is replaced or repaired.

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Chalets are available to let on a weekly basis. Seasonal lets are also available. There are a limited number of privately owned chalets/beach huts for which we lease sites; the lease can be transferred to the new owner of a chalet/beach hut when it is sold.

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North Norfolk Bylaws covering dogs on the Seashore and Promenades.

Between the 1st May and 30th September inclusive, certain areas of beaches, paths and promenades (as shown below) will be controlled by the following byelaws:
Failure to comply could incur a one-thousand pound fine.
Important Information for Dog Owners in North Norfolk.

North Norfolk District Council thanks you for being a responsible dog owner. Please help to keep the district pleasant and clean for all.

1. Clean up if your dog fouls, failure to do so is an offence under The Dog (Fouling of Land) Act 1996.
2. Dogs can frighten and worry people, especially children, please keep yours under control.
3. Carry a supply of Poop Scoops or similar to clean up after your dog Poop Scoop disposal bins are provided in some areas.
4. Dont leave your dog in the car without good ventilation and shade hot cars can kill.
5. Choose your dogs exercise area carefully.

For further advice or information click here or contact:

Customer Services Tel: 01263 516189 or 516301

Environmental Health Department
North Norfolk District Council
Council Offices
Holt Road
Cromer
Norfolk
NR27 9EN

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Dogs are banned from certain beaches during the summer season.
From 1st May to 30th September, Dogs are not permitted on the Beach between the South Pier and a point adjacent to the eastern end of Pakefield Street (below the Jolly Sailors Public House).

Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times on the promenade from South Pier to the Pakefield end, below the Jolly Sailors public house.

• Enjoy your visit to the beach - What we ask of you:
• Help us to keep the beaches clean and tidy by taking your rubbish home.
• If young children are with you, always keep them in your sight and do not let them swim in the sea unsupervised.
• Do not swim in the sea when it is unsafe to do so and always obey the information flags
• Report any bad cases of pollution or dumping so that we can arrange to have it cleared.
• If you hire a chalet please leave it as you would wish to find it.
• Observe beach bylaws such as dog free areas and no cycling.
• If you see anything suspicious or concerning please contact the Beach Officer, a lifeguard or the number overleaf.
• If you have any suggestions on how the service may be improved these would be most welcome.

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Riding on most of the council run norfolk beaches is banned in the summer period which stretches from Easter to the end of October. However in the winter months a bit of a blind eye is turned. The main problem is access for the horse boxes and the problem of parking and there are height restrictions in place in many of the car parks.

There are exceptions. The private estates, for example Holkham Estates, allows horse riding on Holkham Beach all year round and there is car parking and ready access - it is quite a magnificent beach to ride on.

There is a £7.50 per day fee for the horsebox, and safety codes must be adhered to, with particular attention to the tides. The beach is run by English Nature tel: 01328 711183.

Le Strange Estates allows riding on the Le Strange beach all year round but again there is no car parking.
For more information tel: 01485 532137.

There are very few places in Suffolk to ride mainly because most of the beaches are shingle or a combination of sand and shingle. Pakefield Beach near Lowestoft does allow riding all year round but only between the landmark of Pakefield Church and the beginning of Kessingland. There is no parking.
For more information call Pakefield Riding School tel: 01502 572257.

Please visit our Tourist Information Centres page and select local tourist information office for the area you wish to visit and they will be able to help you further.

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You can have a barbeque on any beach owned by the North Norfolk District Council, ie, Mundesley, Sheringham, Cromer, Sea Palling - providing there are under 12 people in your party.

If you have a party of 12 or more persons then you need to apply for a permit from the council and you must inform the authorities of the day and time (lifeboat, coastguard, police) and you may only have barbeques on beaches where public access is good. This is so emergency vehicles can reach you easily should there be a need.

Telephone Leisure department of the council for a permit on +44 (0)1263 516029.

For private beaches such as Holkham, Happisburgh and Walcott and the National Trust beaches then you have to contact the Estates concerned to gain permission.

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• Advice for beach users
  • Water safety advice
  • Motorised and powered craft
  • A code of conduct for all
  • Useful telephone numbers
  • Bye Laws
  • Emergency at Sea
  • Advice for beach users
  • Swim at Lifeguard-supervised beaches - these are safer
  • Do not swim when the red flag is flying
  • Obey the lifeguards' advice and read warning notices before entering the sea
  • Be aware of the cold, and wear suitable clothing
  • Do not swim straight after a meal
  • Alcohol and watersports do not mix
  • Children should be supervised at all times
  • Do not dig in or climb on the cliffs, and keep clear of sand dunes
  • Please take your litter home
• Water safety advice
  • Never swim, sail or take part in a watersport alone. Always tell someone of your whereabouts
  • Check local conditions before going into open water
  • Wear suitable clothing for your activity and keep all equipment in good condition
  • Be courteous and polite to other water users, and be aware of possible dangers
  • Do not climb on or swim close to breakwaters or piers
  • Keep an eye on your children - know where they are at all times
• Motorised and powered craft
  • Obey the seaside byelaws, do not exceed the speed limit and act responsibly
  • Be considerate to other water users. Do not enter swimming zoned areas
  • Keep well away from swimmers at all times
  • Keep out of the way of shipping and learn the "rules of the road"
  • Listen to the radio weather forecast, and check local sea conditions and times of tide with the Coastguard
  • Keep an eye on each other and report anybody in trouble as soon as possible. Learn how to help and carry out self rescue
  • Please park your towing vehicle with consideration, and DO NOT OBSTRUCT ACCESS FOR OTHER USERS OR THE EMERGENCY SERVICES
  • Water skiers - do not dry launch from the beach
  • Please use the preferred launching sites
  • Cars are not permitted on the beaches
• A code of conduct for all
  • Stay away from wildlife areas, especially at nesting-time
  • Please do not wave jump or water-ski in the launch area
  • Avoid conflict with other beach users
  • Swimmers - KEEP CLEAR OF BOAT LAUNCHING AREAS
  • Noise from powered craft can disturb people on the beach - BE CONSIDERATE AND KEEP WELL AWAY
  • Remember - noise travels much further during onshore winds, so keep well offshore
  • Offshore winds can blow you out to sea - BE CAREFUL
• Useful telephone numbers
  • Royal Yachting Assoc. (01703) 627499
  • British Marine Indst. Fed. (01784) 473377
  • Environment Agency (Rec. & Nav.) (01454) 624376
  • Police Headquarters Norwich (01603) 768769
  • Police North Walsham (01692) 402222
  • Police Cromer (01263) 512211
  • Police Wells (01328) 862211
  • Downtide Marine (01263) 768813
  • North Norfolk District Council (01263) 513811
  • Beach Office & Lifeguard Cromer (01263) 511475
  • Beach Office & Lifeguard Sheringham (01263) 823969
  • Lifeguard Mundesley (01263) 722236
  • Norfolk Coast Project (01328) 711533
  • King's Lynn & West Norfolk Council (01485) 532516
  • Great Yarmouth Borough Council (01493) 856100
  • Coastguard Great Yarmouth (01493) 851338
  • Coastguard Wells (01328) 710219
• Tourist Information Centres:
  • Cromer (01263) 512497
  • Sheringham (01263) 824329
  • Wells (01328) 710885
  • Fakenham (01328) 851981
  • Mundesley (01263) 721070
  • Holt (01263) 713100
  • Hoveton (01603) 782281
  • Walsingham (01328) 820510
  • Weather Marine Call (01891) 505355

Emergency at Sea? dial 999 and ask for "Coastguard"