North Norfolk Coastline

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
Online
Posts: 4
Joined: 29 Jan 2018, 10:33am

Re: North Norfolk Coastline

Post by Online »

On the first leg of the journey I'd suggest making some small deviations to pass through, rather than by, Eye, Hoxne and Bungay. They're all delightful.
TRM
Posts: 19
Joined: 10 Oct 2017, 9:43am
Location: London

Re: North Norfolk Coastline

Post by TRM »

Online wrote:On the first leg of the journey I'd suggest making some small deviations to pass through, rather than by, Eye, Hoxne and Bungay. They're all delightful.


Thanks, route updated!
fastpedaller
Posts: 3435
Joined: 10 Jul 2014, 1:12pm
Location: Norfolk

Re: North Norfolk Coastline

Post by fastpedaller »

If the RAF centenary interests you at all there are history boards and scale model aeroplanes on telegraph poles at the locations of 40 airfields used during the wars - the one at Langham is just by the 'training dome' which is well worth a visit. As a cafe frequenting person I'll add the info that I've never found anywhere in Hunstanton which offers even reasonable food at anything other than mortgage prices - the restaurant/cafe at the Lavender Centre at Heacham does good food though!
User avatar
mjr
Posts: 20308
Joined: 20 Jun 2011, 7:06pm
Location: Norfolk or Somerset, mostly
Contact:

Re: North Norfolk Coastline

Post by mjr »

fastpedaller wrote:As a cafe frequenting person I'll add the info that I've never found anywhere in Hunstanton which offers even reasonable food at anything other than mortgage prices - the restaurant/cafe at the Lavender Centre at Heacham does good food though!

Well, I'd stop in the north coast villages instead, but The Old Lifeboat House in Old Hunstanton and The Salad Bowl on Hunstanton Cliffs are our most frequent haunts there. I don't remember either being very expensive. Fish and chips from a blue bar on the Greevegate side of this, I think were OK, too, but I've not tried enough to know if they're the best.

Norfolk Lavender is OK but a nuisance to get to from Route 1 (busy roads or detours) and likely to be very busy on a holiday weekend.
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
geocycle
Posts: 2177
Joined: 11 Jan 2007, 9:46am

Re: North Norfolk Coastline

Post by geocycle »

mjr wrote:Route 1 is a good introduction to the area except for short sand sections near Wells and on Marriott's Way, which you should find how to avoid by searching my previous posts. Other than that, most roads are good cycling except A and not-built-up B roads without cycling infrastructure. Even those can be tolerable for short stretches to link things up, such as to get from Roydon to get to Castle Rising or across the Rudhams. I live here: ask if you'd like me to suggest a route (let me know stopping points or daily distances) or opinions on one you've planned.


I’d definitely avoid the stretch of route 1 through the Holkham estate near Wells if I were to do it again. It was very sandy through a nature reserve and almost unrideable. Deep sand grabbed the front wheel bringing a fully laden tourer to sudden halts.

The scones at Felbrigg Hall were substantial!
jgurney
Posts: 1212
Joined: 10 May 2009, 8:34am

Re: North Norfolk Coastline

Post by jgurney »

mjr wrote:Mile 89 - if you like old trains, it may be worth the 2 extra miles to detour up to Weybourne and back, riding past the well-preserved NNR station and maybe see a train.


It is also possible to take bikes on the steam train between Holt and Sheringham, and see the spacious guard's vans that used to be available on main line services, if you don't feel a need to have pedalled throughout.

Those interested in trains might also like to visit the Wells and Walsingham Light Railway, probably the world's longest 7-inch gauge line.

A little further south is the Bure Valley Railway, whose ability to carry 4 bikes on each of their little 2ft gauge trains should embarras those full-size operators able to carry only 2.
User avatar
mjr
Posts: 20308
Joined: 20 Jun 2011, 7:06pm
Location: Norfolk or Somerset, mostly
Contact:

Re: North Norfolk Coastline

Post by mjr »

geocycle wrote:I’d definitely avoid the stretch of route 1 through the Holkham estate near Wells if I were to do it again. It was very sandy through a nature reserve and almost unrideable. Deep sand grabbed the front wheel bringing a fully laden tourer to sudden halts.

The only bit through the Holkham estate to be sand is the coast dunes. They're easily avoided by using the hospital gate into the estate like I suggested or even the coast road A149 all the way to the main gate at quieter times of the year. I guess whoever decided the Sustrans routing prioritised seeing the beautiful coast over actually being rideable! :-(
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
Cyril Haearn
Posts: 15215
Joined: 30 Nov 2013, 11:26am

Re: North Norfolk Coastline

Post by Cyril Haearn »

jgurney wrote:
mjr wrote:Mile 89 - if you like old trains, it may be worth the 2 extra miles to detour up to Weybourne and back, riding past the well-preserved NNR station and maybe see a train.


It is also possible to take bikes on the steam train between Holt and Sheringham, and see the spacious guard's vans that used to be available on main line services, if you don't feel a need to have pedalled throughout.

Those interested in trains might also like to visit the Wells and Walsingham Light Railway, probably the world's longest 7-inch gauge line.

A little further south is the Bure Valley Railway, whose ability to carry 4 bikes on each of their little 2ft gauge trains should embarras those full-size operators able to carry only 2.

Wiki says the WWLR is 10.25" gauge :wink:
Entertainer, juvenile, curmudgeon, PoB, 30120
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
F70100
Posts: 139
Joined: 4 Dec 2013, 10:33am

Re: North Norfolk Coastline

Post by F70100 »

If you did fancy fish & chips in Hunstanton I can recommend Fishers, opposite the Tourist Office at the top of the green. I ‘ve been there twice in the last month and they were great on both occasions.
Cyril Haearn
Posts: 15215
Joined: 30 Nov 2013, 11:26am

Re: North Norfolk Coastline

Post by Cyril Haearn »

Is there a big problem with close encounters of the agricultural kind ATM?
Entertainer, juvenile, curmudgeon, PoB, 30120
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
fastpedaller
Posts: 3435
Joined: 10 Jul 2014, 1:12pm
Location: Norfolk

Re: North Norfolk Coastline

Post by fastpedaller »

mjr wrote:
fastpedaller wrote:As a cafe frequenting person I'll add the info that I've never found anywhere in Hunstanton which offers even reasonable food at anything other than mortgage prices - the restaurant/cafe at the Lavender Centre at Heacham does good food though!

Well, I'd stop in the north coast villages instead, but The Old Lifeboat House in Old Hunstanton and The Salad Bowl on Hunstanton Cliffs are our most frequent haunts there. I don't remember either being very expensive. Fish and chips from a blue bar on the Greevegate side of this, I think were OK, too, but I've not tried enough to know if they're the best.

Norfolk Lavender is OK but a nuisance to get to from Route 1 (busy roads or detours) and likely to be very busy on a holiday weekend.


Thanks for the tip - I'll have to hunt out the Old LBH and Salad Bowl, I've not seen them, but It's not a regular trip of mine, as it's over 90miles round trip.
User avatar
mjr
Posts: 20308
Joined: 20 Jun 2011, 7:06pm
Location: Norfolk or Somerset, mostly
Contact:

Re: North Norfolk Coastline

Post by mjr »

Cyril Haearn wrote:Is there a big problem with close encounters of the agricultural kind ATM?

Not in North Norfolk because most roads are either fairly straight and open or too small for big machinery so they drive along field edges. The twisty roads of mid Norfolk and Breckland can hide big farm machinery more often, while West Norfolk and Suffolk has more beet traffic but I think that's a month or so away.
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
jgurney
Posts: 1212
Joined: 10 May 2009, 8:34am

Re: North Norfolk Coastline

Post by jgurney »

Cyril Haearn wrote:
jgurney wrote:
the Wells and Walsingham Light Railway, probably the world's longest 7-inch gauge line.


Wiki says the WWLR is 10.25" gauge :wink:


Oops! Absolutely right. Thanks.
sjs
Posts: 1306
Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 10:08pm
Location: Hitchin

Re: North Norfolk Coastline

Post by sjs »

As a major pilgrimage destination Walsingham is interesting independently of the WWLR, and has a few reasonable eating places.
User avatar
mjr
Posts: 20308
Joined: 20 Jun 2011, 7:06pm
Location: Norfolk or Somerset, mostly
Contact:

Re: North Norfolk Coastline

Post by mjr »

sjs wrote:As a major pilgrimage destination Walsingham is interesting independently of the WWLR, and has a few reasonable eating places.

True. Personally, I don't think it's that interesting if you're not of one of the religions there (Snettisham church, Lynn Minster and Lynn's St Nicholas Chapel are all more impressive IMO) but some might like to visit. The pie barn and Norton Rooms are both good food stops, although the pies are much bigger.
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
Post Reply