Burnham Overy Staithe

Overlooking the tidal creeks and salt marshes, Burnham Overy Staithe is the ideal destination for a traditional family holiday or a perfect peaceful retreat where you can indulge in some well deserved relaxation.

Once, long ago, trading ships would have passed by on the River Burn (Overy Creek) on their way to the the port of Burnham Overy Town. At the age of 10, Nelson learnt to sail at this very spot.

Long since, the River Burn has silted up and instead, this beautiful location now offers opportunities for recreational sailing (small boats, canoes, kayaks and similar).

Others prefer to enjoy the tranquility watch the children paddling in the creeks and playing on the sand banks.

Footpath between Burnham Overy Staithe and the beach

Scolt Head in the distance

Right outside Flagstaff House a good quality path, part of the Norfolk Coast Path, can be followed a mile and a half, all the way to the dunes and beach, with incredible panoramas either side of the walk. To the east are the reclaimed grazing marshes and to the west, a network of creeks and salt marshes.

Once you reach the dunes, it’s a only a very short walk to Holkham Beach and Nature Reserve. From here, the island of Scolt Head can be spotted to the west, with ferry trips available from the staithe during summer months.

If you’re feeling energetic, you can even walk along Holkham Beach, all the way to Wells-next-the-Sea and take a very short bus trip back home, on the Coasthopper.

For walkers, there’s also the Burnham Overy Staithe Circular Walk.

Walking paths at Burnham Overy Staithe, Norfolk

Just a short walk from Flagstaff House, you can enjoy delicious food and drink at the popular Hero Pub and Restaurant.

This is truly a magical spot where time has stood still and offers a bubble of tranquility for all to enjoy.

Nature and Wildlife

North Norfolk is a bird watcher’s paradise. Bitterns, terns, oyster catchers, avocets, curlews, geese and marsh harriers are among the many species of bird that make north Norfolk a prime site for birding.

Nearby bird sanctuaries: Holme, Titchwell, Scolt Head, Blakeney and Cley.

Blakeney Point Seal Trips

Another popular pursuit is catching one of the boats to visit the seals on Blakeney Point, one of largest seal colony in England, with over 2,000 seal pups born annually.

Tickets can be purchased from Blakeney Quay, though, as the channel there is silted up, trips usually run from Morston Quay, usually once or twice a day, depending on tide times. There are several seal trip companies available:

Further afield

Vice Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson

Walsingham is known all over the world as a pilgrimage centre for people of many faiths. Pensthorpe Natural Park is perfect for a peaceful walk in complete tranquillity and for the historians, why not visit the birthplace of Nelson at nearby Burnham Thorpe.

For a spot of retail therapy, Holt and Burnham Market offer stylish shops and galleries, together with an array of good pubs and eateries.

Useful Links

Sand dunes, north Norfolk