North Norfolk offers some of the most
wonderful countryside in the United Kingdom and has played a major part in many thousands
of years of history. So if you like the outdoors and/or visiting historical
monuments and buildings then you've found paradise.
We've suggested some activities and attractions below and if you'd
like even more inspiration try one of our itineraries listed.
We'll add to the selection over time, so come back for more
information soon.
Kiting and Windsurfing
Kite surfing and windsurfing are major sports on the Norfolk coast.
Whether you are just being dragged along the sand by the kite
(intentionally or by accident) or surfing and buggying. Kite surfing and kiting can be done
most places, with
Brancaster and Hunstanton beaches being very popular.
Kite buggying is a little less popular with the authorities, but there are some
excellent locations for it, like the West end of Brancaster beach.
Click here for Kiting guidelines
For information on some of the local beaches for
kite surfing visit The Hub -
www.kitesurfhub.org
The Wash and North Norfolk Coast European
Marine Site
This area of the coast is Internationally
important for wild plants and animals which depend on their unique
character.
The area is famous for the
myriad of bird species that visit throughout the year and home to
the largest population of common seals in the UK.
In recognition of its important wildlife the
Wash and North Norfolk coast has been designated a European marine
site under the UK Habitats Regulations.
Surfing
Some of the best surf can be had on the East Coast - Runton &
Cromer Beach. From there you can strike out to Mundesley,
Bacton, and a dozen secret spots. Or, you can just walk
to the local beach breaks.
For surf reports, tide times and weather reports visit:
www.surfriders.co.uk
Watersports
Our location on the North Norfolk coast is
unrivalled for it's range of watersports:
Sailing, wind surfing, canoeing, waterskiing, body boarding, power boating, cruising,
yachting and kite surfing. Northshore
Sport and Leisure offer discounted hire, courses, clothing and equipment.
When the tide is out or you just don't fancy getting wet, there
are a whole host of other activities.
Hiking and Walking (Tramping for the Australasians)
The coastal path passes the door of Deepdale Farm heading both East and West along the
coast. If you are looking for something a little less strenuous then there are
our two new farm walks(click here for more information),
fabulous walks around the common and coast line.
Pub Walks in Norfolk
- 'A great book for those who like to eat and drink
before, during and after their exercise'.
Cycling
We work closely with a few bike hire companies, some of whom will deliver to
Deepdale. Of course you are welcome to bring your own bikes and there
is a secure storage area for them. Which ever you choose you can head off into the
countryside and discover that Norfolk does have hills! The National Cycling
Route No1 passes a few miles inland and Norfolk offers a wealth of small country lanes to
investigate.
Deepdale Information can arrange cycle
hire for you. The cost is approximately £10 per adult per day
(reduced rates for children). There is a delivery charge of £10.00
and helmets are £1 per person per day.
Bird
Watching
Within a few miles of
Burnham Deepdale are a number of world renowned bird reserves. The RSPB run Titchwell and Snettisham, English Nature run Scolt Head Island and Holkham and the
NOA run Holme-next-the-Sea. The last few groups who have been to stay
with us have seen over 100 species of bird in a weekend.
Titchwell has three nature trails on the reserve and
all are accessible to wheelchairs/pushchairs. The main path is
approximately 1 kilometre long and runs from the visitor centre to the
beach. The fen and meadow trails include 120 metres of path and 140
metres of boardwalk but are not accessible to dog walkers.
If you like geese then try to be here for the
flights of Brent and Pinkfeet during the winter.
Seals
There are trips to see the seals from Morston and Blakeney to
Blakeney Point: prices are approximately £6.00 for adults and
£4.00 for children under 14. There are also seal trips from
Hunstanton out into the Wash and trips from Wells-next-the-Sea.
Beaches
Two Australians ended up arguing outside our stand
at the Independent Traveller's World Show about the beaches on the
North Norfolk coast. The one who'd never been here felt
Australian beaches were the best in the world. The other
Aussie who
was a regular visitor felt the beaches here may well be different
from those in Aus, but they are stunning. The one who'd
never been before decided to give us the acid test and came to
stay. He admitted that the beaches are pretty damn good!
Brancaster Beach and Holkham Beach are our
favourites and the closest, both served by the Coasthopper Bus
Service.
Swimming
If you don't mind a bit of mud (The mud here is supposed to have
excellent properties for skin!), then you can wander down the
drove opposite the hostel and swim in the creake. A natural
swimming pool forms in The Hole, in the harbour when the tide is
out. Alternatively you can visit one of the many local
swimming baths, including the Oasis in Hunstanton and
Wells-next-the-Sea school swimming pool.
Brancaster Brewery
We now have a brewery on the doorstep.
The Jolly
Sailors has just opened the Brancaster Brewery offering two
excellent real ales. IPA (Indian Pale Ale) and Old Les
(named after Lesley who was a real village character). The
Jolly is just a couple of minutes walk from Deepdale.
Stately Homes
and Historical monuments
Starting with the local church, St. Mary's, which has a Norman Font and Saxon Round Tower.
Within a few miles there are dozens of other churches each with their own history and
relics. Admiral Lord Nelson was born at Burnham Thorpe, and although
you can't access his birth place many of the local churches have
some fascinating information. There is the remains of the old Roman Fort in
Brancaster, and Sea Henge was discovered on the beach at Holme. If it's stately
homes that you want then you won't be disappointed with Sandringham, Holkham
and Houghton all only a few miles away.
Castles
Castles: Castle Acre: 13 miles east of King's Lynn,
off A1035 Close to a ruined Priory started in 1080, and replaced with
stone in the 11th or 12th century. Today only ruins remain of the castle.
Castle Rising: 5.5 miles north-east of King's Lynn, off
A149 The keep was built between 1138 and 1140, it was then accessible from
the sea. Famous as being the last home of Queen Isabella. Several rooms at
Castle Rising are still in a good state of repair.
Norwich Castle: Castle Meadow, Norwich Town Centre The
tower was built in the 12th century commanding a dominating position over
the city. Greatly altered and for 650 years it served as a prison, now a
museum.
Steam Railways
Steam Railway: Wells and Walsingham Light
Railway, a 30 minute journey from the seaside and harbour town of
Wells to the picturesque town of Walsingham, famed for centuries
as a centre of pilgrimage. A scenic journey with five bridges
through lovely countryside.
The North Norfolk Railway offers a 10.5 mile round
trip by steam train to/from Sheringham - Weybourne - Holt
Childrens Activities Snettisham Park Farm: trip to a working farm.
There is a deer safari and tractor rides as well as an adventure
playground. Children can bottle feed lambs, piglets, kid goats and cuddle
rabbits and guinea pigs.
Sea Life Sanctuary,
Hunstanton: amazing variety of animals from Otters and Penguins, to a full
Seal rescue facility and hospital. Among the rich diversity of life in the
displays are Sharks, Seahorses and Rays.
Metal Detecting
The history of this area makes Metal Detecting a very popular and
fruitful past time. With permission we can usually identify
fields that are suitable for a group to walk. However metal
detecting is only available to those staying with us.
Contact us to discuss possible options.
For more information on metal detecting in the UK, including
guidelines and laws then please visit:
National Council for Metal Detecting:
www.ncmd.co.uk
Portable Antiquities Scheme:
www.finds.org.uk
Other Activities
If tennis is your game
there are two excellent courts at the village hall, pay as you use. Golf is available at the Royal Norfolk Golf
Club in Brancaster and at Hunstanton. We are looking into paragliding and handgliding. There is much more information available in Deepdale
Information.
More information on
the local area Brancaster Staithe and Burnham Deepdale -
www.burnhamdeepdale.co.uk
Bird
Watching
