Jinny’s guidebook - Ideas for your stay
Sightseeing
The drainage pumps dotted across the Broadland landscape date back to the 18th Century. Horsey windpump was built on the site of a previous pump and has recently been restored to a near working condition.
Horsey windpump is an iconic feature, easilly accessible and adjacent to Horsey mere, a short walk along the boat dyke.
Check with the National Trust for opening times. Access to the site is not restricted but the pump itself has opening times.
37 locals recommend
Horsey Windpump
The drainage pumps dotted across the Broadland landscape date back to the 18th Century. Horsey windpump was built on the site of a previous pump and has recently been restored to a near working condition.
Horsey windpump is an iconic feature, easilly accessible and adjacent to Horsey mere, a short walk along the boat dyke.
Check with the National Trust for opening times. Access to the site is not restricted but the pump itself has opening times.
St Mary's church is made more interesting to younger visitors as it is the last resting place of the Norfolk Giant, Robert Hales, who was seven feet six inches tall, and weighed thirty stone. He died in 1856 aged 50 .
The church is a short walk from Hall Farm house.
St Mary's Church
Church RoadSt Mary's church is made more interesting to younger visitors as it is the last resting place of the Norfolk Giant, Robert Hales, who was seven feet six inches tall, and weighed thirty stone. He died in 1856 aged 50 .
The church is a short walk from Hall Farm house.
Hickling Broad
Ranworth Broad
The seals that live along this stretch of Norfolk coastline can be fascinating to watch them from a distance as they bask on the beach or swim close to the shore.
Watching the seals midwinter has over recent years become very popular and subsequently access has had to be controlled by wardens for the safety of both the seals and the public. It should be noted though the seals are with us throughout the year but not always in such large numbers. In the Spring they gather in larger groups and can be seen most days. Throughout the summer they tend to leave the beaches but you will usually see smaller numbers in the surf, seemingly following you as you walk along the beach.
From Hall Farm house it is possible to walk to less accessible parts of the coast and outside of weekends often get the beach to yourself to observe undisturbed groups of seals.
106 locals recommend
Horsey Gap
The seals that live along this stretch of Norfolk coastline can be fascinating to watch them from a distance as they bask on the beach or swim close to the shore.
Watching the seals midwinter has over recent years become very popular and subsequently access has had to be controlled by wardens for the safety of both the seals and the public. It should be noted though the seals are with us throughout the year but not always in such large numbers. In the Spring they gather in larger groups and can be seen most days. Throughout the summer they tend to leave the beaches but you will usually see smaller numbers in the surf, seemingly following you as you walk along the beach.
From Hall Farm house it is possible to walk to less accessible parts of the coast and outside of weekends often get the beach to yourself to observe undisturbed groups of seals.
Beach
Winterton-on-Sea is a small coastal village and the nearest accessible beach. It was previously a fishing village but is now a popular holiday location. The beach offers a wide expanse of sand and coastal dunes for walks.
A large car park is available next to the beach. It is pay on entrance and just a short walk back to the village.
Winterton has a pub that serves food and can get very busy. There is also a fish and chip shop, a post office / general store and a small grocery shop. Poppy's Tea rooms are located in the Post Office where you can obtain hot or cold drinks to have in or take away plus cakes and snacks.
47 locals recommend
Winterton-on-Sea
Winterton-on-Sea is a small coastal village and the nearest accessible beach. It was previously a fishing village but is now a popular holiday location. The beach offers a wide expanse of sand and coastal dunes for walks.
A large car park is available next to the beach. It is pay on entrance and just a short walk back to the village.
Winterton has a pub that serves food and can get very busy. There is also a fish and chip shop, a post office / general store and a small grocery shop. Poppy's Tea rooms are located in the Post Office where you can obtain hot or cold drinks to have in or take away plus cakes and snacks.
Sea Palling beach has become a very popular destination for beach days. Its award winning beach is very safe due to the lagoons created by the man made reefs installed to limit coastal erosion. There are lifeguards and an independent inshore lifeboat based here for your safety in the summer.
The beach is also popular with Jet Skiers in a segregated section.
There is plenty of parking but it can become very busy in the summer. Parking is pay and display.
There are a number of small shops selling beach essentials and a cafe that prepares donuts fresh to order - ask for the cinnamon sugar ;)
32 locals recommend
Sea Palling Beach
Beach RoadSea Palling beach has become a very popular destination for beach days. Its award winning beach is very safe due to the lagoons created by the man made reefs installed to limit coastal erosion. There are lifeguards and an independent inshore lifeboat based here for your safety in the summer.
The beach is also popular with Jet Skiers in a segregated section.
There is plenty of parking but it can become very busy in the summer. Parking is pay and display.
There are a number of small shops selling beach essentials and a cafe that prepares donuts fresh to order - ask for the cinnamon sugar ;)
Located just off the coast road behind the church you will find Waxham beach. The beach here can be much quieter than Sea Palling or Winterton-on-Sea and is best enjoyed either early or late in the day due to the limited amount of parking available.
Be aware the short road to the beach is a single track, parking too far on the verge may get you stuck in a ditch. The best area to park is behind the old hall.
On the coast road you will find the restored Great Barn that is open to visitors and has a small cafe.
16 locals recommend
Waxham
Located just off the coast road behind the church you will find Waxham beach. The beach here can be much quieter than Sea Palling or Winterton-on-Sea and is best enjoyed either early or late in the day due to the limited amount of parking available.
Be aware the short road to the beach is a single track, parking too far on the verge may get you stuck in a ditch. The best area to park is behind the old hall.
On the coast road you will find the restored Great Barn that is open to visitors and has a small cafe.
Walks
5.5 Km to Horsey Nelson
11.5 Km Circular route
The walk to Horsey takes in some of the Norfolk Broads, Horsey windpump, for an ice cream, Horsey Nelson for a cold drink and the beach.
The walk offers different perspectives depending on the time of year and different wildlife for the sharp eyed walker.
The walk departs Hall farm house and goes down 'The Street' and across the fields to the centre of the village. It then proceeds along Somerton boat dyke, past Somerton mill and alongside Martham Broad. It may be possible between here and Horsey to spot the elusive Common Cranes that inhabit the Horsey estate.
The walk is almost completely off road but a small section of metalled road between the end of the old hundred stream and Horsey windpump must be negotiated. Once you reach the windpump there is a concessionary path that takes you across the fields to the Nelson pub and from there to the beach.
We can supply a map and full details if required.
17 locals recommend
Horsey
5.5 Km to Horsey Nelson
11.5 Km Circular route
The walk to Horsey takes in some of the Norfolk Broads, Horsey windpump, for an ice cream, Horsey Nelson for a cold drink and the beach.
The walk offers different perspectives depending on the time of year and different wildlife for the sharp eyed walker.
The walk departs Hall farm house and goes down 'The Street' and across the fields to the centre of the village. It then proceeds along Somerton boat dyke, past Somerton mill and alongside Martham Broad. It may be possible between here and Horsey to spot the elusive Common Cranes that inhabit the Horsey estate.
The walk is almost completely off road but a small section of metalled road between the end of the old hundred stream and Horsey windpump must be negotiated. Once you reach the windpump there is a concessionary path that takes you across the fields to the Nelson pub and from there to the beach.
We can supply a map and full details if required.
Somerton Staithe is the village boat dyke a spot for locals to moor or launch their boats.
The water here is unusually clear and rich in plant and wildlife. You can proceed either along the right hand side to the mill or along the left hand side, via staithe road and the kissing gate to Martham South broad.
Staithe Road
Staithe RoadSomerton Staithe is the village boat dyke a spot for locals to moor or launch their boats.
The water here is unusually clear and rich in plant and wildlife. You can proceed either along the right hand side to the mill or along the left hand side, via staithe road and the kissing gate to Martham South broad.
Winterton dunes are a designated SSSI and home to a number of rare species.
There are two routes a direct there and back route or a longer circular route that takes in the dunes and Burnley Hall estate
We can supply details and a map if required.
Winterton Dunes
Winterton dunes are a designated SSSI and home to a number of rare species.
There are two routes a direct there and back route or a longer circular route that takes in the dunes and Burnley Hall estate
We can supply details and a map if required.
Martham south broad is a secluded and very beautiful spot and home to a wide array of bird life. It can be visited as a linear route or taken in on a circular river walk to Martham.
Details of the walk and a map are available to our guests.
Martham Broad
Martham south broad is a secluded and very beautiful spot and home to a wide array of bird life. It can be visited as a linear route or taken in on a circular river walk to Martham.
Details of the walk and a map are available to our guests.
Martham is an adjacent community to Somerton and can be reached via a walk alongside the river Thurne.
The walk takes you past Martham South Broad and National Trust Heigham Holmes nature reserve on the opposite bank.
We can supply you with details of the route plus a map.
Martham
Martham is an adjacent community to Somerton and can be reached via a walk alongside the river Thurne.
The walk takes you past Martham South Broad and National Trust Heigham Holmes nature reserve on the opposite bank.
We can supply you with details of the route plus a map.
Food scene
Excellent food and a great location. Booking advised as it can get very busy in the summer.
33 locals recommend
The Boathouse
Eels Foot RoadExcellent food and a great location. Booking advised as it can get very busy in the summer.
A traditional pub with a great atmosphere and a good selection of well kept ales.
18 locals recommend
Nelson Head
The StreetA traditional pub with a great atmosphere and a good selection of well kept ales.
The Lion
Horsey RoadA good selection of local ales and home cooked food only 300m down the road.
A two AA rosette restaurant and award-winning pub. Booking advised.
15 locals recommend
Kings Arms Fleggburgh
Main Road A two AA rosette restaurant and award-winning pub. Booking advised.
Live music
Broad farm campsite has a large public bar and hosts live music most weekends throughout the year. Visitors are made more than welcome.
Broad Farm Camp
Main RoadBroad farm campsite has a large public bar and hosts live music most weekends throughout the year. Visitors are made more than welcome.