Holiday rentals and lettings on the Norfolk Coast

• Choice of accommodation: From brightly painted coastal houses to barn conversions and cottages with hot tubs, the Norfolk Coast suits families, couples and groups, many welcoming dogs.
• Where to stay: On the beachfront for sea views, or inland in the market towns for shops and galleries.
• What guests love: Blue-flag beaches, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and seals, birds and big skies.
• Best time to visit: Summer for the beaches, autumn for the seal pups, and quiet, atmospheric winters.
• Things to do: Spot seals by boat, walk the coast path, visit the Glandford Shell Museum and reach the secret Scolt Head beach.

The Norfolk Coast's holiday lettings are full of character, from the brightly painted houses and red-brick cottages traditional to the coast to converted barns and even grand mansions. Choose a coastal retreat with a hot tub for stargazing, a peaceful glamping escape or a log cabin tucked into nature. Dog-friendly cottages are also available, so the whole family can come along. Whether you want a beachfront base or somewhere quiet inland, there is a self-catering property to match, and many are well equipped for a relaxed break. Expect features such as:

• Wi-Fi to plan your days out
• A garden or terrace for summer evenings
• A hot tub at many coastal retreats
• Sea or countryside views from many properties

Wherever you base yourself, a beach, a gallery or a nature reserve is rarely far away.

What are the best areas to stay on the Norfolk Coast?

It depends on the holiday you have in mind: the beachfront is best for sea views, while the market towns suit food and galleries. The table below details areas for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Guests booking holiday lettings on the Norfolk Coast through Holidu often highlight the big skies, the blue-flag beaches and the wonderful wildlife, from seals to seabirds. Many mention the excellent food, the galleries and the peace of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and return for the mix of unspoilt coast, market-town charm and gentle, restorative pace.

On England's east coast, the Norfolk Coast is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, celebrated for its enormous skies, blue-flag beaches and rich wildlife. Its shoreline is remarkably varied, mixing sandy beaches, dunes, marshland, cliffs and woodland, dotted with pretty market towns and a thriving arts scene. Peaceful and unspoilt, it makes a wonderfully restorative base for a holiday by the sea.

✈️What is the best way to get to the Norfolk Coast?

Most visitors arrive by car or train via Norwich. Here are the most common ways to get to the region:

• By car: Norwich is easily reached from London via the M11 and A11, and from there the Broadland Northway leads to the coast. A car is handy for exploring the string of coastal villages and the quieter inland market towns, and most holiday lettings offer parking nearby.
• By train: Regular mainline trains run to Norwich from London Liverpool Street, with the scenic Bittern Line continuing to the coast at Sheringham and Cromer. It is a relaxed, car-free way to reach the eastern end of the coast and its classic seaside resorts.

🥗Where to eat on the Norfolk Coast?

According to Google Maps data and reviews, The Neptune in Old Hunstanton is one of the best rated restaurants on the Norfolk Coast. Below is a table showing top highly-rated restaurants hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers recommend the harbourside stalls at Wells-next-the-Sea: the place to pick up a freshly dressed Norfolk crab or a pot of whelks to enjoy overlooking the boats.

☀️When is the best time to visit?

There is no bad time to visit, but the summer months of June to August bring the warmest beach weather, while autumn is the season for the famous grey seal pups. Spring is ideal for birdwatching and quieter walks, and winter is bracing and atmospheric.

Summer (June–August)

• Best for: Beaches, boat trips and family days out
• Weather: Warm and often sunny, with cool sea breezes
• Atmosphere: Lively but relaxed along the coast

Spring & Autumn (April–May, September–November)

• Best for: Seals, seabirds and quiet coastal walks
• Weather: Mild and breezy, with big open skies
• Atmosphere: Peaceful, with easy availability

Winter (December–March)

• Best for: Bracing walks, galleries and cosy pubs
• Weather: Cold and blustery, but wonderfully dramatic
• Atmosphere: Quiet and snug, with roaring fires

⭐Our Hosts' recommendation: Our Norfolk Coast hosts recommend timing an autumn visit to see the grey seal pups at Blakeney Point, then warming up with a fresh crab sandwich in a harbour café. Ask your host about the best stretch of the coast path for birdwatching and which gallery is worth a rainy afternoon.

1. Go seal-spotting by boat
2. Walk the Norfolk Coast Path
3. Visit the Glandford Shell Museum
4. Reach the secret Scolt Head beach
5. Discover the Thursford Collection

1. Go seal-spotting by boat

   North Norfolk is home to more seals than anywhere else in the UK, and a boat trip out to Blakeney Point is the best way to see them. Numerous operators run specialist trips from the harbour, letting you watch the grey and common seals basking on the sandbanks and bobbing in the water. Autumn brings the added magic of the pupping season. It is a memorable, family-friendly outing and a real Norfolk highlight.

2. Walk the Norfolk Coast Path

   However often you visit, the Norfolk Coast Path always reveals something new. Trek over sand dunes and salt marshes on designated paths, or head into the woodlands for a shadier day. With big open skies, abundant birdlife and ever-changing views, there is simply no better way to experience this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Best of all, there are routes to suit every fitness level, from gentle strolls to long-distance hikes.

3. Visit the Glandford Shell Museum

   The charming Glandford Shell Museum houses the finest seashell collection in the country, a purpose-built treasure trove of exquisite shells gathered from around the world. Alongside them you will find fossils, birds' eggs and local archaeological finds, all beautifully displayed. Small, quirky and utterly delightful, it makes a lovely stop on a rainy day and is sure to enchant curious children and grown-ups alike.

4. Reach the secret Scolt Head beach

   For a taste of true wilderness, head to Scolt Head Island, reachable only on foot at low tide or by summer ferry. This off-the-beaten-path barrier island is a stunningly peaceful, untamed stretch of sand and dune, and an important nature reserve. Birdwatchers, nature lovers and anyone seeking solitude will fall for its wild beauty. Check the tide times carefully and you will have one of Norfolk's finest beaches almost to yourself.

5. Discover the Thursford Collection

   A wonderfully different day out, the Thursford Collection is a magical museum of old-fashioned carousels, mechanical organs, Wurlitzers and steam engines. The vintage fairground rides and live musical performances make it a hit with all ages, and it is especially atmospheric in the run-up to Christmas. It is a joyful, nostalgic experience and a reminder of the coast's rich seam of quirky attractions.