48 Hours on the North Norfolk Coast: A Food-Lover's Itinerary
North Norfolk isn’t your average staycation. Among the salt marshes, sweeping skies and charming flint-stone villages, Anglian Country Inns gives you a cosy base for exploring it all, from quaint pubs to sumptuous suites.
Wondering where to begin? Just as well we’ve crafted the perfect north Norfolk itinerary, taking you from windswept walks and bakery breakfasts to seafood suppers and shanties.
Whether you’re planning a 48-hour escape to the seaside or simply wondering how to spend a weekend in Norfolk, consider this your food-led route through the Norfolk coast, made for anyone who believes a trip away should be taken one superb plate at a time.
Day 1 - morning
Pre-coast coffee
First stop: Holme-next-the-Sea, for salty air and the all-important matter of breakfast. In this unspoiled village, you can start the day right at The White Horse Holme Bakery.
The converted 19th-century stone barn supplies everything from fruity jam on organic sourdough to freshly baked croissants loaded with smoked salmon and cream cheese. Don't leave without a cup of expertly brewed coffee.
Day 1 - late morning
Into the dunes
Step into an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty — and keep stepping. On the Holme Dunes coastal walk, you’ll pass through sand dunes, salt marshes, water meadows and pine forests, with plenty of wildlife to look out for along the way.
Information boards tell the story of the area’s rare history, including Seahenge, a Bronze Age timber circle discovered on the beach here. If you own a pair of binoculars, bring them. Along the way, you’re in with a chance to spot everything from curlews to egrets.
Day 1 - lunch
Time to graze
As North Norfolk restaurants go, The White Horse Holme makes a very good place to pause for lunch. Take a table in the cosy Grade II listed pub, or head for the garden and soak in the rays on a sunny day.
At The White Horse Holme pub, small plates feature a strong local accent, with ingredients such as oysters and cheese sourced from trusted producers committed to quality. Whether you fancy crispy chicken wings or fries cooked to perfection, there’s plenty on the menu to tempt you.
Day 1 - early afternoon
Settle in by the sea
Check in to The White Horse Brancaster Staithe, and settle into your coastal base for the night. The spacious en-suite bedrooms are just the ticket for basking in the satisfaction of a day well spent.
If you fancy something extra special, the Room at the Top comes with a viewing terrace and telescope, with panoramic views across the tidal marshland to Scolt Head Island and the sea beyond.
Day 1 - dinner
Just what the tide ordered
Seafood fiends, this is your supper stop. At the 2 AA Rosette restaurant at The White Horse Brancaster Staithe, classic pub food sits happily alongside fresh crab, lobster, scallops, local oysters and mussels harvested in the tidal creeks along the Norfolk Coast in Brancaster Bay.
Watch twilight settle over the shoreline as you tuck into dinner that’s as scrumptious as it is sustainable.
Day 1 - evening
A Jolly Ol' Time
In this 18th-century award-winning pub, you’ll find local ales, coastal character and an open-door policy for four-legged friends.
Wholesome and hearty, The Jolly Sailors is the perfect place for a post-dinner drink and, if you’re lucky, a bit of a show. Nelson’s Shantymen keep the tradition of sea shanties alive here, in a joyful nod to north Norfolk’s maritime history.
Day 2 - morning
A gentle mooch
A short cruise up the road and you’ll find yourself on the outskirts of Thornham, a picturesque village dotted with old fishing boats and sea-worn wooden jetties.
If you fancy a wander that begins with local farm produce and somehow ends with a new jumper, Drove Orchards has you covered, with gifts, independent shops and clothing boutiques to browse at your own pace.
Day 2 - lunchtime
The final feast
After a restful night, Sunday lunch calls – and The Kings Head in Letheringsett answers.
Nestled near the market town of Holt, the award-winning gastropub offers British favourites with a twist, from smoked cheese doughnuts to beer-battered haddock and chips, with ingredients sourced from local farmers, fishermen and producers. Take a seat outside if the weather allows and give the weekend the send-off it deserves.
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