# June – August: Beaches, Festivals & Outdoor Dining

Summer is peak season. Blue Flag beaches, family attractions, outdoor events, and long daylight hours make North Norfolk magical. Book restaurants and popular attractions ahead.

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### Coast & Nature – Summer

#### **Wells-next-the-Sea Beach**
*Perfect for: Family days, Summer holidays, Picnics*

One of Norfolk's most accessible beaches, with soft sand, iconic colourful beach huts, and safe swimming marked by lifeguard flags (July–early September).

- **What to expect:** Wide sandy beach, beach huts, pine woods, crabbing on the quay, ice-cream vendors, busy atmosphere
- **Family features:** Soft play, Maltings cinema/arts centre, cafés, accessible facilities
- **Parking:** Pay & display; can get busy July–August
- **Beach café:** Beach Café at Wells serves hot and cold food; seating indoors and outdoors
- **Facilities:** Toilets at main car park entrance and in pinewoods (spring–autumn)
- **Tide times:** Crucial—check before visiting; strong tidal currents; lifeguards on duty early July to early September
- **Website:** https://www.wells-guide.co.uk
- **Distance from Riverbank:** ~20 minutes drive

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#### **Holkham Beach – Summer Option**
*Perfect for: Serious beach days, Wildlife spotting, Quieter alternative to Wells*

Preferred by some for its vast emptiness compared to Wells. Spring flowers give way to summer sand-dunes activity.

- **Summer advantage:** Miles of seemingly empty sand (even in July/August) if you walk far enough from car park
- **Sunset walks:** Stunning evening light over the marshes and dunes
- **Seals:** Visible year-round in the waters; excellent spotting in calm summer conditions
- **Website:** https://www.holkham.co.uk/visit/holkham-beach-nature-reserve/

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#### **Cromer Beach & Pier**
*Perfect for: Traditional seaside fun, Family holidays, Romantic strolls*

Classic Victorian seaside town with a Grade II-listed pier (151 metres long). Famous for Cromer crabs and end-of-pier theatre.

- **What to expect:** Sandy beach, traditional pier with café and shows, lifeboat museum, vibrant seafront atmosphere
- **Summer highlight:** Cromer Pier Show (full-season variety shows nightly in the Pavilion Theatre; one of only five UK end-of-pier theatres)
- **Crabbing:** Traditional activity off the beach and quay
- **Cromer crabs:** Fresh seafood from the famous chalk reef
- **Facilities:** Beach huts, cafés, shops, ice-cream vendors
- **Website:** https://www.cromerpier.co.uk
- **Distance from Riverbank:** ~25 minutes drive

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#### **West Runton Beach**
*Perfect for: Families with children, Fossil hunters, Snorkellers*

Blue Flag beach with a mix of sand, shingle, and rock pools. Famous for surfing and snorkelling on the chalk reef.

- **What to expect:** Family-friendly Blue Flag beach, cliff-top walks, fossil-spotting (West Runton is famous for the "West Runton Elephant" Pleistocene mammoth found in 1990)
- **Summer activities:** Rock pooling at low tide, snorkelling on the chalk reef, cliff path walking, surfing lessons available
- **Facilities:** Cliff-top car park, public toilets, local shops
- **Unique feature:** East Runton Windmill (historic landmark nearby)
- **Distance from Riverbank:** ~25 minutes drive

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#### **North Norfolk Railway (Poppy Line), Sheringham–Holt**
*Perfect for: Family days, Special occasions, Steam train enthusiasts*

Heritage railway running steam and diesel trains between Sheringham and Holt through beautiful Norfolk countryside. Summer schedule with special events.

- **What to expect:** Vintage steam locomotives, period carriages, scenic countryside route (15 miles), vintage shopping, themed events
- **Summer schedule:** Multiple daily departures; special events (Thomas the Tank Engine days, evening galas, beer and cider trains)
- **Sheringham station:** Victorian architecture, museum, café
- **Holt station:** Town centre location; easy access to Holt shops and cafés
- **Family appeal:** Exciting for children; photogenic for all visitors
- **Website:** https://www.nnrailway.co.uk
- **Distance from Riverbank:** Holt station ~1 mile; Sheringham station ~20 minutes

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#### **Blakeney Point Seal Trips (Summer)**
*Perfect for: Family days, All visitors*

Summer brings busy boat schedules with multiple departures daily. Waters are calmer than spring/winter, but also busier with tourists.

- **Summer advantage:** More frequent departures; warmer conditions; easier spotting in calmer seas
- **Family tip:** Book morning trips to avoid afternoon crowds
- **Website:** https://www.beansboattrips.co.uk

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### Food & Drink – Summer

#### **The Dun Cow, Salthouse**
*Perfect for: Summer dining, Family meals, Marsh views*

Cheerful pub with stunning views over the salt marshes from the front garden. Spanish-leaning menu with seafood focus.

- **Summer speciality:** Outdoor seating overlooking marshes; sherry, oysters, grilled fish
- **Signature dish:** Burnt Basque cheesecake
- **Atmosphere:** Relaxed, family-friendly
- **Website:** https://www.duncowsalthouse.co.uk
- **Distance from Riverbank:** ~15 minutes drive

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#### **The White Horse, Brancaster Staithe**
*Perfect for: Romantic dinners, Family meals, Special occasions*

Sprawling pub with multiple dining areas. The standout: marsh seafood bar with stunning views over the salt marsh.

- **Summer highlight:** Eat fresh seafood (lobster, crab, fish) while gazing over the marshes at sunset
- **Multiple menus:** Everything from casual pub fare to fine dining
- **Website:** https://www.whitehorsebrancaster.co.uk
- **Distance from Riverbank:** ~15 minutes drive

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#### **No. Twenty 9 Bar & Restaurant, Burnham Market**
*Perfect for: Romantic nights out, Special occasions, Foodies*

Vibrant restaurant with rooms in the picturesque village of Burnham Market. Unique wood-fired cooking (indoors and outdoors on Big Green Egg grills).

- **Style:** Rustic, fiery flavours; wood-smoked meats and fish; contemporary small plates
- **Summer outdoor kitchen:** Open-air cooking in the walled courtyard under festoon lighting with olive trees
- **Atmosphere:** Lively bar, live music nights (every other Friday)
- **Accommodation:** 9 luxury boutique rooms in landscaped gardens (for special occasion stays)
- **Dog-friendly:** Won Best Pub for Dogs award 2024
- **Website:** https://www.number-29.com
- **Phone:** 01328 738 498
- **Email:** reservations@number-29.com
- **Distance from Riverbank:** ~12 minutes drive

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#### **Wiveton Hall Café (now Norfolk Tea Co. Café)**
*Perfect for: Lunch, Afternoon tea, Family days*

Quirky farm-to-table café on the grounds of historic Wiveton Hall, between Blakeney and Cley. Farm fields visible from seating; fresh, seasonal fare.

- **Farm-to-table:** Asparagus, strawberries, raspberries, artichokes grown on-site; free-range chickens on the farm
- **Menu:** Soups, terrines, savoury tarts, pan-fried pigeon, salads, fresh cakes
- **Atmosphere:** Funky, quirky, beloved by families and foodies; outdoor garden seating; covered areas for weather
- **Famous feature:** Allegedly a favourite of Delia Smith and Kate Middleton
- **New for 2025:** Norfolk Tea Co. now operates the café (specialist tea menu, locally roasted coffee, fabulous cakes and savouries)
- **Website:** https://www.wivetonhall.co.uk/cafe/
- **Phone:** 01263 740525
- **Hours:** Daily 10am–5pm (summer); check for seasonal variations
- **Distance from Riverbank:** ~15 minutes drive

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#### **The Grove, Cromer**
*Perfect for: Special occasions, Fine dining, Afternoon tea*

Beautifully secluded Georgian holiday home 10 minutes walk from Cromer town centre. Award-winning 2 AA Rosette restaurant.

- **Offering:** Dinner, afternoon tea, reservations recommended
- **Atmosphere:** Intimate, refined, romantic
- **Website:** Contact via Cromer visitor information

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#### **The Suffield Arms, Gunton**
*Perfect for: Date nights, Couples, Casual sophistication*

Revamped country pub with Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Cured meats, tapas, and excellent cocktails.

- **Vibe:** Stylish, relaxed
- **Best for:** Evening cocktails and small plates
- **Website:** https://www.thesuffieldarms.co.uk
- **Distance from Riverbank:** ~20 minutes drive

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### Summer Festivals & Events

**Cromer Carnival** (typically July)  
- Sand-castle competition, town crier competition, traditional seaside fun
- Stalls, live music, fairground rides
- Information: https://www.visitnorthnorfolk.com

**Cromer Crab & Lobster Festival** (typically August)  
- Celebration of local seafood
- Tastings, demos, family events
- Information: https://w