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Heacham Circular Walk

3.29 miles (5.3 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap Enjoy fine views of The Wash on this circular walk from the Norfolk village of Heacham. The route runs for just over 3 miles so should suit most abilites. The attractive beaches in the village are a popular tourist spot in the summer months. They are among the few beaches in eastern England where the sun sets over the sea instead of over the land.
You can start the walk from the public car park on the sea front, just to the west of the village at South Beach. From here you can pick up a coastal path running north along Stubborn Sands towards Hunstanton. You can then pick up another inland path, running along the golf course to bring you back towards Heacham.
PE31 7LH

Heacham Circular Walk OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Heacham Circular Walk Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

The Heacham Holt Cafe is located at the start of the walk at South Beach. There's a good range of meals and snacks here.
The West Norfolk is also decent pub located a short walk from the beach.. They do good food and have an outdoor area if the weather is nice. You can find the pub at 91 Station Road with a postcode of PE31 7AW for your sat navs.

Dog Walking

The paths and beach are a nice place to bring your dog and the West Norfolk pub and Heacham Holt Cafe mentioned above are also dog friendly.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Just to the south you can pick up the Snettisham Walk and visit the splendid RSPB Nature Reserve.
Continue north and you can try the Hunstanton Walk. This takes you along a section of the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path National Trail. The route takes you along the waymarked trail to the nearby village of Thornham, passing beaches, sand dunes and nature reserves on the way.
If you head east from the route you can visit Heacham village. Here you'll find a noteworthy Norman church dating from 1230. In the cupola on the tower hangs a bell dating from about 1100, making it the oldest in East Anglia, and the seventh oldest in the country.
The Holkham National Nature Reserve, Wolferton village, Dersingham Bog, Sandringham Country Park and the Walsingham Way at the medieval Walsingham Abbey are also nearby. All have some good walking trails with more lovely scenery to enjoy.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Norfolk Walks page.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

The Wash, near Heacham - geograph.org.uk - 234115

The Wash, near Heacham. The tide is out leaving the late afternoon sun reflecting off the wet sand.

Mouth of the Heacham River - geograph.org.uk - 1454291

Mouth of the Heacham River. The Heacham River where it finally discharges into the waters of the Wash. Crossing it required some care, but the banks were solid enough at the downstream end.

Heacham Beach - geograph.org.uk - 659966

Heacham Beach

High Street, Heacham - geograph.org.uk - 574613

High Street, Heacham

The Old Railway Station at Heacham,Norfolk. - geograph.org.uk - 1709710

The Old Railway Station at Heacham,Norfolk. The waiting rooms of this old railway station on the disused line between Kings Lynn and Hunstanton,has now been transformed into holiday homes.

Heacham River across Stubborn Sand - geograph.org.uk - 948062

Heacham River across Stubborn Sand Even with the tide well out, the outfall of the Heacham River provides enough water on the beach for people to have fun in. Meanwhile, the flat sands are ideal for microlight aircraft, one of which can just be seen in the sky.

GPS Files

GPX File

Heacham Circular Walk.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Heacham Circular Walk.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)