Bacton Beach

The shingle beach at Bacton stretches wide and honest, the sort of Norfolk coast you either love or find a bit bleak depending on your mood. It's a proper nature reserve, so you're here for the wildlife and the walking rather than ice cream and amusements. The pebbles go on for miles, backed by reed beds that sing with birds - warblers, harriers, the occasional rarer migrant if you time it right. Winter brings in thousands of wildfowl; spring and autumn are chaos of passage birds passing through. Binoculars are essential kit. There's a raw quality to it that feels far removed from the manicured beaches you get further round the Norfolk coast. East of Norwich, it's close enough for a day trip but far enough to feel genuinely remote. You'll want at least two hours here to get a proper sense of the place, longer if you're serious about birdwatching. The walking is straightforward - flat, easy going - though the wind off the North Sea can be fierce. Not for everyone, frankly. Kids who expect traditional seaside fun will be bored within thirty minutes. But if you've got binoculars, a decent camera, or just want to stand somewhere quiet and watch the horizon, it's worth the drive. The caravan parks nearby - Dilham Hall Retreats and Woodland Holiday Park are your closest options - make it an easy add-on to a Norfolk week. Go early morning or late afternoon when the light's best and the birds are most active.