Cley Beach

The shingle stretches for miles in both directions, a proper working beach that hasn't been prettified for the tourists. Cley, just east of Holt, is where you come to watch the light change across the water and spot waders if you're into that sort of thing - it's genuinely excellent for birdwatching, especially in spring and autumn. The beach itself is all pebbles and flint, no sand to speak of, which means it's never going to be packed with families building castles. Walk out at low tide and you'll find little pools where you can actually stand without sinking into shale. The windmill behind the beach is proper Norfolk - old, weathered, photogenic in that understated way. Free to visit, naturally. Allow an hour minimum if you're just having a poke about, longer if you're serious about the binoculars. The wind can be absolutely brutal here, so check the weather before you drag the kids along. From Kelling Heath Holiday Park it's only 4.5 miles, making it an easy morning trip between other activities. You could combine it with a walk along the coastal path towards Sheringham without breaking a sweat. Worth the drive from Holt? Yes, especially if you appreciate coastal scenery that's real rather than resort-ready. It's not flashy, but that's precisely the point.